In late September, Congressman Garamendi, Congressman Huffman, Congressman Thompson, and Senator Padilla introduced the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act (HR 9826). This bill, if enacted, would add 5,658 acres to the 24,390 acres that currently make up the refuge. The legislation also directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to enter into a cooperative agreement with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to manage the federal refuge and adjacent state lands at a landscape scale.

Following on our previous efforts to support hunting opportunities at the refuge (e.g. Cullinan Ranch), California Waterfowl worked closely with the bill sponsors to ensure that the legislation includes language clearly stating that hunting and fishing are priority activities within the new refuge lands. We have also made it clear that we oppose any new restrictions on waterfowl hunting in areas of San Pablo Bay where it is already available to the public. 

Click here to read the full bill.