US Senate Moves Forward to Restore America’s Great Waters
Preserve, Protect and Restore
Washington, DC (June 30) – Members of America’s Great Waters Coalition commended the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for passing a suite of restoration bills that will authorize needed funding, and bolster coordination and oversight to advance restoration plans for seven Great Waters across the country.
“These bills acknowledge the importance of America’s Great Waters, our nation’s crown jewels,” said Malia Hale, director of Restoration and Water Resources programs for National Wildlife Federation and co-chair of the America’s Great Waters Coalition.
“Today’s Senate action is a critical step to lifting all boats and restoring the waters that millions of people depend on for their health, jobs and way of life—this effort will be vital in addressing the impacts of global warming.”
“Puget Sound’s future is brighter because of this legislation,” said Kathy Fletcher, founder and executive director of People For Puget Sound. “After many years of planning and studying the Sound, this bill will spur the actions necessary to actually restore its health.”
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About the Coalition
The America's Great Waters Coalition was launched in December 2009. This is an alliance of more than 50 national, regional, state and local organizations working together to protect, preserve and restore America's Great Waters, including, but not limited to:
- Coastal Louisiana,
- Chesapeake Bay,
- the Everglades,
- the Great Lakes,
- the Gulf of Maine,
- Long Island Sound,
- Puget Sound,
- the Mississippi River, and
- San Francisco Bay
These are the largest water ecosystems in 27 of the lower 48 states. These watersheds are home to over half of the country's population.
The vision is to restore water ecosystems that sustain people, wildlife and the economy. The goal is to speak with a united voice and to act soon, before problems get worse and solutions more costly.
Posted August 2010