House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to Consider Improvements to US Water Resources

With the introduction of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has signaled an interest in improving the nation’s ports, waterways, locks, dams, flood protection and ecosystem restoration efforts, among others.

If passed, the resolution would go hand in hand with consideration of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works activities, looking to make nationally significant water resource improvements more locally driven. The measure, introduced jointly by the committee’s leadership as H.R. 8, is set for a markup later this week.

“WRDA positively impacts every single state and district in the country,” Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) said. “This infrastructure is vital to moving goods throughout the country, from the products we all use in our daily lives, to the crops, resources, and goods we produce locally and send overseas in foreign commerce. WRDA works because it improves critical water resources infrastructure, strengthens the economy, and protects our communities.”

The legislation was introduced in conjunction with the 6th annual National Infrastructure Week. Lawmakers have also pointed to support from the nation’s water agencies as the process moves forward. Its necessity, they say, is in making sure projects reflect the urgency of the nation’s needs.

Those needs may also include a stricter interpretation of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.

“This legislation will authorize water infrastructure projects developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that will strengthen our coastal communities and our environment, and create and sustain jobs,” Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) said. “But more importantly, H.R. 8 includes my provision to ensure the funds collected in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund will be used for their intended purpose—harbor maintenance. This proposal, which was approved by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the last Congress, is just common sense. Unlocking the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is key to ensuring we’re not just adding to the $100 billion backlog of projects at the Corps of Engineers, but are actually using existing funds to make real investments in our Nation’s ports, harbors, and waterways.”

Source: Transportation Today