Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) Approved in Transportation Committee

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA) was unanimously approved in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced on Monday by Ranking Member Sam Graves (MO-06) and his colleagues on the Committee, the bipartisan bill now heads to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

"Throughout the United States, nearly every community relies on ports somewhere in the supply chain to get the products its people need, on inland waterways to move the commodities it makes and grows, or on flood protection infrastructure to safeguard homes and businesses.

America's inland water transportation networks and flood protection infrastructure is especially important to my home State of Missouri, where we experienced devastating floods in 2019 – dangers that continue to threaten many of the same areas a year later…. Ultimately, WRDA 2020 will help keep America competitive, provide a foundation for job growth, foster a more robust economy, and protect our communities for years to come," Graves said at today's hearing.

The legislation, which deals with America's water infrastructure, contains many important provisions to North Missouri including expanding work on a Lower Missouri River Basin Flood Risk and Resiliency Plan, changes to the PL 84-99 non-federal levee program to enhance flood protection, further prohibition of Interception-Rearing Complex's (IRC's), and changes to the Inland Waterways Trust Fund cost-share which would help make repairs and upgrades to locks and dams on the Mississippi River, along with several other provisions critical to flood control and navigation.

You can read more about the provisions beneficial to North Missouri here. Additional information about the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 can be found here.

What They Are Saying:

Tom Waters, a Missouri River bottomland farmer from Orrick, Missouri and Chairman of the Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association: "We are pleased to see the 2020 Water Resources Development Act moving forward and marked-up today in the House. The Missouri Levee and Drainage District Association has worked with the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Staff and Missouri Representatives on both sides of the aisle to include provisions relating to the Missouri River. We are especially grateful for the work Ranking T&I Committee Member Congressman Sam Graves did to push priorities relating to the Missouri River. Those living and working along the Missouri River have been devastated by flooding. They know and understand the need for flood control infrastructure improvements along the River. With Congressman Graves' leadership, the bill marked-up today includes the first steps of the planning process for better flood control along the Missouri River and we are excited to see it moving forward."

Lucy Fletcher, Business Development Manager, AGRIServices of Brunswick: "We are grateful for the continuing support from Congressman Graves. As Missourians, we are so fortunate that he's the ranking member of the T & I Committee. We live in an area with rich natural resources that continue to provide opportunities for a healthy growing economy because of our ability to grow food and work the land that was stabilized by those that came before us. The Flood Risk and Resiliency Study is critical for evaluating changes that have put our farmers and employees at risk during flood events. We're grateful that Congressman Graves listens and responds to these needs."

Lynn Muench, Chair, Coalition to Protect the Missouri River (CPMR): "The Coalition to Protect the Missouri River (CPMR) appreciates Congressman Graves' continued leadership to protect flood control and navigation on the Missouri River. WRDA 2020 will make federal agencies accountable as they build new structures like interception rearing complexes for recovery of the endangered pallid sturgeon. Congressman Graves' efforts will ensure that these structures achieve their intended purpose while not inducing harm to people who live and work alongside, or directly on the Missouri River. It also calls on the Corps to repair existing structures that are impacting flood control and navigation. Additionally, CPMR is pleased with WRDA's inclusion of the Lower Missouri Basin Flood Risk Study, which will expedite the process toward improved flood protection; making sure the damages we saw in 2019 are not repeated."

Blake Hurst, President, Missouri Farm Bureau President: "We greatly appreciate Congressman Sam Graves' leadership in drafting the 2020 Water Resources Development Act. His support and understanding of Missouri and Mississippi River issues gives hope to farmers, ranchers, and consumers who are affected by frequent flooding and aging infrastructure along these waterways. Missouri Farm Bureau looks forward to future collaboration with Congressman Graves and his colleagues as this legislation moves forward."

Ronnie Russell, President, Missouri Soybean Association: "The U.S. farmer depends on an efficient transportation system to grow our competitiveness in the global marketplace. The inland waterways system is the most cost-efficient mode of transporting agriculture and agriculture-related products. Congressman Graves understands how more efficient transportation of products can provide a financial return on our farms. The Missouri Soybean Association applauds the hard work of Sam Graves, Ranking Member of the T&I Committee, to incorporate much needed provisions for the Inland Waterway Trust Fund."

###