As Introduced
135th General Assembly
Regular Session H. C. R. No. 14
2023-2024
Representatives Patton, Skindell
Cosponsors: Representatives Click, Williams, Troy, Carruthers, Brennan, Russo,
Brent, Isaacsohn, Miller, A., Grim, Jarrells, Weinstein, Miranda, Somani,
Piccolantonio, Upchurch, Dell'Aquila, Abdullahi, Sweeney, Miller, J., Brewer, Hoops,
Brown
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
To urge the United States Congress to enact the Great 1
Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024. 2
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
OHIO (THE SENATE CONCURRING):
WHEREAS, On February 6, 2024, a group of bipartisan U.S. 3
Senators introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act 4
of 2024, which reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration 5
Initiative (GLRI) for five years, from 2027 to 2031, and 6
provides funding in the amount of $500 million per year; and 7
WHEREAS, The Great Lakes are a critical resource for our 8
nation, supporting the economy and a way of life in Ohio and the 9
other seven states within the Great Lakes region. The Great 10
Lakes hold 21 percent of the world's surface freshwater and 84 11
percent of the United States' surface freshwater. This globally 12
significant freshwater resource provides drinking water for more 13
than 30 million people and directly supports 1.3 million jobs, 14
generating $82 billion in wages; and 15
WHEREAS, The GLRI has provided crucial funding to support 16
H. C. R. No. 14 Page 2
As Introduced
long overdue work to protect and restore the Great Lakes. In 17
partnership with the states, local governments, and other 18
organizations, the federal government has invested more than $3 19
billion and supported over 7,000 projects since 2010. These 20
projects have cleaned up toxic pollution, reduced runoff from 21
cities and farms, combatted invasive species, and restored fish 22
and wildlife habitats; and 23
WHEREAS, The GLRI has made a significant difference and 24
represents a sound investment in both the environment and the 25
economies of the Great Lakes region. A 2018 study calculated 26
that for every federal dollar invested in Great Lakes 27
restoration there is an additional $3.35 created in economic 28
activity; and 29
WHEREAS, Far more work needs to be done. Toxic algal blooms 30
and hotspots contaminating water supplies along Lake Erie, 31
invasive species threatening native species and Ohio industries, 32
and contaminated sediments restricting recreational 33
opportunities pose substantial limitations and threats to 34
habitats for fish and wildlife and the use of the Great Lakes. 35
These problems require a collaborative effort; now therefore be 36
it 37
RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 135th General 38
Assembly of the State of Ohio, in adopting this resolution, urge 39
the United States Congress to enact the Great Lakes Restoration 40
Initiative Act of 2024, which reauthorizes the Great Lakes 41
Restoration Initiative for five years, from 2027 to 2031; and be 42
it further 43
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives 44
transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to the 45
President Pro Tempore and Secretary of the United States Senate, 46
the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of 47
Representatives, each member of the Ohio Congressional 48
H. C. R. No. 14 Page 3
As Introduced
delegation, and the news media of Ohio. 49