A coalition of conservation groups and industry and business leaders are calling on the presidential candidates to sign a pledge to protect the Great Lakes.
They've released what they are calling the Great lakes Protection and Restoration Presidential Platform.
And they want the Presidential hopefuls to commit to supporting policies and programs that promote the Great Lakes region as a driver of economic growth and job development.
Todd Ambs is with the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.
"Support funding for federal Great Lakes restoration efforts, including wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, action to curb harmful algal blooms, and other necessary investments to help the region's environment and economy."
President of the Council of Great Lakes Industries, Kathryn Buckner, says her group joins other supporters of the Platform.
"So we want to ensure that the next president, whoever he or she is, recognizes the importance of the lakes as an asset for the U-S and also for the Great lakes region. And that that president invests and protects the asset as a generator of future economic growth."
Executive Director of the Great Lakes Commission, Tim Eder, notes that there is an infrastructure crisis in this country, whether it's our roads, drinking water or wastewater treatment infrastructure.
"That's what we're asking them to sign on to is an investment in the Great lakes infrastructure so we can maintain the economy that's dependent on the lakes and protect us against problems like we've seen in Flint and Toledo."
The Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition and the Great Lakes Commission also make up the coalition.
The platform calls for maintaining federal support to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at $300 million dollars per year, support investments in infrastructure to protect drinking water and ports and habors, and preserve opportunities for recreation and tourism.
The group says they are not endorsing, or opposing, any particular candidate.