Hartzler votes in support of WRDA

Congresswoman Hartzler (MO-04) supported H.R. 7575, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020 to advance investment in our nation’s water infrastructure and inclusion of critical provisions important to Missourians. The legislation includes provisions championed by Hartzler. Following the vote, Hartzler issued the following statement:

“Missouri is still recovering from the horrible flooding in 2019 and bipartisan passage of this bill is a sign of relief for the great Show Me State. Our communities are resilient, yet there is still a lot of work to be done to improve our flood control techniques. Ensuring proper investment in water resources, infrastructure, and development brings us one step closer to better river management and increases movement of essential products,” Hartzler said.

The 2020 WRDA supports additional opportunities for flood risk resiliency, provides needed support for our water infrastructure, reevaluates up to $10 billion in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USCAE) spending, prioritizes rural communities, and includes two land conveyances for the city of Clinton, Missouri, to expand local community facilities.

Along with the Hartzler-led initiatives, 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 on the Missouri River and long-term savings,

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’ Emergency Management Authority, such as the levee repair program.

Bolsters the Lower Missouri River Basin Flood Risk and Resiliency Study

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

Deauthorization of $10 billion of antiquated projects that for various reasons are no longer viable.

“Additionally, I worked closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure a prohibition on further intercepting-rearing complexes (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 cannot let history repeat itself with IRCs. We owe it to our environment, taxpayers, and all stakeholders to ensure USACE actions are science-based, consistently monitored, and well planned,” Hartzler continued.

The Water Resources Development Act is reauthorized biannually to ensure local water resource needs are met and Congress retains proper USACE oversight. Missouri plays an important role in protecting and managing the nation’s 12,000 miles of navigable waterways. 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.

“I look forward to working with my House and Senate colleagues to ensure these important provisions remain in the final version of the bill,” Hartzler concluded.