Hartzler supports WRDA Legislation

Congresswoman Hartzler (MO-04) supported final passage S. 1811, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020, as amended, to advance investment in our nation’s water infrastructure and inclusion of critical provisions important to Missourians. The legislation is now headed to the President’s desk and includes provisions championed by Hartzler. Following the vote, Hartzler issued the following statement:

“Ensuring proper investment in water resources, infrastructure, and development brings us one step closer to better river management and increases the movement of essential products. The bipartisan passage of this bill is increasingly important for Missouri, as we rank 10th in the nation for miles of inland navigable waterways. Our communities are ready to see the impacts of this bill as Missourians recover from recent flooding, seek to better flood control techniques for the future, and ensure navigability of the Missouri River,” Hartzler said.

The 2020 WRDA impacts Missouri communities through the following provisions:

*Decreases the local cost share burden for projects funded through the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, which would allow for expedited completion of lock and dam projects and long-term savings,

*Authorizes two land conveyances from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to the city of Clinton, Missouri, to expand local community facilities,

*Provides new authority to study, design, and construct water resources projects for communities that have experienced repetitive flooding events and have received emergency flood fighting assistance under the Corps’ P.L. 84-99 program,

*Bolsters the Lower Missouri River Basin Flood Risk and Resiliency Study,

*Prioritizes Flood Risk Resiliency Technical Assistance for Economically Disadvantaged and Rural Communities,

*Require the Corps to submit a report to Congress on the effects of any Missouri River interception-rearing complex (IRC) on flood risk management and navigation.

“I worked closely with relevant stakeholders and Congressional colleagues to ensure a prohibition on further IRC construction was included until the USACE can further evaluate the need to spend millions of dollars along the Missouri River. Previously, several dozen shallow chutes were built in the river and later proven ineffective for their intended purpose. We owe it to our environment, taxpayers, and all stakeholders to ensure USACE actions are science-backed, consistently monitored, and well planned,” Hartzler continued.

The Water Resources Development Act is reauthorized every two years to ensure local water resource needs are met and Congress retains proper USACE oversight in protecting and managing the nation’s 12,000 miles of navigable waterways. Missouri alone is home to over 1,000 miles of navigable inland waterways, moving nearly 40 million tons of product annually. Nearly 80 percent of all traded goods pass through our nation’s ports, harbors, and inland waterways, further proving the importance of investing in water infrastructure.

For further information, contact Danny Jativa in the Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-2876 or at danny.jativa@mail.house.gov.