Statement by Senator Mark Pryor On the President's Veto of Water Resources Legislation

Statement

Statement by Senator Mark Pryor On the President's Veto of Water Resources Legislation

"With today's veto of the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA), President Bush has turned his back on farmers and conservationists in Arkansas. I am very disappointed that the President has refused to fund critical projects that protect lives, improve infrastructure, and create economic opportunities in Arkansas. This veto especially hits our farmers hard and once again shows the President's discontent for rural America. I hope Congress will override this veto and send a message to our President that taking care of our infrastructure is more important than politics."

The following projects were part of the WRDA legislation that President Bush vetoed today:

· Cache River Basin: Authorize a feasibility study for flood damage reduction along the Cache River in Grubbs.
· Des Arc Levee: Authorize features of the project include an earthen levee, a sewage pump, a storm water pump, two 60-inch culverts with floodgates and a sump area of 92 acre-feet.
· East Arkansas Enterprise Community: Authorize the Corps to support flood control, drainage and water development projects in the area.
· Little Red River Irrigation District: Provide a sustainable water supply for irrigation, fish farming and waterfowl enhancement.
· Little Rock Port: Authorizes a feasibility study concerning dredging and the beneficial use of dredge material at the Little Rock Port. Should the Secretary of the Army find this project feasible, the Corps of Engineers is authorized to carry out the project.
· May Branch, Fort Smith, AR: Alleviate flooding in Fort Smith that has caused an estimated $1.7 million in average annual damages.
· McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation Channel (MKARNS): Authorizes funding to deepen the navigation channel to a minimum depth of 12 feet throughout the navigation channel.
· Osceola Harbor, AR: Authorize the construction of new docks to enhance the port's capability and create new jobs and economic opportunities in an area with high unemployment rates.
· Pine Mountain, AR: Authorize construction of a lake for flood control, water supply, recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement.
· Red-Ouachita River Basin Levees: Authorize the Corps of Engineers to reconstruct and stabilize banks along the Ouachita and Black Rivers in Arkansas and Louisiana. This will provide flood control, drainage and power improvements for surrounding counties.
· St. Francis River Basin/Land Transfer: Authorize channel stabilization and sediment removal on the St. Francis River and tributaries. In addition, it will transfer land in the St. Francis Basin from the Corps to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
· White River, Augusta to Clarendon Levee: Authorize the rehabilitation of levees on the White River between Augusta and Clarendon, AR.
· White River Basin Comprehensive Study: Identify opportunities to optimize reservoir operations and address water resource needs for water supply, flood control, waste water management, navigation, recreation, power generation, and other water resources-related improvements identified in the comprehensive study. The bill authorizes a federal funding level of 75 percent for this study.
· White River, Operation & Maintenance, General: Authorize additional scouring and bank stabilization along the White River.

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