Senator Stabenow Appointed Vice Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today was appointed as a Vice Chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, which is a bipartisan organization that works to protect the Great Lakes' ecosystem and develop the region's economy.

Sens. Stabenow and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) were appointed to the newly created positions and will serve with Co-Chairs Sens. Carl Levin and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.).

"For families in Michigan, the Great Lakes are central to our economy and our way of life," said Stabenow. "They contribute billions to our economy, support thousands of jobs, and are a priceless natural resource for Michigan and the entire country. I am honored to be named a Vice Chair to ensure that Michigan continues to have a strong voice on the Great Lakes Task Force as we work together to protect the Great Lakes for future generations."

The Senate Great Lakes Task Force was founded in the mid-1980s and is associated with the Northeast-Midwest Institute. The organization has previously focused on projects like securing funding for dredging and preventing the spread of invasive species like Asian carp.

For years, Sen. Stabenow has made protecting the Great Lakes a top priority. She authored the bipartisan Stop Invasive Species Act with Congressman Dave Camp, which passed in 2012, to require the Army Corps to expedite the completion of its report on possible strategies to permanently prevent Asian carp and other invasive species from entering the Great Lakes.
Just last month, Sen. Stabenow was in Bay City to announce the launch of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program created in her bipartisan 2014 Farm Bill, to bring together public-private partnerships to protect and conserve the Great Lakes. Thanks to her leadership, the Great Lakes were designated as one of eight Critical Conservation Areas.