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September 25, 2007

R.I. senators tout legislation to help coast, marine life

Legislation that Rhode Island's two U.S. senators say will help restore the state's coastal and marine ecosystems has won congressional approval.

The Estuary Restoration Act (ERA) passed as part of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which authorizes nearly $21 billion for flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed, Democrats, said in a news release.

“We have seen what unchecked development combined with more severe storms can do to vital coastal regions,” Whitehouse said in the statement. “Restoring estuarine and coastal ecosystems is one important way we can preserve our environment and our communities."

Reed said: “I am pleased that Congress has taken this important step to help restore the Ocean State’s waterways. Narragansett Bay is one of the many estuaries that play a crucial role in protecting our environment and bolstering the economy."

Narragansett Bay and other estuaries help the coastal environments by serving as barriers that insulate fragile coast from flood waters. Estuary restoration helps local economies, supporting recreational activities and preserving unique coastal cultures, according to the news release.

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 7:02 AM | Permalink

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