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Sportsmen to President Bush: Endorse a
Strong Plan to Restore the Great Lakes
Protect Hunting and Fishing Opportunities for Our Children in Dec. 12 Plan
ANN ARBOR, Michigan (December 2, 2005)–Hunters, anglers, trappers, and conservationists today sent a letter to President Bush, urging him to endorse a strong plan to clean up the Great Lakes.
“President Bush has the opportunity to write a new chapter in the region’s conservation history,” said Andy Buchsbaum, director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes office, which was among 19 signatories on the letter. “Restoring the Great Lakes will provide hunting and fishing opportunities for our children and grandchildren for generations to come.”
The letter from sportsmen and women comes as a presidential taskforce prepares to release on December 12 its plan to clean up the lakes—the largest surface source of freshwater in the world.
The letter states: “Sportsmen and women strongly support the vision for a restored Great Lakes as outlined in the plan—one in which fisheries flourish, habitat recovers, and wildlife thrive, providing abundant hunting and fishing opportunities.”
Sportsmen support the current version of the plan, which calls for nearly $20 billion to prevent aquatic invasive species like the zebra mussel from wreaking havoc on native fish and wildlife; to upgrade sewer systems to prevent sewage from closing beaches; and to restore wetlands and other habitat to provide a home for fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife.
“We encourage you to fund the restoration effort commensurate with the job at hand,” states the letter to President Bush. “Successful conservation requires an investment—and always has. Hunters and anglers have been the lifeblood of America’s monumentally successful conservation movement through their willingness to pay license fees and excise taxes on equipment. But sportsmen and women cannot do it alone. We all share the responsibility to clean up the Lakes, and it’s time local, state and federal government invest in restoring this great resource.”
A letter leaked recently from several federal agencies to the president has raised concern that the Bush Administration might back away from endorsing the current plan citing federal financial constraints. In response, the region’s governors, mayors, and Congressional delegation wrote to President Bush, requesting that the federal government uphold its commitment to a solid restoration plan, including new funding.
“We stand with the Great Lakes Governors, Mayors, and Congressional delegation in solid support of (the current) plan,” states the letter from sportsmen. “Show us you remain committed by endorsing a strong restoration strategy so that our nation’s children and grandchildren can fish, swim, hunt and enjoy the Great Lakes for generations to come.”
Conservation organizations including the National Wildlife Federation have devoted a significant amount of time and energy to craft the restoration plan as part of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, a fast-track process established by President Bush to draft a plan to clean up the Great Lakes. More than 1,500 citizens have participated, including people from Tribal, governmental, industry, and conservation organizations.
“Citizens have made their voices heard and the priorities of the region are clear,” said Buchsbaum. “It is time that elected officials stand and deliver for the Great Lakes.”
The Great Lakes comprise almost 20 percent of the world’s surface fresh water and supply drinking water to more than 40 million U.S. and Canadian residents. The Great Lakes also support local agriculture; a diversity of wildlife, including a world-class fishery; maritime trade; industry; and tourism.
“The Lakes have provided their generous bounty to hunters and anglers for centuries,” said Buchsbaum. “The lakes are now in trouble and need our help. We have manageable solutions to protect this great resource. It is time to use them.”
The sportsmen letter to President Bush is online at:
http://www.restorethelakes.org
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For immediate release: December 2, 2005
Contact:
Jordan Lubetkin, National Wildlife Federation – (734) 904-1589; lubetkin@nwf.org