The Morro Bay National Estuary Program is getting $4.5 million over five years to protect and restore water quality and habitat, the Biden administration announced on Monday.

The funding comes from the bipartisan $978 billion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that Biden signed last November.

“(This) funding will provide an invaluable resource for the Morro Bay National Estuary Program to implement projects that address local environmental issues and have long-lasting benefits to our coastal communities,” Melodie Grubbs, the program’s executive director, said in a news release.

“We look forward to leveraging strong partnerships, prioritizing multi-benefit projects that address climate threats, and building meaningful relationships with underserved communities.”

$132 Million Nationwide to Restore Estuaries

In addition to being home to nearly 11,000 residents, Morro Bay is a popular summer vacation spot for Valley residents seeking relief from triple-digit heat. Part of its charm is Morro Rock, the bay, and surrounding watershed that provides habitat for eelgrass, oysters, sea otters, and steelhead.

Bay estuary programs in San Francisco and Santa Monica will also receive up to $4.5 million over five years, the Biden administration said. The total investment nationwide to restore 28 estuaries is $132 million.

You can learn more about the Morro Bay National Estuary Program at this link.