The six members of the Arkansas congressional delegation who fought for Arkansas’s water resource priorities include U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln (D) and Mark Pryor (D) and Representatives Marion Berry (D-1st), Vic Snyder (D-2nd), John Boozman (R-3rd), and Mike Ross (D-4th).

The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA) authorizes more than $23 billion for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works programs to design, construct, operate and maintain water resource projects across the nation. WRDA has traditionally been used to authorize projects such as dredging, flood control, stream bank erosion, and dam safety.

"This legislation provides critical funding to assess flood safety, rehabilitate levees, stabilize river banks and channels, and study additional navigation options on our waterways," Lincoln said. "Despite the President’s opposition to these priorities, we in Arkansas know that they are vital to the security of our infrastructure and thus the safety of our communities."

"President Bush is wrong to shortchange critical infrastructure projects in Arkansas and around the nation. I’m pleased there are enough votes to move past partisan politics and override this misguided veto. As a result, our farmers and conservationists will significantly benefit from these investments that protect lives, create economic opportunities and improve overall quality of life," said Pryor.

"For job growth and economic development to continue in Arkansas, we must ensure our infrastructure is safe and well maintained," said Berry. "This bill will authorize funding for projects to prevent flood damage, ensure adequate water supplies for our farmers, and enhance our waterways to promote economic development through increased capacity at our ports and on our waterways. The passage of the Water Development Resources Act will greatly benefit communities across our state."

"These projects, when funded, will stimulate Arkansas economic development," said Congressman Snyder. "Opportunity for Arkansas families will be enhanced by the passage of this bill."

"WRDA maintains our waterways as a viable means of transportation, and allows our products to compete in a global economy. It also protects our homes and businesses from floods, while enhancing our quality of life by restoring aquatic ecosystems. This bill is an investment in America which has earned wide bipartisan support, and this is why I respectfully disagree with the President and voted to override his veto," Boozman said.

"I am proud to join with my colleagues in the House to override the President's veto of this vital legislation which will invest needed funds into our nation's infrastructure," Ross said. "These projects are vital to the economic well-being of numerous communities and businesses throughout Arkansas, and the overwhelming support for this legislation from both sides of the aisle proves that the President is out of touch with the priorities of the American people."

The bill includes the following state and local priorities for Arkansas:

Cache River Basin

In recent years, floods in this area have caused concern. The bill will authorize work to reduce flood damage reduction along the Cache River in Grubbs.

Des Arc Levee

This project will provide for protection of Des Arc from White River floodwaters. The authorized features of the project include an earthen levee, a sewage pump, a storm water pump, two 60-inch culverts with floodgates and a sump area of 92 acre-feet.

East Arkansas Enterprise Community

The East Arkansas Enterprise Community (EAEC) is located in parts of Cross, Lee, Monroe and St. Francis Counties, an economically depressed area in eastern Arkansas. This bill would authorize the Corps to support flood control, drainage and water development projects in the area.

Greers Ferry Lake Reallocation Study for Searcy County, AR

Funding will help the people of Searcy County obtain adequate supplies of clean drinking water.

Little Red River Irrigation District

The Little Red River Irrigation District includes southern and eastern areas of White County, Arkansas. The project will provide a sustainable water supply for irrigation, fish farming and waterfowl enhancement.

Little Rock Port

WRDA authorizes a feasibility study concerning a navigation project at the Little Rock Port. Should the Secretary of the Army find this project feasible, the Corps of Engineers is authorized to carry out the project. Separate from the navigation project, WRDA also designates the Little Rock port as a priority dredging project.

May Branch, Fort Smith, AR

May Branch flows through a covered conduit within the city limits of Fort Smith and into the Arkansas River. This project would help alleviate flooding in Fort Smith that has caused an estimated $1.7 million in average annual damages.

McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation Channel (MKARNS).

WRDA authorizes funding to deepen the navigation channel to a minimum depth of 12 feet throughout the navigation channel.

Osceola Harbor, AR

The bill will authorize the construction of a mooring facility to enhance the port’s capability and create new jobs and economic opportunities in an area with high unemployment rates.

Pine Mountain, AR

The project was initially authorized in the Flood Control Act of 1965, for a dam site at mile 35.7 on Lee Creek 12 miles north of Van Buren, Arkansas, in Crawford County. This bill will authorize construction of a lake for flood control, water supply, recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement.

Red-Ouachita River Basin Levees

WRDA will authorize the Corps of Engineers to reconstruct and stabilize banks along the Ouachita and Black Rivers in Arkansas and Louisiana. This will provide flood control, drainage and power improvements for surrounding counties.

St. Francis River Basin

The bill will authorize channel stabilization and sediment removal on the St. Francis River and tributaries.

St. Francis River Basin Land Transfer

The bill authorizes a land transfer in the St. Francis Basin from the Corps to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

St. Francis Basin, AR & MO; MR&T Construction

This bill will help address concerns over the severity of erosion, head cutting and sediment deposition problems due to the channelization of the St. Francis Basin.

Upper Mississippi Embayment, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi

This bill will authorize the Ground Water Institute at the University of Memphis and Shelby County Government, working in partnership with University of Mississippi and Arkansas State University, federal entities such as the United States Geological Survey, and regional water utilities, to develop long-term planning and evaluation models studying ground and related surface water resources in the Upper Mississippi Embayment areas located in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

White River, Augusta to Clarendon Levee

This project is located along the White River in White and Prairie Counties. The bill will authorize the rehabilitation of levees on the White River between Augusta and Clarendon, AR.

White River Basin Comprehensive Study

The White River Basin comprises approximately 28,000 square miles in northeastern Arkansas and southern Missouri. This study will identify opportunities to optimize reservoir operations and address water resource needs for water supply, flood control, waste water management, navigation, recreation, power generation, and other water resources-related improvements identified in the comprehensive study. The bill authorizes a federal funding level of 75 percent for this study.

White River, Operation & Maintenance, General

WRDA will authorize additional scouring and bank stabilization along the White River.

The Army Corps of Engineers performs as one of the Army's major commands and is assigned three broad missions: Military Programs, Civil Works, and Support For Others. The Civil Works mission, overseen by the Committee on Environment and Public Works, is established and modified on a regular basis by the Congress through WRDA.