A Senate committee has approved an $11-billion water-resources bill authorizing funds for 27 new Army Corps of Engineers projects. But in a striking change from similar past measures, the new one has an array of drinking-water and wastewater provisions, too, including a new trust fund. It also has funds to deal with water-system emergencies, such as the one that has hit Flint, Mich.
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which the Environment and Public Works Committee cleared on April 28, authorizes about $5 billion in federal funds for new Corps navigation, flood-control, dredging, environmental restoration and other projects. The total includes $1.65 billion the committee added for two flood-control projects in the Sacramento area.