Cassidy Co-Authors Bill To Double Estuary Funding

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy was one of three senators to introduce a bill in the Senate that would double the funding that the National Estuary Program receives.

The program was created in 1987 for restoration and protection of estuaries.

The bill is co-authored by Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Democratic Senator Tom Carper of Deleware.

Cassidy points out in a press release,

Protecting estuaries like the Barataria-Terrebonne preserves their ecosystems and rebuilds coastline. This bill increases the National Estuary Program's ability to carry out preservation projects benefiting Louisiana so that future generations can continue to hunt and fish.

Cassidy is hoping that by approving this, areas across the country will be safe from overdevelopment.

While the National Estuary Program was funding starting back in 1987, the current legislation will terminate next year.

If the three senators are successful in passing their bill, then funding for the NEP will go from $26 million to $50 million each year starting in the year 2022.