Senators propose extension of Great Lakes restoration act

A bipartisan group of senators is proposing a $6 million appropriation to continue fish and wildlife restoration in the Great Lakes region through 2027.

The bill to reauthorize the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act is sponsored by Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan), Todd Young (R-Indiana), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).

The legislation would provide funding to conserve and restore fish and wildlife populations in the Great Lakes and authorize the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to partner with other federal agencies, states, and tribes for restoration projects.

"We must do everything we can to protect our Great Lakes for generations to come, and this bipartisan bill will help provide critical resources to conserve and restore the fish and wildlife that call the Great Lakes home," Sen. Amy Klobuchar said in a news release.

"Our Great Lakes fisheries and diverse wildlife attract millions of visitors each year and are vital to our state’s economy and job creation," Stabenow said. "This legislation will help restore wildlife habitats while combating the serious threat of invasive species."

The program has been in place since 1998.