摘要: |
Now that the U.S. Senate has passed its version of the Water Resources Development Act by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 93 to 1, the legislation goes to a conference to hash out its differences from the House's version of WRDA, which was passed in May. It's up to the conference committee to iron out the differences between the two versions to prepare a version for President Joe Biden to sign. The Senate WRDA bill directs the Corps to track, and annually submit to Congress, a report on the time to complete the environmental review process for projects as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. The bill also authorizes 17 new projects, modifies four existing projects and authorizes 36 feasibility studies nationwide. There are differences in funding of specific projects. The Senate version includes $2.9 billion in federal funds for a modified Soo Locks project in Michigan. The main point of difference that concerns our industry is the treatment of federal cost-share and the use of the Inland Waterways Trust Fund in waterways infrastructure projects. |