Front view of the Capitol

Congressmen Carter, Graves Successfully Advocate for Bipartisan Inclusions in Water Resources Bill for the People of Louisiana

May 19, 2022
Press Release

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the two members from Louisiana on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D, LA-02) and Congressman Garret Graves (R, LA-06) partnered to successfully advance several bipartisan amendments and funding priorities in the markup of the Water Resources and Development Act of 2022 (WRDA).

WRDA is a bill passed by every session of Congress that authorizes and funds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers activities for flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration. Louisiana’s Second and Sixth Congressional Districts – those represented by Congressman Carter and Graves, respectively – makes up more than one third of all U.S. Army Corps project authorizations in the nation.

“Water is the lifeblood of our nation’s economy, public health, and environment,” said Congressman Carter. “In Louisiana we also know that we must plan comprehensively to safely manage water in our communities. WRDA 2022 is the mechanism Congress uses to build a stronger, healthier, water system for our nation. As we try to untangle our supply chains and navigate threats from climate change, we can’t delay critical water management, port upgrades, environmental, or safety projects. I am proud to have achieved meaningful bipartisan successes for Louisiana in this legislation alongside Congressman Graves, and I look forward to voting for its passage in the House.”

“Congressman Carter hit the ground running with us right after Hurricane Ida,” said Congressman Garret Graves. “We saw the devastating consequences of disasters in our community and committed to do all we can to protect and restore our region. This bill represents a number of good wins for the citizens of Louisiana and there will be more to come. 

Yesterday, Congressman Carter and Congressman Graves successfully worked on a bipartisan basis on the following elements of the final WRDA bill passed by the committee:

  • An amendment clarifying that the U.S. Army Corps should fund and continue paused ecosystem restoration and construction work to protect coastal habitat and communities on the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO).

  • The LMR Comprehensive Management Study was authorized within the bounds of the Mississippi River & Tributaries project with a 100% federal cost share.

  • Authorized a project for hurricane and storm damage risk reduction for the Upper Barataria Basin and for South Central Coastal Louisiana. 

  • Authorized project modifications to Lake Pontchartrain & Vicinity (LPV) and West Bank & Vicinity (WBV). 

  • Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study on projects and activities to mitigate fish and wildlife losses resulting from the construction, or operation and maintenance, of an authorized water resources development project.

  • Amends section 2010 by extending the authority to transfer excess credits by ten years from its current expiration in June 2024. 

  • Provide construction authorization for Port Fourchon Belle Pass Deepening Dredge Material Management Plan.

  • Increased the cost cap for the Baton Rouge Environmental Assistance project to $90 million.

  • Authorized $36 million for St John, St Charles, and St James Parishes to plan, design, and construct comprehensive water and wastewater treatment facilities.

  • Authorized $70 million for St. Charles, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines Parishes for water related infrastructure. 

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