More than $160 million dollars will be allocated to strengthen California portsas well as water and flood protection infrastructure for the state’s communities, Senator Alex Padilla, Democrat of California, announced this Wednesday.
Padilla, a member of the Environment and Public Works subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife, said the funds were obtained for the work opinion of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for fiscal year 2026.
The resources are the result of the work of Senator Padilla to secure federal infrastructure investments for Californiareflecting the priorities it promoted in the annual fund allocation process.
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“California’s ports and waterways They are an engine of our state’s economy and essential for the transportation of goods throughout the country.“said Senator Alex Padilla in a statement.
“This financing ensures our main ports remain competitivethat our seaports remain navigable and safe, and that our communities are better protected against flooding and the impacts of climate change,” he added.
The work opinion provides substantial funding for energy transfer and donor portsensuring a more equitable allocation of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HTMF) resources, as provided for in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020.
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The ports of Los Angeles and Lengthy Seaside will receive $118.4 million additional funds through the HMTF fund for donations and energy transfer. Adding annual allocations, the Port of Los Angeles will receive $70 million.
The funds will be used to expand its uses, including seismic upgrades and dock dredging and stabilizationwhich will contribute to modernizing and strengthening two of the most important logistics centers in the country.
The work opinion too includes crucial investments in dredging and navigation to maintain safe and efficient port operations:
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$6.15 million dollars are allocated to the port of Santa Barbara for dredging and maintenance operations to restore safe navigation depths.
The accumulation of sediment had reduced parts of the harbor to just 40 feet wide (12 meters) and 10 feet deep (3 meters)which endangers safe navigation.
More than $23.3 million dollars will be allocated to the port of Hueneme for dredging, infrastructure improvements and use expansion activities.
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The investment will support water network relocation, utility dock improvements and port maintenance into one of the country’s leading ports for automobiles and refrigerated cargo. that handles more than $18 billion dollars in merchandise annually and generates 25,000 jobs.
$7.35 million dollars allocated to the port of Redwood Metropolis for dredging and corresponding maintenance, in order to ensure sufficient depth of the channel for cargo ships.
Without proper dredging, ships are forced to unload their cargo elsewherewhich increases costs, traffic congestion and air pollution throughout the Bay Area.
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It is also intended to promote crucial environmental restoration initiatives. in the Bay Area, Central Valley and Central Coast:
$4.4 million dollars are provided for Phase 2 of the Hamilton Wetlands Restoration Project, expanding restoration efforts to approximately 2,600 acres.
This project contributes to the recovery of wetlands —of which more than 90% have been lost in the region—, while providing a sustainable place for the beneficial reuse of dredged materials.
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There are $1.25 million dollars to promote the Flood Regulation Project of the Lower San Joaquín River until the feasibility study phase.
The funding will enable crucial analysis and planning to reduce flood risk in communities in the Stockton region, where Hundreds of thousands of residents and billions of dollars in infrastructure are vulnerable to flooding.
$3.1 million dollars to complete construction from the Cooper Cove Water Recycling and Wastewater Treatment Plant in Calaveras County. It will improve wastewater treatment capacity and contribute to long-term water supply reliability for the region.
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There is $50,000 for the flood shield watch over project of the Mid-Coastside water treatment plant in order to advance the determination of federal interests and the early stages of planning.
This project seeks to reduce the risk of flooding for critical water infrastructure and surrounding communities along the California coast.
Senator Padilla consistently defends important federal investments on California infrastructure, including ports, water systems and climate resilience projects.
The financing funds represent continued progress in the strengthening the state economy, protecting communities and preparation for future challenges.
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