Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the inclusion of federal funds for repairs to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in the fiscal year 2020 Department of Defense funding bill. China Lake sustained damage from two major earthquakes earlier this year.

            “I’m pleased we were able to secure $585 million for repairs to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in this year’s Defense funding bill. These funds are a much-needed first tranche of what will ultimately be needed to repair the nearly $4 billion worth of damage the base sustained in two earthquakes earlier this year.

            “The base is a one-of-a-kind facility that’s critical to the Navy’s mission. I am told there are no other options but to rebuild China Lake.

            “A total of 230 buildings were damaged, of which 84 need to be replaced completely. These initial funds will start repairs while we work to secure additional funds for the buildings that need to be rebuilt.

            “I thank the Senate Appropriations Committee for including this funding, and the Navy and Ridgecrest Mayor Peggy Breeden for their advocacy in getting this done so quickly after the earthquakes struck.”

Background

• Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake sustained an estimated $4 billion in damage from two major earthquakes in July 2019.

• The earthquakes damaged 230 buildings, of which 144 are in need of repair and 84 must be replaced entirely.

• The $585 million in federal funding is intend to repair existing structures and replace specialized equipment damaged by the disaster. Additional funding for new construction is expected later this year in a separate appropriations bill.

• Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake currently employs more than 4,000 civilian and military personnel. It hosts 40 major laboratories on 6 million square feet of labs and facilities.