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Great Lakes
Article:
Editorial: Don't sweep away Great Lakes
cleanup
Indystar.com
Published October 17, 2005
Our position: Postponement of a Great Lakes cleanup shouldn't
derail the ambitious proposal.
The effects of Katrina are still being felt in the Great
Lakes region, far from where the hurricane made landfall.
A $20 billion proposal to clean up the Great Lakes over
the next 15 years appears to be Katrina's latest victim,
a casualty of $200 billion in federal aid targeted for
hurricane relief. Katrina isn't mentioned in a leaked
report that now calls for keeping Great Lakes expenditures
"within current budget projections." But the
financial problems the storm created can be the only explanation
for the abrupt turnabout in White House policy.
When President Bush appointed an EPA-led task force that
led to development of the $20 billion cleanup plan, he
talked about "ensuring that the greatness of the
lakes endures for generations." Bush signed onto
a bold environmental proposal that rivaled restoration
of the Everglades.
A devastating hurricane season and its budget considerations
make postponement of the effort understandable. But delay
shouldn't turn into derailment.
Indiana has a lot at stake in the proposed undertaking.
It would help pay for a $400 million cleanup of the Indiana
Harbor and Ship Canal, provide federal funding for fixing
antiquated sewer systems in many Indiana communities,
restore wetlands and protect Hoosier beaches that are
invaluable tourist attractions.
As with other Great Lakes states hit by the loss of manufacturing
and auto industry jobs, Indiana is in no position to do
much about the Great Lakes without federal help.
Keeping the federal deficit under control is important.
But so is preserving the nation's largest source of fresh
water.
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