[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 169 (Thursday, October 11, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S6807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                S. 3021

  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, the passage of the bipartisan 
America's Water Infrastructure Act, more commonly called the 2018 WRDA 
bill, is celebrated by a wide spectrum of supporters, including 
environmental organizations, national associations representing cities 
and counties, and water and coastal business associations.
  I would like to commend the chairman, the ranking member, and the 
staff of the Environment and Public Works Committee for their hard work 
on this bill. I appreciate their consideration of my requests and their 
willingness to work with my staff in ensuring Rhode Island's needs are 
well represented in the final WRDA bill.
  In particular, the American Water Infrastructure Act includes my 
provision directing the Army Corps of Engineers to study the resiliency 
of harbors of refuge and hurricane barriers in the North Atlantic, like 
the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier in Providence, that are under threat 
from rising sea levels and stronger storm surge. Though they may be 
able to endure current conditions, extra feet of sea level rise coupled 
with stronger storm surges will overpower the capabilities of many of 
these structures. We need to get ahead of these consequences of climate 
change and protect our coastal communities, instead of waiting for 
these barriers to fail and imperil coastal homes and businesses.
  As oceans overtake our coastal infrastructure, we will also need to 
look to new and innovative building materials and techniques that can 
endure corrosive saltwater and other harsh environmental conditions. 
This WRDA bill also includes my provision requiring the Corps to submit 
a report to Congress summarizing its research and investments in 
innovative materials, like Rhode Island-created composites, in-water 
infrastructure projects, and recommend in which Army Corps projects 
those materials could be used.
  This year's WRDA bill also instructs the Corps to study the extent to 
which it has made use of its authority to clean up waterways littered 
with marine debris, like the deteriorating wooden pilings in the 
Providence River. It also expedites the completion of important 
projects and studies in Rhode Island, like the Providence River 
dredging project, Pawcatuck coastal risk management study, and the 
Rhode Island historical structure flood hazard vulnerability assessment 
that will bolster Rhode Island's coastal economy and prepare it for 
future conditions.
  Overall, the bill does well to give special consideration to coastal 
communities, also requiring the Corps to consider natural 
infrastructure solutions to flood and storm damage risk reduction 
projects, prioritize coastal erosion mitigation projects in New 
England, and assess coastal resiliency needs for the Great Lakes. 
Though only 17 percent of total land area, the United States' coastal 
counties are home to over half of the U.S. population and were 
responsible for 48 percent of the country's GDP in 2017. Investing in 
our coasts is an investment in the well-being of the entire country's 
economy.
  I am also grateful this bill includes a focus on our water 
infrastructure. In addition to reauthorizing the Drinking Water State 
Revolving Fund and WIFIA programs, it also creates a new water 
financing opportunity that will better support water infrastructure 
projects in small-and medium-sized communities. I am, proud to be a 
cosponsor of the SRF WIN Act which creates this new program and thank 
Senators Boozman and Booker for their leadership on this issue.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues, the Corps of Engineers, 
the Environmental Protection Agency, and Rhode Islanders as we move 
towards implementing this important infrastructure bill.
  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, this week the Senate completed work on 
America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, a new water resources 
development bill that authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil 
works activities and drinking water and wastewater infrastructure 
improvements.
  The legislation will invest in numerous infrastructure projects in 
Maryland and across the country and includes funding to repair aging 
drinking water, wastewater, and irrigation systems, protect Americans 
from dangerous floodwaters, and increase public participation and State 
funding flexibility in local infrastructure projects.
  This bill rejects the Trump administration's proposed 
reclassification of the Poplar Island restoration project, which could 
imperil the progress of this national model for restoration success 
located in Talbot County and extends the original 7-year authorization 
of the Mid-Bay Islands Ecosystem Restoration Project, focused on James 
and Barren Islands in Dorchester County, by an additional 3 years, to 
total 10 years.
  To allow for greater involvement of local governments in project 
selection, the bill requires the Army Corps of Engineers to increase 
public participation by, at a minimum, holding annual public meetings 
at the district level, providing information about the administration's 
budget requests, and allowing non-Federal interests the opportunity to 
collaborate and share in concept development and decision making to 
solve problems.
  The bill also authorizes $8 million in new EPA grants through a 
Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability 
Program for water systems that will assist in planning, design, 
construction, implementation, operation, or maintenance to improve 
resilience to natural hazards.
  I am pleased to support this bill, and I look forward to working with 
the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure more transparency in the process.

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