House Passes Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act

WASHINGTON, DC-Today, under the leadership of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO-06) and WaterResources and Environment Subcommittee ChairmanDavid Rouzer (R-NC-07), theWater Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 399-18.This legislationauthorizes projects within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Civil Works Program to improve the nation's ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure.

"After months of negotiations, the Water ResourcesDevelopment Act of 2024 represents a carefully crafted agreement across both chambers and parties,"said Chairman Rouzer."This bipartisan legislation enhances the efficiency of our ports, harbors, and inland navigation systems, bolsters both domestic and international commerce, and strengthens our resilience during natural disasters.I am grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and in the Senate, who helped deliver this commonsense legislation, which will have a lasting impact from coast to coast."

Background:

With more than 1,900 requests from Members and stakeholders,WRDA 2024authorizes more than 200 new feasibility studies for locally proposed projects and 22 projects which 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

As amended today, WRDA makes commonsense reforms to empower non-federal project sponsors, increase project transparency, and improve project delivery. These provisions will strengthen existing alternative delivery processes, which allows non-federal entities to take the lead on projects, and creates similar methods within the for smaller projects.The legislation also designated a Community Project Advisor at each Corps district to assist non-federal interests in accessing resources to get new projects studied and constructed.

Furthermore, the bill 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 and require rehabilitated dams have proper operations and maintenance plans in place.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has developed and passedWRDAlegislation on a bipartisan and biennial basis since 2014.WRDA 2024maintains the regular consideration of this important infrastructure legislation, and it provides Congress the opportunity for input into the projects undertaken by the Corps.

Click herefor the WRDA 2024 North Carolina wins championed by Congressman Rouzer.

Click herefor legislative text andformore informationon WRDA.