Great Lakes cleanup bill introduced

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - US. senators from both parties are proposing legislation to continue Great Lakes cleanup efforts that include removing toxins from polluted harbors and fighting invasive species.

A measure introduced Thursday calls for carrying out a recently updated agreement with Canada to deal with some of the lakes' most pressing ecological problems. Some have been around for decades, such as excessive algae blooms. Among newer concerns are the effects of climate change.

The bill also would extend programs already under way, including the Obama administration's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which has pumped more than $1 billion into projects across the region. Funding would need to be appropriated separately.

Sponsoring the measure are Democrats Dick Durbin of Illinois, Carl Levin of Michigan and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, plus Republican Mark Kirk of Illinois.