Water Resources Development Act of 2024
The Committee is in the process of gathering information and input for developing and passing a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) later this Congress.
WRDA projects have national, regional, and local significance and help strengthen the nation’s global competitiveness, grow the economy, move goods throughout the country and abroad, protect communities, and create jobs. Congress has passed a bipartisan WRDA every two years since 2014.
WRDAs provide Members of Congress the opportunity to authorize U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works projects to improve the nation’s ports and harbors, the inland waterway navigation network, flood and storm protection, and other water resources infrastructure. These projects originate at the local level and go through a rigorous vetting process before they may be considered for inclusion in a WRDA. Without WRDAs, Congress would have no input into the infrastructure projects undertaken by the Corps. This legislation also provides Congress the opportunity to address program and policy reforms for the Corps’ Civil Works Program.
WRDA projects typically require two separate types of authorization: (1) the authority to study the feasibility of a project, followed by (2) the authority to construct, operate, and/or maintain the project. Completed feasibility studies are submitted to Congress in the form of a Chief’s Report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chief of Engineers. If the results and recommendations contained in the Chief’s Report are favorable, construction authorization is typically included in WRDA. The costs for feasibility studies and construction are split between a non-federal sponsor and the Corps.
WRDA Resources
Hearings:
January 11, 2024 - Proposals for s Water Resources Development Act of 2024: Members' Day Hearing
December 13, 2023 - Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2024: Stakeholder Priorities
December 5, 2023 - Water Resources Development Acts: Status of Past Provisions and Future Needs
Chief's Reports:
Memphis Metropolitan Stormwater - North DeSoto County Feasibility Study, DeSoto County, Mississippi, Flood Risk Management and Ecosystem Restoration
South Shore Staten Island, Fort Wadesworth to Oakwood Beach, Richmond County, New York, Coastal Storm Risk Management
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Coastal Resilience Study, Brazoria and Matagorda Counties, TX
St. Johns County, Florida, Ponte Vedra Beach Coastal Storm Risk Management
Baltimore Harbor Anchorages and Channels Modification of Seagirt Loop Channel, City of Baltimore, MD, Deep Draft Navigation
Rhode Island Coastline, Rhode Island, Coastal Storm Risk Management
University City Branch, River Des Peres, Missouri, Final General Reevaluation Report (ORR) with Integrated Environmental Assessment, University City, St. Louis County, Missouri, Flood Risk Management
Reports to Congress on Future Water Resources Development (7001 Reports):
2024 Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development
2023 Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development
2022 Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development
2021 Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development
2020 Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development
2019 Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development
2018 Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development
2017 Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development
2016 Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development
2015 Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development
Additional Resources:
December 11, 2023 Dear Colleague WRDA 2024 Submissions Now Open
November 9, 2023 Dear Colleague Outlining Upcoming WRDA Schedule and Processes
