Senate Committee Advances Padilla Bill to Support Ecological Restoration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s (D-Calif.) bipartisan bill to restore a long-lost salmon run on the San Joaquin, California’s second longest river. The bill advanced out of committee by voice vote. “As droughts, floods, rising project costs, and funding delays continue to threaten watersheds across our state, Congress has a responsibility to restore salmon and improve recreational access to free-flowing rivers in areas like the San Joaquin Valley,” said Senator Padilla . “I am proud to see my bill to authorize additional funding to support ecological restoration of the San Joaquin River advance. My bill also mitigates water supply losses for Friant Division farmers, and I will continue to advocate for bolstering drought resiliency and water supply across California.” This bipartisan bill would authorize additional funding for the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act . To further support the ongoing implementation of the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP), this legislation would raise the cap on federal appropriations for the program by $500 million while increasing the authorization of appropriations for Friant Division canal improvements. Congress authorized the SJRRP following the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement, which was the result of an 18-year lawsuit over operations of the Friant Division of the Central Valley Project. The SJRRP is a comprehensive, long-term effort in the Central Valley to restore flows to the San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the confluence of the Merced River and restore a self-sustaining Chinook salmon fishery in the river, while reducing or avoiding adverse water supply impacts from restoration flows. Because the original estimated cost of implementation has risen, the restoration program needs continued funding for projects that are vital to securing a healthy river. In addition to Padilla, the bill is cosponsored by Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.). Padilla has consistently advocated for strong federal investments in California’s water infrastructure. Yesterday, Padilla advocated for affordable water utilities and stronger flood protections for communities at a Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works markup. Earlier this year, Padilla secured $54 million in federal funding for the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties to increase flood protection. ###