Senators Biden and Carper victorious on Coastal Protection Bill.

[Steve_in_California]

September 24, 2007
Press Release

Sens. Biden & Carper: Long Overdue Water Resources Bill Passes Senate


First Water Resource Bill To Pass Since 2000; Clarifies Ownership of Roth Bridge

WASHINGTON, DE – The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007, including four vital Delaware projects, passed the Senate today, 81-12. WRDA, which authorizes navigation, flood control and environmental restoration projects nationwide, was last enacted in 2000.

Sens. Joe Biden and Tom Carper (both D-Del.) championed this legislation, which authorizes projects and programs for the Army Corp’s Civil Works Program. It includes flood damage reduction, navigation, ecosystem restoration, recreation, hydroelectric power, water supply, aquatic plant control, and hurricane and storm protection.

The legislation also contains a Corps reform proposal that addressesmany ofthe mistakes made in the design and construction of the New Orleans levees. This provision creates an independent panel to analyze the feasibility and quality of water projects expected to cost more than $40 million. This panel would be independent from the Corps, and consist of experts in engineering, hydrology, biology and economics.

This important section of WRDA, commonly considered “Corps reform,” contains similar improvements as the ones approved by the Senate last July.

“All over the country, WRDA provides vital local and national infrastructure improvements, many of which are years overdue,” said Sen. Biden. “I am pleased that the Senate incorporated these Delaware projects, including a final resolution on the Corps’ responsibility for the Roth Bridge that we have been seeking for some time.”

“People across Delaware will benefit from one or more of these four essential projects in this legislation, including maintaining St. Georges bridge, stabilizing the Indian River Inlet Scour Holes, improving the Delamarva Conservation Corridor and Corps involvement in the Delaware River Basin Commission,” said Sen. Carper, who served on the Senate conference committee that recently crafted this final legislation. “And the reforms included in the bill will ensure that Americans can trust that Corps projects are built to higher standards and no state will have to face what Louisiana faced during Hurricane Katrina.”

[Steve_in_California]

1. Kudos to Chairperson Barbara Boxer as well!

Biden/Boxer 2008? Unbeatable!

[gateley]

2. Boy, where does Biden find the time to be on the leading edge of so many

issues? Thanks yet again!!

[PatSeg]

4. I was thinking the same thing

Talk about multi-tasking! That certainly sounds like an important qualification for a prospective presidential candidate.

[jberryhill]

7. Good staff....

Plus the fact that this is not a minor issue for Delaware.

Our state is cut into two pieces by a canal maintained by the Amy Corps of Engineers. Until a few years ago, we only had three automobile bridges across that canal, and the one bridge that served the primary north-south route was a maintenance nightmare, with the Corps taking every opportunity to avoid maintaining it.

Also, the Delaware Coastal Zone act was a pioneer piece of environmental legislation, and one of the best things our legislature has ever done. It is the only reason why our stretch of the Delaware River into the bay does not look like a continuation of Philadelphia.

[murbley40]

3. kick

[SaveElmer]

5. Excellent...

Biden is a great Senator, and great Democrat!!!

[jillan]

6. proud to send this off to the greatest!