December 4, 2009

Rep. Dicks Submits WRDA Requests

On December 3rd, Congressman Dicks submitted to the House Committee on Transportation a request to authorize Army Corps of Engineers projects in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).  

The following projects were submitted for WRDA authorization:

Chehalis River South Jetty   

    There are two jetties located at the mouth of the Chehalis River that help maintain the channel that ocean vessels use to the Port of Grays Harbor and for other destinations.   Over the past few years, there has been the threat of a breach of land leading to the south jetty, which could render the channel useless.  In fact, this land was breached in the early 1990s.  The request directs the Army Corps of Engineers to maintain the land connection to the south jetty.   The Port of Grays Harbor is the local project sponsor. 

Howard Hanson Dam Water Supply and Ecosystem Restoration

    This previously authorized Army Corps of Engineers project currently is under construction and has three purposes: water supply, environmental restoration, and Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance.  Latest estimates of the total project cost indicate that the originally authorized cost of the project will be exceeded as defined by Section 902 of WRDA 1986.   The request is to authorize the revised cost estimate.   The Tacoma Public Utility water division is the local project sponsor.

Tacoma Ruston Way Seawall study

    The project will develop a comprehensive seawall improvement and habitat restoration plan for the Ruston Way waterfront in Tacoma.   The project involves developing a comprehensive plan that will provide the basis for a future capital project to enhance the Ruston Way seawall to meet multiple needs, including erosion protection, flood control, marine habitat protection and restoration.    The City of Tacoma is the local project sponsor.

Section 214 authority

    Congressman Dicks also requested permanent authorization of Section 214 of WRDA 2000.  Section 214 of WRDA 2000 was enacted to permit non-federal public entities to contribute funds to the Army Corps of Engineers to help expedite the processing of Corps permits.  This authority was implemented by the Corps in the fall of 2001.  The authority granted by Section 214 of WRDA 2000 has worked well in practice.

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