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The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced key priorities offered by U.S. Rep. Brian Babin (TX-36) during today’s consideration and passage of H.R. 8, the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (WRDA).

WRDA 2018 provides improvements to the Nation’s ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure.  Also included in this bill is authorization for billions in funding for the Sabine-to-Galveston Coastal Storm Risk Management and Ecosystem Restoration project, a critical first step in the process to construct the Coastal Spine and finally make the Texas coast as safe as possible from another hurricane.  Additionally, it offers key reforms to the “408” permitting process, streamlining the procedures while maintaining certain environmental and safety guidelines where necessary.     

Two bipartisan amendments co-authored by Babin were also incorporated during today’s committee consideration of the bill, authorizing two critical studies. 

The first directs the Army Corps to study and provide recommendations on practices to ensure that anti-corrosion measures are incorporated into construction projects to extend their lifespan, improve safety and save taxpayer money.  The second provides for an evaluation of whether the current command structure and practices of the senior leadership of Army Corps district offices - typically a three-year command by an Army colonel - is detrimental to the overall operations, or if a longer tenure would provide for better continuity.

“Today’s passage of the WRDA is good news for our coastal communities,” says Rep. Babin. “It takes important steps to keep our coastal communities safe, and reduces bureaucracy to strengthen our nation’s ports and the infrastructure of our waterways. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this bill on the House floor.”

The bill is expected to move to the floor of the House of Representatives next month, where additional amendments and improvements will be considered, and then on to the Senate and the desk of President Donald J. Trump. 

More information about WRDA and the amendments are available here.