[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E11]]
                  THE GREAT LAKES WATER PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 6, 2009

  Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to join with Congressman 
Lipinski to introduce the Great Lakes Water Protection Act. This 
bipartisan legislation, supported by the Alliance for the Great Lakes, 
National Resources Defense Council, National Wildlife Foundation, 
National Parks Conservation Association, Great Lakes Aquatic Network, 
Audubon Society and more, would set a date certain to end sewage 
dumping in America's largest supply of fresh water, the Great Lakes. 
More than thirty million Americans depend on the Great Lakes for their 
drinking water, food, jobs, and recreation. 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 2029 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 be directed to a newly 
established Great Lakes Clean-Up Fund within the Clean Water State 
Revolving Fund. Penalties collected would go into this fund and be 
reallocated to the states surrounding the Great Lakes. 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.
  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. More than twenty-four billion gallons 
of sewage are dumped into the Lakes each year; Detroit alone dumped 
over thirteen billion gallons of sewage into Lake Huron in 2005.
  These disastrous practices result in thousands of annual beach 
closing for the region's 815 freshwater beaches. Illinois faced 793 
beach closures and health advisories in 2007, up more than thirty 
percent from 2006. Six beaches in my district alone exceeded health 
standards more than 25 percent of the time. This greatly affects the 
health of our children and families--EPA estimates suggest that nearly 
300 people could expect to contract a respiratory illness after 
swimming in Lake Michigan in Chicago on one summer weekend. 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 the Great Lakes Restoration 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.

                          ____________________