Provide Long-Term Investment for Water Resources Navigation, Flood Control and Environmental Improvements 

Background:

• The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) would authorize water resources navigation, flood control and environmental projects for the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. Although WRDA was reenacted in November 2007, it took seven years and the first and only override of the Bush Administration to reauthorize this legislation. Enacting a WRDA 2008 will put this biennial legislation back on schedule and provide the nation with a comprehensive and modernized water resources schedule.

AGC Message:

• The Water Resources Development Act Should be Enacted on Schedule to Meet the Nation's Economic, Safety and Transportation Needs.  WRDA reaffirms the government's pledge to authorize, modify, and improve projects, programs, and policies protecting the nation from floods and keeping our waterways open to navigation. Regular authorizations of water resources development projects fulfill these important missions.

• Waterways Projects Grow the Economy.  Waterways programs foster economic development, facilitate trade and commerce, aid international competitiveness, stimulate employment, provide water recreation opportunities, enhance agricultural and industrial productivity, and augment our national defense. Historically, such programs have had numerous benefits - Flood damage reduction projects alone have prevented an estimated $706 billion in damages - an eight-to-one return on the Federal government's investment; and Operations and Maintenance work provides an average of $14.10 return for every dollar invested. In the Mississippi Valley and Tributary System, more than $24 in damages is saved for each dollar spent.

• Return “Trust” to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.  The President’s budget estimates that the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund will grow to $5.4 billion by the end of FY2009. It is time to create a budget mechanism guaranteeing that the Nation’s ports and harbor users see the user fees they pay annually invested in infrastructure improvements. Congress should enact legislation setting the obligation limitation each year equal to projected prior-year revenues in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. It is vital that this principal be included in the next WRDA bill.

• Oppose Efforts to Add Additional Layers of Regulation Designed to Create Impediments to Improving Waterways Infrastructure.  All waterways projects undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers already undergo unparalleled economic and environmental review. Corps environmental policies require a thorough cost/benefit analysis which seeks to maximize net national economic development benefits, consistent with protecting the environment. The data show that the Corps is meeting its obligations and complying with the law.

• Congress Must Regularly Authorize and Invest in New Waterways Projects to Secure our Nation.  Failure to properly invest in flood protection efforts, which have been underway since the late 1800's, have now left hundreds of thousands of homes, businesses and other critical infrastructure vulnerable to devastating floodwaters.

• 04/30/2008 - Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2008, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (The Water Resources Coalition Statement)

• AGC is a co-chair of The Water Resources Coalition.