Magaziner Leads Colleagues in Requesting Federal Funding to Protect Rhode Island’s Estuaries and Expand Access to Environmental Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On World Environment Day, Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) announced that he is leading two letters to the House Appropriations Committee requesting $22 million for environmental protection and education programs in the Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Bill.

“The impact of climate change is already being felt by Rhode Islanders, and the challenges it presents require long-lasting solutions to protect peoples’ health, the environment and the economy,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner. “This federal funding will help protect Rhode Island’s estuaries, expand access to environmental education and ensure cleaner water for coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.”

In the first letter, Representatives Magaziner (RI-02), Amo (RI-01), Auchincloss (MA-04) and Keating (MA-09) requested $8 million for FY 2025 for the Southeast New England Program (SNEP), which supports innovative solutions to ecological and economic issues facing the coastal watersheds of Southeast New England.

Estuaries are critical to healthy ecosystems but are increasingly affected by the impacts of human activity along the coast. Estuaries provide benefits of great economic and ecological significance, including vital nesting and feeding habitats for aquatic plants and animals. Protecting and restoring coasts and estuaries is vital for both Rhode Island’s economy and environment. 

A PDF copy of the letter is available here.

In the second letter, Representatives Seth Magaziner and Joe Neguse (CO-02) led 53 members of Congress in requesting $14 million for National Environmental Education Act (NEEA) programs. NEEA plays a critical role in improving environmental literacy across America by training educators, improving environmental responsibility in businesses, and encouraging volunteer work to improve public lands. 

A PDF copy of the letter is available here.