Nearly half a billion dollars is set aside in the President's budget plan for Great Lakes. Congress still needs to approve President Obama's request. Chris Grubb, Grassroots Director with the Healing Our Waters, Great Lakes Coalition, says leaders in Wisconsin like Dave Obey, House Appropriations Committee Chairman, need to step up and to help pass Obama's $475 million plan.
If that happens there is already a blueprint in place called the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration strategy, says Grubb. Part of the plan would be to target invasive species, clean up pollution and restore habitat for wildlife. He says the funding would provide a “shot in the arm” for the strategy's recommendations.