Baton Rouge Reporter

U.S. Congressman Garret Graves (Louisiana) announced today that he secured significant provisions for Louisiana in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA). The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will review and markup the legislation on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

“For years we have taken the lessons we’ve learned in protecting our communities and made them national priorities,” said Congressman Graves. “This legislation will further empower capable Levee Districts and local governments to deliver solutions today – instead of being made to sit around and wait for the Army Corps of Engineers. WRDA is a lifeline for our state and a cornerstone of Louisiana’s strategy to manage our water resources effectively so that our communities are safer, our economy is stronger, and the environment is preserved for generations to come. There are several high points in this bill for our state and there will be more to come through our amendments following this week’s markup.”

Several of Graves’ key provisions are included in the legislation:

**Louisiana Project Improvements**

- Clarifies the terms of loan repayment for post-Katrina infrastructure: Graves’s provision streamlines the loan repayment process. In 2020, Graves saved the state over $1 billion in interest payments on federal loans for the West Bank and Vicinity, Southeast Louisiana, and Lake Pontchartrain and Vicinity Projects.

- Upper Barataria Risk Reduction System: Graves’ request to expedite completion of the project was included, as is a provision to evaluate connecting Upper Barataria with the adjacent Morganza-to-the-Gulf project. Graves ensured the authorization of the project in WDRA 2022 and worked to provide $8 million in federal funding in 2022 for pre-engineering and design. This will result in hurricane and flood protection from Lafourche and St. Charles to Ascension Parishes.

- Bayou Sorrel Lock Reevaluation: This federal lock complex in Iberville Parish is not able to handle the waterway traffic that makes Louisiana’s ports thrive. Graves previously secured a 100% federal cost share for the project and provided it with its first slug of federal funding last year, additionally requesting that the Corps expedite completion of an ongoing study this year.

- Lower Atchafalaya Basin: Graves’ language urges the Corps to quickly complete the project to support flood protection of Morgan City area through St. Martin, Assumption, and other parishes.

- Alexandria-to-the-Gulf: Expands geographic scope to consider flood protection improvements in Pointe Coupee, Allen, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, Iberville, and Cameron Parishes.

- Authorization of New Feasibility Studies: Supporting projects including improving navigation between Bayou Rigaud and Caminada Pass; constructing a surge barrier at Rigolets and Chef Menteur Passes; protecting communities surrounding Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas from St. Bernard through St. John Baptist up to Livingston parishes.

**Increases authorized support for local water/sewer needs ("environmental infrastructure")**

- Capital Region (East Baton Rouge, Ascension & Livingston Parishes) – $100 million

- East Atchafalaya Basin & Amite River Basin – $45 million

- Lafourche Parish – $7.3 million

- Bayou Parishes (Terrebonne, St Charles, Assumption, St James, St John & St Mary) – $17.5 million

- Southeast Louisiana Region – $22 million

**Improving Corps Operations Nationwide**

The bill also includes measures aimed at enhancing operations across U.S.:

- Amends terms/conditions for transferring Corps-owned public bridges; requires report on existing bridge inventory allowing focus shift towards water resources needs.

- Requires GAO analysis on Corps' use digital infrastructure technologies improving project delivery.

- Directs implementation electronic tracking system enabling locals submit documents electronically track environmental reviews progress consistent Fiscal Responsibility Act goals negotiated by Graves passed into law 2023.

- Eases burdens addresses challenges Corps' usage third-party mitigation banks; requires posting upcoming mitigation needs informing potential projects improving outcomes saving money/time.

- Improves parameters Independent External Peer Review making authority permanent ensuring project outcomes.

- Directs collaboration relevant agencies/research institutions proactive development economic/hydraulic/hydrologic models use water resources development projects.

- Allows non-Federal sponsors build projects place Army Corps Engineers known as "1043b Authority" saving money/time permitting creation environmental banks proactive investment restoration projects improving coast resilience continuing allowing State maximize federal credits supporting completion many projects possible authorizing post-Katrina levee improvements through 2033.

Background: The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), typically updated biennially provides critical framework development maintenance water resources infrastructure nationwide including construction maintenance improvement levees flood control navigation systems managed U.S Army Corps Engineers essential robust infrastructure extensive coastline rivers wetlands playing crucial role mitigating risks enhancing navigation restoring ecosystems ensuring quality.

Graves previously served Chairman committee's Water Resources Environment Subcommittee contributing substantially WRDA editions 2016 2018 2020 2022.