[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 87 (Thursday, June 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1320-E1321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF THE GREAT LAKES WATER PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2006

  Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to join with Congressman 
Lipinski to introduce the Great Lakes Water Protection Act. This 
bipartisan legislation would set a date certain to end sewage dumping 
in America's largest supply of fresh water, the Great Lakes. More than 
27 million Americans depend on the Great Lakes for their drinking 
water. We need to put a stop to the poisoning of our water supply. 
Cities along the Great Lakes must become environmental stewards of our 
country's most precious freshwater ecosystem.
  The Great Lakes Water Protection Act gives cities until 2026 to build 
the full infrastructure needed to prevent sewage dumping into the Great 
Lakes. Those who violate EPA sewage dumping regulations after that 
federal deadline will be subject to fines up to $100,000 for every day 
they are in violation. These fines will go back into State clean water 
funds. From there, the funds will be spent on wastewater treatment 
options, with a special focus on greener solutions such as habitat 
protection and wetland restoration.

[[Page E1321]]

  This legislation is sorely needed. Many major cities along the Great 
Lakes do not have the infrastructure needed to divert sewage overflows 
during times of heavy rainfall. In 2004, the city of Milwaukee dumped 
1.6 billion gallons of sewage into Lake Michigan. Sewage pollutes our 
waters and poses grave health risks to people exposed to it. It also 
results in beach closings.
  Although there was no direct correlation between Milwaukee's sewage 
dumping and the closing of Chicago-area beaches in 2004, Cook County 
beach closings nearly tripled from 213 in 2003 to 613 in 2004. I am 
particularly concerned over the 150 beach day closings in my 
congressional district in 2004, the latest year tracked. This trend is 
echoed throughout the Great Lakes region and is one we need to reverse.
  Protecting our Great Lakes is one of my top priorities in the 
Congress. As an original cosponsor of both the Great Lakes Restoration 
Act and the Save Our Water from Sewage Act, I favor a broad approach to 
addressing needs in the region. However, we must also move forward with 
tailored approaches to fix specific problems as we continue to push for 
more comprehensive reform. I am proud to introduce this important 
legislation that addresses a key problem facing our Great Lakes, and 
hope my colleagues will support me in ensuring that these important 
resources become free from the threat of sewage pollution.

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