SE North Carolina News

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-NC-07) joined Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders in announcing a Committee markup of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), legislation they will introduce when the House of Representatives is next in session on Tuesday. As Chairman of the Subcommittee, Rouzer played a key role in drafting this legislation and securing priorities specific to Southeastern North Carolina such as flood resiliency and beach renourishment projects.

The markup of the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. (ET) on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building.

This legislation provides authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to carry out critical water resources development projects and studies. Regular consideration of locally-driven, rigorously-studied, and nationally-significant water resources infrastructure is key to preserving our nation’s economy, strengthening U.S. and international commerce, protecting our communities and businesses during natural disasters, and maintaining our quality of life.

“The Water Resources Development Act is very important legislation necessary to ensure that the country’s water resources needs are addressed on a consistent bi-partisan basis," said Chairman Rouzer. "Whether urban or rural, inland or coastal, this bill is critical to ensuring solutions to these challenges are achieved in our communities nationwide. Of particular importance to my constituents in North Carolina’s Seventh Congressional District are the coastal restoration and nourishment projects, which mitigate damage from frequent coastal storms, as well as the projects addressing inland and coastal flooding to help protect property and families from flood risk. Since 2014, Congress has enacted a WRDA bill every two years with strong bipartisan support. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources & Environment, I’m honored to have helped lead the effort in crafting a very good bill that keeps with our institutional bi-partisan tradition."

“Congress’ regular passage of WRDA legislation provides economic benefits throughout the United States, and this bill includes provisions to deliver infrastructure projects faster, strengthen our supply chain, and increase accountability at the Corps,” said Chairman Graves. “This important bill will make our ports more competitive globally, allow our inland waterways to more efficiently move products and commodities to markets, and better protect our communities from flooding – something that’s particularly important for the people of North Missouri where we’re bordered by the mighty Mississippi River and the muddy Missouri River. Thankfully, this bill takes a big step forward in advancing flood control and navigation on both of these rivers which are a lifeline for our communities and the country. I want to thank Representatives Larsen, Rouzer, and Napolitano for working with me to gather over 1,900 requests from Members of Congress and the stakeholder community developing this bipartisan legislation to deliver water resources improvements throughout the nation."

“The sixth consecutive bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) will invest in ports harbors inland waterways across the country to create sustain jobs boost U.S. economy,” Ranking Member Larsen said.“It will build on a decade consistent work strengthen flood control wastewater stormwater infrastructure keeping people healthy communities protected Critically WRDA 2024 help communities increase resiliency amid emerging challenges including prolonged droughts severe storms The bill also bolsters early engagement disadvantaged rural Tribal ensuring access Corps’ expertise often-overlooked I thank Chairman Sam Graves Subcommittee Ranking Member Napolitano Subcommittee Chairman Rouzer their leadership advancing this legislation make infrastructure cleaner greener more resilient"

“I am so grateful spent past years working leaders such as Chairman Graves Ranking Member Larsen Chairman Rouzer draft bipartisan WRDA legislation,” said Ranking Member Napolitano.“We thank many Members brought important ideas Committee provided foundation instrumental water infrastructure WRDA again sets policies creates programs provide nation flood control environmental improvements maritime transportation pleased WRDA 2024 make water supply primary mission U.S Army Corps Engineers order use existing new Corps resources effectively provide local"

WRDA 2024 authorizes new feasibility studies locally proposed projects thoroughly reviewed culminated final report Congress approval Chief Engineers Director Civil Works

WRDA 2024 North Carolina priorities championed Congressman Rouzer include:

Advancing National Coastal Mapping Program North Carolina Pilot Program: In WRDA Congressman Rouzer secured authorization establish innovative program map inland coastal waterways identify potential hazards debris sedimentation leading increased flood risk

In WRDA Congressman Rouzer secured authorization carry out National Coastal Mapping Program provide recurring national mapping along coasts prevent risk

Clarifying Local Use Dredged Material Placement Sites: For years municipalities businesses dredged canals marinas nearby areas referred spoil sites Since creation Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Corps indefinite access simultaneously use spoil sites However guidance effectively prohibited nonfederal entities disposing materials authorized even decades result could not access despite fact did not use them Congressman provision clarify ability entities sites

Improving Flood Resiliency Coastal Storm Risk Management: WRDA authorizes study protection restoration shorelines riverbanks erosion damaging forces worked specifically include:

Flood risk management feasibility studies Jackeys Creek Northeast Cape Fear Black Highway between serves main transportation route Burgaw outlying areas Pender County Feasibility study beach renourishment Bald Head Island

Authorizing UNCW Work U.S Army Corps: Congressman provision add list authorized institutions higher education eligible conduct academic research alongside allows join efforts researching mitigation resiliency resource ecology quality aquatic ecosystem restoration Supporting Environmental Infrastructure Program: authorized allows conduct improvement subject availability funds secured additional funding continue participating activities wastewater treatment strengthening drinking environmental improving stormwater Strengthening Local Within included authorize Town Fairmont replacement oldest lines believed installed original system much remaining material passed useful service poses ongoing maintenance concern Expediting Surf City Project Topsail renourishment project funded Construction Account Disaster Relief Act withdrew triggering need authorize Surf City-only project Disaster Relief funds language expedite report allowing project move forward legislative text information