On the Issues
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GREAT LAKES The Great Lakes are one of the greatest natural resources for Michigan and the country. Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes and has 3,228 miles of coastline. Since Senator Levin has been in the U.S. Senate, he has worked to protect and clean up our lakes. As co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force he has worked on many of the issues facing the lakes. Great Lakes Dredging and Navigation Michigan’s economy relies on the efficient transportation of goods in our waters, and Senator Levin has fought to build and maintain the navigational infrastructure – from inland dredging to building a replacement lock in Sault Sainte Marie – that is necessary to ensure the safe and efficient movement of goods around the Great Lakes basin. Senator Levin has worked for years to secure a second, 1,000 foot lock in Sault Sainte Marie, MI, to ensure that larger vessels will be able to move through the Great Lakes if the existing Poe lock fails. Senator Levin has requested construction funding, and has weighed in with the Army Corps of Engineers to encourage them classify the project as important to national security so that the Corps could include funding in its budget. [WRDA reference H.R. 1495 in 110th Congress which became Public Law 110-114. In 2006, Senator Levin helped secure passage of an amendment to allow Great Lakes domestic shipping to qualify for an alternative tonnage tax, rather than the normal corporate income tax, for operations in foreign trade. The measure will help U.S.-flag vessels to stay competitive in international routes like those on the Great Lakes. [H.R 5970 in the 109th Congress] Throughout the Great Lakes, there are significant dredging and other operation and maintenance needs, problems which have been exacerbated by historically low water levels. Senator Levin has been urging the Army Corps and Senate Appropriators to provide the necessary funding for Great Lakes navigation. In 2007, Senator Levin successfully added language to the 2007 Water Resources Development Act that would direct the Secretary of the Army to expedite the maintenance and dredging of important navigational channels within the Great Lakes. [WRDA reference H.R. 1495 in 110th Congress which became Public Law 110-114] In FY-2008 and FY-2009, Senator Levin significantly increased funding for the operations and maintenance, including dredging, of Army Corps projects in Michigan. Related Report:
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Contaminated Sediments
Contaminated sediments are found throughout the tributaries flowing into the Great Lakes, and cleaning up these sediments is important for human health and ecosystem health. more >
Great Lakes Restoration Act
The Great Lakes Environmental Restoration Act would provide $6 billion over 10 years in Great Lakes ecosystem restoration funding. more >
Invasive Species
The Great Lakes have over 160 non-native species, like the zebra mussel and Eurasian ruffe that have invaded the lakes from other regions of the world. Preventing future invasions into the Great Lakes is critical for the native fishery and wildlife. more >
Water Quality
The Great Lakes are a tremendous natural resource that millions of people rely on for drinking water, and ensuring water quality is a priority. more >
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