Federal

Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2024

Source: Congress.gov · 383 words in original text

What This Bill Does

This bill adds Pensacola and Perdido Bays in Florida to a list of estuaries (areas where rivers meet ocean water) recognized as having national significance. The bill also limits how the Environmental Protection Agency (the federal agency that manages pollution) can spend money on this program during the next two years.

Who It Affects

The Environmental Protection Agency Administrator (the head of the agency that protects the environment). Communities and organizations working on water protection in Pensacola and Perdido Bays, Florida.

Key Provisions

• The EPA must add Pensacola and Perdido Bays, Florida to the official list of estuaries of national significance (Sec. 2) • The EPA cannot use fiscal year 2024 money to implement programs for Pensacola and Perdido Bays, including holding management meetings, creating conservation plans or providing grants (Sec. 3) • The EPA cannot use fiscal year 2025 money for these same programs unless the total amount of money given to the national estuary program in 2025 is at least $850,000 more than what was given in 2023 (Sec. 3)

What Changes

Pensacola and Perdido Bays officially becomes recognized as an estuary of national significance. The EPA faces restrictions on spending money for this estuary's programs in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 until funding increases by a specified amount.

Important Definitions

None defined in bill text.

Effective Date

December 17, 2024

138 STAT. 1686 PUBLIC LAW 118–152—DEC. 17, 2024 Public Law 118–152 118th Congress An Act To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to give priority consideration to selecting Pensacola and Perdido Bays as an estuary of national significance, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2024’’. SEC. 2. PENSACOLA AND PERDIDO BAYS. Section 320(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1330(a)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ‘‘and Lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington’’ and inserting ‘‘Lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington; and Pensacola and Perdido Bays, Florida’’. SEC. 3. INELIGIBILITY WITH RESPECT TO FISCAL YEARS 2024 AND 2025. With respect to the amendment made by section 2, the Adminis- trator of the Environmental Protection Agency may not use for the implementation of that amendment, including, with respect to Pensacola and Perdido Bays, Florida, convening a management conference, developing or carrying out a comprehensive conservation and management plan, or providing grants under section 320 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1330)— (1) any amounts appropriated to carry out the national estuary program under that section for fiscal year 2024; or Time periods. Florida. 33 USC 1251 note. Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2024. Dec. 17, 2024 [S. 50] VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:18 Dec 20, 2024 Jkt 059139 PO 00152 Frm 00001 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6581 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL152.118 PUBL152 kcroghan on LAP5R21GR3PROD with PUBLAWS 138 STAT. 1687 PUBLIC LAW 118–152—DEC. 17, 2024 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 50: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 170 (2024): Mar. 12, considered and passed Senate. Dec. 9, considered and passed House. Æ (2) unless the total amount appropriated to carry out that program for fiscal year 2025 is at least $850,000 more than the total amount appropriated to carry out that program for fiscal year 2023, any amounts appropriated to carry out that program for fiscal year 2025. Approved December 17, 2024. VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:18 Dec 20, 2024 Jkt 059139 PO 00152 Frm 00002 Fmt 6580 Sfmt 6580 E:\PUBLAW\PUBL152.118 PUBL152 kcroghan on LAP5R21GR3PROD with PUBLAWS

Important: This plain English summary was generated by AI and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Always consult the official bill text on Congress.gov or a qualified attorney for legal matters.