Congressman Roskam has been a strong advocate for environmental stewardship, voting to protect our national treasures, guard against degradation, and promote a level of stewardship that will leave our country in better shape for our children.
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are an environmental treasure for our region. They are so important because they supply our drinking water, support commerce, provide recreation, and are a wonder unto themselves. Tens of millions of people get their drinking water from the Great Lakes, including the Sixth Congressional District, so Congressman Roskam stood up to BP to prevent their plans for increased pollution in Lake Michigan.
Invasive species are another threat to the quality of Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes. After President Bush vetoed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007, Congressman Roskam was a member of the first-ever successful veto-override of President Bush to make WRDA law.
- Included legislation cosponsored by Congressman Roskam to make a permanent Asian Carp barrier to prevent this nasty fish from infiltrating the ecosystem of Lake Michigan
Open Space
Illinois' Sixth Congressional District is reaching the limit room for development with little remaining room for growth. The preservation of open space has become critical to maintaining our quality of life.
Congressman Roskam has worked closely with local officials to ensure our parks and forest preserves enjoy a vibrant and healthy future.
In addition, the Congressman has supported federal priorities that offer our parks and forest preserves the ability to not only maintain current operations, but grow their service to our communities.
National Preservation
From the east to west coasts, literally sea to shining sea, our great country is blessed with numerous landscapes that are as beautiful as they are distinct. Congressman Roskam has voted to protect national forestland by preventing increased logging in the Alaskan Tongass National Forest.
To make sure our most rugged and pristine natural areas are preserved well for generations to come, Congressman Roskam joined a bipartisan effort to create the National Landscape Conservation System, a 26 million acre system currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
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