Congress approves funding for Great Lakes initiative

Efforts to restore and protect the Great Lakes will continue under a bipartisan bill to extend funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The program has invested $2.7 billion into cleaning up toxic hotspots and restoring habitats on the Great Lakes.

The U.S. Senate voted unanimously Dec. 20 to authorize funding for another five years. The bill now heads to President Donald Trump for his signature.

Pennsylvania has 51 miles of Lake Erie shoreline.The total economic significance of the Pennsylvania section of Lake Erie recreational angling industry upon Erie County was estimated to be $49.5 million for the 2016 season, according to a Penn State study...