Bill to fund infrastructure at ports, coasts clears Senate

The U.S. Senate has given its stamp of approval to legislation that empowers the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to tackle critical projects to enhance the nation’s maritime networks, coastal defenses and flood mitigation systems.

The Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) sailed through the Senate without a dissenting vote. Advocates of the bill, S. 4367, have highlighted its potential to fortify America’s water-related infrastructure while simultaneously bolstering economic vitality.

“WRDA 2024 represents a concerted effort to safeguard these vital assets against climate threats, while fostering ecosystem restoration and propelling water resources research forward,” Tom Carper (D-Del.), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, said in a press release.

The WRDA was first enacted in the late 1960s and has been updated every two years since 2014. The latest updates address challenges associated with aging facilities and escalating environmental challenges.

The legislation authorizes several new feasibility studies for locally proposed projects and approves a number of projects that have already been reviewed by the Army Corps of Engineers. It also includes provisions that change Army Corps policies to streamline project timelines and make it easier to access permit information.

It also establishes a program to guide non-federal government agencies and private companies through the labyrinth of Corps resources for project studies and construction, which would streamline the process for state and local governments working on their own projects in collaboration with the Corps.

While many of the bill’s provisions would take immediate effect upon enactment, the timeline for specific projects will depend on funding allocation and the intricacies of each undertaking.

A version of the bill already passed through the U.S. House of Representatives in July. The house version laid out 161 specific feasibility studies and 12 projects that would be authorized if passed. The bill also reauthorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Dam Safety Program through 2028 and strengthens the High Hazard Potential Dam program, enhancing safety measures for critical infrastructure.

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