• Home
• About Amy
• Serving Minnesotans
• About Minnesota
• Issues/ Legislation
• Media Center
• Contact Amy
• FAQ

News Releases

Klobuchar Votes to Override WRDA Veto, Brings Home Over $82 Million in Water Infrastructure Projects

House, Senate overturn White House veto and make authorization bill law

November 8, 2007

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar voted today to override the President’s veto of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA).  The bill authorizes funding for principal state projects that help keep water quality safe, enhance navigation along rivers, and protect communities from flooding.

To access the radio actuality click here.

The Senate overwhelmingly overrode the President’s veto by a vote of 79 – 14 to overturn the President’s veto.  On Tuesday, the House acted to override the veto by a vote of 361-54. Accordingly, WRDA is now law.

Klobuchar commented on the veto override stating:
“Today, I was proud to cast my vote to override the President’s veto of the Water Resources Development Act.  The overwhelming, bi-partisan nature of this override speaks volumes about the critical nature of these projects, and that the President’s veto is just plain wrong.

“With this vote, more than $82 million is now available to Minnesota for projects to protect our state’s environment, economy, and basic needs such as drinking water.  Communities such as Roseau, which suffered massive flooding just a few years ago, highlight the need for this funding.  As part of our bill, Roseau will have millions available for a long-term flood mitigation system to prevent them from suffering future devastation.

“Communities across Minnesota including Roseau, Willmar, Granite Falls, and Goodview will finally be able to complete the essential infrastructure projects needed to keep residents safe, to protect our homes and businesses from future flooding, and to invest in the long-term health of our state’s water supply.  I am proud to support their efforts.”

Roseau Mayor Jeff Pelowski commented on the Senate’s action today stating, “Today is a good day for Roseau – the passage of WRDA is another important step in making this critical flood recovery project a reality. I thank Senator Klobuchar for making Roseau a high priority in the conference report, her support during our flood recovery efforts, and her help to override the President's veto.”

Dan Majteka, City Administrator for Goodview, MN commented on Klobuchar’s efforts stating, “The City of Goodview is thrilled to see this project moving forward and we thank Senator Klobuchar for her vote in support of small towns like ours.  Ensuring clean water for our citizens is one of our highest priorities and we look forward to partnering with the Senator as this project moves forward.”

Klobuchar’s work on the Environment and Public Works Committee placed her in a key position to secure funding for the following Minnesota projects authorized by the bill:

• $13.82 million for Roseau River Flood Mitigation: Project would design and construct a flood mitigation system for the city of Roseau.  This plan consists of a 150-foot-wide east side diversion channel, three bridges, and a restriction bridge. This plan would remove nearly the entire city from the 100-year regulatory floodplain and would decrease stages upstream of Roseau to Malung.

• $4 million for Asian Carp Dispersal Barrier: Funds the design, construction, and operation of a barrier at Lock and Dam 11 to keep out invasive species.

• $9 million for Duluth Harbor: Project would fund navigational improvements, ecosystem restoration, and studies to determine causes of corrosion to port infrastructure and costs of repair.

• $15 million for Willmar waste water treatment plant: Would fund a new waste water treatment facility 5 ½ miles west of Willmar to support continued growth, replace failed equipment at the existing facility, and meet more stringent water quality objectives.

• $3 million for Goodview Radium Project: Project would install a water treatment facility to remove naturally occurring Radium in the city water supply.

• Crow River Study: Project commissions a study to determine the best method to reduce flood damage surrounding Rockford, MN.

• $7 million for Two Harbors: Project would help fund navigational improvements.

• $6 million to Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe: for wastewater infrastructure near Garrison and Kathio Township, MN.

• $20 million for Wild Rice River Dam: Project to design and construct of a dam, three river miles east upstream from Twin Valley, MN on the Wild Rice River for flood mitigation.

• $5 million for Grand Rapids wastewater infrastructure reconstruction: Project would support the increased needs of the community.

• Marsh Creek Study (no amount specified): Project for flood damage reduction around Marsh Creek, MN.

• South Branch of the Wild Rice River (no amount specified): Project would develop upstream retention projects to enhance navigation improvements, flood damage reduction, and an ecosystem restoration plan for Borup, MN.

• Wild Rice River (no amount specified): Project for flood damage reduction near Ada, MN.

• Tower Harbor Project (no amount specified): Project for Tower, MN that would allow for dredging the East Two River to allow boat traffic into the harbor.

###