Could this be the year Congress finally passes a Corps of Engineers authorization? The last Water Resources Development Act was signed in 2000, but firms that pursue Corps work hope the long legislative drought will end soon. They got good news April 13 when the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee cleared a new WRDA, filled with big projects. The Congressional Budget Office is expected to calculate the measures cost at about $7 billion.
Theres still a long trek ahead, however. A highway bill, itself much delayed, will precede WRDA on the Senate slate, says sponsor Christopher Bond (R-Mo.). Floor battles may flare over provisions that have incensed environmental groups. David Conrad, National Wildlife Federation senior water resources specialist, says, "This bill would be the most significant congressional involvement in steering and skewing the direction of the Corps planning process that we have seen in 30 years."