Rep. Huffman Supports Water Resources Development Act, Applauds Fisheries, Estuaries, and Dredging Improvements

Press Release

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously approved the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) of 2016 that includes key California and environmental priorities authored by Congressman Huffman (D-San Rafael). The bill will next head to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

The bipartisan WRDA 2016 legislation, which authorizes Army Corps of Engineers activities across the country, contains several provisions either authored or co-authored by Huffman that will modernize drought response, restore wetland restoration funding, and improve fish hatchery management. The underlying bill will also increase funding for navigation and dredging activity, a key priority for North Coast ports.

Congressman Huffman's amendment to use existing fish hatchery capacity to restore threatened fish populations, such as the North Coast's endangered salmon runs, was adopted without opposition during today's committee meeting. Fish hatcheries operated by the Army Corps of Engineers often have surplus capacity and could do more to restock depleted fish populations, but under current law the agency lacks the authority to collaborate with non-federal entities on these hatchery projects. The amendment clarifies that existing Army Corps fish hatcheries could work with local and regional partners to restore native fish.

"In coastal communities such as mine, local water agencies are interested in seeing more robust native fish populations," said Rep. Huffman. "My amendment will simply allow the Army Corps of Engineers to do more to support native fisheries in Sonoma and across the country, while ensuring that the additional costs will be borne by the partnering entities and agencies."

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