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Article published Oct 9, 2007 Water Resources Development Act finally passes Senate
Rep. John J. “Jimmy” Duncan Jr. and many of his constituents were pleased with the Senate’s recent passage of the Water Resources Development Act.
As former chairman of the Water Resources and Environmental Development Subcommittee, Rep. Duncan saw long ago the need for many flood control and environmental restoration projects and wastewater system improvements for our nation’s aging water infrastructure.
Twice a similar bill passed the House of Representatives with little opposition but had not passed the Senate until Sept. 25.
Fate of the Act is still uncertain. The President has threatened to veto the measure but thus far has not acted.
The Act authorizes the Appropriations Committee to provide funding for the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out projects providing flood control, dredging of our country’s ports and ensuring the protection of our water supply through environmental restoration.
“If we do not invest in new water infrastructure projects and maintain the ones we have, we will be looking at a much bigger price tag down the road,” Duncan said, in regard to the Act.
Among the Second District projects are:
$40 million for the Blount, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Monroe and Sevier design and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects.
$16 million for the city of Athens for wastewater infrastructure.
Support to prevent flooding and flood damage in Lenoir City in consultation with the Army Corps of Engineers
$2 million for contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants to UT for establishment and operation of the Southeastern Water Resources Institute to study sustainable development and utilization of water resources in the Southeast United States.
$5 million for Knoxville for water supply and wastewater treatment infrastructure.
$500,000 for Knoxville for debris removal along the Tennessee River.
$3 million for promoting safe waterways by providing TVA and other federal agencies the opportunity to enter into cooperative agreements for technical assistance that will improve lock and dam security.
To some of us that seems like a lot of money for things of which too many of us are almost totally unaware until they totally break down. Then we wonder why someone didn’t look after that before it happened.
These appropriations will help meet a few of the more urgent water resources needs in this area.
We commend Congressman Duncan on his continued efforts.