HR 3962119th CongressIntroduced

ESTUARIES Act

Introduced: Jun 12, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2] (D-Alabama)

Environment & Climate

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The ESTUARIES Act (Enhancing Science, Treatment, and Upkeep of America's Resilient and Important Estuarine Systems Act) is a straightforward bill that extends the authorization of the National Estuary Program under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also known as the Clean Water Act). The bill simply updates the program's authorization from 2026 to 2031, providing five additional years of federal support for protecting and restoring the nation's estuaries. This extension ensures continued funding and federal involvement in managing these critical coastal ecosystems that serve as transition zones between rivers and the ocean.

Key Points

1Extends the National Estuary Program authorization through 2031, replacing the current 2026 expiration date
2Maintains the existing framework of the program without making substantive changes to its structure or requirements
3Introduced with bipartisan support from six representatives from coastal states
4Amends Section 320(i)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1330(i)(1))
5Provides continuity for ongoing estuary protection and restoration efforts across the United States

Impact Areas

Coastal Communities: Benefits areas with designated National Estuary Programs by ensuring continued federal support for water quality improvement and habitat restorationEnvironmental Conservation: Supports ongoing efforts to protect estuarine ecosystems, which are vital for fish, wildlife, and biodiversityFederal-State-Local Partnerships: Maintains collaborative management programs that involve EPA, state agencies, local governments, and community stakeholders in estuary protection efforts

Generated by claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 on Oct 2, 2025