About the Estuary Caucus

The Congressional Estuary Caucus was established in early 2017 to help educate leaders at all levels of government on the importance of estuaries, and ensure we sustain the robust support for proven programs that work to confront the mutual troubles of U.S. estuaries. 

Estuaries are bodies of water usually found where rivers meet the sea. These singular ecosystems are best characterized by their brackish water – a mixture of fresh water draining from the land and salt tidal water from surrounding areas. Estuaries are home to a diverse set of plants and animals that rely on the delicate balance of salt and fresh water to survive; in addition estuaries serve as vital nursery grounds for many fish and ocean mammal populations.

Individuals across the country rely on estuaries for food, jobs, recreation, and coastal protection. The health of local communities and our nation’s economy is deeply intertwined with the health of our estuaries. More than half of the U.S. population lives in coastal areas, with coastal watershed counties providing an estimated 69 million U.S. jobs and contributing an estimated $7.9 trillion to the GDP annually. 

Estuaries are as important as they are delicate and in recent years many have faced significant challenges, ranging from harmful algal blooms to invasive species, which threaten their survival and the survival of the areas that surround them. For years Congress has worked, in bipartisan fashion, to implement and support initiatives aimed at protecting the many unique estuaries in the United States. Representatives from every corner of this great nation have come together repeatedly to address the problems facing these ecosystems so that they may be enjoyed by future generations.

Support

Congressman Posey offers testimony before the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on the Interior and Environment in support of the National Estuary Program and critical legislative reforms to make additional funding available to distressed estuaries.

Watch the Video

About the NEP

The National Estuary Program (NEP) was authorized by Congress through section 320 of the Clean Water Act in 1987. The purpose of the NEP is to protect and restore the water quality and ecological integrity of estuaries of national significance. Currently, 28 estuaries located along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts and in Puerto Rico are designated as estuaries of national significance. Each NEP focuses within a study area that includes the estuary and surrounding watershed.

Read More about the NEP

Latest News

Bipartisan Estuary Caucus Resolution Recognizes Nationa...

The Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Congressional Estuary Caucus, including U.S. Representatives Bill Posey (R-FL), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Brian Mast (R-FL) and Rick Larsen (D-WA), introduced their bipa...

Bipartisan Estuary Caucus Resolution Recognizes Nationa...

The Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Congressional Estuary Caucus, including U.S. Representatives Bill Posey (R-FL), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Brian Mast (R-FL) and Rick Larsen (D-WA), introduced their bipa...

Reps. Posey, Bonamici & Mast Reintroduce Bipartisan Est...

Representative Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) reintroduced his bipartisan legislation—The National Estuaries and Acidification Research Act—aimed at fighting coastal acidification and helping estuaries like...

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Events

Coastal & Estuarine Resilience: Case Studies from the Pacific Northwest Congressmembers Suzanne Bonamici, Bill Posey, Rick Larsen and Brian Mast, co-chairs of the Congressional Estuary Caucus, invite you to a luncheon briefing to hear from regional experts and leaders abo...
2018 National Estuaries Expo – 2nd Annual Hill Estuary Week September 15-22 The 2018 National Estuaries Week Expo will explain the critical importance of estuaries to our economy and our coastal communities. A number of the federal agencies that support conservation and resto...
Coastal Resiliency and Preparedness The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Estuary Caucus, Representatives Bill Posey, Suzanne Bonamici, Frank LoBiondo, and Rick Larsen, invite you to a luncheon briefing to hear several examples of ongoing ...
Florida Institute of Technology Presents its Latest Estuary Research: A Case Study of the Indian River Lagoon System in Florida This briefing is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of Florida’s Indian River Lagoon. The Eighth District of Florida is home to the Indian River Lagoon, one of the most diverse estuaries...
Florida’s Harmful Algal Blooms: 2018 Overview and Federal Response This briefing will focus on harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the State of Florida. Florida has more toxic HABs than any other state, from red and brown tides on the coasts to cyanobacteria in lakes. As ...
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