BUFFALO –Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) led the official bon voyage send-off of the Earth Voyager, one of the fastest sailing vessels on the Great Lakes.  The Voyager, on a Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives tour, made its first stop in Buffalo, New York at the newly developed site along the historic Erie Canal. 

“Containing over twenty percent of the world’s fresh water, the Great Lakes are an enormous natural asset to this nation,” said Congressman Higgins.  “Nearly two centuries ago the Lakes shaped this nation by providing for the early movement of settlers and commerce in America.  Now we are at a critical point in history where we must take action today to protect and preserve the Great Lakes as a means to shape this nation’s environmental and economic future. “

The Healthy Lakes, Healthy Lives tour, organized by the Healing our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, is designed to raise awareness and call for action on the problems facing our lakes.  Healing Our Waters is lead by the National Wildlife Federation and the National Parks Conservation Association and includes over 100 fishing, boating hunting, birding, conservation and environmental organizations. 

The Earth Voyager send-off included a flotilla of vessels from Western New York including the Edward M. Cotter Fireboat and a United States Coast Guard craft. 

The Earth Voyager departs Buffalo, NY for stops in Erie, PA, Toledo, OH, Detroit MI, Port Huron MI, Sarnia, Ontario, Chicago, IL, Traverse City, MI, Grand Haven, MI, Milwaukee, WI, Bay City MI, Cleveland, OH and Rochester, NY.