Obama's Great Lakes plan likely to be spelled out next week

[Algorem]

http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2009/04/obamas_great_lakes_plan_likely.html

by Stephen Koff/Plain Dealer Washington Bureau Chief
Thursday April 30, 2009, 6:20 PM

WASHINGTON -- Millions of people who live near the Great Lakes will soon learn whether President Barack Obama and Congress are committed to spending billions on restoring the lakes to a thriving ecosystem, with economic benefits to cities like Cleveland.

Information could emerge by the middle of next week on Obama's first-year plan, announced with few details so far, to spend $475 million on cleaning up the lakes. Environmentalists cheer that prospect, and it's consistent with Obama's pledge when running for president that he would spend $5 billion on the Great Lakes over 10 years.


His proposal was lower than the $20 billion that scientists, governors, tribal leaders and others in the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration said was needed over a 20-year course to make the Great Lakes basin thrive.

Still, Obama's first-year budget calls for more Great Lakes spending in a single year than any proposal ever made by a president...

[HereSince1628]

1. So long as they keep Nebraska's hands off the water.

The international, multi-state and provincial agreement on the Great Lakes was difficult, I don't want to see Representatives and Senators from outside the basin throwing in provisions for water diversions.


On edit: I use Nebraska figuratively. I could have used Georgia. The point is the management of the Great Lakes needs to conform to agreements that prevent diversions of water out of the basin.

[Botany]

2. I loves me some Obama

[Viking12]

3. I'll see you and raise....

[Botany]

4. Sea caves ..... apostle Islands?

I have been there .... nice country.

BTW how great is it to have a President who wants to help the great lakes?

[Viking12]

5. Yep.

It is pretty nice to see the President taking the Great Lakes seriously. I live in the Great Lakes basin 45 minutes from Lake Michigan and a few hours from Superior.

[Botany]

6. The Chequamegon Peninsula is great country

[life_long_dem]

9. Great picture. My wife and I took a boat tour around the islands.

We spent a very relaxing week on Madeline Island. Highly recommended...

[Viking12]

10. To be clear, I'm just poaching the pic from the intertubes

My photographic skills pale in comparison but I love the Islands.

[life_long_dem]

7. Is that a beach near Grand Marais?

[Botany]

8. Old Woman Bay ... Ontario

n/t

[life_long_dem]

11. I live near Duluth, so I visit the North Shore quite often.

Awesome scenery.