FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                 
November 8, 2007

Congressional Override of President’s Veto
Good News for Great Lakes
Water Act Will Protect Lakes from Invasive Species

Green Groups Release Video Documenting Invasives Threat

(Albany, NY)–Environmentalists and Great Lakes enthusiasts across New York and around the entire Great Lakes Basin applauded the congressional override of President Bush’s veto on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The overwhelming vote to override—far more than the two-thirds necessary—demonstrated Congress’ commitment to supporting water needs.

The bill includes authorization for $25 million dollars in Great Lakes restoration spending with provisions for fully funding the Asian Carp barrier, a physical barrier to keep the destructive invasive carp out of the Great Lakes. The Asian Carp is one of roughly 186 invasive species that have taken hold in the Basin. A large and voracious eater, the Carp threaten the delicate food chain of the Lakes’ system. 

In addition to celebrating the legislation, New York environmental organizations announced the release of a short video created by Citizens Campaign for the Environment focusing on the impacts of aquatic invasive species in New York. The video and electronic press kit is available at www.citizenscampaign.org/media/pr_110907.

“This is a great day for Great Lakes restoration,� said Dereth Glance, Executive Program Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment.  “If allowed to enter the Great Lakes, Asian carp would decimate native fisheries, and threatens to turn the Great Lakes into a giant carp pond, collapsing the $4.5 billion recreational Great Lakes fishery,� concluded Glance.

“Aquatic Invasive Species pose a serious threat to the birds, other wildlife, and the economy of the Great Lakes region, and strong federal action is needed to address their spread. WRDA provides important resources to restore and protect the Great Lakes as well as other important waterbodies across the state, and we commend Congress for their leadership on this important legislation,� said Albert E. Caccese, Executive Director of Audubon New York, the 50,000 member state program of the National Audubon Society.

Organizations across the state praised congress for their action on WRDA while renewing their call for further action to address invasive species.

“The override is a fantastic show of the federal commitment to the health of our Great Lakes, as well as water needs across the country,â€? said Katherine Nadeau of Environmental Advocates of New York. “We support the Act and call on Congress to now pass strict national ballast water regulations that will protect our waters, particularly Lakes Erie and Ontario”

In total, the Water Resources Development act authorizes $23 billion in funding for navigation, flood protection, and $6 billion in ecosystem restoration. This is the first veto override of the Bush presidency and only the 106th in U.S. history. The law authorizes funding for the projects, and the funding must be approved in the 2009 appropriations process.

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Audubon New York, the 50,000-member state program of the National Audubon Society, is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitats that supports them.  Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.
Citizens Campaign for the Environment is an 80,000 member, non-profit, non-partisan, advocacy organization working to protect public health and the natural environment throughout New York State and Connecticut.

Environmental Advocates of New York is your government watchdog, holding state lawmakers and agencies accountable for enacting and implementing policy that protects natural resources and safeguards public health. Founded almost 40 years ago as the Environmental Planning Lobby, Environmental Advocates has more than 7,000 individual and 130 organizational members. The 501© (3) is also the New York affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation. For more information call 518.462.5526 or visit www.eany.org.