Graves' Pro-Louisiana Provisions Secured in 2020 Water Infrastructure Package, Heads Back to Senate

U.S. Congressman Garret Graves (South Louisiana) secured several provisions that will advance Louisiana's flood control, ports, inland waterways, hurricane protection, coastal restoration and other infrastructure priorities in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA). Graves, as a member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is positioned to advance the Army Corps of Engineers' activities and projects at the local level so our communities, fisheries, ecosystem and economy are more resilient against hurricanes, storms and floods. Several amendments and other provisions in the final legislation were a result of Graves' efforts during the committee consideration.

The WRDA legislation also included the opportunity for the State to renegotiate the payment agreement for hurricane protection and flood prevention infrastructure formally known as the Hurricane Protection System (HPS). That project, which includes levees, floodwalls, gated structures and pump stations, was put in place following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to prevent future damages from flooding and major storms. Congressmen Graves, Scalise and Richmond secured the amendment when the WRDA legislation was marked up by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in July.

Graves Statement:

"This legislation comes on the tail-end of a hurricane season where Louisiana was threatened by seven major tropical storms or hurricanes -- a reminder why it's critical that we continue pushing for stronger flood protection and projects to restore the coast and revitalize our economy.

"I was proud to offer a number of key provisions in this bill to improve our state's resilience -- authoring provisions to lower payments for the Katrina-era Hurricane Protection System (which will save the state more than half a billion dollars), reengage the Corps in the management of the Louisiana Coastal Area ecosystem (restoring our coast), a transformational study of the Lower Mississippi River's management (other tools to manage water flows), as well as supporting the authorization to construct key local projects. These wins will ensure that the state is able to continue to invest in protecting our communities and restoring our coasts, and I want to thank Congressmen Scalise and Richmond, and Governor Edwards, for working collaboratively to support these opportunities for our state.

"This year too has shown just how important Louisiana's coastal and water future is for America's best interest and long-term economic competitiveness. Our ports and waterways are the vessels that connect dozens of states to global commerce, we take on the nation's water, and are the powerhouse for seafood and energy to the country. This bill advances Louisiana and our country, and I am looking forward to seeing the Senate amplify our needs before it is signed into law by President Trump."

House Republican Whip Steve Scalise Statement:

"Today the House passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA), which includes important provisions I added that will strengthen flood protection for families and communities in Southeast Louisiana, and improve the navigation projects essential for the economic stability of Louisiana and America's maritime industry.

"Along with Members of our Congressional Delegation, I fought hard to secure reforms that protect Louisiana families from being forced to pay bloated tabs when critical flood protection and coastal restoration projects aren't delivered by the Army Corps of Engineers in a timely and affordable manner.

"I'm also proud to have secured authorizations for deepening Baptiste Collette, the Houma Navigation Canal, and Port Fourchon Belle Pass, all of which will enhance Louisiana's ability to move commerce on our waterways and strengthen our position as a leading export state and a top producer of our nation's oil and natural gas. Additionally, this year's WRDA authorizes a study for the Tangipahoa River that will produce necessary solutions for flooding in the region.

"An investment in Louisiana infrastructure is an investment in the American economy, and I'm glad Congress is supporting the infrastructure projects that are so important to our state and nation."

Graves' Provisions Included:

Section 403 -- Authorizes construction of both the Houma Navigation Canal and a deepening project to enhance access to Port Fourchon and Bayou Lafourche (working with Congressman Steve Scalise).

Section 202 -- Directs the Corps to expedite flood protection recommendations for the Amite River watershed (most of the Capital Region) and Upper Barataria Basin coastal storm risk management project.

Section 210 -- Requires a plan for improved management of flood waters on the Lower Mississippi River (from Missouri south). The provision directs the Corps to utilize all tools (floodways, outlets, reservoirs, locks, dams, etc.) to manage one of the largest watersheds in the world, which includes waters from 32 states and 2 Canadian provinces.

Section 209 -- Creates a federal-state taskforce to coordinate the investment of multiple agencies into the restoration of Louisiana's coast (similar to the Florida Everglades), as well as annual reports detailing progress.

Section 140 -- The language, offered by Graves during committee markup, creates a path for renegotiating the accrual of interest for the New Orleans-area Hurricane Protection System (HPS), a major storm resilience win for South Louisiana. Renegotiating the agreements will help the State to commit savings to build flood protection and coastal restoration priorities. Some estimates indicate this could result in cost savings and investment of one billion dollars (working with Congressmen Steve Scalise and Cedric Richmond and Governor John Bel Edwards).

Section 128 -- An amendment to ensure that the coastal and tidal waters of Louisiana are included in a program to detect, treat and ultimately eliminate the the Gulf of Mexico dead zone caused by runoff from other states.

Section 125 (d) -- This section builds on a Graves-authored provision from the 2018 WRDA which allows the Corps to bundle dredging projects for cost and time savings. The project is expected to increase the efficiency of a major project to deepen the Mississippi River from the Gulf to Baton Rouge.

Section 333 -- Adds an additional financial tool for the State to apply recognized credit from previous restoration work as a payment against funds owed to the federal government. The provision will further the ability of the State to invest in new projects.

Section 137 -- Expands upon current law to allow the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, parishes and our levee districts to lead Corps projects using federal funds when they can demonstrate cost and time savings.

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