Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2024

Floor Speech

I rise in support of S. 50, legislation sponsored by Senator Rubio of Florida. This bill adds Pensacola and Perdido Bays in Florida as priority considerations for the Administrator of the EPA to designate as part of the National Estuary Program.

In the Pacific Northwest, we know that healthy estuaries like the Puget Sound support healthy fish, birds, and other wildlife, as well as important economic activities such as trade, fishing, tourism, and outdoor recreation.

That is why I worked over multiple Congresses to authorize the National Estuary Program and was pleased to see that the bipartisan infrastructure law not only authorize that program but provided $132 million in investments for improving habitat and restoring estuaries.

The legislation we consider today is the result of work of local organizations near these two critical Florida estuaries to add them to the National Estuary Program. It is further proof of the importance of this program. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, protecting healthy estuaries is good for the economic activities like outdoor recreation, as well as good for fish, birds, and other wildlife. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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