Efforts underway to revive
coalition of Great Lakes Legislators

Senator George Maziarz, 62nd District, met with fellow senators or their staff representatives from a cross-section of New York's 16 Great Lakes senate districts to revitalize the New York Coalition of Great Lakes Legislators. The nonpartisan coalition's main mission is to work together to raise awareness of Great Lakes issues such as invasive species, water quality, toxic contaminants, fisheries, water levels and tourism. The 53 senators and assembly members in the Great Lakes basin represent one-quarter of the state legislature.

Maziarz, co-chairman of the coalition, said, "We need to keep ourselves up-to-date on the complex challenges facing 20 percent of the world's fresh water. The coalition is an important mechanism to keep us all focused on issues that cut across our districts, parties and legislative chambers."

Created in 1998 under the leadership of Maziarz and former Assemblyman Paul Tokasz, the coalition was active in taking advantage of legislators' unique roles and opportunities to speak with one voice on Great Lakes issues. The events of September 11, 2001 diverted attention away from the Great Lakes. Recently, increased awareness of environmental concerns makes it timely and important that New York's legislators revitalize the coalition. Similar revitalization efforts are anticipated in the assembly, allowing the coalition to work together with the strength of its 53 members.

Maziarz added, "Great Lakes issues really should be thought of as 'Main Street' issues because they affect our quality of life in countless ways. We are all concerned about the world our children will inherit, and we must live up to our responsibility to future generations of New Yorkers. We can do this by recognizing that the Great Lakes are an irreplaceable and invaluable resource and treasure."

March 18, 2007