# Plain Language Summary: Oyster Reef Recovery Act of 2025

This bill creates a new federal program dedicated to restoring and protecting oyster reefs across the United States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is part of the Commerce Department, will run the program and hand out grants to help restore damaged oyster reefs and keep healthy ones thriving. The program will provide both money and expert advice to groups working on oyster reef projects, whether they're government agencies, nonprofits, universities, oyster farmers, or private companies.

The program will focus on practical work like identifying which oyster reefs need help most, checking water quality, building new reefs or rebuilding old ones, and monitoring their health over time. It will also support training programs for workers in coastal communities, especially in areas that have been economically disadvantaged. The bill makes clear that projects must be designed so they don't interfere with fishing or other water activities people rely on. States and Native American tribes keep their authority to manage oysters in their own waters—this federal program works alongside them rather than taking over their role.

To make this happen, Congress is authorizing $15 million per year for five years (2026 through 2030) to fund the program. This money will support research, construction of new reefs, monitoring efforts, and workforce development. Anyone interested in oyster restoration—from environmental groups to fishing communities to research institutions—can apply for grants to conduct their own projects. The bill essentially creates a funding mechanism and coordination system to reverse the decline of oyster reefs, which are important for filtering water, supporting marine life, and protecting coastlines from storms.