The Senate has reauthorized the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) in a unanimous Aug. 1 vote, authorizing over $9.8 billion for water infrastructure projects nationwide and more than 80 feasibility studies.
The WRDA reauthorization, renewed every two years, ensures that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has the necessary funding to continue ongoing projects and commence new ones as requested by Congress.
The House passed its WRDA 359–13 on July 22. The Senate Environment & Public Works Committee and House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee will collaborate to reconcile differences and present a unified bill for approval when Congress reconvenes after the August recess.
Senate Environment & Public Works Committee Chair Tom Carper (D-Del.) stated, “This bill addresses the diverse water resources needs of our nation and directs the Army Corps of Engineers to continue its work to make our communities more resilient in the face of extreme weather.”
The bill, S. 4367, is officially named ‘The Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024’ in honor of Carper, a former two-term governor of Delaware retiring after 24 years in the Senate.
A 14-page list of authorized projects includes increased funding for drinking water and wastewater projects, coastal erosion prevention, canal bridge replacements in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and a drought emergency pilot project in California and Arizona.
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Chair Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) emphasized the importance of the WRDA in preparing for and responding to drought conditions, particularly in Arizona.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) highlighted the significance of the WRDA for West Virginia, detailing various Army Corps projects in the state to benefit constituents, including flood control, water quality improvements, dam modifications, and feasibility studies.
Capito emphasized that the WRDA will strengthen water infrastructure, support the national economy, enhance flood protection, and assist the Corps in fulfilling its mission now and in the future.
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