Benishek Pleased with EPA Plan

Congressman Dan Benishek says he’s pleased with the new Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action plan released this week by the Environmental Protection Agency. Benishek says the plan will help keep the lakes clean, and free from invasive species, such as the Asian carp. Benishek co-chairs the Invasive Species Caucus and Great Lakes Task Force. You can read his full statement below.

Marquette, MI: Today Dr. Dan Benishek issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s release of a new Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan that outlines the steps federal agencies will take over the next five years to continue to address issues impacting the Great Lakes.

“As co-chair of the Invasive Species Caucus and Great Lakes Task Force, I am pleased that the new Great Lakes Action Plan will continue the important work of keeping our Great Lakes clean, while fighting off invasive species like Asian carp,” said Dr. Benishek. “The Great Lakes play a huge role in our local economy and our way of life here in Northern Michigan. It is our responsibility to work hard to protect them for current and future generations.”
The GLRI began in 2010 to speed up, and coordinate efforts to protect and restore the largest fresh surface water system in the world. The new Action Plan will focus on preventing and controlling invasive species, addressing algal blooms, and restoring habitat to protect native species.

Michigan’s First Congressional District has over 1,600 miles of shoreline—the most in the continental United States and is the only District with shoreline on three of the five Great Lakes.