October 9, 2006

Racine (WI) Mayor Gary Becker testified September 13 before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment to urge the federal government to enhance its commitment to restore and protect the Great Lakes, and to stress the importance of a continued partnership among the federal government, Great Lakes mayors, governors and tribal nations on restoration efforts.

Becker was invited to testify in his capacity as Vice Chair of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, a coalition of over 80 U.S. and Canadian mayors focused on restoration and protection of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley founded the organization in 2003, and currently serves as Founding Chair.

Recognizing the critical importance of the Great Lakes as an invaluable economic, environmental and quality of life resource for millions of people in the Great Lakes region and the nation, Daley launched the Initiative to give mayors a stronger voice in developing and implementing Great Lakes policies. Through the Initiative, Great Lakes mayors are advancing water quality, water conservation and waterfront vitality by actively participating in Great Lakes policy-making, developing and sharing local best practices for water, and strongly advocating for long-term restoration and protection of the Great Lakes.

Becker’s testimony focused on the need for all levels of government to work together to implement the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy that was released in December 2005. The Strategy was the result of an Executive Order issued by President Bush in May 2004, which called for more coordination and collaboration on the Great Lakes and for the development of strategy to guide long-term Great Lakes restoration and protection efforts.

The Executive Order specifically called for Great Lakes mayors to help develop the Strategy, and many mayors were actively involved in that effort. Great Lakes governors, tribal nations, businesses and advocacy groups were also involved.

Becker testified that the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy represents the most comprehensive statement ever developed about the problems faced on the Great Lakes and what it will take to solve them over the long-term. Equally important, he pointed out that the Strategy is the very first consensus strategy from all relevant stakeholders in the Great Lakes region about the current and future needs of the Lakes. With two nations, eight states, numerous tribal nations, hundreds of cities, multiple advocacy groups and a diversity of business interests each having a stake and their own interest in the Great Lakes, most prior efforts to develop a single strategy were not agreed to by all parties.

While the estimated cost to fully implement the Strategy is $20 billion, Becker testified that mayors fully recognize that such an expenditure must be spread over a number of years. Accordingly, mayors and governors have asked the President and Congress for an initial investment of $300 million to focus on top priorities and address the most urgent problems, such as invasive species, coastal health, areas of concern, toxic pollutants, habitat and species, non-point source pollution, indicators and information, and sustainability. Mayors and governors are committed to match this initial federal investment.

Becker outlined several other high priority federal steps needed to advance Great Lakes restoration and protection, including enactment of comprehensive aquatic invasive species legislation with a special emphasis on ballast water, and a more streamlined approach to federal wetlands protection.

Becker applauded those members of Congress who have shown strong interest in moving forward on Great Lakes restoration and protection, and he expressed appreciation to the Subcommittee for holding the hearing and to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which held a similar hearing earlier this year.

However, he pointed out that the mayors had hoped for more action this year in terms of legislation and appropriation of additional funds. He also expressed some disappointment that the various federal agencies with jurisdiction over Great Lakes still have a lot of work to do in terms of interagency coordination and implementation of many of the Strategy’s federal initiatives.

In addition, he expressed concern over some recent federal actions which are inconsistent with the Great Lakes Strategy, such as ongoing cuts to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which has slashed by approximately 50 percent, or more than $700 million.

Becker pointed out that the slow pace of the federal government on Great Lakes efforts has not reduced the momentum of Great Lakes mayors, governors and tribes in working towards Great Lakes restoration and protection. Great Lakes cities are spending hundreds of millions of dollars annually in capital investments and operating expenses on sewers, treatment plants, stormwater management, water conservation, waterfront parks and many other efforts to restore the Great Lakes.

Using Racine as an example, he described his efforts to protect and improve Racine’s beaches. Racine obtained over $830,000 in grant funds to improve monitoring, identify sources of contamination and improve beach management to reduce water quality advisories and educate the public. Racine has also spent over $600,000 of its own local money and a $150,000 grant from Wisconsin to improve stormwater management.

Becker spoke about how mayors from the across the Great Lakes region are implementing similar activities, as they do their part to increase the value of the Lakes. He emphasized that mayors want to continue as full partners with federal, state, and tribal governments in the effort to restore and protect the Great Lakes.

Becker concluded by stating that the new Great Lakes Strategy gives all levels of government in the region a unique opportunity to depart from “business as usual” and work towards implementation of a consensus approach. He stated that Great Lakes mayors are strongly committed to the Strategy, not only to improve the Lakes for current generations, but also to make a proactive and positive change to the Lakes for future generations.