House Passes Water Resources Legislation
U.S. Representative Henry E. Brown, Jr. (SC-01) voted with a strong bipartisan majority yesterday to pass legislation authorizing approximately $14 billion in needed water resources studies and construction projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Included as part of the bill were several project authorizations sought by Brown and local communities to give the Army Corps the tools to improve the environment, conduct critical drainage improvements, and reduce coastal storm damage throughout the Waccamaw and Charleston Regions.
The legislation, the Water Resources and Development Act of 2007 (WRDA/H.R. 1495), allows Congress to provide the Corps funding for a wide variety of civil works projects, including navigation channels, flood control projects, ecosystem restoration work, municipal water and wastewater infrastructure, and disaster relief and recovery. Additionally, the legislation includes a number of reforms designed to improve the Corps' ability to plan and deliver projects. While the House has passed a WRDA bill the past three Congresses, disagreements with the Senate have prevented a bill from becoming law.
Working with House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar and Ranking Republican Member John Mica, Brown was able to secure the following project authorizations for the region:
$1 million to allow the City of Charleston to move forward with the Spring Street/Fishburne Street Drainage Project: The Spring Street/Fishburne Street drainage basin encompasses approximately 500 acres, or about twenty percent of the Charleston peninsula and is traversed by U.S. Highway 17, which due to current conditions can be made impassable to passenger vehicles by moderate rainfall. The area is also home to three hospitals (Roper/St. Francis Hospital, the Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and the Medical University of South Carolina). Because existing drainage facilities provide less than 6 percent of the required capacity, critical improvements are needed to mitigate the serious effects of frequent and disruptive flooding to residents, businesses, schools and services in this entire area. The funding authorized as part of this bill will match City dollars designated towards the project's ongoing engineering work.
"This is wonderful news for the citizens of the City of Charleston," said Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. "We are working very hard to address the stormwater drainage challenges in our city, and appreciate so much the support."
$8 million to accelerate the continued installation of ocean outfalls in Myrtle Beach: As part of the City's Pavilion Master Plan, an ocean outfall system for Myrtle Beach will retain, clean, and then discharge storm water offshore, replacing the current system, which dumps untreated storm water directly onto the beach. The City has already invested $15 million into this project.
"We are grateful to our Congressman Henry Brown for his hard work and leadership in passing legislation to authorize funding for a stormwater management system to protect the beachfront areas of the City of Myrtle Beach," said Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes.
$10 million to continue progress on replacement of the Charleston Wastewater Tunnels: For several years, the Charleston Water System has been conducting a phased replacement of the city's wastewater carrier tunnels. These 30-plus-year-old structures lying beneath the city and the harbor were deteriorating at a rapid pace, putting the entire region under the risk of a severe environmental disaster, given that the tunnel system carries over 10 million gallons of wastewater on a daily basis. While largely financed by the Water System, the federal support authorized in this legislation will assist with efforts to move ahead with Phase II of the project, which involves replacing portions of the Cooper River and Ashley River Tunnels in Downtown Charleston.
According to Kin Hill, Chief Executive Officer of Charleston Water System, "the Commissioners of Public Works (CPW) appreciates the tireless efforts of Congressman Brown and his continued legislative efforts to obtain federal assistance to ensure that Charleston Water System will have the resources to complete the vital wastewater tunnel project. CPW is indeed grateful to Mr. Brown and humbled that Congressional attention is being focused on this important environmental and public health infrastructure project for the Charleston region."
$8 million towards efforts by North Myrtle Beach replace its current stormwater drainage system with a system of ocean outfalls: The ocean outfall system will ensure that swimmers do not come into contact with dangerous bacteria and will assist with efforts to reduce flooding and beach renourishment needs by carrying rainfall runoff to a point offshore. Federal support for this project follows some $12 million in local investment by North Myrtle Beach.
$8 million for ocean outfalls projects in Surfside Beach: Included in this authorization is critical support for efforts by the Town of Surfside Beach to replace an existing ocean outfall, including construction of a new headwall and wier. The replacement of this outfall, along with efforts by the town to expand its existing outfall system, are strategic for ensuring that the Town continues its past history of meeting water quality mandates before they are required.
$5.84 million to support storm damage reduction and beach renourishment in Pawleys Island: Funds authorized under this project will allow for the construction of a 6,800 foot sand berm along the southern reach of Pawleys Island. This will have a significant impact on reducing future hurricane and storm damage to the surrounding beach and community. Additionally, the project provides for a 50-year commitment by the Federal government to provide for beach renourishment.
The passage of WRDA is critical to Pawleys Island and Georgetown County, said Pawleys Island Mayor Bill Otis. The Pawleys Island storm damage protection project will provide long term protection to the largest free public access beach in Georgetown County. The citizens of Pawleys Island, Georgetown County and the state are appreciative of Congressman Brown's efforts to protect not only a resource important to tourism, which is the state's largest industry, but also one of our country's finest natural resources."
"Each of these projects is critical to protecting the environment and ensuring the safety of the entire region," said Representative Brown, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House. "While this bill does not on its own provide funding, it ensures that these projects will be on the list of priorities for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Their presence in the bill would have been impossible without the strong bipartisan support of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Republican Member John Mica, and the Committee Chairman, James Oberstar."
"The three ocean outfalls projects especially are good news to residents, businesses, and tourists along the coast," continued Brown. "Each of these communities has invested significant local dollars into efforts clearly deserving of federal support. Additionally, the Spring Street/Fishburne Street Drainage Project in Charleston will make critical improvements to ensure that area residents have access to Highway 17 and the adjacent medical facilities in time of need."
With passage by the House, WRDA now must be considered by the Senate. Following passage, a compromise bill will be negotiated between the two chambers.