Ezell applauds passage of legislation protecting the Mississippi Sound through MSUās Mississippi Sound Estuary Program
Contact: Claire Hurley
The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed bipartisan legislation this week that includes Mississippi in a critical environmental program aimed at protecting the Mississippi Soundāone of the stateās most valuable natural resources.
Rep. Mike Ezell, who serves on the committee, called the legislation āa major win for Mississippiā as it directs the Environmental Protection Agency to officially review the Magnolia State for inclusion in the National Estuary Program, ensuring the Mississippi Sound Estuary Program receives the attention and potential federal funding it deserves. It now moves to the full House for consideration.
Mississippi State plays a key role in estuary management and research through the Coastal Research and Extension Center, which houses the MSEP and the universityās dedicated Coastal and Marine Extension program.
āThe Mississippi Sound is vital to our seafood industry, tourism, and the livelihoods of countless coastal families. This legislation ensures Mississippi gets a fair shake by requiring the EPA to evaluate our estuary for national designation and support,ā Ezell said. āBy advancing this bill out of committee, weāre taking a critical step toward strengthening the health and economy of Mississippiās coast for future generations.ā
Eric Sparks, Ļć½¶Ö±²„associate Extension professor and director of the MSEP and the universityās Coastal and Marine Extension efforts, thanked Ezell and the rest of the committee for āhighlighting the need to recognize Mississippi Sound as an estuary of national significance.ā
āThe community and congressional support received so far has been tremendous and emphasizes the importance of protecting this waterbody and its watershed,āĀ Sparks said.
The Mississippi Sound supports rich commercial fisheries, vital wetlands, barrier islands, and recreational waters that drive economic growth across the region. The MSEP focuses on protecting these natural assets while fostering sustainable development and resilience to environmental challenges.
Background
Mississippi is currently theĀ only Gulf Coast stateāand one of justĀ three coastal states nationwideāwithout aĀ nationally designated estuary. No new estuaries have been added to theĀ National Estuary Program inĀ over 30 years, leaving Mississippi at a disadvantage when it comes to federal support for coastal protection.
Estuaries in the NEP receive hundreds of thousands of dollars annuallyĀ forĀ clean water,Ā shoreline protection, andĀ watershed restoration programs. These funds also support education and industry engagement to protect the environment while supporting economic growth.
Local companies and organizationsĀ already partner with theĀ Mississippi Sound Estuary Programābut without national designation, Mississippi misses out on additional funding, including grants andĀ Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources.
TheĀ Mississippi Sound EstuaryĀ spansĀ three major watershedsĀ that directly impact coastal ecosystems, including the stateās criticalĀ oyster beds. National recognition would unlock vital resources to improveĀ water quality,Ā resilience andĀ economic sustainabilityĀ along Mississippiās coast.
MSUās project was paid for in part with federal funding from the RESTORE Council and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality under the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012, or RESTORE Act.
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