Support for the Proposed "San Pablo National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act"

September 24, 2024

The Honorable Alex Padilla

United States Senator for California

112 Hart Senate Office Building

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Jared Huffman

United States House of Representatives

2445 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable John Garamendi

United States House of Representatives

2004 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Mike Thompson

United States House of Representatives

268 Cannon Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Re: Support for the Proposed "San Pablo National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act"

Dear Senator Padilla and Representatives Garamendi, Huffman, and Thompson:

We write in support of the proposed "San Pablo National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act,” which will enable the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to incorporate 6,934-acres of baylands into the San Pablo National Wildlife Refuge. Expanding the Refuge will advance the long-term health of the San Francisco North Bay’s interconnected wetland habitats. Expansion will also help FWS realize its mission “to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.”

Additionally, an expanded Refuge will help protect habitat for endangered and threatened species, including the California clapper rail, salt marsh harvest mouse, California black rail, San Pablo song sparrow, and Suisun shrew. Other species’ populations will also be supported by the expansion, including 11 fish species that swim through San Pablo Bay to reach their freshwater spawning grounds, as well as migratory shorebirds and waterfowl, including diving ducks.

Further, the proposed Act will help protect the region’s ability to provide ecosystem services. About 85 percent of the historic tidal marshes of San Pablo Bay have been altered by processes that affect the ability of the remaining tidal marshes to accept winter rainfall and purify water in the bay. These processes include hydraulic mining, salt production, water diversions, and diking, draining, and filling for agricultural and industrial uses. By authorizing FWS to expand Refuge, the Act will ensure that restoration efforts in the region, led by the Army Corp, California Coastal Commission, and others, will remain resilient for years to come. 

The proposed Act will also increase opportunities for public recreation. Currently, the Refuge is an important site for hiking, bird watching, photography, hunting, and fishing. As with all National Wildlife Refuges, all federally owned land within an expanded San Pablo National Wildlife Refuge boundary would remain open to the public for outdoor recreation including hunting and fishing, where permitted.

Finally, the expansion will help meet national and state goals to protect 30% of America’s lands and waters by 2030. The Refuge currently encompasses 24,390 acres. If expanded, this acreage will increase by 28%.

As this initiative progresses, we look forward to working with you to ensure government agencies, Tribal Nations, and community groups have the resources needed to manage the interconnected wetland habitats in San Francisco’s North Bay. Thank you for your leadership in protecting America’s lands, waters, saltmarshes, and baylands for future generations.

Sincerely,