$28 Million Earmarked For Great Lakes Conservation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than $28 million in federal funding has been earmarked for use in protecting and conserving the Great Lakes, including Lake Erie. The money will be used to prevent harmful algae blooms and stop the spread of Asian carp.

“I thank members of both parties who worked together to get these funds included in H.J.Res. 31,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur. “Not only does this strong, bipartisan legislation fully fund the government through the end of the fiscal year, it also takes concrete steps to reign in the spread of deadly algal blooms and the invasive Asian carp population across the Great Lakes. The negative economic and environmental impact these species have on Lake Erie and its coastal communities cannot be overstated. I look forward to the good this funding will achieve for Lake Erie and our entire region.”

According to Kaptur, a Democrat from Lorain, here a few of the specific spending plans that will have an impact on Lake Erie.

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• $8.4 million on containing and eradicating the invasive Asian carp from the Great Lakes
• $11 million for Asian carp deterrence controls and contract fishing
• $5 million for research toward preventing and controlling harmful algae blooms
• $5 million for coastal science and assessment of harmful algae blooms

Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch