By Hank Russell
U.S. Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Rocky Point) cosponsored a piece of legislation that he said would protect Long Island’s estuaries and waterways from pollution.
The Estuaries Saving Through Efficient and Responsible Appropriations for Your Shoreline (ESTUARIES) Act, introduced by Shomari Figures (D-Alabama), would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the National Estuary Program, and for other purposes. This legislation would also extend federal funding authority from 2026 through 2031, ensuring uninterrupted support for vital work in watershed planning, conservation, and pollution mitigation.
The bill has been referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
“I led the bipartisan ESTUARIES Act in the House because I represent two of our nation’s 28 nationally recognized estuaries [the Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay] — and I know they’re vital to our economy, our fisheries, and the coastal way of life we cherish,” said LaLota.
“The National Estuary Program is one of the smartest investments Congress can make in clean water, resilient infrastructure, and local economies,” added Joyce Novak, PhD, executive director of the Peconic Estuary Partnership and Chair of the Association of National Estuary Programs. “Reauthorizing the NEP ensures that coastal communities can continue to lead with science, partner across sectors, and deliver real results where they matter most.”