Barbara Boxer: “I am pleased to be re-introducing today a bill that will take an important first step in restoring the San Gabriel…”

“I am pleased to be re-introducing today a bill that will take an important first step in restoring the San Gabriel River, which runs through Los Angeles, CA. During the 107th Congress, this bill received unanimous support from the House of Representatives and from the Senate as part of an omnibus California Parks bill. However, due to a technical error, unrelated to this legislation, the bill was never sent to the President. I am hopeful that this legislation will quickly receive the consideration it deserves so it can be enacted into law. The San Gabriel River has suffered from years of abuse and neglect and needs our help. For far too long, we have channeled, redirected, constricted, polluted, and simply ignored it. The result is that substantial portions of the river look nothing like its natural form. Instead of soft bottoms covered with aquatic grasses, stream banks lined with trees and bushes, and waters teaming with fish, these rivers have cement bottoms, cement banks, and little remaining wildlife. Today, we begin what will be a long, slow process in turning the tide for this urban watershed. This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the San Gabriel River watershed to consider various mechanisms for providing federal protection and assistance to this river and its watershed.”