[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 33 (Thursday, February 26, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1165-S1166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mrs. Boxer):
  S. 596. A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to 
establish a grant program to support 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.
  San Francisco Bay is truly a national treasure. Encompassing 
approximately 550 square miles, it is the largest estuary on the west 
coast, and is vital to the Nation for both ecological and economic 
reasons. It is home to more than 1,000 plant and wildlife species, 
roughly 77 percent of California's remaining perennial estuarine 
wetlands, and an important stopover for birds along the Pacific Flyway. 
Marshes around the bay help prevent flooding, protecting more than 40 
cities in nine counties, one of the Nation's busiest seaports, and two 
international airports. The bay is critical to the region's economy, 
which if it were its own nation, would be the world's 19th largest 
economy.
  Over the last 150 years, the water quality and health of the San 
Francisco Bay Estuary have been diminished by pollution, invasive 
species, loss of wetland habitat and other factors. The degradation has 
not only impacted fish and wildlife, but has also reduced the estuary's 
ability to support important economic activities such as commercial and 
sport fishing, shipping, agriculture, recreation, and tourism.
  Federal funding in recent years has started the Bay's recovery 
process by investing in projects that improve water quality and restore 
critical habitat. These investments, $43 million between 2008 and 2015, 
were critical to leveraging $145 million from other partners. But much 
work remains.
  That is why I am pleased to introduce the San Francisco Bay 
Restoration Act with Senator Boxer, Ranking Member of the Senate 
Environment and Public Works Committee. Companion legislation has also 
been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman 
Jackie Speier.
  This bill was first introduced in the 112th Congress. The Senate 
Committee on Environment and Public Works reported favorably on the 
bill in both the 112th and 113th Congresses and recommended its 
passage.
  This bill recognizes the important restoration work that must be done 
to restore and protect the iconic San Francisco Bay. It authorizes $5 
million a year for restoration work between 2015 and 2019, prioritizing 
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 in turn 
reinvigorate recreation, tourism, and agricultural activities in and 
around the bay.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in their support for this measure.
  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. 596

       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) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Annual priority list.--The term `annual priority 
     list' means the annual priority list compiled under 
     subsection (b).
       ``(2) Comprehensive plan.--The term `comprehensive plan' 
     means--
       ``(A) the comprehensive conservation and management plan 
     approved under section 320 for the San Francisco Bay estuary; 
     and
       ``(B) any amendments to that plan.
       ``(3) Estuary partnership.--The term `Estuary Partnership' 
     means the San Francisco Estuary Partnership, the entity that 
     is designated as the management conference under section 320.
       ``(b) Annual Priority List.--
       ``(1) In general.--After providing public notice, the 
     Administrator shall annually compile a priority list 
     identifying and prioritizing the activities, projects, and 
     studies intended to be funded with the amounts made available 
     under subsection (c).
       ``(2) Inclusions.--The annual priority list compiled under 
     paragraph (1) shall include--
       ``(A) activities, projects, or studies, including 
     restoration projects and habitat improvement for fish, 
     waterfowl, and wildlife, that advance the goals and 
     objectives of the approved comprehensive plan;
       ``(B) information on the activities, projects, programs, or 
     studies specified under subparagraph (A), including a 
     description of--
       ``(i) the identities of the financial assistance 
     recipients; and
       ``(ii) the communities to be served; and
       ``(C) the criteria and methods established by the 
     Administrator for selection of activities, projects, and 
     studies.
       ``(3) Consultation.--In developing the priority list under 
     paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consult with and 
     consider the recommendations of--
       ``(A) the Estuary Partnership;
       ``(B) the State of California and affected local 
     governments in the San Francisco Bay estuary watershed; and
       ``(C) any other relevant stakeholder involved with the 
     protection and restoration of the San Francisco Bay estuary 
     that the Administrator determines to be appropriate.
       ``(c) Grant Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--Pursuant to section 320, the 
     Administrator may provide funding through cooperative 
     agreements, grants, or other means to State and local 
     agencies, special districts, and public or nonprofit 
     agencies, institutions, and organizations, including the 
     Estuary Partnership, for activities, studies, or projects 
     identified on the annual priority list.
       ``(2) Maximum amount of grants; non-federal share.--
       ``(A) Maximum amount of grants.--Amounts provided to any 
     individual or entity under this section for a fiscal year 
     shall not exceed an amount equal to 75 percent of the total 
     cost of any eligible activities that are to be carried out 
     using those amounts.
       ``(B) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the 
     total cost of any eligible activities that are carried out 
     using amounts provided under this section shall be--

[[Page S1166]]

       ``(i) not less than 25 percent; and
       ``(ii) provided from non-Federal sources.
       ``(d) Funding.--
       ``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this 
     section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 
     2019.
       ``(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.
       ``(3) Relationship to other funding.--Nothing in this 
     section limits the eligibility of the Estuary Partnership to 
     receive funding under section 320(g).
       ``(4) Prohibition.--No amounts made available under 
     subsection (c) may be used for the administration of a 
     management conference under section 320.''.
                                 ______