American Water Stewardship Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. STAUBER. Madam Speaker, my legislation, the American Water Stewardship Act, is a comprehensive package that brings together six standalone bills to reauthorize and strengthen key EPA water quality and ecosystem restoration programs.

The package includes the BEACH Act, introduced by Representatives David Joyce, Frank Pallone, David Rouzer, and Emilia Sykes, which supports coastal water monitoring and helps local communities to protect public health.

It also reauthorizes the National Estuary Program, championed by Representatives Figures and Mast, that protects and restores the water quality of estuaries of national significance.

The package also reauthorizes several geographic programs with strong track records, including the Long Island Sound program, led by Representative LaLota, and the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program, led by Representative Hoyle.

Most important to me, however, is that this bill reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has long been championed by Representative David Joyce of Ohio, as well as many other Members of the Great Lakes region.

I have always appreciated working with such a strong bipartisan group of Members to ensure that this important program is recognized, reauthorized, and well funded.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, or the GLRI, represents the largest Federal investment in the Great Lakes, which are vitally important to my home State of Minnesota.

The GLRI is the largest and, arguably, the most successful EPA geographic program. Its work focuses on cleaning up the Great Lakes, reducing pollution, addressing invasive species, and restoring critical habitat for local species.

To date, more than 8,000 projects have been completed through the GLRI, generating over $3 in economic activity for every $1 in Federal investment. This is an incredible rate of return for a Federal program, and it is just one of the reasons why I have strongly advocated for the GLRI during my time here in Congress.

I would be remiss if I did not extend my gratitude to Congressman David Joyce and all the other Great Lakes champions for their work on this effort. I am happy we have found a legislative vehicle to move this important program forward.

At its core, this package reflects a commonsense approach to water stewardship, supporting community-led efforts, encouraging collaboration, and demonstrating that responsible environmental protection goes hand in hand with economic growth and fiscal responsibility.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this package.

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