USA: Higgins Joins Discussion on Great Lakes Restoration

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) joined Cameron Davis, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Senior Advisor on Great Lakes issues, and Western New York leaders and community members for discussions on the future of the Great Lakes.

“As we continue pushing to remove barriers to public access and provide high-quality public space along the water’s edge, which is bringing millions in new investments in Western New York, we must keep fighting to restore that anchor of development: the water,” said Higgins. “The Great Lakes are an engine of economic activity and the largest source of fresh water on the planet. We encourage the community to weigh-in on how we can work together to protect and preserve this valuable resource in the years ahead.”

“Buffalo is on the leading edge of showing how cities that embrace the Great Lakes are making a comeback,” said Cameron Davis, senior advisor to the U.S. EPA Administrator, who coordinates the work of 11 federal departments on ecosystem restoration. “By providing thoughts on the next Action Plan, citizens can keep the momentum going in helping to restore all of the lakes and their coastal communities.”

Buffalo River clean-up is one of several efforts supported under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Earlier this month Congressman Higgins announced progress on phase two of Buffalo River clean-up efforts with the release of $22 million in federal funding, which will be matched through a partnership agreement between the Honeywell Corporation and Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, for a combined $44 million project.

Congressman Higgins recently spoke about the issue on the House Floor.

He said: “In Western New York, the revitalization of Buffalo’s Inner and Outer Harbors depends on efforts to restore the health of Lake Erie and the Buffalo River. The Environmental Protection Agency will soon host a series of public meetings to gain community input to guide the next phase of Great Lakes Restoration and one of the meetings will be held in Buffalo.”

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Press Release, May 29, 2013