[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 145 (Tuesday, August 10, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6282-S6283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 2693. A bill to amend the Reclamation Projects Authorization and 
Adjustment Act of 1992 to authorize additional projects related to the 
Salton Sea, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the bipartisan 
``Salton Sea Projects Improvement Act'' to expand the Bureau of 
Reclamation's ability to participate and invest in projects at the 
Salton Sea.
  This legislation would ensure Reclamation can meaningfully partner 
with state, local, and Tribal governments to address both the public 
health and environmental crises at the Salton Sea.
  Under current law, the Bureau of Reclamation is only able to engage 
in projects that have a research focus. This means that Reclamation can 
only engage in projects to research how to protect habitat, enhance 
fisheries, enhance recreational opportunities, or control salinity. 
Reclamation also operates under a $10 million authorization.
  This effectively prohibits Reclamation from participating in the 
Salton Sea Management Program run by California.
  This legislation would expand Reclamation's authority so they can 
participate in large-scale projects, even if they don't have a research 
focus. Projects could improve air and water quality, restore fish and 
wildlife habitat, and improve public health at the Salton Sea. It would 
also increase Reclamation's authorization for Salton Sea efforts from 
$10 million to $250 million.
  The Salton Sea, located in southern Riverside and northern Imperial 
counties, is California's largest inland body of water. It formed after 
Colorado River floodwater breached an irrigation canal and flowed into 
the Salton Sink.
  The current Salton Sea maintains water levels from irrigation runoff 
but has been shrinking for many years. The water has become 
increasingly salty, so much so that its salinity is 50% higher than the 
Pacific Ocean. This has led to major water quality issues with

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devastating impacts to the Salton Sea's ecosystem, which serves as 
critical habitat for migratory waterfowl and other species.
  But this ecological crisis has even more widespread impacts. The 
declining water levels have also exposed wide swaths of lakebed at the 
Salton Sea, polluting the air with dust and pesticides. The largely 
disadvantaged communities who live nearby suffer from toxic, poisonous 
air and experience higer levels of related health conditions like 
asthma.
  It is an environmental and public health crisis, and we need to 
ensure that the Bureau of Reclamation has the authority it need to 
partner with the State of California, Tribal and local governments, and 
nonprofits to adequately address these crises.
  I thank Senator Feinstein for co-leading this bill with me, and for 
her decades of efforts at the Salton Sea. I also thank Congressmen Ruiz 
and Vargas for their relentless leadership to address this 
environmental hazard.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the bipartisan 
``Salton Sea Projects Improvements Act'' as quickly as possible.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.

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