Thursday, March 15, 2007
T&I Committee Approves WRDA Bill
Source: US House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
“This legislation gives the Army Corps the tools it needs to do a better job in meeting its responsibilities, and it provides some of the essential resources to restore the Gulf Coast region,” said Rep. James L. Oberstar (Minn.), Chairman of the Committee. “WRDA legislation has been considered in the last three Congresses, but not one bill has been enacted in the past six years. There is pent up demand and urgent need to address the nation’s water resources needs, and this legislation represents our investment in the future of the country.”
The bill:
- Reaffirms the commitment of the Committee to the nation’s water resources infrastructure, to addressing new water resources needs and to fine-tune the Army Corps’ missions and responsibilities.
- Authorizes 51 projects with Chief’s reports relating to flood damage reduction, navigation, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and environmental restoration, including the navigation and ecosystem restoration project for the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway system, an Everglades restoration project, and the program for protecting, conserving, and restoring the Louisiana Coastal area.
- Includes provisions for streamlining and expediting Army Corps’ project delivery and permits.
- Includes provisions for the improvement of the Army Corps’ planning and project development process, including independent peer review of larger and more controversial studies.
- Authorizes a number of smaller projects, project modifications, and investigations related to the Army Corps’ civil works program.
Chairman Oberstar has urged the Democratic Leadership to schedule the bill for Floor consideration before the April district work period, which begins on April 2.
Contact:
Mary Kerr
(202) 225-6260