Advocacy

Issue Brief: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act

THE ISSUE

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) supports legislation that provides resources and funding to protect and restore critical water systems, while also addressing climate change impacts, biodiversity, and environmental justice.

Background

The Great Lakes are the largest system of freshwater lakes in the world and span over 750 miles. These critical waters provide significant environmental, economic, and social value nationwide including drinking water, transportation, power, recreation opportunities, habitat, and more. The Great Lakes encompass Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, along with their connecting waterways.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI)—a federal collaborative effort between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and 15 other federal agencies—aims to restore and protect the Great Lakes region. Established in 2010, GLRI is the largest investment in the Great Lakes in two decades. Since its inception, GLRI has funded thousands of projects to improve water quality, ecological and public health, economic vitality, and recreational opportunities in the Great Lakes region. Key objectives of the initiative include cleaning up areas of concern, combatting invasive species, reducing and preventing pollution and runoff, restoring fish and wildlife habitat, and community engagement.

GLRI is set to expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2026. Ongoing challenges such as the climate and biodiversity crisis require continued and increased investments to support the Great Lakes and its critical water system.

Landscape architects manage water infrastructure affecting the Great Lakes region by designing and implementing nature-based solutions in addition to participating in community engagement efforts. These landscape architecture techniques address environmental protection, climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, biodiversity, recreation, economic development, and other community benefits.

Bill Summary

In February 2024, Members of the Great Lakes Task Force—Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and J.D. Vance (OH) and Representatives Bill Huizenga (MI), Debbie Dingell (MI), Dave Joyce (OH), Marcy Kaptur (OH)—reintroduced S. 3738/H.R. 7257, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act. This measure would extend funding for GLRI for another five years, from 2026 through 2031. Additionally, the GLRI Act would increase annual funding levels to protect and restore the Great Lakes from $475 million to $500 million.

Established in 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative accelerates efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world—the Great Lakes. Long-term goals of the initiative include addressing: toxic substances and areas of concern; invasive species; nonpoint source pollution impacts on nearshore health; habitats and species; and foundations for future restoration actions.

Recent Action

On February 6, 2024, S. 3738 was reintroduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

On February 12, 2024, H.R. 7257 was reintroduced and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

On May 1, 2024, S. 3738 passed the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sponsors
Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI), and cosponsors.

Representative David Joyce (OH), and cosponsors.

Resources 

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI) Press Release: Great Lakes Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Extend Great Lakes Protections. February 6, 2024.

Landscape Architecture Solutions to Biodiversity Loss

Representative Bill Huizenga (MI) Press Release: Huizenga, Dingell, Joyce, and Kaptur Introduce Legislation to Reauthorize Key Great Lakes Funding Program. February 6, 2024.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Great Lakes Facts and Figures.

Congressional Research Service: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). December 9, 2022.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Report to Congress. March 2023.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative: Projects.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative: Funding.

ASLA: Landscape Architects Design Vibrant, Resilient, and Just Communities for All: Recommendations for the Biden-Harris Administration.

Related ASLA Policies

Climate Change and Resilience

Coastal Zones

Environmental Justice

Environmental Sustainability

Human Health and Welfare

Livable Communities

Waterways

Water Quality and Conservation

Wetlands

Contact

Roxanne Blackwell, 
Esq., Hon. ASLA,
Director of Federal
Government Affairs
governmentaffairs@asla.org

Elizabeth Hebron,
Director of State
Government Affairs
governmentaffairs@asla.org

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