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Today the House of Representatives approved increased funding for local programs that benefit our nation’s estuaries, including the Indian River Lagoon. Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge), together with his Estuary Caucus colleagues, worked to boost resources used by local estuary programs in the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill.

“This is an important step in making more resources available to local organizations charged with caring for our national estuaries,” said Posey, founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Estuary Caucus. “Many of our estuaries like our Indian River Lagoon are experiencing health challenges and this funding can be used to help address their critical needs.”

Specifically, the House Interior and Environment Appropriations bill makes $600,000 available to each of our 28 national estuaries as a base grant. The bill then supplies $1.5 million for Congressman Posey’s bipartisan competitive grant program which makes competitive awards available to estuaries with critical needs. Posey credits efforts by the bipartisan estuary caucus which has been raising awareness in Congress about the importance of our nation’s estuaries. The caucus just held its eleventh successful briefing drawing staffers from 85 Congressional offices.

To learn more about the Congressional Estuary Caucus, visit https://posey.house.gov/estuaries/.