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House lawmakers to present WRDA project wish list

January 8, 2024   Energy & Environment News

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The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hear from lawmakers Thursday about their priorities for the Army Corps of Engineers and the upcoming Water Resources Development Act.

 

The committee and its Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment began gathering information to develop a new WRDA authorization late last year. The biennial legislation directs the Army Corps' work on flood control, navigation and ecosystem improvement.

 

Last month, the committee heard from representatives from the agency and advocates from different regional organizations. Now, the committee will hear about projects and studies that lawmakers would like to see approved and funded.

 

Lawmakers on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee have already highlighted some priorities.

 

T&I Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.), for example, said he'd like to see the act include flood control and navigation infrastructure for the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

 

Others have called for more funding for coastal areas to address rising seas and climate change. In November, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said funding for flood control through WRDA has historically been "biased" toward inland waterways, something he hopes to see change.

 

Lawmakers from both parties have said they expect to pass WRDA this year with bipartisan support, despite the divided Congress.

 

Schedule: The hearing is Thursday, Jan. 11, at 10 a.m. in 2167 Rayburn and via webcast.

 

Witnesses: Members of Congress.