Press Releases

 

 

Contact: 

Staci Cox  

(202) 225- 4572

 

 

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-4) joined her colleagues to pass H.R. 3080 – voting to authorize a host of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers activities including harbor maintenance, dredging, flood control, and other infrastructure construction and repair. 

 

Although Congress usually votes for authorization every two years, it has been nearly six years since such a bill has become law. The bill includes a number of provisions to help facilitate work in the Great Lakes, including a provision that will allow the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District to move forward with a project here in the district. The bill also has language that would direct the Army Corps of Engineers to look at the Great Lakes needs as a single, interdependent system to best allocate funds nationwide each year, thereby helping the region better compete for limited funds.    

 

“This legislation recognizes the need to invest in the infrastructure that protects navigation, protects against flooding and storm damage, and protects the environment,” said Rep. Moore. “I have said many times that one of my greatest joys in Congress is representing Lake Michigan and the livelihoods of those who rely on the vitality of our Great Lakes. I am pleased my colleagues were able to reach across the aisle to support our waterways, our economy and our way of life.

 

“In all, the Lakes support approximately 1.5 million jobs every year across a wide range of industries and communities. H.R. 3080 will help sustain jobs and commerce which are important to our city and region.

 

“This legislation is not perfect, and I certainly have heard the concerns about provisions undermining key environmental laws and setting arbitrary deadlines for public comments on projects and reviews. It is critical that work continues in further negotiations with the Senate to address these concerns prior to passage into law.” 

 

###