Duval Times

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act, introduced by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL). This legislation, known as S. 50, aims to have the Environmental Protection Agency officially include the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program in the National Estuary Program. Consequently, these bays will be recognized as an "Estuary of National Significance."

The bill was first presented in June 2021 and had already passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate earlier this year. It is now set to be signed into law by the President.

Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott (R-FL) expressed their approval following the House's decision.

"I am grateful for the House’s passage of my bill to designate the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program. The EPA’s National Estuary Program has a successful track record of cooperative federalism across the nation, including with the four existing Florida programs. Enrolling the PPBEP into this program will provide critical support for restoration, conservation, and monitoring efforts in Pensacola and Perdido Bays while enhancing economic activity in the Florida Panhandle," stated Senator Rubio.

"The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act will take important steps in our fight to protect and conserve Florida’s environment and natural resources. I am proud that our good bill was passed by the House of Representatives, unanimously passed by the Senate and now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law—a major win for Florida’s panhandle," commented Senator Scott.