1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am deeply alarmed by the administration’s funding freezes, mass layoffs, and reckless policy changes that threaten the Great Lakes, Michigan’s economy, and public health. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has slashed critical federal programs, including: • Sea Lamprey Control – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s team managing invasive sea lampreys has been eliminated, threatening Michigan’s $7 billion fishing industry and 75,000 jobs. • Asian Carp Prevention – Federal funding for a crucial barrier to stop invasive Asian carp has been frozen, endangering native fish populations and the Great Lakes ecosystem. • NOAA’s Great Lakes Monitoring – Cuts to ice cover monitoring, water level gauges, and weather buoys jeopardize navigation, shipping, and tourism, all essential to Michigan’s economy. • Drinking Water Protection – The loss of NOAA scientists monitoring toxic algal blooms increases the risk of another crisis like the one that left 400,000 people in Toledo without clean water in 2014. • EPA Enforcement – The elimination of 18 enforcement positions, including six attorneys, weakens accountability for polluters contaminating our lakes. These reckless cuts put clean water, public health, and Michigan’s economy at risk. Reports also suggest the administration may withdraw from treaties with Canada, disrupting fishing, shipping, and tourism industries. Congress must act to: 1. Restore funding for Great Lakes programs, including invasive species control, water monitoring, and pollution enforcement. 2. Ensure NOAA, the EPA, and Fish & Wildlife Service have the necessary staff and resources. 3. Protect U.S.-Canada agreements that safeguard the Great Lakes from political interference. The Great Lakes provide drinking water to 40 million people, support $750 billion in annual economic activity, and sustain thousands of species. The damage from these cuts could take generations—and billions of taxpayer dollars—to undo. What steps are you taking to prevent this crisis?