| Great
Lakes Article: Obama
Campaign: Announces Obama-Biden plan for the Great Lakes
Wispolitics.com
Sept.
16, 2008 Obama-Biden Plan Provides Long-Term Funding and Better
Government Coordination to Protect the Great Lakes CHICAGO, IL – Today,
the Obama-Biden campaign announced the Obama-Biden Great Lakes Restoration Plan.
The plan calls for new federal funding of $5 billion to jumpstart Great Lakes
Restoration, designates a Great Lakes Coordinator to coordinate Federal, State,
and Local agencies and requires full implementation of the Great Lakes Compact. Governor
Jim Doyle, the Chairman of the Great Lakes Governors said, “America deserves to
have a President who understands that supporting the Great Lakes isn’t just about
scoring points during the election year, it’s about preserving our environment
and protecting a vital economic engine in the Midwest. Our states need a partner
in the White House like Barack Obama who has a proven track record of protecting
the Great Lakes and advocating for our sportsmen, our tourism industry and our
jobs. The Obama-Biden plan gives us in the Great Lakes states the support and
change we need to grow our economy and secure our future.” Obama has been
a longtime advocate for the restoration of the Great Lakes, spearheading clean-up
efforts in the Illinois State Senate and leading in the United States Senate on
the bipartisan Great Lakes Compact -- legislation which ensures that the Great
Lakes region can create jobs and support growth in a sustainable way. Obama was
also a co-sponsor of the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act and other
legislation to help prevent the spread of invasive species, promote cleanup initiatives
and projects, and prevent sediment pollution. Just as President Bush has
failed to fund Great Lakes initiatives during the past 8 years, John McCain has
stood with Bush and refused to support measures that would give the Great Lakes
states the support they need. And today, while campaigning for president, Senator
McCain says he supports the Great Lakes, but he has repeatedly voted against critical
legislation and even opposed measures to preserve the Great Lakes, including cleanup
initiatives and projects to prevent sediment pollution. He also opposed funding
to complete the Asian Carp Barrier Project to prevent invasive species from reaching
the Great Lakes. The Obama-Biden vision for the future of our Great Lakes
will: · Provide New Federal Funding of $5 Billion to Jumpstart Great
Lakes Restoration: Barack Obama will provide $5 billion in new federal funds to
jumpstart the restoration work and help pay for sewage repairs, toxic cleanups,
and wetlands restoration. · Designate a Great Lakes Coordinator to
Prioritize Coordination of Federal, State and Local Agencies: To ensure the Great
Lakes restoration efforts stay on track, Obama will create a position within the
US EPA to oversee the funding, cut through red tape, and keep restoration efforts
on track. · Reduce Toxic Hotspots and Address Mercury Pollution:
They will comprehensively measure current toxic loadings, identify significant
sources of new toxics, and develop an integrated strategy for reducing deposits
in the Great Lakes that harm fish, wildlife and people. · Ratify
and Fully Implement the Great Lakes Compact to Conserve Water and Protect Against
Water Diversions: As President, he will work closely with the Governors and municipal
leaders to encourage water conservation and avoid out-of-basin diversions in the
future · Aggressive Action to control and prevent Invasive Species:
Under the Obama plan, we’ll stop the discharge of invasive species from the ballast
water of ships. And his administration will aggressively pursue policies and dedicate
federal funds to control and prevent Asian Carp and other new harmful species
from entering the Great Lakes.
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