Even with radical Republicans controlling the House, there's still room for action
Rep. Magaziner and his colleagues emphasized the critical role that estuaries play in maintaining healthy ecosystems, as well as the danger that human activity along coasts poses to these fragile ecosystems. They also noted that estuaries provide benefits of great economic and ecological significance, including vital nesting and feeding habitats for aquatic plants and animals.
“Rhode Island is lucky to have more than 400 miles of coastline, much of which contributes to our state’s vibrant Blue Economy,” said Rep. Magaziner. “We must protect and restore our coasts and estuaries, which is why I’m leading the effort to invest in these comprehensive efforts that will support regional scientific research to restore clean water, healthy coastal ecosystems, and sustainable coastal communities.”
Read full text of letter here:
March 24, 2023
|
The Honorable Mike Simpson |
The Honorable Chellie Pingree |
Dear Chair Simpson and Ranking Member
Pingree:
As you craft the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Interior,
Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, we write to request
robust funding for the Southern New England Estuaries Program, which supports
innovative solutions to ecological and economic issues in southeastern New
England estuaries. We appreciate your strong support for the program in FY
2023, and ask for $8 million in FY 2024 to fulfill the program’s mission of
preserving the ecological health of southeastern New England’s estuaries,
watersheds, and coastal waters.
Estuaries are critical to healthy ecosystems but
are increasingly affected by the impacts of human activity along the coast.
Estuaries provide benefits of great economic and ecological significance,
including vital nesting and feeding habitats for aquatic plants and animals.
Protecting and restoring our coasts and estuaries is critical for both our
economy and our environment.
Those who live and work near and on our
estuaries have the greatest stake in sound coastal management, as well as the
strongest understanding of the unique threats posed by human activity and
industry. It is through their expertise that the Southern New England Estuaries
Program engages stakeholders to craft effective, long-lasting solutions to
these challenges.
Through comprehensive and collaborative efforts
across southern New England, this funding will support regional scientific
research and individual projects. Additionally, this funding provides grants,
technical assistance and other support to municipalities and other
organizations implementing local solutions to restore clean water, healthy
coastal ecosystems, and sustainable coastal communities. It will also ensure
access to resilient, self-sustaining ecosystems of clean water, diverse
habitats, and healthy populations of fish, shellfish, and other aquatic-dependent
organisms.
We urge you to continue your support for
preserving the ecological health of southeastern New England estuaries by
funding the program at $8 million for FY 2024. Thank you for your consideration
of this request.
Sincerely,
Auchincloss, Jake; Cicilline, David; Keating, William;
Magaziner, Seth