Protect Lake Michigan News

Statement of Christy Leavitt, Environment Illinois Clean Water Advocate: 

Environment Illinois applauds Senators Levin (Mich.) and Voinovich (Ohio) and the U.S. Senate for passing legislation to clean up toxic contamination in the Great Lakes.  The Senate voted for the Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act (H.R. 6460), which authorizes $54 million a year for two years to clean up toxic pollution.  

While additional funding is needed, the reauthorization of the Great Lakes Legacy Act is an important step toward cleaning up the worst toxic sites in the Great Lakes.  

Accounting for 20 percent of the fresh water on Earth, the Great Lakes are threatened by a legacy of toxic pollution.  Chemicals, including PCBs, mercury and other heavy metals, contaminate rivers and harbors that feed the lakes, threatening public health and the environment.

Since its original passage in 2002, the Great Lakes Legacy Act has made important progress in the removal of toxic sediment, but significant work remains.  Tens of millions of cubic yards of contaminated sediment still need to be removed from rivers and harbors.

This is the second action Congress has taken to restore the Great Lakes this week.  On Tuesday, the House passed the Great Lakes Compact to ensure more sustainable use of Great Lakes water.

Two other bills that would improve Great Lakes water quality still await votes in the Senate. The Beach Protection Act (S. 2884) would increase funding for water pollution testing at Great Lakes and ocean beaches, and the Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act (S.2080) would require public notification when sewage is spilled into the lakes or other waterways. 

The House has passed these clean water bills, and we urge the Senate to act quickly to protect the Great Lakes and public health.