For Release: Thursday, July 14, 2005
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

HOUSE PASSES WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT

Costello Leads Opposition to Effort to Slow Down Lock and Dam Modernization

Washington - The House of Representatives today passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which authorizes water projects overseen by the Army Corps of Engineers, including $2 billion for construction of seven new locks on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers as well as several local projects.  The 1,200 foot locks will improve transportation times on the river, getting crops to market faster and more efficiently.  The bill also includes $1.58 billion for environmental restoration projects in the Midwest - the second largest such project in the nation.

U.S. Congressman Jerry F. Costello (D-IL), who co-authored the bill as the ranking Democrat on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee last Congress, led the effort to defeat an amendment that would have slowed the lock and dam modernization.  The amendment was defeated by a vote of 105-315.

"The House's strong endorsement of lock and dam modernization signals the importance of updating and improving our inland waterway infrastructure," said Costello.  "This is a critical project for the continued economic vitality of our nation.  The shipment of agricultural products and other commodities via river transportation saves the American public between $800 million and $1.2 billion over other modes of transportation.  Navigation also supports 400,000 jobs, including 90,000 high-paying manufacturing jobs.  Our farmers and manufacturers depend on the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to get products to market, and we need to maintain a first-rate system."

Costello also hailed the inclusion of provisions to reform the Army Corps' oversight process, known as independent review, in the bill.  The provisions were also included when the bill was considered and passed by the House two years ago, but the legislation was not taken up by the Senate. 

The bill makes independent review mandatory for Corps projects that exceed $50 million. The Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers may exempt projects that meet certain criteria. In addition, a Governor, head of Federal agency or the Secretary of the Army may request a review of a project if it is below the $50 million threshold.  Previously, there has been no external review of Corps projects.

Local projects include:

Great Rivers Research and Education Center - authorizes $5 million for research on the biological and chemical stream monitoring of the Illinois, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.

Southwestern Illinois Environmental Infrastructure - authorizes $40 million for water-related environmental infrastructure projects, including wastewater treatment, water supply, and surface water resource protection and development, in Alexander, Franklin, Jackson, Madison, Monroe, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, St. Clair, Union and Williamson Counties.

Kinkaid Lake - authorizes sediment remediation.

Missouri and Ohio Rivers - authorizes rehabilitation and conservation of aquatic habitats.

East St. Louis and Vicinity - authorizes $191,158,000 for ecosystem restoration.

Kaskaskia River Basin - authorizes a comprehensive maintenance plan.

Levee Rehabilitation Pilot Program - authorizes $15 million for reconstruction of the following levees:

1. Wood River Drainage Levee

2. Clear Creek Drainage

3. Fort Chartres and Ivy Landing

4. Goose Pond Pump Station (Cairo)

5. Cottonwood Slough Pump Station (Cairo)

6. 10th and 28th Street Pump Station (Cairo)

7. Cairo Mainline Levee

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