Lobbying

LOBBYING - BACKGROUND

In 2004 and 2006, MRBPLG produced cost studies indicating that 54 communities in the Maumee River Basin need more than $1 billion in funding over the next 20 years to meet federal wastewater and stormwater water quality mandates.

MRBPLG communities are seeking to secure federal funding for water quality infrastructure improvement projects in the Maumee River Basin. While MRBPLG is not a lobbying organization, we hope to provide Maumee River Basin communities with the tools, facts, and other resources necessary to successfully lobby congressional representatives to provide water quality infrastructure funding. Congressional representatives should be encouraged to support existing legislation proposals, and develop new legislation that specifically targets the wastewater and stormwater needs of the communities of the Maumee River Basin.

How Do We Make Our Case?
If MRBPLG members seek to change the status quo of the lack of infrastructure funding in the Maumee River Basin, this is the case that should be presented.

Environmental and Economic Importance:

The Maumee River is the largest tributary to all the Great Lakes.
Lake Erie is the 11th largest lake in the world.
Lake Erie is a drinking water source for 11 million people.
The shipping industry in Ohio brings in $460 million in revenue per year.
Lake Erie Ports account for 43% of direct and indirect jobs and 47% of revenue on all US Ports on the Great Lakes.

Trends in Federal Funding

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) has provided nearly $52 billion for water quality projects to date, but funding is steadily decreasing:

2005 CWSRF Fund cut by 20%
2006 CWSRF Fund cut by 19%
2007 CWSRF Fund cut by 23%

Basin Wide Need

Maumee River Basin communities have determined that their overall need associated with achieving Federal wastewater and stormwater water quality mandates exceed $1.13 billion.

Overwhelming Public Support

86% of Americans support legislation by U.S. Congress to create a long-term, sustainable, & reliable trust fund for clean and safe water infrastructure.
71% of Americans believe clean and safe water is a national issue that requires a national solution/dedicated national funding.
78% of voters indicated that they are more likely to vote for their Member of Congress if they learned that he or she voted for a clean water trust.
63% of voters indicated that they are less likely to vote for their Member of Congress if they learned that he or she voted against a clean water trust.

Luntz Research Companies: 2005 Media Release (.pdf)