Carbajal secures House support for Morro Bay Harbor repair legislation

By Staff Report · Mon Aug 17 2026

Rep. Salud Carbajal has secured language in federal water resources legislation aimed at ensuring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers repairs and maintains aging infrastructure that protects Morro Bay Harbor and nearby properties.

The provision is included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, which was approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on July 14 by a unanimous 66-0 vote.

The legislation directs the Army Corps of Engineers to repair and maintain Corps-built breakwaters, revetments and seawalls that have fallen into disrepair.

The revetments, which extend nearly 10,000 feet along Morro Bay's waterfront, were constructed in the 1940s when the harbor was created. They protect the Embarcadero, the Morro Rock parking lot, the boat launch area and other portions of the shoreline.

A 2024 assessment commissioned by the City of Morro Bay found many sections of the revetments to be in poor or critical condition, with preliminary repair estimates ranging from $26 million to $55 million.

“Congressman Carbajal is a strong champion for our city and our harbor,” said Morro Bay Mayor Carla Wixom. “Rep. Carbajal has worked for months to secure this legislation that will ensure our harbor remains open and safe for our commercial fishing industry, our recreational boaters, our residents, and our visitors.”

In addition to supporting commercial and recreational boating, Morro Bay Harbor serves as a base for the U.S. Coast Guard.

City officials said they are also advocating for similar legislation in the U.S. Senate and expect the measure to receive broad bipartisan support before being sent to the president for consideration.