HR1560 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1560 LRB095 22679 JDS 53089 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois House of Representatives recognizes the need to protect our Great Lakes from and remediate them of harmful sediments contaminated with PCBs, dioxin, mercury, and PAHs; these toxins are known to contaminate fish and may harm those humans who eat them; and

WHEREAS, Scientific studies link the presence of sediment contaminants to cancer, reproductive problems, lowered IQ's, and developmental delays; and

WHEREAS, The governments of the United States and Canada have recognized 43 highly polluted areas in the Great Lakes region, and 10 of these sites are located along or contribute to Lake Michigan, which provides drinking water for citizens of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002 led to the removal of 126,000 pounds of lead, 2,800 pounds of cadmium, 204,000 pounds of chromium, and 320 pounds of PCBs from Muskegon Lake in Michigan, which is connected to Lake Michigan's eastern shore; and

WHEREAS, Under the Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002, the U.S. EPA has successfully completed projects in Hog Island, Wisconsin; Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; Black Lagoon, Michigan; Ashtabula, Ohio; and Ruddiman Creek, Michigan; has started a project in Kinnickinnic River, Wisconsin; and has planned projects in Buffalo River, New York; Grand Calumet, Indiana; Ryerson Creek, Michigan; Riverview, Michigan; Eighteen Mile Creek, New York; Ottowa River, Ohio; and Division St. Outfall, Michigan; and

WHEREAS, The reauthorization of funds for this program in the amount of $54 million annually is necessary to continue projects aimed at removing potentially harmful sediments; of these funds, the U.S. EPA would be authorized to use $50 million annually for contaminated sediments projects, $3 million annually for research into innovative remediation technologies, and $1 million annually for public outreach and education; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the House of Representatives urges the President of the United States to sign the Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008 (H.R. 6460) into law, thus allowing the continued funding of the program's efforts to clean up and improve the Great Lakes area; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the President of the United States and the members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation.