Lawmakers Broker Deal on Water Resources Bill, Savannah Port Funding Expected
House and Senate conferees brokered compromise in recent days on critical water resources legislation after more than six months of negotiations, according to a joint statement (here). The two sides bridged gaps between the Senate Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) and House Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), bills that target port and waterway infrastructure development. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leadership conferred on the legislation.
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“This conference report maintains ports and navigation routes for commerce and the movement of goods, provides flood control that protects lives and property, and restores vital ecosystems to preserve our natural heritage,” said Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and David Vitter, R-La., along with Reps. David Shuster, R-Penn., and Nick Rahall, D-W.Va. “This important measure will strengthen our nation’s infrastructure and keep America competitive in the global marketplace.” The conferees will release the report in the coming days, after finalizing details, the statement said.
The legislation could include funds and authorization to advance the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, according to Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Sylvia Burwell, in recent testimony (here). The White House did not include funding for the initiative in its fiscal year 2015 budget. The project aims to significantly deepen the harbor and extend the port entrance by seven miles, improvements that will prove particularly beneficial following completion of the Panama Canal expansion (here). The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee declined to comment.