President Trump has gone after women, immigrants, the press -- now he's going after our country's largest source of fresh drinking water, and our region's most treasured natural asset, the Great Lakes.
In his 2018 budget proposal for discretionary funding, released last Thursday, he proposed completely eliminating the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which has provided Ohio with more than $182 million to implement 192 projects since 2010.
By hitting the delete button on all federal efforts to protect the Great Lakes, President Trump is telling our entire region that our health is not his priority.
Tell Senators Brown and Portman to save the Great Lakes from Donald Trump.
The GLRI provides critical funding for environmental and public health projects in Ohio used to improve water quality, protect and restore wetlands, clean up contaminated areas and keep beaches open.
Despite past investments, Lake Erie continues to face significant challenges. Toxic algal blooms plague Lake Erie annually and have been increasing in frequency and severity over the last several years. Protecting Lake Erie is critical for protecting the drinking water for 3 million Ohioans, preserving unique recreational opportunities, and safeguarding a significant economic driver for the state. Annually, over $12.8 billion is spent by visitors to Ohio's Lake Erie region, accounting for almost 30% of the state's tourism dollars and supporting nearly 119,000 jobs in northern Ohio.
From one Lake Erie lover to all the others out there, thanks for taking action,
Kristen Kubitza
Conservation Program Coordinator, Climate Action Campaign