National Estuary Programs Reauthorization

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5266, the reauthorizing of the National Estuary Program.

I want to thank Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Bishop on the subcommittee and, of course, my colleague whom I share the Aviation Subcommittee with, Mr. LoBiondo, for their leadership on getting this bill to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, estuaries are a critical habitat for salmon, birds, and many other species in the Pacific Northwest, where we know that protecting our natural resources is good for our environment and good for our economy.

My district borders on Puget Sound, which is our country's second largest estuary and is a key driver of our economy in Washington State. Trade, fishing, tourism, and outdoor recreation in our region create and sustain thousands of jobs, and all of these activities are dependent on a healthy Puget Sound. I have long supported estuary restoration in the Puget Sound region, including projects like the Qwuloolt Estuary Restoration Project, which will be the largest tidal marsh restoration project ever completed in Washington State.

Estuary restoration can also be a key component for absorbing carbon emissions and increasing resiliency to the effects of climate change. A recent study of the Snohomish Estuary, in my district, found that currently planned and in-construction restoration projects will result in at least 2.55 million tons of CO2 sequestered from the atmosphere over the next 100 years. That is the equivalent of a year's worth of emissions from a half a million automobiles. This bill is important. It is important for all of us.

I want to thank my colleague again, Mr. LoBiondo, for his hard work on this legislation. I look forward to continuing our productive bipartisan relationship on this and on many other issues. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5266.

Source