Late last week, a group of Congressional lawmakers reached a bipartisan agreement on the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) conference report.

“We are proud to deliver what the American public wants and needs,” said Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Senator David Vitter (R-LA), EPW Committee Ranking Member, and Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV), Transportation Committee Ranking Member in a statement. “This conference report maintains ports and navigation routes for commerce and the movement of goods, provides flood control that protects lives and property, and restores vital ecosystems to preserve our natural heritage. This important measure will strengthen our Nation’s infrastructure and keep America competitive in the global marketplace.”

Senate EPW Committee officials said that this week the necessary paperwork will be finalized to allow the bill to go before the House and Senate for final passage, with more details to follow when the House T&I Committee’s WRRDA (Water Reform Resource Development Act) conference report is filed.

The legislation authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to undertake water resources projects – including flood control, navigation, ecosystem restoration, water supply and energy management – under their jurisdiction. It also contains innovative financing measures such as Public Private Partnerships and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) as pilot programs.The Senate’s WRDA contains the WIFIA as its Title XI. WIFIA would make low-interest federal loans for large water infrastructure projects available in communities across the U.S. 

The full text of the bill will be available this Thursday afternoon, May 15. In the meantime, see the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee’s related press release dated May 8.