National Estuaries and Acidification Research Act of 2021

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2533, the National Estuaries and Acidification Research Act of 2021, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Congressman Bill Posey, my esteemed colleague on the Science Committee.

This legislation directs the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate a study with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to examine the effects of ocean acidification on estuary environments, and to submit that report to Congress within 2 years.

Specifically, this study will be led by the Ocean Studies Board of the National Academies and provide Congress a better understanding of the biological and economic impacts of ocean acidification on inland marine environments.

Estuaries are economically important water ecosystems that occur when inland rivers meet oceans. This mix of fresh and salt waters is a delicate balance of nature that possesses unique biological characteristics. To date, there have been few studies on the effects ocean acidification has on these ecosystems.

We can't manage and mitigate the effects of something we don't fully understand. That is why H.R. 2533 is still needed today to bridge our knowledge gaps by utilizing the best expertise and resources to gain a better understanding of this important issue.

While Oklahoma is a landlocked State without estuaries, I recognize the economic and environmental effects acidification has on all of our Nation's waterways and other natural treasures. The waters of Oklahoma's rivers, streams, and tributaries feed into larger systems and eventually make it to the ocean. At the end of the day, being a conservationist doesn't stop at geographic barriers. It is a nationwide effort.

Mr. Speaker, this important word-for-word bill passed the House last Congress with the same bipartisan support it has here today. Unfortunately, it didn't move further in the Senate. So, 1 year later, we still need to improve our knowledge of coastal acidification and estuaries.

I thank Mr. Posey for leading this important legislation. I know his constituents and the Indian River Lagoon community appreciate his efforts to protect their surrounding environment. I also thank my Science Committee colleague across the aisle, Ms. Bonamici, for leading the effort on the majority side.

Mr. Speaker, as the saying goes, knowledge is power. This simple bipartisan bill advances our knowledge and gives us the power to quantify the effects estuary communities face when faced with coastal acidification.

The National Academies are a tremendous resource. Their studies are thorough, informative, and world class. I look forward to seeing the final product directed by this bill.

By preserving our Nation's estuaries, we are saving businesses from closing, ecosystems from dying, and people from getting sick. I, again, thank Representative Bill Posey and the entire Congressional Estuary Caucus for leading on this important topic.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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