Whitman visited Muskegon to unveil a new Bush administration plan that she says will help protect and restore the Great Lakes.
'One example of local activities having larger results is happening at Grand Valley State University,' Whitman said. 'For a number of years, the EPA has been working with the Water Resources Institute there to support their efforts to monitor water quality and to conduct educational outreach programs through their research ship, the Jackson .
Whitman added: 'More importantly, EPA's investment in this project has been more than doubled by leveraging private community participation. That's the kind of model that this partnership will lead to as well. It's an example of local commitment to results that we are counting on here in the Great Lakes basin, and I know that we are going to be able to accomplish it. '
Whitman says the proposal -- called 'Great Lakes Strategy 2002 -- A Plan for the New Millennium' will address the most serious problems facing the Great Lakes, including:
- sediment contamination
- invasive species
- loss of habitat
- production of fish unsafe for human consumption.
