The “Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024” is set to pass with bipartisan support, addressing critical U.S. water infrastructure needs.
The legislation adjusts the federal cost-share for inland waterway construction and rehabilitation projects to 75%, reducing the share covered by the Inland Waterways Trust Fund to 25%. This change is expected to accelerate project timelines and lower costs, benefiting industries like agriculture, which relies heavily on barge transportation for exports.
The bill also authorizes significant investments, including $3.7 billion for flood risk management in Louisiana, $1.775 billion for storm resilience in New York City, and $1 billion for Everglades restoration.
Additionally, it includes provisions to deepen ports in Oakland, Tampa, and Baltimore, strengthening supply chain capacity. The WRDA bill funds over 21 major projects and more than $5 billion in smaller water and environmental initiatives, alongside 200 new studies by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Photo Credit: The University of Idaho
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