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Subcommittee to Convene Water Resources Infrastructure Roundtable in Coos Bay, Oregon This Week

Washington, D.C., April 17, 2018 | Justin Harclerode (202) 225-9446
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This Friday, April 20th, in Coos Bay, Oregon, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment will hold a roundtable policy discussion on challenges states and communities face in rebuilding and determining possible solutions to address America’s water infrastructure needs. 

Representatives from public and private stakeholder groups with an interest in water resources infrastructure will join Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Garret Graves (R-LA), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and other Committee members for the roundtable.

This roundtable is part of the Subcommittee’s work this Congress to develop the next Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to improve the country’s ports, locks and dams, inland waterways, and other water resources infrastructure.  The Subcommittee kicked off WRDA development with a roundtable in Miami in October, 2017, and has since held several congressional hearings on the issue.

WRDA is legislation that authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out navigation, flood control, shoreline protection, hydropower, dam safety, water supply, and environmental restoration activities nationwide.  This infrastructure is critical to the Nation’s competitiveness and is directly tied to job creation and economic development.  Under the leadership of the Subcommittee and the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Congress has returned to regular order in considering this vital infrastructure legislation every two years after passing WRDA laws in 2014 and 2016. 

WHO:

  • U.S. Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA), Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman
  • U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member
  • U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Member
  • Mr. John Burns, CEO, Port of Coos Bay
  • Mr. Gary G. Nelson, Executive Director, Port of Grays Harbors, On Behalf of the American Association of Port Authorities
  • Mr. Tom Calvanese, President, Port Commission, Port of Port Orford
  • Mr. Rick Goche, Chairman, Oregon Albacore Commission
  • Ms. Kristin Meira, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association

    WHAT:

    “America’s Water Resources Infrastructure: Concepts for the Next Water Resources Development Act, Part II” – a roundtable policy discussion of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment to discuss concepts for Congress’ next Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).  

    WHERE:
    Sprague Gallery, Coos History Museum, 1210 N. Front Street, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420

    WHEN:
    Friday, April 20, 2018, 10:30 a.m. (Pacific Time)

    WEBCAST:
    A live webcast of the roundtable will be available here.

    Additional Logistical Information for Media:

  • Members of media please RSVP to Justin.Harlcerode@mail.house.gov or Jeff.Urbanchuk@mail.house.gov.
  • Media requiring audio should be prepared to mic for sound.

    More information about the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment roundtable, including additional background information and live webcast, will be posted here as it becomes available.

     

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