Peace Garden News

The Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) has passed the Senate with a 97 to 1 vote after previously clearing the House of Representatives with a vote of 399 to 18. The biennial bill authorizes projects related to flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This year's WRDA is part of a legislative package that also reauthorizes the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and reallocates unused transportation funds.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, a Republican from North Dakota and Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, expressed satisfaction with the bill's passage: "This particular WRDA bill delivers some real results for North Dakota and for the nation, quite honestly."

The WRDA package includes provisions benefiting tribal communities by permanently reauthorizing the Corps’ Tribal Partnership Program and directing USACE to submit reports on land transfers to tribes like Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Cramer noted his efforts in securing these provisions: "I’m especially pleased with the strong emphasis that it has on really recognizing tribal sovereignty."

Additionally, WRDA includes elements of Cramer's bipartisan LAKES Act aimed at enhancing recreation site management through cooperative agreements between USACE and local stakeholders. It also addresses water infrastructure funding by reducing non-federal cost shares for eligibility under programs like the 594 Program.

The package further encompasses increased federal cost-share support for inland waterway projects and reauthorization of the National Dam Safety Program, introduced by Cramer alongside Senator Padilla from California.

Another component is the Fiscally Responsible Highway Funding Act of 2024, which redistributes unspent Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) funds via formula funding to states. Cramer commented on this aspect: "The inclusion of the Fiscally Responsible Highway Funding Act bolsters this very principle by allowing unused funding to be repurposed."

For the first time in two decades, Congress has reauthorized EDA programs with updates aimed at improving assistance for small rural communities and tribal areas. According to Cramer, this reauthorization is essential: "Our reauthorization of EDA brings a much-needed update...to better serve rural and tribal communities."