January 04, 2023

Warren, Markey, Keating Celebrate Wins for Coastal Communities in Omnibus Legislation, Passage of Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission Reauthorization Act

End-of-year legislation delivers additional funding for coastal communities, including workforce development, oceanic observation and monitoring, fishery grant program 

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and U.S. Representative Bill Keating (MA-09) celebrated critical investments in coastal communities in Massachusetts and across the country in the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus spending package, including passage of their legislation, the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission Reauthorization Act. This legislation reauthorizes the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission until 2029, ensuring that Massachusetts communities are empowered to continue providing their input to the Secretary of the Interior about matters related to the development and operation of the Cape Cod National Seashore.

“Many coastal communities in Massachusetts are on the front lines experiencing the effects of climate change,” said Senator Warren. “I fought hard for big federal investments that will support workforce development, sustainable fisheries, wildlife conservation, and climate resiliency for coastal communities that are an important part of the Commonwealth’s vibrant economy and culture.

“The Cape Cod Bay is part of the Gulf of Maine, which is warming faster than almost any other body of water in the world,” said Senator Markey. “We must do everything in our power to ensure coastal communities and their economies can continue to flourish, while fighting against the threat of climate change. I am proud of the major investments we have secured in the end-of-year legislation to support our blue economy, our blue-collar workers, and our blue oceans. With smart investments like these, Massachusetts can lead the world in climate-smart techniques and technologies that will protect invaluable marine ecosystems, create local jobs, and help us meet our climate and economic goals.”

“President John F. Kennedy signed the Cape Cod National Seashore bill into law on August 7, 1961 'to preserve the natural and historic values of a portion of Cape Cod for the inspiration and enjoyment of people all over the United States'," said Representative Keating. "And to this day, the Seashore remains a source of pride and inspiration for our community and a major driver of the local economy. The Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission plays a vital role in advising the Seashore's superintendent on the operation of this national treasure. This re-authorization ensures that Barnstable County and the six towns within the Seashore's boundary have a seat at the table where decisions are made - and that those decisions will be made with input from stakeholders on Cape Cod.”

In addition, the omnibus legislation includes other important investments in coastal communities, including: 

  • Investments in an equitable and resilient future for U.S. fisheries with a total of $345 million in funding to promote and develop sustainable and robust U.S. fisheries through programs such as the Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program. This includes a historic $101 million funding increase for those activities.
  • The conservation and protection of U.S. wildlife with $142 million in funding for the Multinational Species Conservation Fund (MSCF) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) International Affairs Program and Office of Law Enforcement, priorities on which Senator Markey led a letter of support, as well as $53 million in funding for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Sustained Ocean Observations and Monitoring program.