ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US — The US Senate unanimously passed the Thomas R. Carper Water Resource Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), which authorizes navigation and ecosystem restoration projects for the US Army Corps of Engineers.
The bill also permanently increases the federal cost-share for inland waterway projects to 75% and provides full federal funding for projects financed through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The inland waterways are a critical part of the US agricultural supply chain, with barges transporting about half of all grains to export grain elevators, said the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA).
“Efficient inland locks and dams and modern ports are vital to maintaining America’s comparative infrastructure advantage,” it said.
WRDA 2024 authorizes 83 feasibility studies and 13 new or modified construction projects.
The US House of Representatives passed its version of the WRDA on July 22.
“NGFA looks forward to serving as a resource for lawmakers as the EPW Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee begin the conference process to reconcile the differences between the two bills,” NGFA said.
