Advocates to Congress: Don’t cut funding for Great Lakes

Associated Press

Advocates for the Great Lakes are meeting in Washington, D.C., this week to push for continued funding of cleanup programs and discuss water-quality issues such as algae blooms and oil transportation.

The Great Lakes Commission representing the region’s eight states and two Canadian provinces wrapped up a two-day gathering Wednesday with a session on disposal of dredged material and other maritime transportation topics.

On Tuesday, commission members heard presentations about ways to reduce nutrient runoff blamed for toxic-algae outbreaks.

Also meeting in Washington on Wednesday and today is the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.

Both organizations will visit congressional offices to lobby against President Barack Obama’s proposal to reduce funding of a multiyear Great Lakes cleanup program from $300 million this year to $250 million next year.