1. SUMMARY:
The primary purpose of this bill is to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and designate Pensacola and Perdido Bays in Florida as an estuary of national significance. The key provision is modifying the list of estuaries in the Act to include Pensacola and Perdido Bays. This designation would make the area eligible for federal funding and resources under the National Estuary Program, aimed at protecting and restoring estuaries of significant environmental and economic importance. However, the bill also stipulates that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cannot use appropriated funds from fiscal years 2024 and 2025 (unless there is a specific budget increase) to implement the designation, such as convening a management conference or providing grants for the area. The primary area impacted is the Pensacola and Perdido Bays region in Florida.