Congressman Dan Kildee Announces Great Lakes & Outdoor Recreation Tour across Michigan

Kildee to highlight Michigan’s Great Lakes and Natural Resources as Engines of the State’s Economy

FLINT - Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) today announced a two week Great Lakes and Outdoor Recreation tour across Michigan where he will be highlighting the Great Lakes as a boon to the state economy and the importance of protecting Michigan’s wilderness. As a champion for Michigan’s outdoors, Congressman Kildee will visit with local leaders and business owners as he bikes, kayaks, and rides his way through Michigan trails, rivers and bays, and continue his fight to ensure Michigan has the resources it needs from federal programs like the Great Lakes Restorations Initiative (GLRI) and U.S. Army Corps. “Experiencing recreational activities in Michigan’s wilderness first hand shows why it is important to protect our environment. Whether the threat is from invasive species like Phragmites and Asian Carp, Canadian nuclear waste or pollution, we have an obligation to protect our environment for future generations,” Congressman Kildee said. “Like all Michiganders, I know our Great Lakes are a major factor in our state’s economy. Travel between the Great Lakes must be improved to ensure our economy thrives.” Congressman Kildee will tour the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie and ride on a shipping barge up the Saginaw River in Bay City. These activities spotlight the need for improvements on the movement of shipments and the diversity of products on the Great Lakes. Congressman Kildee will also be biking the Iron Belle Trail in Alabaster Township promoting the nationally renowned biking recreation in Michigan. Finally, Congressman Kildee will tour sites where GLRI funds are being used to stop the spread of invasive species like Phragmites and European Frogbit that are threatening the natural habitat and wildlife. Congressman Kildee is leading the charge in Congress to protect Michigan’s environment and Great Lakes through various initiatives, including:

• Advocating for the nation’s budget to fund the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which supports efforts to clean up toxic pollution, combat invasive species and restore wildlife habitats
• Fighting a proposed permanent nuclear waste storage facility that Canada seeks to build less than a mile away from Lake Huron.
• Stopping invasive species, such as Asian Carp, from entering the Great Lakes. Congressman Kildee has co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to prioritize and enact long-term measures to stop the spread of invasive species.
• Expanding access to National Parks and Lands by introducing legislation that would make it easier for children and their families to visit National Parks in Michigan and across the country.