Political Quotes

“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.…”