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NEMWI Works with Detroit to Minimize Lead in Drinking Water
The Northeast-Midwest Institute has agreed to a contract with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) to design a program to minimize lead in drinking water in Detroit, Michigan. In a city with more than 100,000 full or partial lead service lines, this project will assess the presence of lead in drinking water across the city, as well as develop short- and long-term strategies for minimizing exposure to lead through drinking water.
Senior Policy Analyst and environmental engineer Elin Betanzo will lead this work, having played a key role in bringing visibility to the Flint Water Crisis in fall of 2015. Her ongoing work regarding lead in drinking water, both nationally and in the state of Michigan, led to her current project with the city of Detroit.
Read more about the project
here.
For more information, contact Elin Betanzo, Sr. Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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Great Lakes Fish & Wildlife Restoration Act Introduced in House
U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Candice Miller (MI-10), and Darin LaHood (IL-18) introduced the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2016 (GLFWRA) (H.R. 5765), bipartisan legislation supporting fish and wildlife restoration in the Great Lakes.
GLFWRA authorizes $6 million annually through 2021 to implement restoration projects and Fish and Wildlife Service's activities related to the Great Lakes region.
Organizations supporting GLFWRA include: Ducks Unlimited; the Great Lakes Fishery Commission; the American Sportfishing Association; the Alliance for the Great Lakes; Trout Unlimited; the Western Reserve Land Conservancy; Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever; and the Ohio Conservation Federation.
For more information, contact Matthew McKenna, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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Congress Makes Progress on Housing, Waterfronts, and Appropriations
Before departing for the seven-week summer recess, Members of Congress managed to vote on a few measures. Notably, the Senate passed the
Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act (
S.1935). The legislation is aimed at boosting efforts to revitalize waterfront communities through a "Resilient Waterfront Community" designation and network.
The Senate also approved by unanimous consent the
Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016
(
H.R.3700), which passed the House in February. The bill, which modifies rental assistance and public housing programs, now heads to the President's desk for his signature.
The House voted to pass the Interior and Environment appropriations bill. The House Appropriations Committee approved the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education spending bill.
The following table summarizes the status of selected appropriations bills that are especially relevant for the region's economy and environment. Fact sheets on each bill are available
here
on our website.
| Selected Appropriations Bills |
House Status |
Senate Status |
| Commerce, Justice, Science |
Approved by Committee |
Approved by Committee |
Interior
& Environment |
Passed House |
Approved by Committee |
| Labor, Health & Human Services, Education |
Approved by Committee |
Approved by Committee |
| Energy & Water Development |
Failed on House floor |
Passed Senate |
| Transportation, Housing & Urban Development |
Approved by Committee |
Passed Senate |
For more information, contact
Colleen Cain
, Sr. Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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July Edition of Great Lakes Hill Happenings Now Available
The July edition of the Great Lakes Washington Program's Hill Happenings is now available to view
here
. Included in this month's issue are updates on:
- NOAA's Annual HAB Forecast
- The House Introduction of the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act
- The Senate Passage of the Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act
- The House Passage of the FY2017 Interior and Environment Appropriations Act
- The FY2017 Appropriations Process
- Approval of the Waukesha Water Diversion Application by the Great Lakes Governors
For more information, contact Matthew McKenna, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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NEMWI: Strengthening the Region that Sustains the Nation
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