BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: Title
Adopt Recommended Positions on Federal Legislation: H.R. 6422 (Stauber) - American Water Stewardship Act; And Other Legislation That May Require Consideration by the Board.
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Adopt a Position of “Support” on H.R. 6422 (Stauber) - American Water Stewardship Act.
Body
SUMMARY:
H.R. 6422 (Stauber) - American Water Stewardship Act
Recommendation: Support
Priority Recommendation: 2
This bipartisan bill would reauthorize the 12 Geographic Programs at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that provide funding for restoration and conservation of several estuaries across the country, including San Francisco Bay. The programs vary by location but generally fund work on water quality improvement, climate resilience, and habitat restoration, among other activities. The San Francisco Bay Program at EPA was formally authorized in 2021, and Congress has appropriated roughly $50M in annual appropriations since that time. Those funds are granted out to local groups in the Bay Area, including public agencies like Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water), to improve water quality and habitat restoration in the Bay.
The Board supported establishing this program and providing annual appropriations.
Status:
The bill was introduced in the House on December 4, 2025, and it was reported favorably out of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on December 18. It now awaits a vote by the full House of Representatives.
Importance to Valley Water:
This bill would reauthorize a grant program at EPA that has funded Valley Water activities that improve water quality, such as cleanup of creeks that flow into San Francisco Bay. Valley Water secured funds through this program for its Nine Creeks Cleanup, and the program has funded similar activities through the City of San José and other partners. The program has also funded the South Bay Salt Ponds Restoration Project and other wetlands restoration efforts around the region. This program provides an important source of federal funding for local water quality improvement and environmental restoration efforts.
Pros:
• Reauthorizes a grant program that has funded Valley Water projects and other important water quality and restoration efforts by partner agencies.
Cons:
• The bill does not authorize additional appropriations for the program. That would have to be done separately.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There are no direct Environmental Justice impacts associated with this item, as the Board’s position does not enact the legislation discussed above.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this item.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have the potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER: Manager
Marta Lugo, 408-630-2237