Courtney Secures Authorizations for CT-02 Environmental Infrastructure Projects in the 2022 Water Resources Development Act

WASHINGTON, DC - This week, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) and the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) (H.R. 7776). The bill would authorize and fund the construction of local projects across the U.S. in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and includes authorizations that would make other projects eligible for future funding. These projects are essential to everything from preserving and growing local economies, to protecting our environment, to maintaining quality of life. WRDA passed the House this week by unanimous bipartisan consent under voice vote, and it included several provisions Rep. Courtney helped secure that will support natural heritage in eastern Connecticut, as well as future infrastructure projects in Hebron, Norwich and Bozrah, and Windham.

"The 2022 Water Resources Redevelopment Act came together in bipartisan fashion, and we worked directly with our towns to secure authorizations that will lay the groundwork for future infrastructure projects in eastern Connecticut that will keep our water clean and our environment healthy," said Congressman Courtney. "Our economy, our national security, and our environment will benefit from the enactment of this legislation, and so will our local communities from the Quiet Corner to the shoreline. I was glad to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to pass this bill."

WRDA is essential to everyday American life. Nearly 80% of traded goods that Americans rely on are moved through our nation's inland waterways, ports, and harbors. Projects such as flood damage reduction, ecosystem restoration, and wastewater infrastructure improvements help protect both rural and urban communities, and are vital to restoring and maintaining natural resources. This work, carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is made possible through the enactment of WRDA.

This year's bill includes support for important environmental projects throughout Connecticut, and includes authorizations Rep. Courtney secured that make environmental infrastructure projects in Hebron, Norwich, and Windham eligible for future funding. Specifics of the bill include:

Authorizations for Future Environmental Infrastructure Projects in Eastern Connecticut

Rep. Courtney's office worked directly with our towns to secure authorization for three local water infrastructure projects under the "Environmental Infrastructure" authority:

• Hebron, CT-$3.7 million for water and wastewater infrastructure
• Norwich and Bozrah, CT-$16 million for wastewater infrastructur
• Windham, CT-$18 million for water and wastewater infrastructure

WRDA authorization allows for Members of Congress to submit projects for authorization under the "Environmental Infrastructure" authority. Such projects are designed to address local water supply, wastewater, and stormwater projects in partnership with non-federal entities.

While WRDA Environmental Infrastructure requests do not entail a funding obligation, their inclusion in the underlying bill is a critical step to become eligible for future federal grant funding. Without already being listed in an authorization like WRDA, such projects would not be considered eligible when pursuing other competitive federal grant funding in the future.

New Support for Coastal Resiliency, Flood Risk Management, and Clean Water Projects in Connecticut

• The 2022 WRDA authorizes $143 million for coastal storm risk management in Connecticut.
• The bill also authorizes 72 new feasibility studies for possible water projects, including:
  • Hurricane and storm damage risk reduction and flood risk management in Stratford, CT
  • Flood risk management in Woodbridge, CT
• The bill directs the Army Corps to expedite previously authorized feasibility studies for 14 proposed projects. If the Corps determines any are justified, they would be permitted to begin preconstruction project planning, engineering, and design work. One of these previously authorized projects is a navigation project in Connecticut:
  • Project for navigation, Branford Harbor and Stony Creek Channel, Connecticut
  • Project for navigation, Guilford Harbor and Sluice Channel, Connecticut

Other Key Provisions

• Support for Tribes-The bill would create a tribal liaison within each Army Corps office to ensure that the Corps is meaningfully consulting with the tribes and providing a direct line of communication.
• Support for Shoreline Protection and Restoration-The bill would double the authorized funding for shoreline protection and restoration from $20 million to $40 million, and would authorize the Corps to protect and restore coastal shorelines and riverbanks that have been damaged.
• Dredging and Confined Aquatic Disposal (CAD)-The bill authorizes the Army Corps to assess the availability of CAD facilities for the disposal of contaminated dredged material. The Army Corps would be required to solicit information from stakeholders on potential projects that may require disposal of contaminated sediments and provide an opportunity for public comment.
• Other Uses of Dredged Material-Within 18 months of enactment, the bill would require Army Corps to develop a strategic plan to fully implement federal authority for maximizing the beneficial use of dredged material.
  

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