Lawmakers are moving ahead with plans for new legislation authorizing billions of dollars for flood protection, harbor dredging, river locks and dams, ecosystem restoration and other projects.
Long-planned $878.5-million project at Howard A. Hanson Dam, which gained new federal funding, would open 100 miles of the upper Green River for salmon spawning and rearing.
The measure approved by the House panel would authorize about $25 billion for new Corps construction projects, including $19.2 billion for a major hurricane and flood protection plan in coastal Texas.
The measure would authorize $24.6 billion in federal funds for 21 Army Corps of Engineers projects covering flood and hurricane protection, harbor dredging and other related efforts across the country.
Water sector officials were disappointed the final $9.9-billion water resources package that passed the House on Dec. 7 included so little for water utilities.
A new Water Resources Development Act, or WRDA, has made headway in Congress, most recently with House passage of a bill authorizing about $9 billion for Army Corps of Engineers flood and storm protection, environmental restoration and other projects.