AGC Testifies on Water Infrastructure Investment

On Sept. 19, Jamey Sanders, Vice President of Choctaw Transportation and Division Chair of AGC of America’s Federal and Heavy Construction Division, testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on the importance of water resource infrastructure to the U.S. economy. This is the first of a series of Senate hearings that will be held as Congress considers reauthorization of the Water Resource Development Act (WRDA).

While not a spending bill, WRDA authorizes billions in funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works projects including navigation (dredging, locks), flood control (levees), hydropower (dams), recreation (parks), and water supply. WRDA also authorizes all new federal spending on projects involving disaster recovery. In his testimony, Sanders applauded the Senate for continuing a regular two-year authorization of this legislation and described the impact of underfunded and aging water resource infrastructure. AGC also offered recommendations and steps for Congress to address these challenges. 

Among AGC’s recommendations for WRDA 2020: 

• One Federal Decision process for environmental reviews and authorizations for major projects 
• Reform benefit-cost analyses 
• Formalized partnering on Civil Works projects 
• Specific deadlines for completing the permitting & review process

For more information, contact Jordan Howard at jordan.howard@agc.org or at (703) 837-5368.