ESTUARIES Act

This bill would renew the National Estuary Program under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, keeping it going so communities can keep restoring and protecting bays, rivers, and coastal waters where fresh and salt water meet. It updates the part of the law that authorizes the program, which helps fund local plans to improve water quality, habitat, and resilience in estuaries.

Key points

• Who is affected: Coastal and river communities, local and State agencies, tribes, and nonprofits working on estuary health.
• What changes: The program’s authorization is renewed so grants and projects to clean up and protect estuaries can continue.
• When: Changes take effect once enacted into law (the bill updates Section 320(i)(1) of the Act).