The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will vote this week on legislation to promote regional collaboration on coastal and ocean concerns.
S. 3791, the “Regional Ocean Partnerships Reauthorization Act,” is sponsored by Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and a bipartisan group of coastal lawmakers.
The legislation would give coastal governors power to set up regional partnerships with NOAA’s blessing. The partnerships then bring together state and federal officials to address issues like algae blooms.
“Mississippi and other coastal states share similar concerns regarding American waters, including the impact of algal blooms and lack of data for oyster farmers. It is important for states to work together to provide solutions for the issues our coasts face today,” Wicker said when introducing the bill in February.
