WRDA 2024

Water Resources Development Act of 2024

On July 22, 2024, the House of Representatives approved -- by a vote of 359 to 13 -- the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), legislation that authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Civil Works Program for projects to improve the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure.

WRDA (H.R. 8812) was introduced in the House by T&I Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), T&I Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-NC), and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Grace Napolitano (D-CA).

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