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“WRDA delivers critical water resource infrastructure improvements for communities across America," said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.), the bill’s primary sponsor. (Al Drago/Bloomberg News)

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A bill to promote the efficiency of commercial waterway infrastructure projects and supply chain connectivity was easily passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on July 22.

By a vote of 359 to 13, the Republican-led chamber advanced the biennial Water Resources Development Act 2024 to the Senate.

Senior transportation policymakers say they intend to arrive at a final version of the bill before the end of the year. Senators have yet to schedule a floor vote on their committee-passed version.

The House bill would aim to enhance supply chain operations through modifications and upgrades of legacy infrastructure pertaining to ports, dams, waterways, canals and locks. The bill also would reauthorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s national dam safety program, and it would update aspects of a federal environmental permitting system. Overall, it would authorize 160 feasibility studies.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oversees most construction and maintenance of key water infrastructure projects nationwide.

“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 Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.), the bill’s primary sponsor. “I’m particularly proud that this bill charts a new path forward for systemic flood control on the upper Mississippi River.”

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Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.), WRDA’s co-lead sponsor, added: “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.” Rouzer is chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee.

The bill’s House passage occurred weeks after the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved its bipartisan version. EPW Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.), WRDA’s co-lead sponsor in the Senate, told Transport Topics that he expected the legislation to reach the Senate floor relatively soon.

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According to background information the EPW panel provided, the Senate bill would authorize 81 feasibility studies and eight new or modified construction projects. “This bill directs the [Army] Corps to expedite the completion of several ongoing studies and projects,” per the background.

Endorsing the measure are groups like the Agricultural Retailers Association, the American Association of Port Authorities and the American Society of Civil Engineers. In a statement provided by the EPW panel, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce indicated, “WRDA ensures this network keeps pace with economic growth and user demand by providing strategic investments to enhance navigation, manage flood risk, build resilience and maintain our inland waterways.” The National Association of Counties observed: “Counties play a critical role in developing and managing our nation’s water infrastructure, including ports, waterways and safe drinking water systems. The bipartisan Water Resources and Development Act of 2024 provides stability and certainty to fulfill our water infrastructure responsibilities.”

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