diff --git a/.github/release-please.yml b/.github/release-please.yml
index ba18707fd..6db6b5089 100644
--- a/.github/release-please.yml
+++ b/.github/release-please.yml
@@ -30,5 +30,12 @@ branches:
       - >-
         google-cloud-bigtable/src/main/java/com/google/cloud/bigtable/Version.java
     branch: v2.6.x
+  - bumpMinorPreMajor: true
+    handleGHRelease: true
+    releaseType: java-backport
+    extraFiles:
+      - >-
+        google-cloud-bigtable/src/main/java/com/google/cloud/bigtable/Version.java
+    branch: 2.16.x
 extraFiles:
   - google-cloud-bigtable/src/main/java/com/google/cloud/bigtable/Version.java
diff --git a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
index 36d405479..f87129969 100644
--- a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
+++ b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
@@ -77,6 +77,23 @@ branchProtectionRules:
       - 'Kokoro - Test: Integration'
       - cla/google
       - OwlBot Post Processor
+  - pattern: 2.16.x
+    isAdminEnforced: true
+    requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
+    requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
+    requiresStrictStatusChecks: false
+    requiredStatusCheckContexts:
+      - dependencies (8)
+      - dependencies (11)
+      - lint
+      - clirr
+      - units (8)
+      - units (11)
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Integration'
+      - cla/google
+      - OwlBot Post Processor
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Java GraalVM Native Image'
+      - 'Kokoro - Test: Java 17 GraalVM Native Image'
 permissionRules:
   - team: yoshi-admins
     permission: admin