News Release - Reauthorizing the National Estuary Program (Puget Sound Partnership)

Background Information on Puget Sound Partnership

Below is a news release from Puget Sound Partnership (PSP), the state agency that oversees implementation of the National Estuary Program for Puget Sound. The National Estuary Program (NEP) is an EPA program to protect and restore water quality and ecological function of estuaries of national significance. The NEP is a non-regulatory program established by Congress and was authorized by section 320 of the Clean Water Act in 1987. Puget Sound is one of 28 estuaries in the program. Each NEP develops and implements a long-term plan based on local priorities to guide their efforts. 

PSP was created in 2007 when Washington passed legislation to create the state agency dedicated to protecting and restoring Puget Sound. More about the program can be found at NEP overview (wa.gov). PSP is implementing the 2018 - 2022 Action Agenda. You can view their Action Agenda Tracker for progress. PSP is currently working to develop the 2022 - 2026 Action Agenda, updates can be viewed here. The public comment period for the development of the new Action Agenda is currently scheduled for Feb - June 2022. Other opportunities exist for partners, local governments and tribal organizations to participate in the early phases work. Very exciting stuff!

PSP has a wealth of information on their site, I highly recommend you check it out! And it is good to see excellent efforts like this getting Congressional support.

NEWS RELEASE: Congress moves to invest in the nation's estuaries

Puget Sound Partnership Washington sent this bulletin at 02/01/2021 08:34 AM PST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2021   MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Hyde, 360.819.3045, kevin.hyde@psp.wa.gov  Congress moves to invest in the nation's estuaries Reauthorizes the National Estuary Program to recover and grow coastal economies and ensure resilient coastal communities OLYMPIA— Congress reaffirmed its support for and strong commitment to the National Estuary Program, a time-tested, non-regulatory program that enables communities to restore and protect the bays and estuaries they call home. Puget Sound is one of 28 “estuaries of national significance” along every coast that will benefit directly from legislation approved by Congress. The legislation had unanimous, bipartisan support from Washington’s Congressional delegation: Senators Cantwell and Murray, and Representatives DelBene, Heck, Herrera Beutler, Jayapal, Kilmer, Larsen, Newhouse, McMorris Rodgers, Schrier, and Smith. The Protect and Restore America’s Estuaries Act, with strong bipartisan support and unanimous approval from the Senate, was signed into law on January 13, 2021. The Act reaffirms support for the work of the National Estuary Program, and nearly doubles the annual funding limit to $50 million. Under the new law, each NEP could receive as much as $1 million each year. The Puget Sound Partnership works with communities at the local level to protect the coastal resources essential for salmon, orcas, tourism, commerce, storm protection, clean water, and marine-based food supply such as shellfish aquaculture. Increasing threats from pollution, harmful algal blooms, accelerating land loss, and risks to biodiversity threaten the vitality of estuaries across the country, and are a growing concern. “These actions demonstrate a clear recognition by Congress of the economic and environmental value of our nation’s estuaries and coasts,” said Lexie Bell, chair of the national nonprofit Association of National Estuary Programs, established in 1995 to bring the National Estuary Programs together for collaboration and shared learning. Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-N.J., a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the original sponsor of the bill introduced in July 2019 said, “Estuaries nurture a vast array of marine life, filter pollutants from rivers before they reach the sea, and are the natural infrastructure that protects human communities from floods and storms. As extreme weather events increasingly threaten these nurseries of the sea, I’m very proud this important legislation was signed into law, so these critical waterways will continue to be protected.” Senators Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Cassidy of Louisiana, and Carper of Delaware were instrumental in securing passage of the bill and are longtime champions of estuaries and coastal protection. “The National Estuary Program provides crucial funding to ensure we can remove toxic pollutants from stormwater, protect and restore habitat, reopen shellfish beds, and mitigate and adapt to climate change,” said Laura Blackmore, executive director of the Puget Sound Partnership. “We are greatly appreciative of the strong support from our entire Congressional delegation for the important work being done in our estuaries through our program and in collaboration with so many partners,” said Blackmore. Last year, the National Estuary Program provided emergency funding to trap and remove invasive European green crab from north Puget Sound. If these crabs establish populations here, they will decimate important nursery habitat for salmon and Dungeness crab. About the Puget Sound Partnership The Puget Sound Partnership is the state agency formed to lead the region’s collective effort to restore and protect Puget Sound. Working with hundreds of government agencies, tribes, scientists, businesses, and nonprofits, the Partnership mobilizes partner action around a common agenda, advances Sound investments, and tracks progress to optimize recovery. For more information, go to www.psp.wa.gov.