Senators Mike DeWine (R-OH) and Carl Levin (D-MI) and Reps. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) and Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) introduced legislation (S. 2545 and H.R. 5100) in April 2006 to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem. The legislation reflects the recommendations from the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, a partnership of federal, state, and local government officials and program managers, scientists, and interested private stakeholders.

The legislation would:

• Stop the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species by reauthorizing the National Invasive Species Act of 1996.
• Prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes by authorizing the Corps of Engineers to maintain and operate the dispersal barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and prohibit the importation and sale of Asian carp.
• Restore fish and wildlife habitat by reauthorizing the Great Lakes Fish & Wildlife Restoration Act at $20 million per year.
• Prevent sewage contamination by reauthorizing the State Revolving Loan Fund and providing $20 billion over five years to assist communities with improving their wastewater infrastructure. • Clean up contaminated sediment under the Great Lakes Legacy Act by reauthorizing the program for $150 million per year, up from $54 million.
• Phase out mercury in products by establishing a new EPA grant program at $10 million per year and improving existing research programs.
• Coordinate and improve Great Lakes programs by establishing the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force and the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration.

To contact the Great Lakes Task Forces, call Joy Mulinex at 202-224-1211.