Introductory Statement on S. 5563

On 2026-09-24, Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) delivered a floor speech titled "Introductory Statement On S. 5563" in the Senate.

Introductory Statement on S. 5563

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 152 (Thursday, September 24, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S5005-S5006] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] By Mr. PADILLA: S. 5563. A bill to direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to study the impacts of the dumping of certain waste in the San Pedro Basin, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Ocean Protection and DDT Reduction Act. This bill would direct NOAA, in consultation with EPA and DOD, to study and address the impacts of historical toxic waste dumping, especially dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, DDT, and other industrial and military wastes, in the San Pedro Basin off the coast of California. Dumping of industrial, chemical, and military waste off the Southern California coast occurred from the 1930s until it was banned in 1972 by the Ocean Dumping Act. This included the dumping of DDT, radioactive materials, alkaline and oil waste, and unexploded ordinance and munitions across 14 sites along the coastline from San Diego to Santa Monica. In addition to the dumping of chemical waste barrels, millions of pounds of DDT and PCBs were discharged through sewer outfall pipes. Roughly 110 tons of DDT ended up in the sediments of the Palos Verdes Shelf, and in 1996, EPA added this 17 square-mile underwater site as a Superfund site. Recent studies have found tens of thousands of degrading and leaking barrels of DDT and hazardous waste on the ocean floor at a depth of 3,000 ft deep and 8 to 24 miles from the coast of Southern California, posing potential risks to marine life, fisheries, and public health. New images from 2020 that showed corroded metal barrels with mysterious [[Page S5006]] ``halos'' in the deep ocean off Los Angeles prompted a Scripps study supported by NOAA, which found that these barrels were leaking caustic alkaline waste. This bill would support important research and coordination on the scope and impacts of the dumped covered waste in the San Pedro Basin and the potential of bioremediation, as well as require a report to Congress after 3 years. The bill would also establish a grant program for academic and research institutions to study the mapping, movement, breakdown, and bioaccumulation of contaminants. Due to slow degradation, DDT is an ongoing hazard to humans and wildlife, with bioaccumulation found in sea lions, dolphins, bottom- feeding fish, and condors. Supporting further research is crucial to addressing the impacts of the toxic waste dumping. ____________________

Referenced legislation: S5563