Political Quotes

“In the midst of a divided Washington, D.C., it is important that Congress comes together to prioritize the protection of the Great Lakes. As co-chair of the bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force, building bipartisan consensus that preserves the Great Lakes, strengthens their economy, and protects them for future generations has been one of my top priorities. While the environmental sensitivity index maps may not be the headline-grabbing legislation that we are sometimes used to, these maps are critical to the communities across the Great Lakes. We must have accurate assessments of coastal resources that are at risk of severe damage from an emergency or a natural disaster. These environmental assessments include information on endangered and threatened species, vulnerable shorelines, and widely used community resources, such as beaches, parks, and boat ramps. The maps are vital to disaster planning, as well as recovery, research, and restoration efforts. It is essential that we have an accurate representation of vulnerable locations and areas in the Great Lakes that are in need of protection in the event of an emergency. While maps for the East Coast, the West Coast, and the Gulf Coast have all been updated recently, maps for the Great Lakes have not been updated in over 20 years.…”