House Committee Considers Ruiz’s Salton Sea Legislation

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Natural Resources Committee's Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee held a legislative hearing to examine H.R. 3877, the "Salton Sea Projects Improvements Act" introduced by Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36). The new legislation would authorize $250 million for the Bureau of Reclamation to execute projects to improve air quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and water quality.

Dr. Ruiz testified before the Committee on his legislation, urging them to quickly move the bill forward to the full House of Representatives for a vote.

"The Salton Sea Projects Improvements Act significantly expands the Bureau of Reclamation's authorities to partner in large-scale Salton Sea restoration and mitigation projects," Dr. Ruiz said in the hearing. "The result of inaction at the Salton Sea will be severe…I urge the Committee to quickly advance H.R. 3877 to the full House of Representatives to give the Bureau of Reclamation the tools they need to put shovels in the ground at the Salton Sea."

In September 2020, Dr. Ruiz secured the first Congressional hearing on the Salton Sea since 1997. During that hearing, California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot testified to the critical nature of federal investment at the Salton Sea. H.R. 3877 builds on the growing momentum for federal action at the Sea, giving the Bureau of Reclamation the funding and authorities they need to mitigate public health and environmental hazards.

Frank Ruiz, the Salton Sea Program Director at Audubon and a constituent of the 36^th District, provided witness testimony on the benefits of Dr. Ruiz's legislation during today's hearing.

"This additional authorized funding under the [Salton Sea Projects Improvements] Act will help Reclamation accelerate projects and partnerships to address the needs of the Sea," said Frank Ruiz, Salton Sea Program Director at Audubon. "Audubon fully supports these changes that will allow Reclamation to more fully participate in the restoration activities at the Sea."

The text of H.R. 3877 can be found here. You can watch Dr. Ruiz's testimony here and Frank Ruiz's testimony at the hearing here.

BACKGROUND

H.R. 3877, the Salton Sea Projects Improvements Act, amends P.L. 102-575 which established the Salton Sea Research Program at the Bureau of Reclamation. This new legislation will allow the Bureau of Reclamation to award grants or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements to carry out projects at the Salton Sea to improve air quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and water quality.

Reclamation may partner with the State of California, Tribal and local governments, water districts, the Salton Sea Authority, non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education to implement these projects.

Eligible activities under this authorization may include the construction, operation, maintenance, permitting, and design activities of projects at the Salton Sea. Dust suppression projects are also authorized.

H.R. 3877 authorizes $250 million for Reclamation to carry out projects under this Act.

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