[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 97 (Friday, June 25, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5461-S5462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mrs. Boxer):
S. 3539. A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to
establish a grant program to assist in the restoration of San Francisco
Bay; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise on behalf of myself and Senator
Boxer to introduce legislation to further the restoration of the San
Francisco Bay.
There are many areas in the country in with restoration is done, and
I am pleased to introduce an authorization for restoration work in the
San Francisco Bay with Senator Boxer, Chairwoman of the Senate
Environment and Public Works Committee, and to work with our colleague
Representative Speier in the U.S. House of Representatives.
[[Page S5462]]
As an appropriator, and Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, I have secured $17 million
in Federal funding for ecosystem restoration and water quality work in
the San Francisco Bay in the last 3 years. I have also secured $15
million since 2006 for the Fish and Wildlife Service to restore salt
ponds to tidal wetlands in the Bay.
It is necessary to ensure that these funds continue to be
appropriated and are spent on the most important projects for the
ecosystem and public benefit.
To that end, this legislation will prioritize funding for projects
that will protect and restore vital estuarine habitat for migratory
waterfowl, shorebirds, and wildlife; improve and restore water quality
and rearing habitat for fish; and ensure public benefits.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 3539
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``San Francisco Bay
Restoration Act''.
SEC. 2. SAN FRANCISCO BAY RESTORATION GRANT PROGRAM.
Title I of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 123. SAN FRANCISCO BAY RESTORATION GRANT PROGRAM.
``(a) Grant Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator may provide grants to
State and local agencies, and public or nonprofit agencies,
institutions, and organizations, for ecosystem restoration
projects and habitat improvement for fish, waterfowl, and
wildlife, in accordance with the priorities described in the
comprehensive management plan for the San Francisco estuary
developed under section 320.
``(2) Maximum amount of grants; non-federal share.--
``(A) Maximum amount of grants.--A grant provided to any
individual or entity under this section for a fiscal year
shall not exceed an amount equal to 50 percent of the total
cost of eligible activities that are to be carried out using
funds from the grant.
``(B) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the
total cost of any eligible activities that are carried out
using funds from a grant provided under this section shall
be--
``(i) not less than 50 percent; and
``(ii) provided from non-Federal sources.
``(b) Funding.--
``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry
out this section such sums as are necessary for each of
fiscal years 2011 through 2020.
``(2) Administrative expenses.--Of the amount made
available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the
Administrator shall use not more than 5 percent to pay
administrative expenses incurred in carrying out this
section.''.
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