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Pensacola and Perdido Bay Watersheds May Get Estuary of National Significance Status
March 15, 2024
The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to formally enroll the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP) into the National Estuary Program as an “Estuary of National Significance.” The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced the legislation to federally designate the PPBEP to leverage federal dollars, in coordination with funding by state and local governments, to address water quality and resource challenges in the estuary. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Estuary Program is non-regulatory.
“The EPA’s National Estuary Program has a successful track record of cooperative federalism across the nation, including with the four existing programs we have in Florida,” Rubio said. “Enrolling the PPBEP in the National Estuary Program will provide critical support for restoration, conservation, and monitoring efforts in Pensacola and Perdido Bays and enhance economic activity in the Florida Panhandle. I urge my colleagues in the House to quickly pass this bill.”
“The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act will take important steps in our fight to protect and preserve Florida’s environment and natural resources,” Scott remared “I am proud that our good bill was unanimously passed by the Senate last night and look forward to its passage in the House so it can be quickly signed into law.”
“The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act will take important steps in our fight to protect and preserve Florida’s environment and natural resources. I am proud that our good bill was unanimously passed by the Senate last night and look forward to its passage in the House so it can be quickly signed into law,” said PPBEP Program Executive Director Matt Posner .
Comments
9 Responses to “Pensacola and Perdido Bay Watersheds May Get Estuary of National Significance Status”
The doj is interested in helping enforce ada I doubt this is gonna change anything
I would like to add to my earlier comment on this issue. If the national estuary program includes our area we should aware of any negatives it might bring. One being the governmental takeover of independent water systems. The best government is best at the local level. We don’t need to lose local control to Big Brother no matter how is is presented on first light.
Yeah what does this classification mean? Can we stop development off of 97 north of the 297A Junction? Maybe at least get a stop light?
I’d be highly interested to know what private business interests are looking to profit from this.
What Happens to the Perdido Landfill and the IP Sludge ponds that Are active next the Perdido River?
The Landfill is right on the River!! The Sludge Ponds are 1/2 mile from the river a little further up?
I see so many of our small streams nearly choked out by invasive Chinese Privet and Chinese Tallow trees. It’s saddening.
Does this mean the Beulah overpass from there to Highway 29 North is cancelled? It invades a watershed. Federal trumps State lol
If something does not stop unbridled development, there will be little to no natural wildlife habitat left,
On the other hand, this amounts to federal control over sate interest,
On first look this seems to be something the House should take action to pass. Our environment is is important for keeping our way of life in this part of the US one of the best.