This bill extends federal funding for regional water cleanup programs managed by the EPA from 2026 through 2031, including initiatives for the Great Lakes, Long Island Sound, Columbia River Basin, San Francisco Bay, coastal estuaries, and beach water quality monitoring. It also prohibits EPA geographic program funds from going to entities tied to foreign countries of concern, and requires a government audit of these EPA programs' management and effectiveness.
Who benefits
State and local government agencies, special districts, public and nonprofit environmental organizations, water quality monitoring programs in coastal states (New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Florida, Mississippi, California, Oregon, Washington), private contractors providing water restoration services, environmental consulting firms, and universities conducting water quality research in designated geographic regions. States and municipalities implementing the programs will receive federal grants to address water pollution and ecosystem restoration without shouldering full project costs.
Who pays / loses
U.S. taxpayers funding the extended appropriations through 2031. Federal agencies will incur costs for the Comptroller General audit. Non-federal entities (states, nonprofits, private contractors) in targeted regions will bear 25-75 percent of project costs depending on the program. Foreign companies or entities domiciled in or doing work with countries of concern (as defined in the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act) will be ineligible for subcontracts or partnerships under these programs.
Fiscal note: No total dollar amounts specified in the bill. Funding levels depend on future congressional appropriations for FY 2026-2031. Mississippi Sound program has a conditional appropriations threshold: FY 2027 must receive at least $850,000 more than FY 2024 levels to activate Mississippi Sound grants.
Funding & Lobbying Interests
Environmental advocacy organizations including The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society, and regional waterkeeping groups lobby for Great Lakes, Long Island Sound, and coastal restoration funding. Water quality testing and environmental consulting firms (such as those in the engineering and environmental services industries) benefit from expanded monitoring and source identification programs. State and local governments and nonprofit environmental organizations with existing contracts in these regions have direct financial stakes. No sponsor finance data was provided, but this legislation aligns with lobbying priorities of Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Great Lakes Commission, Long Island Sound Study partners, and Pacific Northwest environmental organizations.
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