Water Resources Development Act Moves to Congress

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018 for renewal. Reviewed every two years, the act needs to be approved by Congress next and includes key legislation for improving flood protection and water infrastructure across the U.S.

WRDA was established in 2014 under the Water Resources Reform and Development Act and authorizes proposed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) water infrastructure projects. The 2018 legislation includes a lengthy list of projects ranging from flood control, beach erosion control, shoreline protection and environmental protection, according to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Key projects include storm water capture and reuse in California, the long-anticipated Lake Okeechobee Reservoir in Florida, and the Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Project in North Carolina. 

“WRDA is critical for providing flood protection, ecosystem restoration, port improvements and water supply opportunities for our local communities,” said Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Grace Napolitano. “I am particularly pleased that this bill includes provisions that will help drought-prone regions like California expand their water supply options with cost-effective storm water capture and water recycling projects.”