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MI outdoor sports org opposes proposed cuts to Great Lakes restoration

View of Great Lakes from space
Jeff Schmaltz
/
NASA/GSFC

An organization representing tens of thousands of Michigan anglers and hunters has joined critics of a plan to cut federal funding to restore the Great Lakes.

 

Last week, a leaked spending plan from the Trump administration showed proposed cuts that would reduce federal funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative from $300 million to $10 million.

 

The initiative helps pay to improve water quality and restore wetlands. 

 

Drew Youngedyke is a spokesman for the Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

 

"That’s one of the best tools that we have to restore wildlife habitat especially in the Great Lakes and that’s something that’s very important to our members,” he says.

 

Michigan legislators from both parties have criticized the cuts.

 

The budget proposal would involve debate in Congress before it is approved.

 

Supporters of cuts say Great Lakes clean-up should be funded by the states.

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