The budget President Obama revealed Thursday would send $475 million to the Midwest to clean up and restore the Great Lakes.
The money would go toward combating invasive species, runoff pollution and contaminated sediment.
When he was running for president, Obama committed to making restoration of the Great Lakes a priority. According to state Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison, this money going toward the Great Lakes shows Obama is keeping his campaign promise.
""This is great news for those of us who care about our environment,"" Black said.
According to Emily Green, the Sierra Club Great Lakes Program director, the Great Lakes significantly need this funding and are facing serious environmental problems, such as sewage and invasive species.
She said without restoration effort, the lakes, which are the ""lifeblood of our region,"" could change dramatically.
""We're just really thrilled to see this commitment and very much looking forward to working with this administration,"" Green said.
State Sen. Neal Kedzie, R-Elkhorn, was a co-author of the Great Lakes Compact, a collaborative effort among states and provinces bordering the lakes to protect and monitor the use of their water. The measure passed last year with bipartisan support.
In the past, the federal government has not done an adequate job of protecting the lakes, Kedzie said, and this resource cannot be allowed to deteriorate over time. He said he is anxious to see the details of Obama's pledge toward the Great Lakes.
""I think we are finally starting to realize that we are in possession of the world's greatest freshwater resource,"" Kedzie said.
