A budget was released Tuesday by the House Appropriations Committee that includes full funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
The GLRI, which has an annual budget of $300 million, funds restoration projects for wetlands and waterways across the Great Lakes.
Under a budget released by President Trump in May the initiative would have been defunded.
Republican Congressman John Moolenaar said bipartisan efforts have kept the initiative afloat.
“I think when this process began a lot of people were concerned that this program would be cut or eliminated but it was important that we work together in a bipartisan way in Congress to emphasize the importance of the Great Lakes and we’re very excited to see this new development.”
Congressman Moolenaar said the inclusion of the funding in the congressional budget proposal is a strong statement.
“This is a statement of priorities by the House of Representatives. We still have to work with the Senate to maintain this priority and the administration. We have more work to do but this is a great first step.”
But, Congressman John Moolenaar said work is still needed to explain why the funding was important.
“It is an education process and people across the country who aren’t one of the Great Lakes States aren’t as familiar. We continue to work at this and I believe we’re making great strides.”
There’s still plenty of time for changes to the House Budget but Moolenaar said this is a good first step in supporting and protecting the Great Lakes.
Moolenaar said he expects the bill will come up for a committee vote sometime next week.
Michigan Radio supplied audio of the interview with Congressman Moolenaar.