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
White House Releases Budget Request for FY 2027: Top Highlights for Counties
On April 3, the White House released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget request, outlining the administration's proposals for budgetary spending for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026. The President’s budget requests cutting non-defense discretionary funding by 10 percent, or $73 billion. This budget proposal reflects the administration’s priorities but is unlikely to be passed in its current form and will need to be approved by Congress to be implemented.
Gulf counties receive more than $92 million in revenue sharing from offshore energy projects
On March 27, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue sharing from Gulf energy projects, including more than $92 million which will be distributed directly to 42 coastal counties and parishes and Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. The revenue is generated from offshore oil and gas projects on the federally managed Gulf Outer Continental Shelf, and a portion is redirected to states and counties.
U.S. Department of Transportation announces newest round of Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant opportunities
On March 27, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) posted a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. Almost $1 billion is available for distribution under the grant program, which supports safety planning and improvement projects on locally owned transportation networks.