Tom Reed voted to guard the Great Lakes with his support of the bipartisan Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. “We are extremely fortunate to have the Great Lakes, notably Lake Erie, right in our backyard. We care about protecting our lakes because it is critically important to preserve these natural resources for future generations.  It was only right that we work together and support this bill.”

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative will allow eight member states, including New York, along with local communities, Native American tribes, conservation organizations, businesses and private industries, to come together to implement a science-based and outcomes-focused plan of action for restoring and protecting the Great Lakes and their watersheds, all while cutting through bureaucracy.

“This plan is designed to help local governments coordinate and do what is best for their communities, as well as the region, without big government mandates from Washington.  This is a common-sense approach to achieving our shared goal of preserving our lakes,” said Reed.

In total, the Great Lakes currently generate more than 1.5 million jobs and $60 billion in wages annually, providing the foundation for a $30 billion regional tourism economy.

“The lakes throughout our region play a critical role in our local economy,” said Reed. “With so many relying on them to generate jobs and stimulate our local economy, this bill is something we can all support.”

The bill now goes to the Senate for further consideration.