Great Lakes restoration work took many forms in 2007

One of the highlights that the Great Lakes restoration and protection movement saw this year was a report on the economic benefits of cleaning up the Great Lakes. As Congress debates whether to put $26 billion into a comprehensive Great Lakes restoration strategy, the Brookings Institution researched what the impacts would be. Their report, "Healthy Waters, Strong Economy: The Benefits of Restoring the Great Lakes Ecosystem," found that communities in the Great Lakes region would see both short- and long-term benefits to restoration. An estimated $30 to $50 billion in short-term economic gains would stem from the clean-up activities, and at least $50 billion in long-term gains would be a result of increased tourism, fishing, recreation and home values; meaning Great Lakes restoration will net us three to four times what we invest. This report's conclusion has helped build public and governmental support for restoration legislation, the Great Lakes Compact, and our work to protect the Great Lakes.

Here are some of the activities that your help has supported:

Great Lakes Lobby Day 2007: In March 2007, Clean Wisconsin's water program organized some of our traditional and non-traditional allies, such as sport fishing groups, and lobbied our federal delegation on Great Lakes restoration funding. We followed this up with a petition that nearly 300 people had signed in support of the federal restoration funding. It was a huge success. Within days, nearly all of the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation had signed on as co-sponsors of the Great Lakes Collaboration Implementation Act.

Asian Carp Barrier: Clean Wisconsin educated the public and asked our members to be involved in the pressure that led to successful authorization of the Asian Carp Barrier, through the authorization of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007.

GLRC meeting: Clean Wisconsin's Water Program Director, Melissa Malott, spoke about Wisconsinite's environmental concerns for the Great Lakes at the Regional Collaboration meeting in October. Along with supporting more action on the GLRC priorities, Melissa encouraged the collaborative to look at preventable pollution problems, like oil refinery expansions around the Great Lakes.

Murphy Oil Refinery: Murphy Oil refinery has announced interest in a $6 billion expansion of its Superior, Wisconsin refinery, the only oil refinery in the state. Their non-official proposal includes the biggest wetland fill in the history of the Clean Water Act, air and water pollution increases, a large withdrawal of Lake Superior water, and processing of oil sands, which is the dirtiest form of oil with the highest greenhouse gas emissions. Clean Wisconsin will be closely involved in this process to protect our great Lake Superior.

Your support has made these activities possible. In 2008, we plan to continue our work to protect and restore the Great Lakes. We expect our work against the Murphy Oil refinery expansion will be one of our largest campaigns. Your support, like helping us cover the costs of experts, will help us achieve victory. We look forward to working with you on a successful 2008.