House and Senate Finalize Water Infrastructure Package | Transport Topics

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Transportation policymakers on Capitol Hill finalized a comprehensive water infrastructure legislative package, paving the way for its end-of-the-year passage.

The biennial Water Resources Development Act 2024, which was approved in the House and Senate earlier this year, is designed to provide billions of dollars for the nation’s intricate network of ports, dams and canals.

The leadership of Congress’ transportation panels on Dec. 3 announced the conclusion of monthslong negotiations specific to WRDA’s long list of projects under the supervision of the Army Corps of Engineers.

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.), the WRDA bill’s lead sponsor, applauded policymakers’ recent arrival at a final version of the bill. “WRDA regularly delivers critical water resources infrastructure improvements for communities across America. This bill will lead to improved ports, levees, navigation channels, flood protection and more. WRDA also makes policy and programmatic reforms to streamline Corps processes, reduce cumbersome red tape and get projects done faster,” Graves said Dec. 3.

“Furthermore,” Graves added, “this agreement includes additional reforms advanced by our committee this Congress that will improve the utilization of public building office space, reduce the amount of taxpayer dollars wasted on empty federal buildings, and get federal workers back in the office.”

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.), the bill’s co-lead sponsor, pointed to the measure’s aim of improving supply chain connectivity nationwide. As he put it, “The timely passage of the Water Resources Development Act every two years is essential to ensuring the Army Corps of Engineers can continue to address the diverse water resource needs of our nation. And today, I’m pleased to say we are one step closer to getting this bill across the finish line.

“This legislation will advance projects that invest in our waterways and improve our quality of life. It also reauthorizes the Economic Development Administration for the first time in 20 years. Altogether, this package will drive our nation’s job growth, invest in American water infrastructure and supply chains, and protect our communities in the face of extreme weather. I’m deeply grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate for their hard work.”

The committees’ ranking members — Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) — also touted the WRDA announcement. Their support helped solidify requisite bipartisan backing for Congress’ biennial infrastructure bill. For Larsen, WRDA paves the way for the potential to “create jobs and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the nation’s ports,” he said.

Capito observed: “This bill will move our country forward by bolstering our infrastructure and strengthening our economy.”

Specifically, WRDA 2024 would approve projects under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps for flood mitigation, waterways restoration and port improvements.

There are nearly two dozen newly approved projects tucked in the bill. These include a $100 million flood risk management operation at the Tar-Pamlico River Basin in North Carolina and a $79 million coastal storm risk management program in Baltimore. Also, the measure would require a series of environmental review studies and reports about project delivery methodology. It also would direct federal agencies to examine the implementation of funds and the Government Accountability Office to review the effectiveness of key provisions in the law.

Congressional floor managers have yet to schedule a vote to clear the measure for the president’s desk. The White House has expressed its support for the bill.

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