diff --git a/.github/release-please.yml b/.github/release-please.yml
index e8fcfe4c58..57c7d5135d 100644
--- a/.github/release-please.yml
+++ b/.github/release-please.yml
@@ -26,3 +26,7 @@ branches:
     handleGHRelease: true
     releaseType: java-backport
     branch: 2.6.x
+  - bumpMinorPreMajor: true
+    handleGHRelease: true
+    releaseType: java-backport
+    branch: 2.15.x
diff --git a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
index b8ed0d54ff..ea4e071d46 100644
--- a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
+++ b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
@@ -80,6 +80,23 @@ branchProtectionRules:
       - OwlBot Post Processor
       - 'Kokoro - Test: Java GraalVM Native Image'
       - 'Kokoro - Test: Java 17 GraalVM Native Image'
+  - pattern: 2.15.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
diff --git a/samples/snippets/src/main/java/com/example/storage/object/UploadObject.java b/samples/snippets/src/main/java/com/example/storage/object/UploadObject.java
index d1f88007dc..6fa796d62f 100644
--- a/samples/snippets/src/main/java/com/example/storage/object/UploadObject.java
+++ b/samples/snippets/src/main/java/com/example/storage/object/UploadObject.java
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 import com.google.cloud.storage.Storage;
 import com.google.cloud.storage.StorageOptions;
 import java.io.IOException;
-import java.nio.file.Files;
 import java.nio.file.Paths;
 
 public class UploadObject {