IN SUPPORT OF THE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2013 (S.601)

WHEREAS, since 1974, Congress has regularly passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), a typically biennial package of legislation that is the main vehicle for authorizing water projects to be studied, planned, and developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and for implementing policy changes with respect to the Corps’ water resource projects and programs; and

WHEREAS, water resources and flood control projects foster economic growth and development, stimulate employment, and create jobs, provide water recreation opportunities, and enhance agricultural and industrial productivity; and

WHEREAS, it has been too long, more than five years, since WRDA was last reauthorized by Congress in 2007; and

WHEREAS, cities and states across the country would benefit from many of the proposed provisions in the Water Resources Development Act of 2013, including the creation of a national levee safety program, financing pilot programs to provide loans and loan guarantees for flood control, water supply, and wastewater projects, and boosting the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Conference of Mayors has called for the enactment of federal legislation that would:

• Restore crediting eligibility under Section 104 of the Water Resources Development Act or extend eligibility under Section 221 to cover (1) flood risk management projects which were underway at the time of the 2011 withdrawal by the Assistant Secretary of the Army and (2) projects at milestones earlier than the draft feasibility report, such as completion of the reconnaissance study, and to authorize the Corps of Engineers to grant other exceptions, as appropriate, when in the public interest; and

• Authorize projects for which the Army Corps of Engineers has submitted a favorable Chief’s Report, without the need for a specific earmark appropriation; and

WHEREAS, S. 601 includes these key provisions to expedite flood risk reduction projects as requested by The U.S. Conference of Mayors,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors strongly urges Congress and the White House to enact the Water Resources Development Act of 2013, as contained in S. 601, as soon as possible.