Boozman Provisions in Water Infrastructure Bill Become Law

WASHINGTON- The Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, championed by Senate Environment and Public Works Committee member U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) and containing multiple provisions to support Arkansas's water infrastructure, was recently signed into law by President Biden.

The legislation, which authorizes water and wastewater projects, invests in ports and inland waterways and improves U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) programs, also includes a Boozman-led measure to formalize the Economic Development Administration's (EDA) role in economic recovery efforts within communities impacted by natural disasters.

"Our nation's water infrastructure is fundamental to our economy and quality of life," said Boozman. "I'm pleased this bill that will enhance these critical resources in Natural State communities, as well as ensure an entity is in place to expedite deployment of federal resources and assistance in the wake of natural disasters, is now law."

Several Boozman-authored provisions within WRDA 2024 impact or enhance Arkansas water infrastructure by:

• Advancing the reallocation study for the Beaver Water District, which will allow the water provider to serve the significant water needs of over 400,000 people as well as regional and national business operations;
• Modifying the federally authorized area of Osceola Harbor to manage the increased barge traffic, supporting the growth of the port and regional steel industry, which significantly contribute to economic development in the region;
• Prioritizing funding for the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System to mitigate cost overruns with a cost-share adjustment. This would allow the nation to realize sizable economic returns, reduce the supply chain's environmental footprint and address uncertainty in the global agricultural and energy markets;
• Creating a comprehensive approach to managing the Lower Mississippi River and implementing restoration practices to support animal habitats in Arkansas and Tennessee;
• Addressing levee safety guidelines under development and ensuring adherence to congressional intent;
• Examining digital infrastructure and real-time data collection by authorizing a study on water distribution optimization; and
• Encouraging the Corps to reinvest recreation fees to improve facilities where the funds were collected to maintain facilities and provide quality recreational opportunities on our public lands.

The bill also reauthorizes the EDA and its subsidiary, the Delta Regional Authority that strengthens economic opportunity in the eight-state Delta region, and officially establishes an Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience - a bipartisan initiative Boozman led to better address the federal post-disaster economic recovery assistance process.

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