Rep. Pete Stauber's bill for Great Lakes restoration passes House

WASHINGTON — Congressman Pete Stauber’s bill to renew Great Lakes cleanup funding passed the House on Tuesday, March 24.

The Great Lakes funding is part of Stauber’s American Water Stewardship Act, which includes six stand-alone bills to strengthen water quality and ecosystem restoration programs by the Environmental Protection Agency.

“The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, or the GLRI, represents the largest federal investment in the Great Lakes, which are vitally important to my home state of Minnesota,” Stauber said while delivering remarks.

“The GLRI is the largest and, arguably, the most successful EPA geographic program. Its work focuses on cleaning up the Great Lakes, reducing pollution, addressing invasive species and restoring critical habitat for local species.”

The bill would extend about $475 million in annual funding for the Great Lakes through 2031. Stauber described it as "a common-sense approach to water stewardship," supporting community-led efforts and encouraging collaboration.

The bipartisan legislation cleared the House on a 378-32 vote.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was first funded by Congress in 2010 and has since spent more than $4 billion on efforts like preventing invasive species, restoring fish and wildlife habitat and managing agricultural and urban runoff.

Past Minnesota projects funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative include: habitat restoration in Nett Lake and Nett River in a partnership with the Bois Forte Band; moose and elk reintroduction research as well as updating the Stoney Brook watershed with the Fond du Lac Band; and studying contaminants in wildlife within the Lake Superior basin with the Grand Portage Band.

The measure now advances to the Senate for consideration.