House passes water resources legislation 

 

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to approve the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) by a vote of 417 to 3.  PNWA applauds the House for passing this important legislation and we are especially grateful to our Northwest Congressional delegation for their unanimous support for this bill.   

 

Seventeen out of the 24 amendments considered were passed, including two regarding the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) and one regarding Section 214.  The approved Manager's Amendment proposes to further expand use of Section 214 to natural gas companies, adding to the initial bill's expansion of the authority to public utility companies.  The House bill continues to have Section 214 permanence language.  The Senate bill passed in May also had 214 permanence language.  This represents the first time both chambers have endorsed permanence for this important authority.

 

Rep. Lowenthal's (D-CA) amendment regarding HMTF requires consideration of "expanded uses" in the assessment and prioritization of O&M reports sent to Congress.  Rep. Brownley's (D-CA) amendment requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the effectiveness of activities funded by HMTF in maximizing economic development in communities surrounding low use projects.  We will evaluate how these amendments will affect our Northwest projects. 

 

PNWA previously reported our thoughts surrounding the bill.  We will be working closely with the Corps, our Northwest Congressional delegation, the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee as the bill is conferenced later this year.  For more information, please contact Heather Stebbings.