The U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 10 voted 399-18 to approve the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), critical water infrastructure legislation that includes multiple priorities offered by U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI), and which now heads to the president to be signed into law.
“The Water Resources Development Act is the start of an important process to strengthen our local economy,” said Rep. Huizenga, co-chair of the Great Lakes Task Force. “I am proud of the work accomplished to deliver positive results for Battle Creek, Holland, Kalamazoo, and St. Joe. Each of these authorizations has the potential to create new economic opportunities and strengthen communities across southwest Michigan.”
S. 4367, introduced May 20 by U.S. Sens. Thomas Carper and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and approved on Aug. 1 by the U.S. Senate, authorizes, deauthorizes, and modifies various water resources feasibility studies and projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, such as several projects in Michigan.
The Huizenga-led priorities included in the bill will:
- Authorize a new Army Corps study for the restoration of the Kalamazoo River in downtown Battle Creek, Mich., to enhance both its ecology and economy.
- Authorize two new Army Corps studies on the outer and inner harbor in Holland, Mich., and for the harbor in St. Joseph, Mich., to examine the navigational and economic benefits of deepening both harbors.
- Authorize a new Army Corps study in the Kalamazoo River Watershed to examine urban flooding in the City of Kalamazoo, Mich., for possible projects that Kalamazoo wants to plan.
“I will continue to prioritize improving water infrastructure across southwest Michigan,” Rep. Huizenga said.