President Obama's 2010 budget includes $475 million to do things like clean up toxins in Lake Erie, improve fish habitats and prevent erosion. That money still has to be allocated by Congress and EPA’s plans of exactly what to do with it are still tentative.
Cameron Davis of the EPA says they'll refine their plans after the public hearings.
DAVIS: That is one of the things we want to hear tonight: that is what's on the public's mind, what are the relative priorities, and what are the ideas people have to breathe new life into the Great Lakes.
Davis says those who don't make it to the meeting can go to EPA.govand send their feedback there.
Advocacy groups such as the “Healing Our Waters” coalition have been pushing for a multi-billion dollar effort for years. The Coaltition’s Jeff Skelding has said that, "Toxic pollution, invasive species and climate change threaten not only our health and quality of life, but the region's economy."