Funding delivers critical support for supply chains, coastal navigation, and community resilience statewide
CALIFORNIA — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, announced more than $160 million in federal funding that he secured for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) fiscal year 2026 work plan to strengthen California’s ports, maintain safe navigation channels, restore critical ecosystems, and reduce flood risk for communities across the state.
The funding follows Padilla’s sustained advocacy to secure federal infrastructure investments for California and reflects key priorities he advanced in the annual appropriations process.
“California’s ports and waterways are both an engine of our state’s economy and essential to keeping goods moving across the country,” said Senator Padilla. “This funding ensures our major ports remain competitive, our harbors stay navigable and safe, and our communities are better protected from flooding and climate impacts.”
The work plan delivers substantial new funding for donor and energy transfer ports, ensuring fairer allocation of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) resources as directed by the Water Resources Development Act of 2020.
The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will receive an additional $118.4 million through the donor and energy transfer HMTF account. Combined with annual allocations, the Port of Los Angeles alone will receive $70 million. These funds will support expanded uses, including seismic upgrades and in-water berth dredging and stabilization, helping modernize and strengthen two of the nation’s most critical supply chain hubs.
The work plan also includes critical dredging and navigation investments to maintain safe and efficient harbor operations:
- $6.15 million for Santa Barbara Harbor for operations and maintenance dredging to restore safe navigational depths. Sediment buildup had reduced parts of the harbor to as little as 40 feet wide and 10 feet deep, threatening safe passage. Maintaining adequate depth is essential for commercial fishing, emergency response, and over $80 million in ocean-dependent economic activity.
- Over $23.3 million for the Port of Hueneme for dredging, infrastructure upgrades, and expanded-use activities. These investments will support water line relocation, utility dock improvements, and harbor maintenance at one of the nation’s leading ports for automobiles and refrigerated cargo, which handles more than $18 billion in goods annually and supports 25,000 jobs.
- $7.35 million for the Port of Redwood City for dredging and related maintenance to ensure sufficient channel depth for cargo ships. Without adequate dredging, vessels are forced to offload cargo elsewhere, increasing costs, traffic congestion, and air pollution across the Bay Area.
The work plan also advances critical environmental restoration efforts in the Bay Area, Central Valley, and Central Coast:
- $4.4 million for Phase 2 of the Hamilton Wetlands Restoration Project, expanding restoration efforts to approximately 2,600 acres. This project helps restore wetlands—over 90% of which have been lost in the region—while also providing a sustainable location for beneficial reuse of dredged materials.
- $1.25 million to advance the Lower San Joaquin River Flood Control Project into the feasibility study phase. This funding enables critical analysis and planning to reduce flood risk for communities in the Stockton region, where hundreds of thousands of residents and billions in infrastructure are vulnerable to flooding.
- $3.1 million to complete construction of the Copper Cove Wastewater Treatment and Water Recycling Facility in Calaveras County, improving wastewater treatment capacity and supporting long-term water reliability for the region.
- $50,000 for the Mid-Coastside Water Treatment Plant Flood Control Project to advance federal interest determination and early planning efforts. This project aims to reduce flood risk to critical water infrastructure and surrounding communities along California’s coast.
Senator Padilla has consistently advocated for strong federal investments in California’s infrastructure, including ports, water systems, and climate resilience projects. This funding represents continued progress in strengthening the state’s economy, protecting communities, and preparing for future challenges.