[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         GREAT LAKES FISH AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2006

  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 2430, the 
Great Lakes Fish & Wildlife Restoration Act. This important bill 
reauthorizes the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration grant 
program first enacted in 1990 and renewed in 1998. It builds upon the 
successes of the program and ensures that both fish and wildlife 
resources will receive attention. It also expands the scope of the 
initiative to include grants for regional restoration work undertaken 
by federal, state, and tribal partnerships. The funds authorized in 
this legislation are critical to the widespread efforts to restore the 
vitality and water quality of the Great Lakes basin.
  This bill is one small piece of the broader package of restoration 
priorities contained in the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) 
Strategy, released in December 2005. It is also largely the same as 
Title II of my bill, H.R. 5100, the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration 
Implementation Act. I am pleased that we are moving forward to enact 
some of the changes recommended by the GLRC in its comprehensive 
strategic action plan. I strongly encourage my colleagues to not only 
provide the necessary authorizations for conducting restoration 
activities in the Great Lakes, but also to provide the funding required 
as well. It is unfortunate that this program has received paltry levels 
of funding in recent years; much more is needed to accomplish the goals 
laid out in the GLRC Strategy.
  I thank Senator DeWine, Congressman Kildee, Congressman Kirk, and all 
the other Members who sponsored and supported this legislation. Today 
is a victory for the Great Lakes and for the thousands of good people 
working to protect and restore fish and wildlife resources there.

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