Puget Sound Recovery Caucus Statement on Puget Sound Investments in Funding Bill
Washington D.C. – Today, Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Denny Heck (WA-10) announced that the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act includes critical investments to continue restoring the Puget Sound. The bill the President is expected to sign includes $28 million for the Puget Sound Geographic Program which helps implement projects dedicated to reviving the Puget Sound.
“The Puget Sound is essential to our region’s economy and environment,” said Kilmer. “Generations have enjoyed the ability to fish, swim, and dig for clams. They’ve built livelihoods on the Sound. With this deal we’ve secured investments that will go toward protecting and reviving its waters. I’m proud to partner with my colleague Representative Heck and all our local stakeholders to restore the Sound for future generations.”
“As the largest estuary in the United States, Puget Sound is a national treasure deserving of increased federal investment in its recovery,” said Heck. “The funding provided in this bill is a start on our coordinated approach to Puget Sound recovery and restoration. We will continue to work with our tribal, state and local partners to ensure it is a national priority.”
Representatives Heck and Kilmer co-founded the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus in 2013 as part of their ongoing commitment to preserving the Puget Sound. The three priorities of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus are: preventing pollution from urban storm water runoff, protecting and restoring habitat, and restoring and re-opening shellfish beds.
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