Letter to the Editor: Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Needs Support

I am shocked to learn that the president’s proposed budget eliminates 97 percent of the funding for The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative that strategically targets the biggest threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem, including toxic substances, invasive species and pollution.

As someone living near Lake Michigan all my life, and active in efforts to protect and restore this magnificent resource, I can only say that this would be a tragic mistake, wiping out hard won and expensive gains, and seriously affecting the huge economic benefits of the Great Lakes to industries and municipalities.

This absolutely should not be a partisan issue. Senators from the Great Lakes states must unite to preserve full funding for The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Please join me in calling on our Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin to take strong leadership on this issue.

Karen Wilson

Egg Harbor, Wis.