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Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) today voted in favor of the Conference Agreement for H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA). The bill authorizes the key missions of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), including the development, maintenance and support of the Nation’s economically vital waterway infrastructure, promotes effective and targeted flood protection, and provides fundamental reforms to the Corps’ planning process.  

“The Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 will help strengthen and maintain our Nation’s ports, inland waterways and other water resources infrastructure, promoting America’s competitiveness, prosperity and economic growth,” said Latta. “This is all done with no earmarks, while establishing a new, transparent process for Corps’ projects with strong Congressional oversight.”

Especially important to current projects in Northwest Ohio, such as the Blanchard River Flood Risk Management Project, the bill increases flexibility for non-federal interests in regard to Corps’ projects. In particular, it enables non-federal interests to contribute their own funds to expedite authorized studies and move projects forward. The bill also expands the ability of non-federal interests to contribute funds to expedite the evaluation and processing of permits. It consolidates or eliminates duplicative or unnecessary studies and requires concurrent reviews by the Corps. In addition, the bill establishes a new, transparent process to review and prioritize water resources development activity with strong Congressional oversight.

“I am pleased to support this Conference Report for WRRDA today,” added Latta. “This bill will provide much needed reforms for the Corps and will specifically streamline and improve the steps involved in flood mitigation projects.” 

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