Cassidy, Rubio Legislation to Protect State Management of Waters is Moving Through Congress

Press Release

Today, US Senator Bill Cassidy, Chairman of the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, chaired a hearing on land management legislation. Included in the pending legislation was Dr. Cassidy and US Senator Marco Rubio's legislation, the Preserving Public Access to Public Waters Act (S.2807).

A companion bill introduced in the US House of Representatives by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, H.R. 3310 has already passed the House with bipartisan support and is expected to be considered in the Energy conference report.

This legislation will ensure that federal and state agencies are equal partners in the development of any new fishing access restrictions in areas where state marine waters and national park waters overlap. The legislation protects and maintains existing environmental protections and makes certain that states have a say in the fishery management decisions in their own waters. The bill does not apply to fishery management decisions in federal waters.

"State and federal agencies need to work together when making decisions that affect our waters. When we restrict access, we impact everyone. We impact the moms and dads who want to take their kids fishing for the day. We impact the commercial fishermen who make a living on the Gulf, supplying our restaurants and grocery stores. We impact the associated businesses, like bait shops, charter boats, and motels along the Gulf, that are hurt by closures. Restricted access has real life consequences to Louisiana's economy," said Sen. Cassidy.

"Florida's waters play a key role in the state's economy. From tourism to commercial fishing to recreational interests, these industries sustain our communities and should be managed by those who know them best. State agencies have specialized knowledge of these waters and should have a seat at the table when major management plans or closures are considered," said Sen. Rubio. "We need this legislation in order to ensure that access to Biscayne National Park is not decided solely by Washington, but instead by both federal and state agencies that are able to carefully consider all invested interests and parties."

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