Great Lakes Gateways Network Act of 2025

# Great Lakes Gateways Network Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** The Great Lakes Gateways Network Act of 2025 would establish a coordinated network to promote and manage recreation, heritage, and environmental resources across the Great Lakes region. The bill aims to connect historic sites, parks, trails, and educational programs across multiple states bordering the Great Lakes, facilitating tourism and environmental stewardship while improving navigation and waterway management in the region. **Who It Affects:** This legislation would primarily impact residents and visitors in the eight Great Lakes states (Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York), as well as Canada, which shares the Great Lakes. State and local governments, parks and recreation departments, environmental organizations, heritage sites, and the tourism industry would be involved in implementing and managing the network. **Key Provisions & Current Status:** The bill addresses environmental education, water resources funding, watershed management, and improved coordination between states and Canada on Great Lakes issues.

It currently sits in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) and focuses on treating the Great Lakes as an interconnected system rather than separate state resources.