U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand yesterday announced $1.1 million in federal funding for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).
The DEC will use these vital resources to support projects along the Great Lakes in New York.
“ It is imperative that we properly monitor, preserve and restore the quality of the our Great Lakes and connected waterways so residents and visitors can enjoy these invaluable Upstate NY resources for years to come ,” said Senator Schumer .
“ These federal funds will help provide the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation with additional resources needed to safeguard our freshwater ecosystems and preserve the natural beauty of the Great Lakes for future generations ,” said Senator Gillibrand , a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Schumer and Gillibrand called this funding a major win for the State of New York. According to the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, Congress has allocated more than $2.2 billion over the last seven years to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) was launched by the Obama Administration in 2010, and has funded projects in New York to improve water quality, combat invasive species, and restore wetlands and other habitats. The Senators have supported annual funding for the GLRI through the budget and appropriations process.