This summary of the WRRDA agreement is dated 19 May 2014. It is from Congressional Quarterly.
Formatted version:
Download CQ_Conference_Summary_No_113_WRRDA
Word doc:
Download CQ_House_Action_Reports_WRRDA
Water Projects Agreement
This Conference Summary describes the conference agreement on HR 3080, Water Resources Reform and Development Act.
The agreement authorizes 34 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water-resource-related activities — including port dredging, inland locks and dams, and flood control projects — costing an estimated $12 billion, but requires the deauthorization of at least $18 billion in previously authorized projects. It significantly modifies the procedures for selecting, reviewing and building water projects by creating a new process for water project approval, limiting to three years the period in which feasibility studies must be completed and streamlining the environmental review and permitting process, and allowing greater participation by non-federal interests in water resource development and operation.
The measure provides for increased expenditures from the industry-financed Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund in an effort to reduce the backlog of port and harbor projects, and requires a review of possible ways to increase revenue collections for financing projects on the inland waterways. It also creates two pilot programs intended to promote innovative financing of water projects and attract new non-federal investments.
The agreement has broad, bipartisan support; the House is scheduled to consider it Tuesday [20 May 2014] under suspension of the rules.
Here are summary and highlights from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee:
Enjoy!
"If only you know it, you care about it. If only you care about it, you love it. If only you love it, you will take actions to protect it." - Chinese villager, talking about the polluted Dian Lake (thanks to Andrea Carson)
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