U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters recently announced $497,507 in funding for the Great Lakes Commission to lead a regional partnership to restore habitats in the Great Lakes. Working with the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission, the Great Lakes Commission plans to restore fish passage and habitat in Muskegon Lake. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provided the funding for this plan.
The Commission will work with the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission to design a restoration project, so as to reconnect the former floodplain wetlands with the Muskegon River and restore fish passage and habitat for native fish and wildlife. A similar initiative was awarded $1,595,505 to restore the Buffalo River Area of Concern in New York.
This support will help continue work already underway through the U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern program and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, being a multi-year plan to restore and preserve our Great Lakes by eliminating toxins, combating invasive species, restoring habitats, and promoting the overall health of the Lakes. This Commission has received $30 million to date for Great Lakes restoration efforts.
Senator Stabenow, Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force had this to say: “Our lakes are part of who we are and our way of life. This investment will help regional partners work together to protect our Great Lakes, waterways, and wildlife habitats.”
“Protecting the health and sustainability of the Great Lakes is a top concern for Michiganders, who rely on the Great Lakes for their water supply, jobs and way of life,” said Senator Peters, a fellow member of the Great Lakes Task Force. “This investment will play a significant role in restoring fish passages and wildlife habitats, which strengthen our economy and preserve the state’s natural beauty.”
