Water Resources Development Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 5303, the Water Resources Development Act of 2016.
Across the country, my colleagues and I hear from communities and businesses about the need to invest in infrastructure. The federal investment in infrastructure has fallen to a paltry level, and our communities are feeling the consequences of this every day. Not only does investing in infrastructure put people to work, it also allows for the efficient movement of people and goods, an essential aspect of commerce, economic growth, and public safety. The lack of robust investment threatens our global competitiveness and the safety and quality of life of our constituents.

The original Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) bill included language that would set a schedule to direct all of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) revenues to be used for the maintenance of U.S. harbors instead of the current process of transferring a portion to the Treasury to cover unrelated debts.

Our nation's harbors, ports, and waterways have a backlog of important projects that are key to our country's competitiveness. By moving HMTF funding off-budget, it would have provided much-needed funding for these projects. As the Senate and House negotiate the final legislation, I support directing all Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund revenues to be used for harbor maintenance.

I applaud Ranking Member DeFazio for securing a set-aside of at least 10 percent of the revenues from the HMTF to be used for small ports.

This provision will benefit many communities in Oregon that rely on small ports to get goods to market, which will help local economies thrive. These small ports can't compete for Harbor Maintenance funding alongside the large, deep-draft ports, so a set-aside is vital to their survival.

Additionally the Willamette Falls at the end of the Oregon Trail and the Willamette Locks were an important element of American settlement of the West. Repair and reopening of the Willamette Falls Locks is an essential part of the future economic and cultural heritage of the area. A final disposition study of the Locks is underway by the Army Corps of Engineers. It is important that this study fully consider all economic, recreational, historic, and cultural significance of the locks at the national, state, or local level.

The Columbia River is a powerful economic force in Oregon. It helps carry goods to market and provides food to tribal populations and others. We must reduce pollution and contamination of this critical resource. I joined my colleagues Reps. Blumenauer and DeFazio in introducing H.R. 2469, the Columbia River Basin Restoration Act of 2015, which includes grants for projects that help preserve and protect the waterway. As the Senate and House negotiate the final legislation, I support the inclusion of the Columbia River Restoration Act in the final bill.

I share the frustration of so many families in Oregon and across the nation whose children have been exposed to lead in their school drinking water and their neighborhoods. Families shouldn't have to worry about whether the drinking water in their homes or schools poses serious risks to their children's health. The Flint, Michigan crisis continues, and children and families desperately need aid to restore quality drinking water. I supported Rep. Kildee's amendment to bring aid needed to communities suffering from water contamination emergencies.

Invasive mussels have destroyed infrastructure in Western States and are costly to eradicate once they've multiplied. Accordingly, prevention is important. Watercraft inspection stations help protect the Columbia River basin from being permeated by zebra and quagga mussels. I am pleased that Rep. Herrera Beutler's amendment was adopted to allow funds to be used for watercraft inspection stations in Northwestern states.
I am supporting this bill today and will continue working with my colleagues to dedicate HMTF revenue for its intended purpose.

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