Resilient Coasts and Estuaries Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2786

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Last Updated

2025-05-19T14:04:23Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Resilient Coasts and Estuaries Act of 2025 aims to strengthen protections for coastal and estuarine (where rivers meet the sea) areas by expanding federal programs focused on conservation, restoration, and resilience against threats like climate change, sea level rise, and habitat loss. It updates existing laws to promote ecological health, community safety, and research while involving more partners like non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Key Provisions

• Coastal and Estuarine Resilience and Restoration Program (Amendments to Section 307A of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972):
• Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce (through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA) to run the program in partnership with states, regional governments, National Estuarine Research Reserves, and qualified NGOs.
• Expands program goals to protect valuable coastal areas (e.g., for recreation, ecology, history, or community safety) that are at risk of development or degradation, and to restore damaged lands to natural states for better ecological function and climate adaptation (e.g., allowing shorelines to shift with rising seas).
• Allows grants for acquiring land or property interests to achieve these goals, with priorities for areas that:
• Benefit low-income communities or those lacking resources for hazard response.
• Face immediate threats from development or climate change.
• Support carbon storage, ecosystem migration, or reserves.
• Eases matching fund requirements for U.S. territories unable to provide them and values ecosystem services (e.g., storm protection, wildlife habitat) in grant evaluations.
• Permits up to 20% of funds for administrative costs and allows NGOs to hold property if they meet strict criteria, such as state agency support, public access (unless restricted for environmental reasons), and plans for property transfer if the NGO fails.
• Requires program updates every 5 years (instead of 3) and authorizes funding for fiscal years 2025–2029.

• National Estuarine Research Reserve System (Amendments to Section 315):
• Mandates starting the designation process for at least 5 new reserves within 5 years of enactment and completing designations within 8 years, prioritizing coverage in every coastal state and diverse biogeographic regions (areas with unique biodiversity or geography).
• Requires annual reports to Congress on progress.
• Adds requirements for reserves to monitor climate change impacts (e.g., sea level changes) and other stressors through coordinated data collection.
• Expands financial aid for constructing and maintaining facilities, conducting research, monitoring, stewardship (habitat management), training, and education.
• Introduces system-wide elements, including centralized data sharing, collaborative research grants, using reserves as "living laboratories" for NOAA fellows, and a new graduate fellowship program (Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Research Fellowship) to study coastal challenges.
• Mandates place-based activities at each reserve, such as environmental monitoring networks, education programs, stewardship tools, technical assistance for communities, land acquisition for resilience, and engagement with Tribal nations, Indigenous communities, and historic heritage groups.
• Allows existing activities (e.g., fishing, hunting, cultural uses) to continue unless a reserve's management plan changes them.
• Increases authorized appropriations to $47 million annually for fiscal years 2025–2029.

• Other Updates:
• Defines terms like "National Estuarine Research Reserve" and makes conforming changes to the Coastal Zone Management Act for consistency.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Program Expansion: Renames and broadens the former "Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program" to emphasize resilience and restoration, explicitly including climate change mitigation (e.g., carbon storage, shoreline migration) and NGO participation, which was not previously allowed without restrictions.
• Priorities and Flexibility: Shifts grant priorities to include equity for underserved communities and climate threats; changes "shall identify" to "may identify" for more flexibility in consultations; extends reporting from triennial to every 5 years; raises administrative cost cap from 15% to 20%.
• Reserve System Enhancements: Introduces mandatory new designations (previously voluntary), climate-specific monitoring guidelines, and detailed program elements (system-wide and place-based) not in prior law; expands funding uses beyond basic research to include maintenance, training, and stewardship.
• Funding and Access: Updates outdated authorizations (e.g., from 2009–2013 to 2025–2029); adds public access requirements for NGO-held lands and provisions for territories; clarifies continuation of pre-existing uses to avoid disrupting local activities.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Empowers NOAA and the Department of Commerce with new authorities, timelines, and funding to lead expanded conservation and research efforts, potentially increasing administrative workload for grant oversight and reserve designations but streamlining partnerships.
• Citizens and Communities: Enhances coastal protection and access, particularly for low-income, Tribal, Indigenous, and historic communities, by prioritizing resilient lands that buffer storms, restore habitats, and provide recreational spaces; could improve adaptation to sea level rise and hazards, reducing disaster risks and supporting fisheries/economies.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as the bill is domestic-focused, but stronger U.S. coastal resilience could indirectly bolster global environmental leadership on climate issues through better data sharing and research on shared ocean challenges.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: Secretary of Commerce and NOAA, responsible for program implementation, grants, designations, and reporting.
• State and Local Governments: Coastal states and regional entities partner on projects and provide input; benefit from technical assistance and funding for management.
• National Estuarine Research Reserves: Existing 30+ reserves gain expanded roles, funding, and new sites; serve as hubs for research and community engagement.
• Non-Governmental Organizations: Qualified NGOs can now apply for grants to acquire and manage lands, with requirements for transparency and public benefit.
• Coastal Communities and Public: Low-income residents, Tribal/Indigenous groups, fishers, hunters, and recreational users gain from protected areas, education, and resilience measures; broader public accesses improved ecological and historical sites.
• Researchers and Educators: Benefit from fellowships, data networks, and living laboratories to study climate impacts.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Builds on the 1972 Coastal Zone Management Act by providing a clear grant framework and NGO safeguards (e.g., deed restrictions, compliance measures) to ensure federal funds support public interests; introduces enforceable timelines for reserve designations, potentially leading to litigation if unmet.
• Constitutional: Involves federal spending on property acquisitions and partnerships, respecting state roles under the 10th Amendment (powers not delegated to federal government remain with states); no major takings issues, as it focuses on voluntary grants and existing uses.
• Political: Bipartisan introduction (119th Congress, 2025) signals cross-party support for environmental resilience amid climate concerns; emphasizes equity and community involvement, which could influence future conservation debates, but requires congressional appropriations to activate funding.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]

Cosponsors (9)

Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-09: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 2025-04-09: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-09: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Resilient Coasts and Estuaries Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-09 — PDF (16 pages)