{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://web.archive.org/web/20141117150339/https://lobiondo.house.gov/press-release/lobiondo%E2%80%99s-national-estuary-program-reauthorization-approved-house", "LoBiondos National Estuary Program Reauthorization Approved by House", "2014-11-12", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Frank LoBiondo", "L000554", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) today applauded the House\u2019s passage of H.R. 5266, the \u201cNational Estuary Program Reauthorization,\u201d which he co-authored with Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), to reauthorize the National Estuary Program (NEP) through 2018.\nEstablished in 1987, the NEP\u2019s goal is to improve the quality of estuaries by developing plans for attaining or maintaining water quality. This includes protection of public water supplies and the protection of indigenous populations of shellfish, fish, and wildlife. According to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the nation\u2019s estuaries provide habitat for 75% of the U.S. commercial fish catch and 80-90% of the recreational fish catch.\n\u201cThis legislation is of vital importance to my South Jersey district and to its residents, who have an economic and environmental stake in protecting this cherished local resource,\u201d said LoBiondo, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. \u201cI applaud my House colleagues for recognizing the vital importance of the National Estuary Program, its impact on every state and the economic value of our estuaries. Likewise, I appreciate Mr. Larsen\u2019s partnership on a critical bill to keep our waters clean for future generations.\u201d\n\u201cPuget Sound borders my district in Washington state and is our county\u2019s second largest estuary, which is home to dozens of species of fish, birds and mammals. I am pleased my colleagues in the House voted to approve funding for restoration of vital habitats like these all over the country,\u201d Rep. Larsen said. \u201cIn the Pacific Northwest, we know that protecting natural resources such as estuaries is critical for both the environment and the economy. Trade, fishing, tourism, and outdoor recreation in our region create and sustain thousands of jobs, and all of these activities depend on a healthy Puget Sound. I appreciate working with Rep. LoBiondo on this bipartisan bill that will ensure local organizations across the country can continue their work to protect and restore estuaries.\u201d\nLocated in South Jersey, Delaware, and Southeastern Pennsylvania, the Delaware Estuary is home to the second largest concentration of migrating shorebirds in the Western Hemisphere, as well as dozens of protected species, and the largest population of horseshoe crabs in the world.\u00a0 The Estuary is also home to over 5 million people and some of the largest refineries and chemical manufacturers on the East Coast.\u00a0\nLoBiondo has worked closely with the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, the group charged with improving the water quality of the estuary. The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is one of 28 designated NEP organizations.\n\u201cThe clean water, fish, wildlife, and economic value provided by estuaries like the Delaware River and Bay are critical to the future of our region, and the country. The National Estuary Program reauthorization bill, sponsored by Representative Frank LoBiondo, will help insure those values for future generations and it is great news for the Partnership,\" said Jen Adkins, the Executive Director of The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.\n\u201cThe Partnership has done a tremendous job to not only protect and enhance the Delaware estuary, but also to raise public awareness about the need to act responsibly and care for this unique ecosystem,\u201d continued LoBiondo. \u201cIt has been an honor to work closely with them and I look forward to continue our efforts in the years to come.\u201d\nIn addition to reauthorizing the program until 2018, LoBiondo\u2019s bipartisan legislation would reduce federal spending while ensuring that money goes directly to NEP partners. The Congressman was proud to ensure that end users, like The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, would be seeing more money put to work where it is needed and not tied up in Washington D.C.\nThe bill now moves to the Senate for that chamber\u2019s consideration.\n\n\t\u00a0# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141117150339/https://lobiondo.house.gov/press-release/lobiondo%E2%80%99s-national-estuary-program-reauthorization-approved-house"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.101420959457755, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}