[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 42 (Monday, March 17, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S3806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER:
  S. 630. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct 
a study of the San Gabriel River Watershed, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to be re-introducing today a 
bill that will take an important first step in restoring the San 
Gabriel River, which runs through Los Angeles, CA. During the 107th 
Congress, this bill received unanimous support from the House of 
Representatives and from the Senate as part of an omnibus California 
Parks bill. However, due to a technical error, unrelated to this 
legislation, the bill was never sent to the President. I am hopeful 
that this legislation will quickly receive the consideration it 
deserves so it can be enacted into law.
  The San Gabriel River has suffered from years of abuse and neglect 
and needs our help. For far too long, we have channeled, redirected, 
constricted, polluted, and simply ignored it. The result is that 
substantial portions of the river look nothing like its natural form. 
Instead of soft bottoms covered with aquatic grasses, stream banks 
lined with trees and bushes, and waters teaming with fish, these rivers 
have cement bottoms, cement banks, and little remaining wildlife.
  Today, we begin what will be a long, slow process in turning the tide 
for this urban watershed. This bill directs the Secretary of the 
Interior to conduct a study of the San Gabriel River watershed to 
consider various mechanisms for providing federal protection and 
assistance to this river and its watershed.
  It is particularly important to restore the San Gabriel River so it 
can serve as a source of outdoor recreation for one of our Nation's 
most congested urban areas. Most communities in Los Angeles are 
desperate for open space. They seek outdoor areas where children can 
play, adults can meet, and people of all ages can find respite from the 
daily hustle and bustle of some of our most economically and socially 
stressed neighborhoods. The San Gabriel River system can and should 
provide that to them.
  This vision is shared by Congresswoman Hilda Solis, who first 
introduced this bill in the House of Representatives in the last 
Congress. I look forward to working with her on passing this bill 
quickly and then taking the additional steps needed to restore the San 
Gabriel River.
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