Rep. Slaughter Appointed as Co-Chair of Great Lakes Task Force

  This Position Will Enable Her to Continue to Safeguard New York's Natural Resources

Washington, DC - Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-Fairport), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, joined the Great Lakes Task Force as Co-Chair of this bipartisan, bicameral committee. By appointing her, the chair members of the GLTF recognized Rep. Slaughter as an advocate for the enhancement of the economic and environmental health of the Great Lakes Region.

"I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with this group and to make real and lasting changes for the benefit of the region," Rep. Slaughter said. "We have many challenges ahead of us in the 28^th district, such as waste water infrastructure repairs, invasive species, and the St. Lawrence Seaway Water Levels study," she added.

BACKGROUND

The House and Senate Great Lake Task Forces (GLTF), associated with the Northeast-Midwest Coalitions, promote appropriation and authorization bills to enhance environmental quality and economic development throughout the Great Lakes basin. The bipartisan group has advanced numerous provisions within the Water Resources Development Act, fought for inclusion of Great Lakes interests in the Conservation and Reinvestment Act and other national environmental legislation, and addressed Great Lakes water diversions. Throughout the 109^th Congress, the Great Lakes Task Forces will be particularly active on measures to protect against invasive species, to restore the Great Lakes ecosystem, and to provide adequate appropriations for Great Lakes programs.

The Northeast-Midwest Institute organizes periodic Capitol Hill briefings on key issues affecting the Great Lakes, including restoration, nonpoint source pollution, contaminated sediments, lake levels, invasive species, and air deposition. Each year, the Institute hosts a Great Lakes Summit at which the region's leaders share news and discuss cooperative ventures. In conjunction with the Great Lakes Commission, it also sponsors the annual Great Lakes Congressional Breakfast.