Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Act of 2002
Key claim: EPA may fund and carry out projects to monitor, clean up, and prevent polluted sediment in designated Great Lakes problem areas, with non-federal partners sharing costs, and the law also addresses a Lake Champlain program.
Abstract
(HR1070 · 107th Congress) Great Lakes and Lake Champlain Program Act of 2002 - Title I: Great Lakes - Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002 - (Sec. 102) Amends Great Lakes management provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to report to Congress within one year on actions and resources necessary to oversee the Remedial Action Plans and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. (Sec. 103) Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, acting through the Great Lakes National Program Office, to carry out projects in areas of concern that: (1) monitor or evaluate contaminated sediment; (2) implement a plan to remediate contaminated sediment; or (3) prevent further or renewed contamination of sediment. Grants priority to projects which will use an innovative approach or can be commenced within one year. Prohibits the Administrator from carrying out a remediation project if an evaluation of remedial alternatives (including a review of health effects) has not been conducted or if the Administrator determines that the area is likely to suffer significant further or renewed contamination from existing sources following the project’s completion. Requires commitments of continued financial support from non-Federal sponsors as a condition for implementing remediation projects. Requires the Administrator to coordinate efforts with the Secretary of the Army and the Governors of the affected States. Authorizes the Administrator to carry out a public information program. (Sec. 104) States that nothing in the Great Lakes management provisions shall be construed to affect any other Federal or State authority that is being used or may be used to facilitate Great Lakes cleanup and protection. (Sec. 105) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2004 through 2008. (Sec. 106) Authorizes the Administrator to conduct research on innovative technologies and techniques. Title II: Lake Champlain - Daniel Patrick Moynihan Lake Champla Latest action (2002-11-27): Became Public Law No: 107-303.
Why this matters
The 2002 statute is the original congressional authorization behind EPA’s ongoing Great Lakes contaminated sediment remediation work and pairs it with a Lake Champlain basin program, tying two large freshwater cleanup efforts to a single legal framework. Its cost-share design — federal dollars only flow when non-federal sponsors contribute — shapes which sites actually get remediated and on what timeline.