House takes up bill to help clean up Great Lakes

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. House is taking up the Great Lakes Legacy Act, which would expand a program to reduce contaminated sediments in the lakes.

The legislation authorizes $150 million annually for the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up polluted parts of the lakes. It would be an increase over previous funding allowances.

It follows an earlier version of the law, which passed in 2002.

Congressman Vernon Ehlers (A'-lers), a Michigan Republican and sponsor of the bill, says Congress owes it to future generations to clean up the lakes.

Another sponsor, Minnesota Democrat Jim Oberstar, says the bill improves upon 2002 version, by bringing faster cleanup efforts.

A vote was put off until Thursday.