The U.S. EPA announced April 9 how it plans to use an additional $20 million Congress allocated in 2020 for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

The EPA stated in a news release the funds will be used to “further its efforts to address persistent challenges affecting the Great Lakes including Areas of Concern (AOCs), invasive species control and prevention, excess nutrients, and habitat restoration.”

“Eliminating water pollution and boosting restoration of the Great Lakes is a priority for me as administrator at EPA,” EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a statement. “With this additional $20 million, we will be able to target many harder-to-solve challenge areas like invasive species and high nutrient loads.”

Great Lakes area congressional members, including Reps. Dave Joyce, R-Bainbridge Township, and Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, were supportive of the EPA’s decision.

“As someone who grew up on the shores of Lake Erie, I am proud to have led the bipartisan effort in Congress to increase funding for this critical initiative and look forward to continuing to work with EPA and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect the invaluable natural resource and economic powerhouse that is the Great Lakes system,” Joyce said in a statement.

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