WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today released the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022 with Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.), and Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.). WRDA authorizes key projects and studies to tackle water resources challenges across the country, including West Virginia. The bill also makes important revisions to the Civil Works policies and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to increase the agency’s responsiveness to national and local priorities. The Environment and Public Works Committee will consider the legislation at a business meeting on May 4, 2022.

“USACE continues to do amazing work, supporting new water resources infrastructure and improving existing projects. WRDA 2022 will help the Corps protect the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans and facilitate commerce throughout this country and internationally,” Ranking Member Capito 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.”

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WEST VIRGINIA WINS:

 WRDA advances critical projects and studies for flood risk management by:

  • Adjusting the cost share for the Lower Mud River flood control project (Milton, West Virginia) from 65% federal and 35% non-federal to 90% federal and 10% non-federal.
  • Increasing the maximum federal total project cost under the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) for streambank and shoreline protection from $5 million to $10 million. This supports critical riverbank stabilization projects such as those on the Kanawha River.
  • Urging USACE to expedite completion of the Bluestone Dam rehabilitation project.
  • Directing USACE to expedite completion of the Kanawha River Basin feasibility study for flood control. This will inform future projects that protect communities during events such as the 2016 flood.
  • Authorizing a feasibility study for rehabilitation of the Huntington Local Protection Project.

WRDA increases the effectiveness of existing programs for environmental infrastructure by:

  • Shifting the geographic footprint of the Section 340 and Section 571 environmental infrastructure programs to conform to West Virginia’s two congressional districts.
  • Expanding the types of assistance offered under the Section 510 program for the Chesapeake Bay to include wastewater and stormwater projects that contribute to the health of the Bay watershed in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle.

WRDA provides USACE with additional authorities to address future water resources needs by:

  • Focusing attention under USACE’s Floodplain Management Services Program on identification of flooding caused by debris.
  • Improving USACE’s Planning Assistance to States Program to increase technical assistance to all communities and states, prioritizing those that are improving their plans to protect citizens from events like the 2016 flood.

 

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