Reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

On behalf of myself and the North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA), I urge your support for H.R. 284/S. 528, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Act of 2025, a critical piece of legislation that will ensure continued federal investment in restoring and protecting the Great Lakes—the largest surface freshwater system in the world and an essential natural, economic, and cultural resource for millions of Americans.

Since its inception in 2010, the GLRI has delivered tangible, measurable results: cleaning up legacy pollution, restoring wetlands, protecting water quality, controlling invasive species, and revitalizing local economies through environmental restoration. However, the threats to the Great Lakes remain urgent and ongoing. 

The GLRI Act of 2025 will authorize continued funding and expand the Initiative’s ability to respond to emerging threats, invest in science-based solutions, and support local communities, tribes, and stakeholders in protecting the Great Lakes for future generations. The return on investment is clear: every federal dollar spent through GLRI has supported jobs, improved public health, and preserved a $6 trillion regional economy that depends on clean water and healthy ecosystems.

I respectfully urge you to co-sponsor and vote for the GLRI Act of 2025. Protecting the Great Lakes is not a partisan issue—it’s a national priority that demands continued leadership and commitment.

Thank you for your time and for your service to our communities.

Reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative