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Rep. Bill Posey’s (R-Rockledge) bipartisan legislation to fight coastal acidification and help estuaries like our Indian River Lagoon passed the House of Representatives this morning. Posey introduced the National Estuaries and Acidification Research Act (H.R. 988) with Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), both fellow co-chairs of the Congressional Estuary Caucus.  

“Because estuaries are places where fresh water mixes with salt water from the oceans, preserving the delicate balance of nature is necessary but can also be challenging,” said Rep. Bill Posey. “This critical legislation will help protect our estuaries by ensuring that we continue to study and monitor the effects of coastal acidification and I would like to thank Representatives Bonamici and Mast for their work on this issue and their important leadership in our bipartisan estuary caucus.” 

Specifically, H.R. 988 directs the Ocean Studies Board of National Academies to conduct a two year study examining the science of ocean acidification and its impact on our estuaries. During the bill’s committee mark-up last month, Posey offered an amendment to his bill, which was adopted, to authorize $1 million to conduct the study. The goal of the NEAR Act is to create a better understanding of coastal acidification so we can better manage and mitigate its effects on our nation’s estuaries and other natural treasures.