President Trump has once again proposed sweeping budget cuts to federal clean water programs including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding—a wildly popular, bipartisan program used for cleanup and restoration efforts in the Great Lakes. Proposed cuts take it from $300 million to $30 million from…a near 90% cut.
In addition, the proposed budget cuts the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget by 31%, with major cuts to drinking water and wastewater low-interest loan programs (cuts of $863 million and $1.12 billion, respectively). Many NOAA-led programs that help address coastal issues (e.g., erosion, water quality, flooding, habitat loss) and climate have also seen cuts.
Wisconsin communities rely on these programs to help achieve swimmable, fishable, drinkable lakes and waterways. We need to protect the source. Wisconsin NEEDS healthy Great Lakes, if we are going to have healthy communities.
We are making it clear to our Wisconsin legislators that we expect them to protect our lakes and waterways; now, it’s time to ask Congress to do the same.
Tell your leaders in Congress that you want FULL funding for our Great Lakes!