WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. George Voinovich (R., Ohio) yesterday vowed to follow up on this week's release of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy report with a committee hearing in which senators can discuss funding for the plan.
The report - the most comprehensive of its kind - outlines a need for an estimated $20 billion of work, including better sewage treatment, more harbor cleanups, expanded wetlands, more environmental buffers, and more barriers to stop exotic species.
The projects are intended to protect human health and enhance wildlife diversity.
Area officials recently submitted a request for $300 million to get some of the work started after feeling they were rebuffed by administration officials.
A Cabinet-level task force on Oct. 28 advised President Bush to reject pleas for funding beyond existing programs.
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051216/NEWS24/512160341
Posted by Dave at December 16, 2005 12:55 PM