The Great Lakes and $20 Billion!

The Great Lakes hold 6 quadrillion gallons of fresh water; one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water and 95 percent of the U.S. supply. If spread evenly across the continental U.S., the Great Lakes would submerge the country under about 9.5 feet of water.

They also provide jobs for 823,000 Michiganders and the sport fishing industry alone is worth $4 billion. They serve as the backbone to Michigan's $12.8 billion tourism industry with the charter boat industry bringing in $21 million annually.

Indeed the Great Lakes are GREAT!

Unfortunately they are at a tipping point - on the verge of collapasing if you we are not careful. The threat of invasive species, toxic chemicals and raw sewage are damaging these world wonders at an alarming rate.

We cannot delay - we must act today in restoring and protecting our most majestic natural resource.

Michigan is lucky though - we have real champs in Congress that get this. Once again Senator Levin and Congressman Ehlers have introduced bi-partisan legislation aimed at cleaning up those toxic hotspots, stopping invasive species and upgrading sewage infrastructure to stop overflows and beach closings. With an investment of $20 billion - all eight of the Great Lakes states would see dramatic returns.

President -Elect Obama gets this too. During the campaign season he released this plan for restoring and protecting the Great Lakes.

For the lawmakers who live in the Great Lakes basin this is a no-brainer. The hard work comes in trying to convince the lawmakers from the other 42 states that it is in their best interest to make this investment. Just as Michigan lawmakers in D.C. stepped up and offered their support for the Florida Everglades and the Cheesapeak Bay - we need the lawmakers from all over the country to agree to this investment.