Posted on July 24, 2024
The Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), H.R. 8812, was overwhelmingly approved today by the U.S. House of Representatives, by a vote of 359 to 13.
WRDA authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Civil Works Program for projects to improve the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure. These are locally-driven projects that also deliver regional and national benefits for strengthening the nation’s global competitiveness and supply chain, growing the economy, moving goods throughout the country, protecting communities from flooding, and more.
H.R. 8812 was introduced in the House by T&I Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), T&I Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-NC), and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Grace Napolitano (D-CA).
“WRDA delivers critical water resource infrastructure improvements for communities across America – from ports to levees to navigation channels, and more. The bill also makes policy and programmatic reforms to streamline processes, reduce cumbersome red tape, and get projects done faster,” said Chairman Graves. “I’m particularly proud that this bill charts a new path forward for systemic flood control on the Upper Mississippi River, takes significant steps towards ensuring flood control and navigation are the top priorities on the Missouri River, helps shore up the PL 84-99 program to better help states and local communities after floods, and provides long-overdue reforms to move rural projects forward.”
“Biennial passage of the Water Resources Development Act is necessary to ensure the country’s water resources needs are addressed on a consistent basis,” said Chairman Rouzer. “This bipartisan legislative package improves our nation’s ports, harbors, and inland navigation networks while strengthening U.S. and international commerce and enhancing protection of communities during national disasters. The provisions of this bill impact every facet of our water resources across the country, making a better life for every American. I look forward to its enactment upon reconciliation with the Senate.”
WRDA is also supported by numerous stakeholders, including those found listed here.
H.R. 8812 authorizes 161 new feasibility studies for locally proposed projects and 12 projects that have been thoroughly reviewed by the Corps and have culminated in a final report to Congress with approval by the Chief of Engineers or the Director of Civil Works.
The bill also makes commonsense Corps reforms that empower the non-federal project sponsors, increase project transparency, and improve project delivery. Provisions in WRDA will strengthen existing alternative delivery processes and create similar alternative delivery methods within the continuing authorities program (CAP) for smaller projects. The bill requires the Corps to track National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents for water resource projects through their online permitting dashboard. And the legislation creates a new initiative to assist non-federal interests in accessing resources at the Corps to get new projects studied and constructed.
In addition, the legislation reauthorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) National Dam Safety Program through 2028 and makes changes to strengthen the High Hazard Potential Dam program, including requiring that rehabilitated dams are maintained and appropriate floodplain management plans are in place.
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has developed and passed WRDA legislation on a bipartisan and biennial basis since 2014. WRDA 2024 maintains the regular consideration of this important infrastructure legislation, and it provides Congress the opportunity for input into the projects undertaken by the Corps.
Click here for more information on WRDA.
