Rep. Roberts offered the following concurrent resolution:

            House Concurrent Resolution No. 10.  

            A concurrent resolution to urge the Congress of the United States to maintain its commitment to the Great Lakes and restore funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to the fiscal year 2010 level of $475 million.

            Whereas, The Great Lakes are a critical resource for our nation, supporting the economy and a way of life in Michigan and the other seven states within the Great Lakes region. The Great Lakes hold 20 percent of the world's surface freshwater and 90 percent of the United States' surface freshwater. This globally significant freshwater resource provides drinking water for more than 30 million people and directly supports 1.5 million jobs, generating $62 billion in wages; and

            Whereas, The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) provides essential funding to restore and protect the Great Lakes. This funding is being used to clean up toxic pollution, reduce runoff from cities and farms, prevent invasive species like the Asian carp, and restore fish and wildlife habitat. The Brookings Institution estimates that every dollar invested in the Great Lakes produces two dollars in long-term benefits; and

            Whereas, In just three years, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has provided more than $200 million for 341 projects in Michigan alone. Among other things, these funds have helped remove contaminated sediments from Areas of Concern at Muskegon Lake, the River Raisin, and St. Mary's River; restore habitat along the St. Clair River, Cass River, Boardman River, and the Keweenaw Peninsula; and develop improved methods for sea lamprey control; and

            Whereas, Past Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding has only begun the long overdue process of restoring the Great Lakes. Toxic algal blooms, beach closings, fish consumption advisories, and the presence of contaminated sediments continue to limit the recreational and commercial use of the Great Lakes and indicate how much still needs to be done; and

            Whereas, Proposed cuts to funding would jeopardize the momentum built up from a decade of unprecedented regional cooperation. Restoration efforts will only become more expensive and more difficult if they are not addressed at this time. Furthermore, maintaining Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding at past levels will help offset the continued impact of state budget cuts made during the Great Recession; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we urge the Congress of the United States to maintain its commitment to the Great Lakes and restore funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to the fiscal year 2010 level of $475 million; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.