|
Washington, D.C.- Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that he was able secure $2 million in funding per year for the Great Lakes Water Level Observation Network. Kildee introduced H.R. 2775 to ensure that the Great Lakes Water Level Observation Network remains solvent. The Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans included Congressman Kildee’s bill in the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act under the jurisdiction of the Resources Committee.
“As a senior member of the Resources Committee, I am delighted that I was able to secure funding for this critically important program,” said Kildee. “This funding will enable the Great Lakes Water Level Observation Network to continue to facilitate safe navigation in the Great Lakes system. Michigan’s economy largely depends on the Great Lakes Water Level Observation Network’s research to guarantee the safe transfer of goods and materials in the Great Lakes region.”
The Great Lakes Water Level Observation Network is a research program administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Network operates 51 water level gauges in the Great Lakes region to provide real-time information for safe navigation. The Network relies heavily on Congressional appropriations to provide needed maintenance and upgrades of gauge hardware. The water level gauges require constant adjustment and maintenance because the Great Lakes continue to suffer from low water levels that place the resource at risk and jeopardize the integrity of crucial navigation routes. This new funding will ensure that the Great Lakes Water Level Observation Network continues to provide accurate and reliable real-time hydrographic data to mariners and resource managers. |
