Jacobs joins call for funding to support health of the Great Lakes
Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) led 24 members of Congress in a bipartisan, bicameral letter calling for full funding for the Save our Seas (SOS) 2.0 Act in the upcoming appropriations bills. Jacobs’ letter was co-led by Representatives Don Young (AK-AL) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Senators Dan Sullivan (AK) and Sheldon Whitehouse (RI).
“The Great Lakes are integral to our Western New York community. They provide clean drinking water, recreational boating, fishing, and much more,” Jacobs said. “We have made great progress in cleaning up our lakes and making them safer for all to enjoy, and we must continue that progress. That is why I am proud to lead this effort that will extend grant opportunities to remove plastic debris from the lakes, improve drinking and wastewater treatment, and overall bolster the health of our regional treasures.”
The Save our Seas 2.0 Act was signed into law on December 18th, 2020 by President Donald Trump. This letter requests that appropriators in both the House and Senate allocate full funding for the law so that it can be properly implemented. Fully funded, numerous grant programs will be available for Tribes, local governments, and non-profit organizations to support marine debris removal and enhancements to drinking and wastewater infrastructure.
“We must ensure Save our Seas Act 2.0 receives full funding so organizations and local governments can access critical funds to improve the health of our lakes and enjoy their benefits,” Jacobs said. “I am proud to lead this effort to secure funding for this legislation, and I am committed to continuing my work to protect our Great Lakes for current and future generations.”
“The historic Save Our Seas 2.0 Act authorized a new Marine Debris Foundation and critical programs to improve America’s ability to clean up waste, advance international cooperation with nations most responsible for trash entering the oceans, and explore innovative ways to manage and even reuse plastic waste,” said U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan. “But in order for this foundation and these programs to be effective, we need to back them with adequate funding.”
“A global scourge of plastic waste is filling up the oceans at an alarming rate and threatening serious disruptions to marine life and to the human food chain,” said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “Our Save Our Seas 2.0 legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. Congress needs to step up once again to fully fund these programs, which are aimed at tackling one of the most pressing threats to our precious oceans.”
“We must act now to remove marine debris and prevent the further buildup of plastic waste,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “The bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, which I helped lead, was signed into law to protect the health of our ocean, and it must be fully funded.”
“I proudly helped lead the passage of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act last Congress. This was critical legislation that built upon our many successes in our fight against marine debris and pollution. Now that SOS 2.0 is law, we must be doing all we can to ensure it is fully funded and properly implemented. As Congress continues working on FY2022 appropriations, it is vital that SOS 2.0 is fully funded. I call on Appropriations leaders on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers to stand with our oceans and coastal communities and provide the funding necessary to achieve the goals of SOS 2.0,” said Congressman Don Young.
