Last week the Environmental Protection Agency and governors of Great Lakes states including Pennsylvania unveiled a program of goals, objectives and proposed actions to contain the spread of pollution and invasive species over the next five years.

EPA administrator Lisa P. Jackson said in a statement the administration had proposed spending nearly a half billion dollars on a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a plan developed by an inter-agency task force that includes states and 16 federal agencies.

"This action plan outlines our strategy to protect the environmental, human health and economic interests of the millions of people who rely on the Great Lakes," said Jackson. "We're committed to creating a new standard of care that will leave the Great Lakes better for the next generation."

The lakes provide drinking water to more than 30 million Americans and support multi-billion dollar fishing, boating and recreational industries. The $475 million plan is designed to identify sources of pollution and harmful species, remove them from the lakes and prevent them from returning.

"The Great Lakes are one of our country's greatest natural resources and economic assets," said Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, co-chair of the Council of Great Lakes Governors. "We must protect and preserve our lakes for our families and outdoors enthusiasts, as well as the industries that rely on the waterways to transport their goods around the world."

The initiative focuses on:

• Working with state and municipal governments to clean up toxic target areas and prevent further environmental abuses.

• Protecting high-priority watersheds from urban, suburban and agricultural runoff pollution.

• Allocating additional funds to keep invasive species such as the Asian carp out of the lakes.

• Assessing the entire 530,000-acre Great Lakes coastal wetland and restoring vital habitat.

• Working with states, non-profit agencies, other stakeholder groups and Canada to implement accountability measures, education and outreach to restore and protect the Great Lakes.

Since last month, the EPA has received more than 1,000 proposals for funding to support activities included in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Funding of parts of the plan is expected to be announced through other agencies.

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