FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2020
WASHIGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán voted to protect and restore the Santa Monica Bay, as the U.S. House passed the Protect and Restore America’s Estuaries Act.
“I’m proud to vote to renew the National Estuaries Program, which restores water quality and protects the environment at important sites across the country, including the Santa Monica Bay in Los Angeles County,” Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán said. “The people in my district enjoy the Bay for boating, fishing and other recreational activities, while thousands of species of plants, birds, mammals, fish and other wildlife depend on our local estuaries as crucial habitats. It’s an honor to protect them.”
The National Estuary Program is an EPA place-based program to protect and restore the water quality and ecological integrity of estuaries of national significance. Currently, 28 estuaries located along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts and in Puerto Rico are covered by the program, including the Santa Monica Bay.
In addition to reauthorizing the National Estuary Program through 2026, the bill addresses issues related to coastal resiliency, stormwater runoff and accelerated land loss. The program works with local governments and organizations to develop Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plans for the estuary and surrounding watershed.
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Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Florence-Firestone, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington.