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Tom Reed announced $12.5 million in federal funds, which come as part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, to help restore the Great Lakes. "As the 2016 summer season begins, it's important that we do our part to take care of our lakes by taking simple steps to help keep them in great condition. We care about protecting our lakes because they are critically important as a natural resource and to our local economy. Supporting programs like these is just the right thing to do," said Reed.

The funding comes as the House offered its authorization of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a program that will allow eight member states, including New York, along with local communities, Native American tribes, conservation organizations, businesses and private industries, to come together to implement a science-based and outcomes-focused plan of action for restoring and protecting the Great Lakes and their watersheds, all while cutting through bureaucracy. Reed supported the bill that would authorize the program last week.

Overall, New York State will receive $1.5 million in designated federal funding as part of the program.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva will receive $516,000 from this program to study and remove the Water Chestnut from roughly 43 acres in Lake Ontario and Lake Erie basins. The college will also teach members of the community how to help curb the spread of invasive species and keep the Great Lakes clean.

The program will also provide the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation with roughly $500,000 to expand watercraft inspection programs at boat launches and marinas located on Lake Erie and the Finger Lakes, among other lakes and waterways.

"The boat inspection program has produced positive results and encouraged the control hydrilla in the Finger Lakes in particular. We are glad we can further these efforts and help protect our lakes," said Reed.

The Great Lakes provide 30 million Americans with drinking water and generate more than 1.5 million jobs and $60 billion in wages annually, providing the foundation for a $30 billion regional tourism economy.

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