A local congressman in leading the charge to acquire annual funding to put into action restoration projects for Lake St. Clair. 

U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak, has signed off on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) legislation that includes a provision calling for up to $10 million a year to implement an array of projects in and around the lake 

"We have a management plan to restore Lake St. Clair," said Levin.  "The challenge is to turn the management plan's recommendations into action.  Everyone, including the federal government, has to step forward and take responsibility for this." 

The Lake St. Clair provisions calls for around $10 million annually to allow the Army Corp of Engineers, in partnership with the state of Michigan and local governments, to implement the recommendations of the comprehensive management plan for Lake St. Clear that was approved in 2005. 

The language adopted by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is similar to language approved last year by the U.S. Senate, which was requested by Levin's brother, Sen. Carl Levin.  The Michigan delegation attempted to get final approval of this language last fall, but the 109th Congress adjourned before reaching agreement the water resources measure, Sander Levin said.

According to Levin, $10 million would provide financial assistance for the development and realization of projects to restore, conserve, and manage the St. Clair River, the lake and their watersheds.

Levin is also requesting that the Army Corps of Engineers coordinated with other federal and state organizations to assemble a U.S. Lake St. Clair Watershed Management Advisory Committee to coordinate activities, and requests the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to authorize the use of the implementation plan drafted through public participation process by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG).

"We've been trying to get a focused effort on Lake St. Clair for the surrounding communities in Macomb County and get what he's trying for - funding for these projects," said Chuck Hersey, manger of environmental programs for SEMCOG.  "But authorization is the first step."

The last step would be Congress funding the Lake St. Clair authorization through an appropriations process, Heresy said.

Heresy said the funding would be allocated specifically for projects that would improve the conditions of Lake St. Clair, including protecting the habitat from invasive species such as phragmites, and continued monitoring of the lake?s health. 

The Army Corps of Engineers is currently reviewing what authority may be needed in order to monitor water quality on Lake St. Clair.

Levin said the goals of this planning effort are to evaluate the causes of environmental stress to the St. Clair River watersheds and Lake St. Clair, determine management goals and objectives, review ongoing management activities, and develop recommendations for management priorities.

St. Clair Shores Mayor Robert Hison, who is vice chair of the executive board for SEMCOG, said he met with Levin in Washington, D.C., in February about the subjection of water quality in the area.

"(Water quality) is very critical in Michigan, and in St. Clare Shores," Hison said.  "Recreation is very big here.. boating, fishing.  We want to encourage more recreation."

Hison said the entire city is now in a wait-and see position. 

"We'll do everything necessary to pursue those monies," he said.

The full House still needs to act on the request followed by the Senate.  Then, the House and Senate would need to agree eon a final bill in a conference committee.  Finally, President George W. Bush must sign the bill.

Congress routinely approves a major water resources bill every two or three years, but the WRDA bill has been snagged for years due to disagreements over how to reform the manner in which the Army Corps of Engineers formulates, reviews, and implements projects.  As a result, Congress has no approved a water resources bill since 2000.   

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