The Natural Estuaries Program is set to receive $132 million to fund efforts to protect and restore the estuaries.

This funding, from President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will provide up to $4.5 million over the next five years to each of New England's significant estuaries, according to a July 27 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency news release.

"Communities have been waiting for far too long," EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in the release. "This funding is an important investment in equity, clean water and resilience for some of our most treasured water resources."

New England's nationally significant estuaries include Buzzards Bay, Casco Bay, Long Island Sound, Massachusetts Bay and Narragansett Bay, according to the release.

"Estuaries, where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with salt water from the ocean, are among some of the most productive environments on earth," EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash said in the release. "With these funds, our six New England National Estuary Programs will not only help to address key water quality and habitat challenges, but address climate resilience and prioritize equity as well, helping our most vulnerable communities."

The National Estuary Program is part of President Biden's Justice40 Initiative, which promises to deliver approximately 40% of the overall benefits from certain federal investments to minority and underserved communities, the release reported.