It's now two days before the final deadline for public comment on the Great Lakes rescue plan, a $20 billion package put forth by a collaborative group in July. The Bush Administration will announce the final package in December.
Although the benefits of conserving Great Lakes wetlands are less dramatic than the benefits of conserving Louisiana wetlands, Great Lakes wetlands also provide flood water storage and retention services. The increased frequency of major storms and loss of wetlands are major factors in urban and small stream flooding. (Wetlands also provide water quality benefits, habitat, and other services.)
One good feature of the proposed plan that is timely for citizens to praise is a preliminary goal of restoring and protecting 550,000 acres of wetlands in the Basin by 2010. If this is done, lives and property will be saved.
http://glrc.us/documents/Nonpoint_Source.pdf
Posted by Dave at September 7, 2005 03:20 PM