Bill Would Help Protect and Restore Presque Isle
WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) applauds the passage of the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008 which aims to clean up contaminated expanses in the Great Lakes within ten years and was cosponsored by Senator Casey. Specifically, this bill would allow for additional funding to protect and restore targeted areas in the Great Lakes like Presque Isle.
“Lake Erie is such an important part of our heritage and landscape in northwestern Pennsylvania that we must do everything we can to keep it safe and beautiful,” said Senator Casey. “This legislation will provide for funding to sustain this picturesque lake for generations to come and I am so pleased my Senate colleagues have shown they agree by supporting this bill.”
The Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008 passed by the Senate authorizes $54 million annually to clean up what have been identified as “Areas of Concern” in the Great Lakes. These sites do not meet the water quality goals established by the United States and Canada in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, mainly because of contaminated sediments from historic industrial activity. This contamination results in the degradation of the environment including fish advisories, decreased fish and wildlife populations, taste and odor problems with drinking water, beach closures and bird and animal deformities.
The legislation was introduced by Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and George Voinovich (R-OH).
The House of Representatives passed a similar measure earlier this month and a compromise must be agreed to before the legislation can be sent to the President for final passage.
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“Lake Erie is such an important part of our heritage and landscape in northwestern Pennsylvania that we must do everything we can to keep it safe and beautiful,” said Senator Casey. “This legislation will provide for funding to sustain this picturesque lake for generations to come and I am so pleased my Senate colleagues have shown they agree by supporting this bill.”
The Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2008 passed by the Senate authorizes $54 million annually to clean up what have been identified as “Areas of Concern” in the Great Lakes. These sites do not meet the water quality goals established by the United States and Canada in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, mainly because of contaminated sediments from historic industrial activity. This contamination results in the degradation of the environment including fish advisories, decreased fish and wildlife populations, taste and odor problems with drinking water, beach closures and bird and animal deformities.
The legislation was introduced by Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and George Voinovich (R-OH).
The House of Representatives passed a similar measure earlier this month and a compromise must be agreed to before the legislation can be sent to the President for final passage.
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