Obama asks Senate to Increase Oversight on Great Lakes Restoration Process
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Printable FormatFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Obama Contact: Robert Gibbs or Tommy Vietor, (202) 228-5511 or (202) 997-3462
Illinois Contact: Julian Green, (312) 886-3506
Date: December 13, 2005
Obama asks Senate to Increase Oversight on Great Lakes Restoration Process
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today asked Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman James M. Inhofe and Ranking Member James M. Jeffords to hold oversight hearings to discuss progress made in the Great Lakes restoration process and what future steps Congress must take to preserve this precious resource.
"Lake Michigan is more than just a vital source of drinking water," said Obama. "It is one of Chicago's most distinctive features and an important recreational and economic resource for its residents and residents in neighboring communities. That is why I've asked for Senate hearings to ensure that the proper steps are being taken to protect and preserve the Great Lakes. This restoration process has been delayed for far too long and Congress must act immediately build on the efforts of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration."
On Monday, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) finalized recommendations that deal with many of the problems facing the Great Lakes, including sewer overflows, invasive species and toxic pollution. The hearings Senator Obama requested in the Environment and Public Works Committee would continue the GLRC's efforts by increasing awareness of the problem and helping determine what additional funding is needed in the near future.
Below, please find the full text of the letter:
December 13, 2005
The Honorable James M. Inhofe, Chairman
The Honorable James M. Jeffords, Ranking Member
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Inhofe and Ranking Member Jeffords:
I respectfully request that the Environment and Public Works Committee schedule oversight hearings on the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration's (GLRC) strategy to restore and protect the Great Lakes that was released yesterday.
Over the past year, the GLRC has been working on a restoration strategy to protect and restore a national treasure - the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are a natural wonder of the world that hold one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water. By providing drinking water, they are important to our citizens' physical health. By providing shipping, fishing and recreational opportunities, they are important to our region's - as well as our nation's - economic health.
The GLRC process has included 1,500 stakeholders, including government officials, private sector representatives, and environmental organizations. In July, the GLRC issued draft recommendations that dealt with many of the problems facing the Great Lakes, such as sewer overflows, invasive species and toxic pollution. These recommendations were finalized yesterday.
Meaningful Great Lakes restoration cannot happen without strong support from all levels of government, including Congress. Oversight hearings will help provide us with the information we need to effectively review and implement the restoration strategy. Every day our nation waits, restoration of the Great Lakes becomes more difficult and more expensive.
I hope you will schedule hearings so Congress can immediately begin doing its part to restore and protect this national treasure.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
United States Senator