House Passes Figures’ Bipartisan ESTUARIES Act to Protect America’s Coastal Ecosystems

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Shomari C. Figures (AL-02)’s bipartisan Enhancing Science, Treatment, and Upkeep of America’s Resilient and Important Estuarine Systems Act (ESTUARIES Act), legislation to reauthorize the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Estuary Program (NEP) through 2031.

Figures is the first freshman Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to lead a standalone bill through committee and secure its passage by the full House.

“I am proud to lead this bipartisan effort to reauthorize a program that works and delivers real results for communities across the country,” said Congressman Figures. “The National Estuary Program supports locally led solutions that protect vital coastal ecosystems, strengthen water quality, and build resilience. Protecting and restoring Mobile Bay, which sits at the heart of my district, is essential not only to Alabama’s environment but to flood protection, our seafaring economy, and our region’s role in the national supply chain.”

The ESTUARIES Act reauthorizes the NEP for five years and adds the Mississippi Sound to the list of estuaries eligible for priority consideration. Since its creation in 1987, the NEP has protected critical habitats, improved water quality, and fostered regional resilience by empowering partnerships among the EPA, states, local governments, and community stakeholders.

“Mobile Bay is now home to the deepest port in the Gulf,” Congressman Figures continued. “Protecting the surrounding estuaries is critical not just to our local economy, but to our regional and national economy as well. This program succeeds because it puts local leaders in the driver’s seat and ensures federal dollars are used efficiently.”

The NEP currently supports 28 active estuary programs nationwide, spanning from Puget Sound in Washington and Santa Monica Bay in California to Mobile Bay in Alabama and Casco Bay in Maine. On average, local NEP programs leverage an additional $17 in non-federal funding for every $1 in federal investment.

Rep. Figures also recognized the leadership behind the program’s success in his district.

“I want to recognize Roberta Swann, who has led the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program since 2009 and will retire at the end of this year,” Congressman Figures said. “Her commitment to partnerships and science-based solutions has made the Mobile Bay program a national model. It is especially meaningful to advance this reauthorization in the same year she celebrates 16 years of leadership.”

The ESTUARIES Act is co-led by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA-02) and Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL-21), Mike Haridopolos (R-FL-08), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), and Nick LaLota (R-NY-01), and is supported by a broad bipartisan coalition.

“Protecting and restoring Puget Sound, the nation’s largest estuary by water volume, is essential to Washington’s environment, culture and maritime economy,” said Ranking Member Larsen. “Thank you to Rep. Figures for our collaboration on the bipartisan ESTUARIES Act to reauthorize the National Estuary Program and continue investing in the health of our nation’s estuaries.” 

The bill now advances to the Senate for consideration.

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