Legislation led by U.S. Representative Shomari Figures, D-Alabama, seeking to extend a federal estuary protection program, passed in the U.S. House Monday night.
H.R. 3962, or the Enhancing Science Treatment and Upkeep of America’s Resilient and Important Estuarine Systems, ESTUARIES, Act, would reauthorize the National Estuary Program, NEP, originally enacted in 1987 by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
NEP was reauthorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which funded the program until the end of Fiscal Year 2026.
Alongside reauthorizing the program through 2031, Figures’ bill would add the Mississippi Sound to the list of estuaries given priority consideration for inclusion in the program. The NEP currently supports 28 local estuary programs nationwide, including programs at Alabama’s Mobile Bay, Washington’s Puget Sound and California’s Santa Monica Bay.
Figures’ bill was one of three pieces of bipartisan legislation passed by the House Monday under suspension of House rules, requiring a two-thirds majority vote.
The ESTUARIES Act has 26 House cosponsors, 19 of whom are Democrats and seven of whom are Republicans.
In a Tuesday social media video, Figures described the vote as “a pretty big milestone,” with the ESTUARIES Act marking the first piece of legislation led by the freshman representative to pass the House.
Figures is also the first freshman Democrat on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to lead a standalone bill through committee and secure its passage in the House.
On the House floor Monday, Figures urged representatives to vote in favor of the bill, highlighting the accomplishments of NEP, as well as the importance of the program to the economy and environment of Alabama’s 2nd congressional district.
“The National Estuary Program or NEP is an important resource for supporting locally led efforts to restore and protect the health of our coastal estuaries nationwide,” said Figures. “Reauthorization ensures continued federal support for this critical program, which has protected vital habitats, improved water quality and fostered regional resilience since its creation in 1987.”
Figures went on to describe how NEP funds partnerships between the EPA, state and local governments and community stakeholders to protect estuaries’ water quality.
“[NEP] is very successful in leveraging not just federal dollars but, on average, local NEPs raise an additional $17 for every $1 in federal funding,” the representative said.
“The NEP allows the locals to lead and address the water quality issues because they know best. Projects carried out with NEP funds cover a wide range of possibilities but always keep the locals in the driver’s seat,” he added.
Figures also highlighted the Mobile Bay Estuary’s importance to his district’s shipping and seafood industries and for protecting residents of his district from flooding.
“Protecting and restoring Mobile Bay, which is in the heart of my district, is essential to Alabama’s environment, flood protection and seafaring economy as well,” Figures said. “Mobile Bay is now home to the deepest port in the gulf, and so protecting its surrounding estuaries is critical not just to our local economy, but to our regional and national economy as well.”
Also passed on Monday were the Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act, which would authorize appropriations for the Federal Maritime Commission for 2026 and 2027, and the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, which would establish new initiatives to address the adverse impacts of marine debris.
Both Figures and bill cosponsor and transportation and infrastructure committee ranking member Representative Rick Larsen, D-Washington, celebrated the ESTUARIES Act clearing the House, while urging the Senate to pass the bill.
“We’re looking forward to getting this bill across the finish line in the Senate, and I like our chances to do so,” Figures said.
“Today’s trio of bills passed under suspension will strengthen the nation’s maritime industry by creating good-paying jobs, help clean up our oceans, and protect the health of the nation’s estuaries—including in my home state of Washington,” Larsen said in a written statement. “I look forward to the Senate taking up the ESTUARIES Act and the Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorization Act.”
On the House floor, Figures also thanked Roberta Swann, who has served as the head of the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program since 2009, for her service to the program.
“MBNEP focuses on practical and science-based solutions that align with Alabama’s economic priorities while avoiding regulatory burdens,” MBNEP said in a statement before Monday’s vote. “Reauthorizing the National Estuary Program through H.R. 3962 is essential to continuing this collaborative and bipartisan approach to clean water, resilient communities, and strong coastal economies to benefit all of Alabama.”
Following the vote, MBNEP released a statement thanking Figures for heading the legislation and commending Swann for her work as program director.
