Waterways Council Applauds WRDA Veto Override
Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) expressed its gratitude for the aggressive work of the House and Senate this week to override the President’s veto of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. WRDA, delayed for more than seven years, is now law. It authorizes critically important projects on the inland waterways including the modernization of seven locks along the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway, and projects on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway at Bayou Sorrel, Matagorda Bay and High Island to the Brazos River. Late Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted 361 to 54 to override the veto; the Senate voted 79 to 14 to override today. “This is an historic event in the improvement of America’s waterways and for the Nation overall,” said R.
Senate Passes Water Resources Development Act
The Senate passed the hallmark water resources legislation, commonly referred to as the WRDA bill, by a vote of 91 to 4. This legislation authorizes important U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waterways and natural resources programs, including seven lock and dam modernization projects on the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway, and the Bayou Sorrel and the Matagorda Bay re-route project on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The passage of this bill by a majority of the Senate underscores the important work of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. And, the action reflects the benefits of the inland waterways system and its role in keeping the Nation economically competitive.
WCI Supports Bill Passage
Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) expressed its pleasure with the passage in the United States Senate of Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) legislation, S. 728, which authorizes critical U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waterways and natural resources programs. Seven lock and dam modernization projects on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers, and Bayou Sorrel on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway will be authorized by this legislation. The strong vote in favor of the WRDA bill underscores a growing understanding of the importance of the Corps of Engineers Civil Works program and of the benefits of the inland waterways system and its role in keeping the U.S. economically strong and competitive.
