WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Joe Courtney voted to pass the final Water Resources Development Act of 2024. The bill includes several priorities Rep. Courtney fought for, including a bipartisan proposal to support Naval Submarine Base New London and enable future Virginia Class submarine missions.

As the Submarine Base continues its modernization and waterfront recapitalization plan to homeport the next generation of Virginia Class submarines, known as Block V and Block VI, which will be 84-fleet longer than the current Virginia Class submarines, existing piers must be extended to homeport these larger vessels. Rep. Courtney's provision enables construction to extend Pier 8 by transferring a certain portion of the Thames River Channel from the Army Corps of Engineers to the U.S. Navy, as the scope of the project would extend beyond Submarine Base-managed property.

"Good news for SUBASE New London and the Virginia Class submarine program. Expanding the Navy's control of the Thames River for the Virginia Class submarines enabled with Virginia Payload Modules is a strong commitment by Congress to the 'enduring' mission of SUBASE NEW LONDON. Block V and Block VI submarines are the future of the fleet, and this bill, which will soon be enacted by President Biden, aligns the base's perimeter to be able to home port them while they are on patrol well into the 2060s," said Rep. Joe Courtney, Ranking Member of the House Seapower Subcommittee. "From reducing invasive species in the CT River to protecting our watersheds and shorelines, the bill will also make significant progress to protect and strengthen eastern Connecticut's waterways and ecosystems."

The Water Resources Development Actpassed today reflects the final, negotiated text between the House and the Senate following months of negotiations to reconcile the differences between the versions that each chamber passed last summer. The Senate is expected to follow the House's lead and pass the bill in the next week and send it to President Biden's desk for signature.

The bill also includes critical provisions to protect Connecticut's waterways, ports, and ecosystems:

1. Wastewater and Drinking Water: Rep. Courtney secured an authorization of $25M for Environmental Infrastructure for water and wastewater infrastructure in East Lyme and $25M for Environmental Infrastructure frow water and wastewater infrastructure in East Hampton.

2. Reducing Invasive Species: Rep. Courtney secured a provision to ensure the hydrilla plaguing the CT River is addressed by the US Army Corp of Engineers.

3. Reducing Hazards to Shorelines: The bill adds Connecticut's shoreline to a list of regions that receive more federal resources from the US Army Corps of Engineers to carry out projects and studies to reduce damages from floods, hurricanes, and storms.

4. Prioritizing Watersheds: The bill adds Connecticut River Watershed to a list of regions prioritized to receive federal support from US Army Corps of Engineers to address needs related to flood damage, sea level rise, and more.

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