U.S. House Passes Legislation to Reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed The American Water Stewardship Act (H.R. 6422), legislation that reauthorizes critical regional watershed initiatives through 2031, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Without reauthorization, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is set to expire at the end of September 2026.  

Statement from Marnie Urso, Senior Policy Director for Audubon’s Great Lakes Office:  

“When birds have the habitat they need, they thrive. Since its creation, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has invested billions of dollars in efforts across the region, supporting more than 8,000 projects that have improved water quality, restored wetlands, strengthened coastal resilience and protected bird and wildlife habitat.”  

“Over the past three decades, breeding marsh bird populations in the Great Lakes have declined significantly, but habitat restoration is helping to bring them back. Thanks to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Audubon and its partners have helped to restore and conserve more than 10,000 acres of wetland habitat—supporting vulnerable marsh birds, clean drinking water, and flood protection for communities across the region.”  

“The Great Lakes region continues to face significant threats. Robust funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is essential to maintaining and building upon the progress we’ve made to protect bird habitat and improve the quality of lives for people and communities across the Great Lakes region.” 

“We applaud the U.S. House for this action and urge the Senate to take similar action to reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and ensure that it continues to benefit the 40 million people that depend on the Great Lakes for drinking water and the millions of birds that rely on the Great Lakes.” 

About Audubon Great Lakes 
Audubon Great Lakes is a regional office of Audubon, learn more at gl.audubon.org. 

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook and Instagram @audubonsociety  

Media contact: 
Emily Osborne-Kim, emily.osbornekim@audubon.org