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President's Budget Request Dramatically Reduces GLRI Funding
President Donald Trump released his fiscal year 2019 budget today. The President's budget includes a 90% cut to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), funding the program at $30 million. The GLRI had previously been funded at $300 million in FY 2017, and both the Senate and House Appropriations Committees have included $300 million for GLRI in FY 2018. The GLRI, which has strong bipartisan support in Congress, has faced proposed cuts by the current Administration, which previously called for its elimination in the FY 2018 budget request. The Environmental Protection Administration's (EPA) Budget in Brief can be viewed
here
. The Northeast-Midwest Institute is currently conducting an analysis on the President's proposed budget.
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Four Perspectives on Asian Grass Carp Examined at Capitol Hill Briefing
A seven-person panel highlighted a Northeast-Midwest Institute Capitol Hill briefing
on invasive Asian grass carp in the Great Lakes on February 6, 2018. The panel consisted of federal agencies, state natural resource agencies, conservation nonprofits, and sportsmen groups who offered insights on grass carp from their perspectives. The briefing provided an opportunity for Congressional staff to learn from experts in the field about current research being done to analyze and disrupt the spread of Asian grass carp as well as the impacts carp have on Great Lakes ecosystems, recreational activities, and economies.
A summary of the briefing, the presentation slides, and a full audio recording can be found here.
For more information, contact Matt McKenna, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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Waters of United States Rule Delayed
The applicability date of the Waters of the United States rule has been officially delayed until February 6, 2020 as of Wednesday this week. The rule was originally published in June 2015 by the Obama Administration, but its enforcement has not been a priority under EPA chief Scott Pruitt's leadership. Led by New York, ten states as well as a coalition of environmental groups have already filed lawsuits against the Trump Administration concerning this delay. If the delay leads to a repeal and replacement of the WOTUS Rule, it could have significant ramifications.
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This Week on Capitol Hill
The House is in session this week and will discuss two financial bills, and the amendment of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Senate is bracing for a showdown over 'Dreamers', and a new budget has been introduced as the White House proposes to rebuild American infrastructure.
Northeast-Midwest coalition co-chair and Congressman Rick Nolan announced last week that he will not be seeking reelection following the completion of his sixth term.
"There is a time and a purpose for everything and now is the time for me to pass the baton to the next generation," Nolan said in a statement.
A full list of key Congressional committee activity that impacts the region can be viewed below:
Wednesday, February 14
- The Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans will hold an oversight hearing on " The State of the Nation's Water and Power Infrastructure," on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at 2:00 PM in 1324 Longworth House Office Building. This hearing will examine policy reform and other solutions to promote the development of increased water supplies and power production.
- The Subcommittee on Environment will hold a hearing on Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at 2:00 PM in 2123 Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled "New Source Review Permitting Challenges for Manufacturing and Infrastructure." The hearing will examine the impact of the Environmental Protection Agency's New Source Review (NSR)'s air permitting requirements on manufacturing and infrastructure expansion in the United States.
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NEMWI: Strengthening the Region that Sustains the Nation
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