APWA Urges Passage of Water Resources Development Act

WASHINGTON (June 27, 2016) – The American Public Works Association (APWA) joins 86 organizations, including the United States Chamber of Commerce, the American Association of Port Authorities and the American Society of Civil
Engineers, in a letter to the Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Senator Minority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV), urging the Senate to consider and pass S. 2848, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016, which would authorize nearly $10 billion over 10 years for water-related infrastructure projects, as well as drinking and clean water infrastructure. 

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed the current WRDA bill in April, 2016 showing a commitment to the nation’s critical water resources infrastructure by authorizing the Army Corps of Engineers projects and making improvements to ports, inland harbors, waterways, dams and flood control systems. The bill would also provide $220 million in direct emergency assistance for drinking water crises in communities, such as the Flint, Michigan, water contamination.

“APWA joins this large group of 86 organizations in urging the full Senate to pass WRDA because the state of the nation’s water resources infrastructure is critical to our economy, public health, safety and preservation and enhancement of our environmental resources,” said APWA Executive Director Scott D. Grayson. “Our members, representing over 29,000 public works professionals who are the stewards of public infrastructure, understand the importance of efficient, reliable, and cost- effective water infrastructure, and believe maintaining a 10-year cycle for the bill will help ensure project and program efficiency and continuity.” 

The 86 organizations signing onto the letter include manufacturers, engineers, water organizations and other affiliated water infrastructure-related organizations and companies, including the American Council of Engineering Companies, the Nature Conservancy, flood control agencies and local government groups.

For more information, visit APWA.