U.S. Senate approves $400 million to clean up and restore Great Lakes

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The U.S. Senate has approved $400 million to clean up and restore the Great Lakes.

The money is included in a $32 billion budget for the Interior Department in the fiscal year that starts next week.

The Senate OK’d the package last night on a 77-21 vote.

Wisconsin Democrats Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold both voted yes.

In June, the House voted to spend $475 million as the first payment toward the $20 billion Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

It includes a host of water, sewage, and shoreline clean-ups.

Andy Buchsbaum of the National Wildlife Federation says it’s “absolutely critical to bringing the Great Lakes back to health.”

The House approved $75 million more than the Senate.

Buchsbaum says environmentalists will now work with House and Senate conferees to get the higher amount budgeted.

Tags: great lakes, wisconsin, government, cleanup