To amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to allow the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Coastal and Estuarine Resilience and Restoration Program, and for other purposes.

This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and revises the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program.

For example, the bill modifies the name of the program to the Coastal Estuarine Resilience and Restoration Program. It also revises goals of the program to include (1) climate change mitigation; and (2) restoring developed property in vulnerable coastal and estuarine areas to a natural state to restore ecological function, allow for shoreline migration, and protect coastal communities.

Additionally, the bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to designate at least five new national estuarine reserves.

Bill 117 hr 7801, also known as the Coastal and Estuarine Resilience and Restoration Program Act, aims to amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to give the Secretary of Commerce the authority to create a program focused on enhancing the resilience and restoration of coastal and estuarine areas. The program would address the increasing threats posed by climate change, sea level rise, and natural disasters to these vital ecosystems.

The bill emphasizes the importance of protecting and restoring coastal and estuarine habitats, which provide critical services such as storm protection, water filtration, and habitat for wildlife. By establishing this program, the Secretary of Commerce would be able to coordinate efforts across federal, state, and local agencies to implement projects that enhance the resilience of these ecosystems.

In addition to resilience and restoration efforts, the bill also includes provisions for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the program, as well as providing technical assistance and funding to support these initiatives. Overall, the Coastal and Estuarine Resilience and Restoration Program Act seeks to address the urgent need for proactive measures to protect and restore coastal and estuarine areas in the face of increasing environmental challenges.