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Lake Michigan and all the Great Lakes are threatened by a legacy of toxic pollution.  Toxic chemicals, including PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), mercury, and other heavy metals contaminate rivers and harbors that feed the lakes, threatening public health and the environment. 

The Great Lakes Legacy Act is intended to clean up contaminated sediment throughout the Great Lakes -- including in Lake Michigan.  Since its original passage in 2002, the Great Lakes Legacy Act has made important progress in the removal of toxic sediment.  But significant work remains.  Tens of millions of cubic yards of contaminated sediment must be removed, and federal funding is necessary to ensure its removal. 

The Great Lakes Legacy Act was reauthorized by Congress in September of 2008.  Supported by Environment Illinois, the bill authorizes $54 million a year of funding for 2 years to help clean up the Great Lakes.  The Great Lakes Legacy Act is expected to be signed into law by President Bush in early October.  

Background

People, fish, and wildlife are threatened and harmed by the toxic contamination in Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes.  There are advisories against consuming fish from most water bodies around the Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes. 

In 2008, the EPA testified that since 2004 over 800,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment have been removed from the Great Lakes at a cost of almost $97 million.  This translates into the removal of over 1.5 million pounds of contaminants.  But more must be done.   

The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration estimated that total cleanup costs for toxic sites throughout the Great Lakes could range from $1.5 billion to $4.5 million.  Cleaning up our Great Lakes is vital to ensure the long-term health and viability of this important resource, and public funding is necessary to ensure that this resource is preserved. 

The Great Lakes Legacy Act authorizes federal funding to support this effort.  While a step forward, more needs to be done to ensure the health and safety of Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes.  Environment Illinois will fight to ensure that Great Lakes cleanup remains a priority at the local, state, and federal levels.