Bilirakis Secures Major Tampa Bay and Nature Coast Water Infrastructure Priorities in House-Passed WRDA

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Gus Bilirakis announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, which includes several priorities he requested to strengthen water infrastructure, improve storm resiliency, protect natural resources, and support communities throughout Florida's 12th Congressional District and the greater Tampa Bay region.

WRDA is Congress's biennial legislation authorizing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects and studies related to water infrastructure, ports and harbors, flood and storm risk reduction, ecosystem restoration, and other critical water-resource needs.

"Florida is growing rapidly, and we have to make sure our infrastructure keeps pace while protecting the natural resources that make our communities such special places to live, work and raise a family," said Congressman Bilirakis. "I worked closely with our local partners to identify their most pressing water infrastructure and resiliency needs, and I'm pleased that the House-passed WRDA includes each of the priorities we submitted. These provisions will help address water and wastewater needs, strengthen our defenses against hurricanes and flooding, protect and restore important ecosystems, and lay the groundwork for future investments throughout our region. I'll keep working to get these priorities across the finish line."

At Bilirakis's request, the House-passed legislation includes:

• Pasco County Ecosystem Restoration and Water Supply: Authorizes a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study examining opportunities for ecosystem restoration and water supply improvements in Pasco County.
• Lower Withlacoochee River Watershed Restoration: Authorizes a feasibility study focused on ecosystem restoration of the Lower Withlacoochee River Watershed, an important natural resource for the Nature Coast.
• $29.6 Million Authorization for Hernando County Water Infrastructure: Authorizes a new environmental infrastructure project of up to $29.6 million for water and wastewater infrastructure in Hernando County, including stormwater management and environmental restoration.
• $400,000 Authorization for Pasco County Water Infrastructure: Authorizes a new environmental infrastructure project for water and wastewater infrastructure, including distribution systems, in Pasco County.
• $100 Million Regional Water Infrastructure Authorization: Authorizes up to $100 million for water infrastructure, including water-supply projects, serving Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties and the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg, and Tampa.
• Port Tampa Bay and McKay Bay Storm Protection: Directs the expedited completion of a feasibility study for hurricane and storm-damage risk reduction at Port Tampa Bay, including McKay Bay. The study is intended to help identify potential measures to better protect critical infrastructure and surrounding communities from hurricanes, storm surge, and flooding.

The legislation also contains an additional provision benefiting the Tampa Bay region by directing the expedited completion of a feasibility study for hurricane and storm-damage risk reduction and ecosystem restoration in the vicinity of MacDill Air Force Base.

"Our region knows firsthand the damage hurricanes and storm surge can cause, and we also know that investing in resilient infrastructure before disaster strikes is both safer and more cost-effective than rebuilding afterward,"Bilirakis continued. "From protecting MacDill and Port Tampa Bay to improving water systems in Pasco and Hernando counties and restoring the Lower Withlacoochee watershed, these are forward-looking investments in the long-term strength and resiliency of our region."