LaLota Leads Bipartisan Bill to Protect Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Nick LaLota (NY-01) today announced his co-leadership of the bipartisan Estuaries Saving Through Efficient and Responsible Appropriations for Your Shoreline (ESTUARIES) Act, a bill that reauthorizes the National Estuary Program (NEP) through Fiscal Year 2031 and supports the continued restoration and protection of vital estuarine ecosystems across the country.

“I lead the bipartisan ESTUARIES Act in the House because I represent two of our nation’s 28 nationally recognized estuaries—and I know they’re vital to our economy, our fisheries, and the coastal way of life we cherish. That’s why I’m proud to join colleagues from both sides of the aisle to ensure clean water and healthy habitats remain national priorities for generations to come,” said Rep. Nick LaLota.

“The National Estuary Program is one of the smartest investments Congress can make in clean water, resilient infrastructure, and local economies,” said 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. We thank Congressman Lalota for his continued and unwavering support for clean water on Long Island and for recognizing the power of this program to protect both ecosystems and economies.”

To read the full text of the ESTUARIES Act, click HERE.

Background:

H.R. 3962 ESTUARIES Act reauthorizes the National Estuary Program (NEP) through Fiscal Year 2031. This bill, which amends Section 320(i)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, ensures the continued protection and restoration of estuaries critical to coastal communities and ecosystems across the country. This legislation extends federal funding authority from 2026 through 2031, ensuring uninterrupted support for vital work in watershed planning, conservation, and pollution mitigation.

The NEP is a non-regulatory, community-based initiative administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It empowers local stakeholders to improve water quality, restore habitats, and build climate resilience in estuaries of national significance.

New York’s First Congressional District is home to two nationally recognized estuaries: the Long Island Sound and the Peconic Bay.

###