From Great Lakes Wiki

Contents 1 Background 2 Implementation Status 3 FY 2008 Funding Request 4 Key Points in Support of Great Lakes Legacy Act Funding

Background

The Great Lakes Legacy Act, signed into law in 2002, authorizes $270 million over five years to remediate contaminated sediments in Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The Act authorizes $50 million annually to monitor, evaluate or remediate contaminated sediments, or prevent new contamination. The Act also authorizes $3 million annually for research on innovative remediation technologies; and $1 million annually for public outreach and education. The Act requires a minimum of 35% nonfederal cost share for remediation projects. (Additional information is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes National Program Office at www.epa.gov/GLLA.)

Implementation Status

Congress appropriated $9.9 million for the Legacy Act in FY 2004, $22.3 million in FY 2005, $29.6 million in FY 2006 and $30 million in FY 2007. To date U.S. EPA has released two request for projects under the Legacy Act. Highest priority was given to on-the-ground remediation of contaminated sediments. Secondary priority was for projects that move a contaminated sediment site toward remediation (e.g., site assessments, source control, monitoring, alternatives evaluations, etc.). Five cleanup projects and seven projects to monitor and evaluate contaminated sediments have been funded with a federal cost share of $50.4 million, and nine projects are under review with a federal cost share of approximately $71 million. U.S. EPA is accepting proposals and negotiating agreements on an ongoing basis. Remediation has been completed at three sites (Black Lagoon on the Detroit River, Newton Creek/Hog Island Inlet on the St. Louis River, and Ruddiman Creek on Muskegon Lake) and two are underway (Ashtabula River and St. Marys River). A project to monitor and evaluate contaminated sediments in Ryerson Creek in Muskegon Lake also has been completed. The current list of projects completed, underway, or under review is on the reverse of this sheet.

FY 2008 Funding Request

President Bush has requested $35 million for the Great Lakes Legacy Act in FY 2008.

Key Points in Support of Great Lakes Legacy Act Funding

• Legacy Act funding is a priority for the Great Lakes states: The Great Lakes States, acting through the Great

Lakes Commission and the Council of Great Lakes Governors, have identified Legacy Act funding as a priority, as did the Restoration Strategy developed under the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration.

• Cleanup projects are ready for implementation: Critical cleanup projects have been “scoped out” and are ready

for implementation. Many vital projects will not be implemented without full funding for the Legacy Act in FY 2007.

• Cleaning up the Areas of Concern is critical to restoring the Great Lakes: The Great Lakes Legacy Act is the

cornerstone of the Areas of Concern cleanup program and must be fully funded to maintain progress in restoring the Great Lakes and to meet U.S. obligations under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

• Area of Concern cleanup priorities are well documented: The strong demand for support under the Legacy Act

reflects years of research and planning devoted to restoring the Areas of Concern. Their cleanup needs are well documented and deserve Congressional support in the form of full funding for the Great Lakes Legacy Act.

• Full funding for the Legacy Act is part of the President’s Commitment to the Great Lakes: Local stakeholders

in the 30 U.S. and binational Areas of Concern expect Congress and the President to fully fund the Legacy Act to demonstrate support for recommendations developed under the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration.

• Contaminated sediment cleanups increase property values and promote economic development: The Areas of

Concern include valuable waterfront areas that are vital to local economic development. Studies project that property values in areas near contaminated sites will increase by up to 25% after the sites are cleaned up.

Source: Great Lakes Commission. Click here for their site.