By Rich Anderson
January 31, 2005

Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace chaired a meeting of the Urban Water Council at the Conference of Mayors 73rd Winter Meeting in Washington (DC). Wallace introduced Congressman David Hobson, Chairman of the House Appropriations Energy and Water Development Subcommittee, who addressed water resources legislation.

Hobson indicated that the 109th Congress will continue to work on passing the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA): legislation that earmarks Federal funding for local water resource projects. These projects are popular with local government because they are often the primary beneficiary of such earmarks. While related projects often require some state and local contribution share, the funding does not go through state administrations.

Generally speaking, a WRDA bill is usually passed by Congress every two years. It has been four years since the last one was approved by Congress. Hobson commented that the 109th Congress will make WRDA an economic development and environmental priority.

Hobson stated that the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee scrutinizes each earmark project, and they must be justified in order to be included in the bill. He emphasized that the Subcommittee is trying to make the Corps "...a better partner with Congress."

Wallace indicated that he is trying to educate the Administration concerning the importance of water resources for economic and environmental reasons. He noted that the Corps is not directly represented on the President's Cabinet. The Corps reports to the Assistant Secretary for Public Works in the Department of Defense.

Wallace asked Hobson about his views on using more private activity bonds (PABs) to finance public-purpose water and sewer infrastructure investment by removing them from state volume caps. The chairman was receptive to the idea. He also stated that there would need to be a strong cost-benefit case made in favor of changing the tax code to accomplish this.

Wallace next introduced Lieutenant General Carl A. Strock, Commander and Chief of Engineers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Strock applauded Hobson for his tireless efforts on behalf of the Corps to enact WRDA and include provisions in the bill to strengthen the Corps mission. He also thanked the Conference of Mayors for supporting the WRDA proposal last year.

Strock emphasized that the Corps of Engineers remains committed to "...creating cities that businesses and people want to call home." He stated that the Corps is fully cognizant of the fact that communities rely on the Corps "...and that our work contributes to our nation's security, economic prosperity and environmental health." Like his predecessor, General Bob Flowers, Strock stated that he wants to work with the mayors to improve the quality of life.

Strock indicated that he looks forward with working with Congress to set priorities for the Corps and reduce the backlog of water resource projects. He said that the Corps has initiated a number of efforts to improve the way they work as an organization. One effort is intended to streamline planning capabilities to reduce backlog.

He also indicated that the WRDA proposal last year contained provisions called "Corps reform." Although Strock did not identify specific provisions in the bill it is common knowledge that some of the reforms would effect changes in the Corps project processes. He indicated that congressionally directed changes should emphasize policy directions rather than specific processes.

Meanwhile, back in the states, the Corps has paid special attention to balancing economic and environmental goals by approaching water resource projects on a water basin and watershed basis. Responding to recommendations from a series of recent National Research Council reports, the Corps has initiated independent peer review on a number of large and controversial projects including the Everglades and Upper Mississippi and Illinois River studies.

Wallace ended the meeting by reminding mayors the council will meet again in June in Chicago. He also stated that the Urban Water Summit will be hosted by Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez in Albuquerque from September 29 to October 1. All mayors are invited to attend these meetings.