UPDATED: U.S. Senate EPW Committee and House T&I Committee pass WRDA 2024, legislation awaits further action
Author
Charlotte Mitchell Duyshart
Upcoming Events
Related News
Key Takeaways
What is WRDA?
Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) legislation is the authorizing legislation for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). WRDA allows the Corps to conduct studies, construct projects and research activities to improve U.S. waterways. Since 2014, WRDA legislation has passed in a biennial cycle.
House
On June 26, the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) passed the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 (H.R. 8812) in a bipartisan 61-2 vote. WRDA 2024 now awaits consideration by the full House.
The House WRDA bill authorizes $9.8 billion for 160 feasibility studies and 12 new or modified construction projects.
The House WRDA 2024 bill contains many provisions that are beneficial to counties such as:
- Directing the Corps to track NEPA documents for water resource projects for water resource projects through their online permitting dashboard
- Creating a new initiative to assist non-federal project sponsors such as counties in accessing Corps resources
- Creating a pilot program allowing non-federal sponsors to carry out projects under the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) through alternative delivery methods
Senate
On May 22, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) passed the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 (S. 4367) in a bipartisan 19-0 vote. WRDA 2024 now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
WRDA 2024 authorizes $3 billion for 81 feasibility studies and 8 new or modified construction projects. The WRDA 2024 legislation differs from previous WRDAs as the primary focus is to implement ongoing projects from previous WRDAs rather than creating new Army Corps policy.
WRDA 2024 contains many provisions that are beneficial to counties including:
- Directing the Corps to develop and execute a plan to fully implement projects in previous WRDAs
- Directing the Corps to educate non-federal sponsors such as counties, about operations, maintenance, repair, replacement and rehabilitation responsibilities
- Improving the Corps’ online permit finder resource to provide up to date information on the status of project permits
- Increasing federal cost share for inland waterway projects from 65 percent to 75 percent of the costs
- Increasing the maximum amount of funds the Corps may contribute under the existing Continuing Authorities Program (CAP)
What’s next for WRDA?
The House and Senate WRDA bills are eligible to be heard by their full respective chamber. However, the timeline remains unclear as there are a limited number of legislative days remaining during this election year. NACo will update this blog as more information becomes available.
Additional information
Resource
Support Authorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)
Related News
U.S. Department of Energy announces cancellation of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors
On August 12, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced it would not continue the designation process for three proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs). The cancellation means that DOE is not actively considering any NIETCs, which preempt state and county siting authority for energy infrastructure.
U.S. EPA releases guidance for compliance with lead pipe removal requirements
On August 21, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released additional guidance for water systems to comply with the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LRCI). The guidance comes as water systems face a November 1, 2027, deadline to complete a baseline inventory of water service line materials and begin replacing service lines. The guidance provides further directions on how to assess, identify and access service lines to comply with the rule.
Supreme Court allows executive order limiting mail-in ballots to move forward
The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision to allow the Trump administration to move forward with its Executive Order 14399 directing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to compile official U.S. citizenship lists to be used in voter citizenship verification and the U.S. Postal Service to impose new mail-in ballot restrictions.