House Passes Water Resources Development Act with Joyce Priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) applauded the passage of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development (WRDA) Act of 2024 in the House of Representatives. This legislation now heads to the Senate for final passage.

“This bipartisan bill ensures the Army Corps of Engineers has the resources necessary to improve our nation’s ports, harbors, and waterways,” said Congressman Joyce, Co-Chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force. “From upgrading environmental infrastructure to replacing river walls, I am proud to see a number of priorities I fought for, as well as a litany of projects that will benefit all of Ohio, included in this legislation. Upon final passage, this bill will foster job growth, reduce burdensome red tape, and invest in water infrastructure and supply chains in Ohio and across the country.”

OH-14 priorities included in the bill:

• Authorizes $11,800,000 to replace river retaining walls along the Grand River in Painesville, OH. 
• Authorizes $3,500,000 to upgrade the water and sewer system in Chagrin Falls, OH.
• Authorizes $1,500,000 to Ashtabula County for environmental infrastructure, including water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Includes language updating and improving direction to the Army Corps to address harmful algal blooms in authorities under which the Great Lakes is a priority area.
• Extends the Army Corps’ Underserved Community Harbors program to include non-Federal harbors that are next to or adjacent to a federal navigation project. 
• Encourages the additional beneficial reuse of dredged materials by making the program permanent, increasing the use of regional sediment management plans, and codifying the Corps’ goal of beneficially using 70 percent of dredged material.
• Directs the Corps to finish and provide updates on the status of the Great Lakes Recreational Boating Study directed by Section 8218 of WRDA 2022.
• Authorizes to conduct a feasibility study for:
  • Geneva-On-The-Lake, OH – Project for flood and coastal storm risk management, ecosystem restoration, recreation, and shoreline erosion protection. 
  • Mosquito Creek Lake, Trumbull County, OH – Modifications to the project for flood risk management and water supply.
  • Niles, OH – Project for flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, and recreation.