Washington, D.C. -- Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved several pieces of legislation, including bills to help restore Lake Tahoe and the Delaware River Basin, and a measure to reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network. The Committee also approved several General Services Administration (GSA) resolutions. The measures now go to the full Senate for consideration.

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, said: "I am pleased this Committee passed bipartisan legislation today to help restore Lake Tahoe and protect other important water bodies. Lake Tahoe is one of the most treasured places in California and is vital for tourism in California and Nevada. It is critical that we continue to protect this important resource for our children and grandchildren. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we move forward with this legislation."

The legislation that was voted out of Committee today is listed below.

S. 432, Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2011

S. 432 is a bipartisan measure introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Boxer, that will advance the environmental restoration and forest management activities in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

S. 1266, the Delaware River Basin Act of 2011

S.1266, which was introduced by Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), establishes a Delaware River Basin Program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to conduct projects to restore the Delaware River basin.

S. 1296, A bill to revise the boundaries of John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System

S. 1296, introduced by Senator Whitehouse (D-RI), makes technical corrections to the boundaries of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) in Rhode Island.

S. 1740, Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Reauthorization Act

S. 1740, which was introduced by Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), reauthorizes the Chesapeake Bay Gateways grant program. This program encourages the conservation of the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the bay for future generations.

GSA Resolutions

The Committee approved 20 GSA resolutions.