Article published January 25, 2003
Senate votes to extend drilling ban
Lawmakers also OK effort to keep the Great Lakes free of Asian carp
By KAREN MacPHERSON
BLADE WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON - The Senate this week voted to extend the ban on oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes through 2005.
In addition, the Senate voted to earmark $500,000 to ensure that the Great Lakes remain protected against an invasive species called the Asian carp.
The drilling amendment was sponsored by Sens. George Voinovich (R., Ohio) and Debbie Stabenow (D., Mich.) and underlines the political popularity of protecting environmentally sensitive areas from energy exploration.
Sens. Mike DeWine (R., Ohio) and Carl Levin (D., Mich.) sponsored the second amendment, which targets $500,000 for an electrified barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal preventing the movement of Asian carp into the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River.
The two amendments were attached late Thursday to the Senate version of a $390 billion omnibus spending bill to fund the federal government for the rest of fiscal year 2003, which ends Sept. 30.
The appropriations measure must win final approval from a House-Senate conference committee and be signed into law by President Bush.
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said yesterday that she expects to be a member of the House-Senate conference committee and will lobby to ensure that the Great Lakes amendments are kept in the final measure.
"I am delighted the Senate agreed to expand the ban on drilling in the Great Lakes, an initiative I co-authored in the House two years ago,'' Ms. Kaptur said.
Ohio environmentalists yesterday expressed jubilation at the Senate's actions, particularly the ban on oil and gas drilling.
"Sens Voinovich and DeWine have gone the extra mile for all the Great Lakes, showing a refreshing sense of dedication to one of the nation's greatest natural treasures,'' said Rose Garr, field organizer for the Ohio Public Interest Research Group. "We urge the House to concur with the Senate in extending the moratorium."
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