Advocacy

Support S. 601, The Water Resources Development Act of 2013

Background:

On May 15, the Senate overwhelmingly passed S. 601 – the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (WRDA). WRDA will help provide funding to address our nation’s aging navigational system of inland waterways, coastal harbors and ports, locks and dams, and flood control protections. It will also provide funding for the restoration of many critical environmental areas in our country.

The benefit of adequately investing in America’s water resources infrastructure speaks for itself. In 2010, our inland waterway system carried over 556 million tons of freight valued at more than $180 billion.  The average cost savings of $11 per ton compared with other modes of transportation means the efficiency of waterway transportation saved the nation $6.2 billion in transportation costs in 2010 alone. Investments in flood control projects have prevented an estimated $22.3 billion in average annual damages from coastal and river-line flooding. These projects have prevented an estimated $706 billion in flooding damages and saved countless lives in the last 25 years.

The bill’s project authorization process will modernize and quicken the approval process for these critical project investments.  In addition, further leveraging government funds for water infrastructure projects through the bill’s innovative financing pilot project program can help our nation meet its water infrastructure improvement needs. The bill also includes a commitment to help ensure that the nation’s harbor and port navigation channels are fully maintained by expending Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund revenues for their authorized and intended purpose.

Action on WRDA now moves to the House, where close to half of the members were not in Congress for the last WRDA reauthorization in 2007.  AGC has already begun its efforts to help these new congressmen understand the importance of adequately funding and streamlining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works program through WRDA.

Action Needed:

Please take a moment to write a letter thanking your Senators who voted “yes” on the bill and expressing disappoint to the senators who voted “no”.

Step One:

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