Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) announced that the Senate has designated September 21 through September 28, 2024, as National Estuaries Week. Whitehouse and Cassidy led a bipartisan group of 29 Senate colleagues in introducing the resolution calling for the protection and restoration of America’s estuaries.

“Louisiana works hard to protect and rebuild our eroding coastline which is an economic and communal lifeline for our state,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Protecting our estuaries is essential to preserve Louisiana’s way of life.”

“Estuaries like the Ocean State’s beautiful Narragansett Bay are at the center of daily life and the economy across the country,” said Senator Whitehouse. “As climate change intensifies, I am glad to join my Senate colleagues from both sides of the aisle to recognize and recommit to protecting our estuarine environments from increasing threats.”

“National Estuaries Week is a time for all to appreciate the countless recreational, economic, and environmental benefits that our estuaries provide while acknowledging that they are under threat from a warming climate and continued development that can damage these national treasures,” said Daniel Hayden, President and CEO of Restore America’s Estuaries. “We hope you take time during National Estuaries Week to enjoy your local estuary and celebrate the benefits it provides.”

National Estuaries Day started in 1988 and was later expanded to a week to encourage people to become involved in their protection. Last year, Restore America’s Estuaries tracked 36 events in 11 different states with over 11,400 volunteers over the week.

Read the full resolution here.