Great Lakes Restoration money OK'd by Senate

SANDUSKY — The U.S. Senate approved the full $300 million environmentalists sought for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.The U.S. Senate approved the $300 million on Wednesday for the GLRI as part of the Fiscal Year 2019 funding bill for the federal government's Department of the Interior and other federal agencies.The U.S. House also approved $300 million for the program, so it seems almost certain the figure will remain when the two houses reconcile their spending measures into a single bill. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which provides funding for programs that benefit Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes, was created under the Obama administration. It has survived attempts by the Obama administration to cut it and efforts by the Trump administration to do away with it.The program enjoys bipartisan support, and Ohio's two senators, Sherrod Brown (a Democrat) and Rob Portman (a Republican) both emphasized their support Wednesday."As the world's largest freshwater body, the Great Lakes provide drinking water for 40 million people, contribute $10 billion in tourism each year, and support hundreds of thousands of jobs across the region," Portman said.Added Brown: "Ohioans rely on Lake Erie for jobs, clean drinking water, and a place to enjoy with their families. I'm glad Senator Portman and I were able to ensure the GLRI is at full strength as communities continue their important work of keeping Lake Erie clean."U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, also got help from both parties in retaining funding for the GLRI, said her spokesman, Joshua Stewart."Congresswoman Kaptur worked with Republicans and Democrats on the committee to ensure funds remained in the bill despite the Trump administration's request to defund the program," Stewart told the Register Wednesday.Brown said he also helped secure $1.394 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and $864 million for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), a hike in funding."There are communities across Ohio that are struggling to afford expensive – but vital – renovations to outdated water and sewer systems," Brown said. "This increased funding for Ohio will provide financial relief for Ohio communities, boosting economic development and ensuring cleaner water."Reach reporter Tom Jackson at jackson@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @jacksontom.U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown Rob PortmanU.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur