North Michigan News

Nov 3, 2023

Rep. Jack Bergman has achieved significant victories for Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula with his support for the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2024. This bill marks the seventh individual appropriations bill passed by the House this year.

In a statement, Rep. Bergman expressed his satisfaction with the legislation, stating, "While not perfect, this legislation secured major wins for Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, and I was proud to vote in favor of this bill." He further emphasized the collaborative effort that went into securing funding for critical projects, ranging from Standish to Escanaba, and urged the Senate to take prompt action in advancing the bill.

Recognizing the economic challenges facing the nation, Rep. Bergman highlighted the importance of fiscally responsible policies in government funding. He stated, "Our Nation is facing major economic hardships - it's imperative we seek fiscally sound policies when it comes to properly funding our government. This legislation will help rightsize bloated government bureaucracies and create a starting point on funding levels that we can afford as a Nation."

The appropriations bill will now move to the Senate for consideration.

Among Rep. Bergman's legislative priorities included in the bill are several critical projects:

- $1.75 million for Mackinac Island, MI, for the Drinking Water Asset Management Plan project.

- $1.75 million for Mackinac Island, MI, for the Sewer Asset Management Plan project.

- $1 million for Indian River, MI, for the Sewer Expansion and Modernization project.

- $1 million for Traverse City, MI, for the Sewer Force Main Replacement and Improvement project.

- $1 million for Roscommon, MI, for the Sewer System Project.

- $1 million for Standish, MI, for the Water Area System Improvements project.

- $1.75 million for Escanaba, MI, for the Water Service Reconstruction project.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions that address various environmental concerns and protect specific wildlife species. These provisions include:

- $368 million for the Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) program.

- Reissuing the 2020 rule delisting the gray wolf by the Department of the Interior.

- Prohibiting the up-listing of the northern long-eared bat.

- Prohibiting funds to ban lead ammunition and fishing tackle on Federal lands or waters made available for hunting or fishing activities unless certain conditions are met.

- Blocking restrictions on hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on Federal land.

Furthermore, the bill allocates funding for a range of important programs, such as:

- $1 million for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sea Lamprey Control program.

- $183.23 million for the Bureau of Indian Education post-secondary programs, including $87.93 million for Tribal colleges and universities.

- $48.5 million for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North American Wetlands Conservation Fund.

- $125.43 million in mandatory funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for National Park Service land acquisition.

- $305.54 million in mandatory funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the National Park Service State Assistance programs.

- $40.16 million in mandatory funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cooperative Endangered Species Fund.

Rep. Bergman's commitment to securing funding for critical projects and advocating for responsible fiscal policies has resulted in significant wins for the First District. The appropriations bill's passage in the House marks a crucial step in addressing the region's needs and fostering economic growth. As the bill moves to the Senate, the focus now turns to ensuring its continued progress and ultimately delivering the much-needed support to the communities of Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

To find out more, go to this link: https://bergman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1137