Walberg Votes in Favor of Water Resources Development Act

Press Release

WALBERG VOTES IN FAVOR OF WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT

U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) last night voted in favor of H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA). The bill, supported by groups such as Michigan Farm Bureau, is an investment in the nation's infrastructure that provides significant economic and environmental benefits.

The bill also includes language requested by Congressman Walberg requiring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study and determine if the concrete channel on the Kalamazoo River, located in Battle Creek, MI, can be removed and returned to a more natural state.

"This bill shows Congress is committed to keeping America's waterways clean, safe and healthy," Walberg said.
"I am pleased the House approved authorization I requested allowing for proper study on how we can best maintain the integrity and beauty of the water in the Kalamazoo River and look forward to working with the Senate to get this bill to the President."

BACKGROUND:

The bill authorizes Civil Works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers, including:

- Flood damage reduction projects. The Corps manages 383 major lakes and reservoirs and 8,500 miles of levees.

- Navigation projects. The Corps maintains more than 11,000 miles of channels for commercial navigation and operates locks at 230 sites, half of which are over 50 years old. The Corps also maintains 300 deep commercial harbors and 600 shallow coastal and inland harbors.

- Environmental restoration projects.

- Corps civil works projects prevent an estimated $20 billion in flood damages each year.

H.R. 1495 includes provisions to address "Corps reform issues," including independent peer review, streamlining and mitigation.

Project highlights of H.R. 1495 include 53 major projects recommended by the Chief of Engineers.

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