Charleston Leader

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, has unveiled the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. The bill, which is co-sponsored by Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.), Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to continue implementing key projects and studies that address water resources challenges in communities across the country, including several in West Virginia.

"The Army Corps of Engineers conducts critical work in communities across the United States by building out water resources infrastructure, including projects that manage risks posed by flooding," said Ranking Member Capito. "Every two years, the Environment and Public Works Committee supports the Corps in carrying out its civil works mission through the Water Resources Development Act. This year’s WRDA 2024 contains significant wins for West Virginia and I’m proud of the EPW committee’s bipartisan work once again on this important legislation."

The EPW Committee will consider the legislation at a business meeting on May 22, 2024.

Among the benefits secured for West Virginia are support for flood control and prevention efforts, ecosystem restoration, assistance for environmental infrastructure projects, and strengthening of USACE's authorities to address water resources needs.

This includes adjustments to cost-share for future projects identified by feasibility studies for flood risk management in areas affected by the 2016 flood; increases in funding for small projects related to emergency streambank and shoreline protection; urging USACE to expedite completion of various studies/projects; increased funding level for USACE’s Section 340 and Section 571 environmental infrastructure programs; establishment of a new authority for USACE to partner with communities in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to restore rivers impacted by acid mine drainage; improvement of USACE’s outreach efforts; expansion of USACE’s ability to partner with West Virginia University for academic research on water resources issues; modernization of USACE’s ability to pay authority; and a requirement for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review of and prepare a report to Congress on the USACE’s efforts in various areas.