Advocacy

Issue Brief: The Water Resources Development Act

THE ISSUE

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) supports a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that promotes sustainable water infrastructure projects, while also addressing climate change impacts, biodiversity, and environmental justice.

Background
Operating through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the U.S. government has responsibility for developing and maintaining U.S. ports, harbors, and waterways as a means of facilitating navigation and promoting commerce. USACE also protects communities against floods by building dams and levees, and other means. In addition, USACE undertakes ecosystem restoration projects — protecting not only people and infrastructure, but also restoring and preserving the country's vital natural resources.

Congress first enacted WRDA in 1974, as a measure to identify and authorize funding for USACE projects and provide policy guidance. Since 2014, Congress passed WRDA bills on a biennial basis due to its essential role in the 50 states, territories, and Tribal nations.

WRDA authorizes USACE to implement critical infrastructure projects, studies, and policies related to our nation’s waterways. WRDA seeks to protect communities from climate change while conserving natural resources.

Bill Summary

On May 20, 2024, Senator Thomas Carper (DE) introduced S. 4367, the Water Resources and Development Act of 2024. A House version of the bill, H.R. 8812, was introduced by Representative Sam Graves (MO) on June 25, 2024. Both bills support USACE water infrastructure projects, studies, and policies that address wastewater; stormwater runoff; flood control; sea-level rise; damaged shorelines and natural landscape protection; storm damage and extreme weather risks; open and recreational space preservation; ecosystem restoration; and nature-based solutions.

The Senate’s WRDA bill, S. 4367, authorizes 81 feasibility studies and eight new or modified construction projects. The Senate bill also directs USACE to implement past WRDAs, complete ongoing studies and projects, expedite guidance and reports, and require invasive species reporting. The bill includes increased funding to restore and rehabilitate the Chesapeake Bay oyster population, reef and wildlife habitat, and ecosystem restoration projects for underserved community harbors.

The House’s WRDA bill, H.R. 8812, authorizes 160 feasibility studies and 12 projects. The House bill also requires the maintenance of rehabilitated dams, floodplain management plans, increased project transparency, and improved project delivery. Additionally, the House bill creates a new initiative to assist non-federal interests in accessing USACE resources to study and construct new projects.

The House version of WRDA 2024 also includes legislative text that ASLA worked with Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (NY) to include. Specifically, the text provides $25,000,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure, including stormwater management (including combined sewer overflows), in the vicinity of Newtown Creek, New York City, New York.

Recent Action

On May 20, 2024, S. 4367 was introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

On May 22, 2024, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works approved S. 4367 by a vote of 19-0.

On June 25, 2024, H.R. 8812 was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

On June 26, 2024, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved H.R. 8812 by a vote of 61-2.

Sponsors

S. 4367: Senator Thomas Carper (DE) and cosponsors.

H.R. 8812: Representative Sam Graves (MO) and cosponsors.  

Resources 

 Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Press Release: EPW Committee Passes Bipartisan 2024 Water Resources Bill. May 22, 2024.

 Senator Thomas Carper (DE) Press Release: Carper Advances Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2024, Delivers Wins for Delawareans. May 22, 2024.

 Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works: WRDA 2024 Summary.

 Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works: WRDA 2024 Section-by-Section.

 House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Press Release: Committee Approves Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act. June 26, 2024.

 Representative Sam Graves (MO) Press Release: Graves-led Water Resources Bill Includes Important Provisions for North Missouri. June 26, 2024.

 House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: WRDA 2024.

 ASLA Testimony “Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2024: Stakeholder Priorities.” December 13, 2023.

 ASLA: Comments on USACE proposed Agency Specific Procedures to Implement the Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines for Water Resources Investments. April 12, 2024.

 ASLA DIRT: In a Seismic Shift, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Elevates Nature-Based Solutions. May 28, 2024.

 Representative Reid Ribble (WI) Recognizes ASLA to pass an amendment to WRDA to “consider nature-based solutions in civil works projects." October 11, 2016.

 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Engineering With Nature.

 Contracting With the US Army Corps of Engineers.

 Congressional Research Service: Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA 2022). February 14, 2024.

 Senator Shelley Moore Capito (WV): What They Are Saying: The Water Resources Development Act of 2022. December 13, 2022.

Related ASLA Policies

Climate Change and Resilience

Water Quality and Conservation

Waterways

Wetlands

Coastal Zones

Open Space

Environmental Justice

Environmental Sustainability  

Contact

Roxanne Blackwell, 
Esq., Hon. ASLA,
Director of Federal
Government Affairs
governmentaffairs@asla.org

Elizabeth Hebron,
Director of State
Government Affairs
governmentaffairs@asla.org

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