Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt has expressed her support for the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which includes significant improvements to Alabama's water infrastructure. The bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program to undertake projects aimed at enhancing ports, harbors, inland waterways navigation, and flood protection.

Senator Britt highlighted the importance of Alabama's inland water infrastructure to both the state's economy and national security. "Alabama’s inland water infrastructure is essential to Alabama’s economy and national security—moving feedstock, steel, energy products, components of the arsenal of America, and more," she stated. She emphasized that the WRDA bill will authorize new constructions at Coffeeville and Demopolis Lock and Dams while urging improvements at Wilson Lock and Dam.

The WRDA agreement contains provisions that aim to enhance navigation, flood control, and environmental management in Alabama. It also addresses federal real estate by setting occupancy standards and increasing oversight over federal properties.

Alabama boasts nearly 1,270 miles of navigable inland waterways connected to a vast network across 23 states. The Port of Mobile plays a crucial role in trade activities as one of the fastest-growing ports in the country.

In addition to these developments, Senator Britt played a key role in securing funding for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) for Alabama's waterways following concerns about recent lock failures. As part of her work on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, she helped secure almost $73 million for FY24 through the Energy and Water Development Act signed earlier this year.