Kennedy Introduces Bipartisan STORMWATER Act to Strengthen Water Infrastructure and Protect Great Lakes Communities

Legislation Would Reauthorize Federal Grant Funding for Stormwater Infrastructure and Establish New Center of Excellence for the Great Lakes

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26), alongside Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Nick Langworthy (NY-23), introduced the bipartisan Stormwater Treatment, Optimization, Resilience, and Management with Academic Technological Expertise and Research (STORMWATER) Act, legislation to strengthen communities' ability to manage stormwater, reduce flooding, and protect local waterways from pollution. This legislation is endorsed by the Great Lakes Commission.

"Every Western New Yorker deserves to know that when the next major storm comes, our communities have the infrastructure and expertise to withstand it," said Congressman Kennedy. "The STORMWATER Act is about making that investment now - strengthening our water infrastructure, protecting our neighborhoods and businesses, and putting Great Lakes communities at the forefront of the technologies we need to safeguard the critical waters we all call home."

"It is crucial we have protective measures in place for overflows in our lakes. Michiganders know all too well how drastic weather conditions can cause millions of dollars in damages and risk people's lives. This reauthorization will not only continue to fund these lifesaving agencies, but will establish a new facility in the Great Lakes Basin," said Congresswoman Dingell.

"Communities across the Great Lakes region know firsthand the challenges that stormwater runoff and flooding can create for our homes, businesses, farms, and infrastructure," said Congressman Langworthy. "The STORMWATER Act will strengthen research and innovation, support communities working to address flooding, and establish a dedicated Center of Excellence focused on the unique needs of the Great Lakes Basin. As a member of the Great Lakes Caucus, I'm proud to join Congressman Kennedy in advancing this legislation and ensuring our region has the tools and expertise needed to protect our communities and keep our Great Lakes healthy for generations to come."

"The Great Lakes Commission commends Rep. Kennedy for introducing the STORMWATER Act, which will ensure the Stormwater Centers of Excellence program continues nationwide while recognizing the Great Lakes as a unique resource increasingly threatened by stormwater impacts," said Tim Bruno, Chair of the Great Lakes Commission. "Communities across the Great Lakes region are confronting more frequent flooding that threatens public health and water quality, carrying nutrients, debris, chemicals and other pollutants into our waterways. This bill will provide crucial resources to help communities prepare for and address these growing challenges."

The STORMWATER Act would reauthorize federal grant programs established through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that support stormwater innovation, technical assistance, and flood mitigation. The existing grant programs are currently set to expire in September 2026. The legislation would extend them through fiscal year 2031, providing communities with the resources and continuity needed to plan and implement long-term infrastructure improvements.

Critically for Western New York, the legislation would establish a Stormwater Center of Excellence specifically focused on the Great Lakes region. While four existing Stormwater Centers of Excellence currently provide regional expertise on stormwater infrastructure, there is no federally designated center focused specifically on the Great Lakes basin, a region containing approximately 21 percent of the world's fresh water and 84 percent of North America's surface fresh water. This Great Lakes-focused Center would ensure that communities across the region can access technical expertise tailored to their unique stormwater and water-quality challenges, including strategies to improve infrastructure, reduce flooding, and protect the lakes and waterways that are central to the region's economy and quality of life.

Specifically, the STORMWATER Act would:

• Establish a fifth Center of Excellence focused on the Great Lakes region, ensuring the region's unique stormwater and water-quality challenges receive dedicated expertise;

• Reauthorize $5 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support and maintain five Centers of Excellence;

• Reauthorize $10 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for competitive Stormwater Control Infrastructure Project grants to support communities' stormwater infrastructure needs.

Background

Stormwater runoff occurs when rain or melted snow cannot absorb into the ground and instead flows over hard surfaces like roads, rooftops, and parking lots. As that water moves rapidly into drainage systems and waterways, it can overwhelm infrastructure, contribute to flooding, and carry oil, debris, fertilizers, chemicals, and other pollutants into local streams and lakes.

For Western New York communities surrounded by the Great Lakes, these challenges are both environmental and economic. Stronger stormwater infrastructure can help protect homes and businesses from flooding, reduce pollution entering local waterways, and preserve the health and economic vitality of the Great Lakes for generations to come.

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