Sustain the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

Since 2010, the GLRI has enabled Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and federally recognized Tribes to invest in restoring the region's waters after decades of environmental damage have threatened public health and the regional economy. With work underway or completed on more than 8,100 projects, the GLRI has made tremendous environmental progress and resulted in economic returns of more than 3-to-1 for every dollar invested across the Great Lakes, and it enjoys broad bipartisan support across the region.

 

Surfrider Foundation, in conjunction with the Healing Our Waters Great Lakes coalition, is advocating for full funding of this program for fiscal year 2026 at $475 million, as well as for legislation to reauthorize the program and a $500 million annual funding level for the next 5 years.