Soto Leads Legislation to Restore and Conserve America's Coral Reef

Press Release

Today Reps. Darren Soto (D-FL), Ed Case (D-HI), Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), Brian Mast (R-FL), Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR) and Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS) announced the introduction of the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021, H.R. 160, bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would reauthorize and modernize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, strengthen NOAA's Coral Reef program and give innovative new tools and resources to states, territories and local communities.

The Coral Reef Conservation Act, which expired more than 15 years ago, was designed to promote the conservation of our nation's reefs. In recent years, the decline in the nation's coral reefs has only become more severe. The Restoring Resilient Reefs Act authorizes five years of directed federal funding and technical assistance to states, territories, and local communities for the restoration and management of coral reef ecosystems. The legislation also codifies and updates the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force and encourages innovative new Coral Reef Stewardship Partnerships among resource management agencies, research centers and community stakeholders.

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) filed the companion bill in the U.S. Senate this week.

"Our Florida coral reefs are a national treasure that contain part of the most diverse ecosystems on earth," said Rep. Darren Soto. "We've witnessed how the effects of climate change, overfishing, pollution and development have threatened the vitality of coral reefs around our coasts. Protecting our environment, specifically preserving the precious habitats for marine life, should not have an expiration date. That's why this bipartisan, bicameral legislation is key to reauthorizing existing federal programs and continuing the desperately needed programs halting the deterioration of coral reefs. Our Florida way of life depends on the health of our environment!"

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