{"bills":[{"photos":{"featured":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hr223-114/featured_great-lakes-restoration-initiative-act-of-2016-1458951218.jpg","featured_large":"https://assets.causes.com/bill/photo/hr223-114/featured_large_great-lakes-restoration-initiative-act-of-2016-1458951218.jpg","shareable":"https://n.causes.com/share-images/bills/hr223-114.png"},"introduced_on":"2015-01-08","title_override":"Should the Government Fund Restoration Projects in the Great Lakes?","summary_override":"

Launched in 2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was started to protect and restore one of crown jewels of the U.S. and the \"largest system of fresh surface water in the world.\" The initiative focuses on cleaning areas of concern in the lakes, controlling and preventing invasive species and harmful algal blooms, and restoring habitats.

H.R. 223 would designate that the Initiative prioritize projects with non-Federal partners that address:

Toxic substances in parts of the Great Lakes;
Protecting and restoring nearshore health while combatting pollution;
Wetland restoration;
Maintaining accountability and communication between parters in the Initiative.

The Initiative would be directed to work with Federal partners to pick the best combination of actions to restore the Great Lakes, while assessing the feasibility and efficiency of each proposal.

","official_title":"To authorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and for other purposes.","short_title":"Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2016","popular_title":null,"short_summary":"Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2015\n\nThis bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to authorize the Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for FY2016-FY2020.\n\nThe Initiative must prioritize and carry out programs and projects for Great Lakes protection and restoration, including: (1) the remediation of toxic substances and areas of concern; (2) the prevention and control of invasive species and their impacts; (3) the protection and restoration of near-shore health and the prevention and mitigation of nonpoint source pollution (water pollution that comes from many diffuse sources, such as pollution on the ground picked up by rain or snow); and (4) habitat and wildlife protection and restoration.\n\nFunding made available to implement the Initiative may not be used for any water infrastructure activity (other than a green infrastructure project that improves habitat and other ecosystem functions in t...","summarized":true,"cost":300000000,"cost_commentary":"A CBO cost estimate is unavailable. However, H.R. 5764 would authorize a budget of $300,000,000 to carry out the project every year from 2015 to 2019. ","impact":"People who live in communities near the Great Lakes, or who live on resources from the Great Lakes, members of Congress who represent those states, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, people who run their various restoration programs, federal agencies that oversee the Great Lakes, and the Environmental Protection Agency. ","argument_for":"This bill would fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and would make existing efforts more efficient. Future generations deserve to enjoy the wonders of the Great Lakes, and communities living there now deserve to reap the full benefits from the tourism that the Lakes bring to surrounding areas. ","argument_against":"Policy makers supporting this bill are just in it for the potential economic gains their districts will see if the Great Lakes are restored — not from a genuine desire to see environmental improvements. These programs should be managed at the State level, where people are more knowledgeable about what the Lakes need. 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","page_title":"Federal legislation related to environmental protections and regulation - Vote on Bills, Stay informed, Hold Your Reps Accountable","icons":{"black":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/environment/black_environment-1429042042.svg","grey":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/environment/grey_environment-1429042042.svg","white":"https://assets.causes.com/issue/icon/environment/white_environment-1429042042.svg"},"cover_image_url":null,"is_following":false}],"users":[{"name":"John","vote_count":768,"photos":{"large":"https://graph.facebook.com/847352901969018/picture?width=150&height=150","small":"https://graph.facebook.com/847352901969018/picture?width=75&height=75","tiny":"https://graph.facebook.com/847352901969018/picture?width=20&height=20","facebook":"https://graph.facebook.com/847352901969018/picture"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/3W1o7Dmv/following","followers":"/api/users/3W1o7Dmv/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":"babynetman","facebook_id":"John.szente","youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":15,"is_following":null,"influence_score":9935,"influence_level":40,"follower_count":17,"following_count":4,"position_count":723,"id":"3W1o7Dmv","partner_id":null},{"name":"Buster","vote_count":1065,"photos":{"large":"https://graph.facebook.com/100000469337108/picture?width=150&height=150","small":"https://graph.facebook.com/100000469337108/picture?width=75&height=75","tiny":"https://graph.facebook.com/100000469337108/picture?width=20&height=20","facebook":"https://graph.facebook.com/100000469337108/picture"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/YmqbgP9B/following","followers":"/api/users/YmqbgP9B/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":1,"is_following":null,"influence_score":2485,"influence_level":30,"follower_count":8,"following_count":4,"position_count":244,"id":"YmqbgP9B","partner_id":null}],"bill_position":{"flagged":false,"id":"df591074-7a9d-4004-8f85-071195090a3f","argument_for":null,"argument_against":"NO NO NO. The surrounding States and municipalities derive the benefits of these lakes and they should be responsible for their care and feeding. We are 18 TRILLION in debt. We cannot afford new programs. We should be cutting programs. Stop spending!!! We should reduce taxes and reduce spending $2 for every tax dollar cut!","show_argument_for":false,"show_argument_against":true,"upvote_count":1,"upvotes_for_count":null,"upvotes_against_count":1,"has_upvoted":false,"endorsement_count":1,"links":{"self":"https://www.causes.com/positions/df591074-7a9d-4004-8f85-071195090a3f"},"body":"NO NO NO. The surrounding States and municipalities derive the benefits of these lakes and they should be responsible for their care and feeding. We are 18 TRILLION in debt. We cannot afford new programs. We should be cutting programs. Stop spending!!! We should reduce taxes and reduce spending $2 for every tax dollar cut!","stance":"nay","created_at":"2015-07-05T21:15:09.781Z","shareable_image_url":"https://n.causes.com/share-images/positions/df591074-7a9d-4004-8f85-071195090a3f.png","note_color":null,"note_text":null,"bill_id":"hr223-114","user_id":"3W1o7Dmv","endorser_ids":["YmqbgP9B"]}}

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Should the Government Fund Restoration Projects in the Great Lakes?