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The spending represents a first step toward a multiyear campaign
to repair decades of damage to the battered ecosystem. It also
seeks to ward off new threats by preventing exotic species
invasions and cutting down on erosion and runoff.

      Obama's 2010 budget released in February requested the $475
million for a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, focusing on the
region's most pressing environmental problems. When added to
existing programs such as sewer system upgrades, it would push
annual federal spending on the lakes past $1 billion.

      The Environmental Protection Agency recently provided more
details on how the new money would be used. Government officials
and activists from the region analyzed the plan Thursday in a
conference call with reporters.

      "These are exactly the kind of measures we need to return the
Great Lakes to health," said Andy Buchsbaum, co-chairman of the
Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. "This is not a long
shot. This is the president putting the full weight of his office
behind Great Lakes restoration."

      Supporters urged the region's congressional delegation to fight
for complete funding, saying the backing of a popular president
from a Great Lakes state - Illinois - has opened a unique window of
opportunity.

      "It's very important and urgent to move forward right now,"
said David Ullrich, executive director of the Great Lakes and St.
Lawrence Cities Initiative. "The big thing about these problems is
that they don't go away, they get worse."

      Obama's plan is designed to begin a $20 billion restoration plan
crafted by government agencies and nonprofit groups in 2005.

      Much of the 2010 money would be funneled through state, local
and tribal agencies. The biggest chunk - about $147 million - would
clean up toxic spots in rivers and streams.

      Other spending would include $105 million for habitat and
wildlife protection and restoration; $97 million for prevention of
near-shore pollution such as farm runoff and erosion; $60 million
to battle and prevent invasive species; and $65 million to evaluate
and monitor the initiative's progress.

      Some of the specific goals include: restoring 23,000 acres of
coastal, wetland, shoreline and upland habitat for wildlife and
1,000 miles of streams for fish passage; removing up to 1 million
cubic yards of contaminated sediments; and cleaning up sources of
contaminants at over 100 beaches that were closed five or more days
in 2007.

      Other measuring sticks include the extent and severity of algae
blooms that suck oxygen from the lakes and kill fish.

      Supporters dismissed suggestions that congressional approval of
the spending might be hampered by the soaring budget deficit or
opposition from other regions.

      The federal government has supported cleanups of numerous
watersheds, such as Puget Sound and Chesapeake Bay, said George
Kuper, director of the Council of Great Lakes Industries.

      The initiative would give industry and job growth a boost in the
Great Lakes region, home to about 40 million people, Kuper said.
Studies estimate that every dollar spent on restoring the lakes
will generate twice as much in long-term economic gains, he said.

      "It may not be obvious, but what is good for the ecosystem is
also good for the economy," Kuper said.
      

Gallery

A budget proposal from the Obama
administration would spend $475 million on beach cleanups, wetlands
restoration and removal of toxic sediments from river bottoms
around the Great Lakes.

Obama wants to pump $475M into Great Lakes cleanup

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