Hoosier State Today

U.S. Senators Todd Young and Gary Peters have introduced the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2025, aiming to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) through 2031. This legislation seeks to protect and preserve the Great Lakes by combining federal and nonfederal efforts.

The GLRI is a significant investment aimed at addressing issues such as invasive species, coastline restoration, habitat protection, cleanup of environmentally damaged areas, and prevention of future contamination. Senator Young emphasized the importance of this initiative for Indiana's ecosystem and economy: "The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is a results-driven program that addresses the most serious issues threatening the wellbeing of the Great Lakes basin."

Senator Peters highlighted the significance of the Great Lakes to Michigan's economy and environment: "This bipartisan legislation will provide GLRI with the resources needed to build on that success and help protect and preserve the Great Lakes for future generations of Michiganders."

Since its inception, GLRI has made notable progress in protecting nearly half a million acres of habitat, increasing successful cleanups, remediating environmental impairments, and reducing harmful algal blooms. The economic returns from these efforts are reportedly more than three-to-one across the region.

The bill is co-sponsored by several senators including Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Moreno, Tammy Baldwin, Jon Husted, Dick Durbin, Tina Smith, Kirsten Gillibrand, John Fetterman, Elissa Slotkin, Chuck Schumer, and Tammy Duckworth.

Joel Brammeier from Alliance for the Great Lakes praised Senators Peters and Young for introducing this important bill: "It also delivers a positive economic return on the government’s investment in cleaner water and healthier communities." Erika Jensen from the Great Lakes Commission commended their efforts: "The Great Lakes Commission applauds Senators Peters and Young for introducing this important legislation."

Laura Rubin from Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition expressed gratitude for their leadership: "We thank Sens. Gary Peters and Todd Young for their bipartisan leadership." Peter Laing from Great Lakes Business Network noted that clean lakes benefit communities by attracting visitors and creating jobs.

The act has garnered support from various organizations including Council of Great Lakes Governors, American Sportfishing Association, National Wildlife Federation among others.