Senate Passes Water Development Bill with Roberts' Provisions to Improve Flood Control in Kansas

Press Release

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today applauded Senate passage of the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA), which contains provisions he fought for to improve flood control in Kansas. The bill contains six specific projects impacting Kansas waterways.

"Kansas has seen significant flooding and too much damage in recent years, even in the past week," said Roberts. "This bill is an important step in improving our water infrastructure and preventing future flood damage. I am pleased these projects were included to protect Kansans and improve our waterways."

The Water Resources and Development Act passed the Senate by a vote of 95-3. Six projects to improve flood damage and risks in Kansas were passed as part of the legislation. The legislation will make improvements to flood control in:

City of Manhattan
Upper Turkey Creek Basin affecting Merriam
Armourdale and Central Industrial District Levee Units, Missouri River and Tributaries affecting Kansas City
Turkey Creek Basin affecting Kansas City
Blue River Basin affecting Dodson
Swope Park Industrial Area
The legislation is supported by many municipal governments across the state. It is also expected to save taxpayers $6 million over the next ten years.

WRDA is intended to be passed every two years, and this year's legislation authorized 29 specific projects to benefit the nation's infrastructure and economy, including the six in Kansas.

The legislation also provides $100 million in funding for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and $70 million for the Water Infrastructure Finance Investment Act, helping communities deal with the high costs needed for water infrastructure investments.

WRDA maintains the current budget level and all additional costs to assist communities with water crises are offset. Without passage of WRDA, these flood control projects would not be able to happen.

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