Bipartisan bill to protect Great Lakes advances in Congress

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – A new bipartisan bill created to protect the Great Lakes is moving forward in U.S. Congress.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative program supports environmental projects around the region, including many led by the Superior Watershed Partnership right here in the U.P.

“We accomplished large-scale reforestation on the Yellow Dog Plains with this funding, and we currently have a grant program that is funding 100,000 trees being planted in Marquette County through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Funding has also supported wetland and coastal restoration projects in the city of Marquette,” SWP Program Manager Tyler Penrod said.

The SWP says in order to do the work it does, it needs funding.

That funding could be coming. In a 26 to 2 vote, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved a funding bill that would make more money for projects like the SWPs possible.

It’s called the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

The act looks to continue funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. It also allocates $38.6 billion to improve water infrastructure and preserve public lands.

Advocates, including Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan), say the funding will help protect the environment.

In a statement, Peters said:

Protecting our Great Lakes and Michiganders’ access to clean drinking water have been some of my top priorities. This bipartisan legislation helps us accomplish those things by investing in our state’s water infrastructure, removing dangerous lead pipes, and working to protect folks from exposure to toxic PFAS contamination. The bill also makes sure the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a historic program that keeps our Great Lakes healthy and vibrant, continues to receive funding to carry out essential cleanup projects in our state.

Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) were the only ones who voted against the act. TV6 left messages with both for comment, but they have not gotten back to us.

The bill must now pass both the House and the Senate before heading to President Donald Trump’s desk.

The video above will feature the TV6 livestream until staff can clip the corresponding story, if available, from broadcasts or other TV6 content. You can subscribe to our YouTube page or download TV6+ to stream the latest local news and weather.

link