WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, secured measures that will strengthen Arkansas water resources in legislation approved by the committee Wednesday.
The Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 authorizes water and wastewater projects, invests in ports and inland waterways, and improves U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) programs. The bipartisan bill passed the committee unanimously and next heads to the Senate floor consideration.
“Reliable, efficient water infrastructure underpins our entire economy. This legislation preserves and enhances this critical resource to ensure we are maximizing its potential to support the demands of communities and industries in Arkansas as well as nationwide. I’m pleased this bipartisan bill includes policies I championed to advance economic growth and development locally and beyond,” Boozman said.
Boozman-authored provisions make critical investments in Arkansas water infrastructure by:
Advancing the reallocation study for the Beaver Water District.
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.
Reestablishing the Levee Owners Advisory Board to engage local owner-operators to improve public participation and enhance flood protection.
Addressing levee safety guidelines under development and ensuring they follow congressional intent.
Examining digital infrastructure and real-time data collection by authorizing a study on water distribution optimization.
Permitting the Corps to reinvest recreation fees to improve facilities where the funds were collected, creating an incentive for the Corps to maintain good facilities and provide quality recreational opportunities on our public lands.