Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2024

Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2024

This bill revises the National Estuary Program to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to give priority consideration to selecting the Pensacola and Perdido Bays in Florida as estuaries of national significance. Under the existing program, the EPA protects and restores the water quality and ecological integrity of estuaries of national significance.

The EPA may not use any amounts appropriated to carry out the national estuary program for the Pensacola and Perdido Bays (1) in FY2024, nor (2) in FY2025 unless the total amount appropriated to carry out the program for FY2025 is at least $850,000 more than the total amount appropriated to carry out that program for FY2023.

Bill 118 s 50, also known as the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to designate the Pensacola and Perdido Bays estuary as a site of national significance.

The bill aims to promote the conservation and restoration of the estuary, which is located in Florida and Alabama. It seeks to enhance the water quality, habitat, and overall health of the estuary, as well as to support the economic and recreational activities that depend on it.

The legislation includes provisions for the establishment of a management plan for the estuary, which will involve collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies, as well as stakeholders in the region. The bill also provides funding for research, monitoring, and restoration efforts in the estuary. Overall, the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2023 aims to protect and preserve this important ecosystem for future generations, while also supporting the communities and industries that rely on it.