Senate committee to unveil water infrastructure bill to protect coasts, reduce flooding
(UC) — The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee announced plans to markup the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 on Wednesday.
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is a biennial legislation that authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers activities for flood control, navigation and ecosystem restoration.
Senate EPW Chair Tom Carper (D-Del.) will release a version of the WRDA that will include language to revamp the way the Corps addresses climate change and equity for disadvantaged, rural and tribal communities, E&E Daily reported.
“WRDA 2022 will help the Corps protect the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans and facilitate commerce throughout this country and internationally,” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.) said. “In addition to addressing national needs, this bill advances critical flood control projects for West Virginia and supports programs for water and wastewater services across the state. The EPW Committee continues to deliver quality legislation that will make a difference in communities across the country.”
The bill builds on historic infrastructure investments in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and past WRDA bills, authorizing protects in all 50 states, Carper said.
“This bipartisan bill provides new opportunities to address the maintenance needs of our small harbors, authorizes critical funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure assistance throughout the state, and puts Army Corps expertise to work in addressing the impacts of climate change on our coasts and river systems,” said Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.).
The bill would make it easier for small, rural and disadvantaged communities to access federal funds, E&E Daily reported. It would also create a science, technology, engineering and math outreach program to train and recruit workers from disadvantaged communities, the article states.
Click here to see the bill text.
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