Southeast New England Program Authorization Act of 2026

This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish the Southeast New England Program within the Environmental Protection Agency. The program's primary purpose is to protect, enhance, and restore the coastal watersheds of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, specifically those draining into coastal waters between Long Island Sound and the Gulf of Maine.

A key provision is the establishment of a grant program, allowing the Administrator to award funds to various entities, including states, local governments, tribes, and nonprofits. These grants will support projects focused on critical environmental issues such as eliminating pollution, restoring contaminated sites, improving water quality, and enhancing ecosystem resilience. The federal share for these projects is capped at 75%.

The bill also mandates that the Administrator coordinate federal agency actions impacting water quality and living resources in the region to improve efficiency and outcomes. For the program's implementation, it authorizes an appropriation of $30,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with specific allocations for technical assistance and administrative expenses.