Support for a Strong Action Plan IV

Weigh in on the Future of the Great Lakes!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing a plan to protect and restore the Great Lakes and they need to hear from you!

New York's Great Lakes are a valuable resource that we rely on for our drinking water, recreation, tourism, economic development, and a healthy environment. The EPA is currently developing Action Plan IV, which will guide Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) restoration efforts over the next 5 years (2024 - 2028) and will help determine how billions of dollars in federal investments will be allocated. We need to make sure that the updated plan continues progress on existing priorities while also including critical updates to address additional challenges.

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Support for a Strong Action Plan IV

Dear [elected official],

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The Great Lakes provide drinking water to millions of New Yorkers and are vital to our economy. GLRI investments are producing results in New York with habitat restoration, reducing pollution, cleaning up toxic hot spots, and addressing invasive species. While much progress has been made, there is still work to be done to protect this precious resource. While updating the GLRI Action Plan for the next 5 years, it is critical that the Agency continue to accelerate steps to revitalize public, economic, and Great Lakes ecosystem health. Maintaining and advancing these existing steps is essential for the long-term health of the Great Lakes. Additionally, the updated Action Plan must also include efforts to make the region more resilient in the face of climate change and promote equity by supporting communities most impacted by pollution and harm.

Climate change is causing more extreme weather and exacerbating existing threats to the Great Lakes. The effects of climate change are impacting Great Lakes communities, wildlife and the economy. Action Plan IV must prioritize investments in climate change resiliency projects such as wetland and habitat restoration that increase the regions’ ability to naturally mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Disadvantaged communities are disproportionally impacted by pollution and environmental degradation. Low income, rural, and communities of color are more likely to experience the negative health impacts of drinking water pollution, aging infrastructure, and climate change. Investments in the GLRI have accelerated restoration across the Great Lakes; these investments can also ensure that communities most impacted also benefit from restoration efforts. The updated Action Plan must promote equity and investment in communities most impacted.

The GLRI is critically important to protecting the health of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario and the entire Great Lakes watershed in New York State. It is critical that the updated Action Plan addresses the most pressing threats posed to our Great Lakes in the coming years while accelerating existing steps to revitalize public, economic, and Great Lakes ecosystem health. I urge EPA to prioritize climate change resiliency projects and investments in equity projects benefiting communities most impacted by pollution and harm.

Thank you for your consideration and for EPA’s work to protect our lakes.

Sincerely, [Your information here]