Jacobs presses for Great Lakes funding with a focus on microplastic removal and prevention

Photo by Tom Rivers: A boat is on Lake Ontario during sunset on Aug. 4, 2019 near Barker.

HAMBURG – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) held a press conference on Tuesday to call for full funding for the Save our Seas Act 2.0.

He was joined at the conference by Sharen Trembath, Organizer of the Great Lakes Beach Sweep, and Jim Hanley, a fishing charter owner.

Jacobs said he is advocating for funding of the Save our Seas Act 2.0.

“This legislation was passed and signed into law by President Trump in December of 2020, yet, despite being very bipartisan, it has yet to receive full funding,” Jacobs said.

He called the Great Lakes regional treasures that provide clean drinking water, boost the economy, communities, agriculture, recreation, “and much, much more.”

The Save our Seas Act 2.0 would provide grant opportunities for projects to address plastic pollution in our lakes, especially with a focus on microplastic removal and prevention, Jacobs said.

“Each year, 10,000 metric tons of plastic enter our Great Lakes – roughly 2,500 into Lake Erie and 1,400 into Lake Ontario,” he said. “This pollution eventually breaks down into microplastics, which can harm everything from our drinking water to the aquatic life in our Lakes.”

Save our Seas 2.0 would provide funding and incentives to upgrade drinking and wastewater systems to remove microplastics. The legislation also would provide grant funding for trash collection projects along our Great Lakes.

“This isn’t a partisan issue – but one that will set our region up for future prosperity, and I am proud to lead this effort to secure a meaningful investment for our lakes,” Jacobs said.