The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee on Wednesday approved the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) proposal (S. 601) introduced just last week by Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Ranking Member David Vitter (R-La.). The proposal passed on a vote of 18-0.

The measure authorizes water infrastructure and flood control projects and includes changes, supported by the American Soybean Association (ASA), to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to ensure that all user fees collected annually will be spent solely on port maintenance and dredging projects. Currently, only about half of the more than $1.8 billion collected in port fees annually goes to fund harbor maintenance. The rest has been used for general government spending.

Other key provisions included in S. 601 would streamline environmental reviews by increasing coordination among involved entities and imposing financial penalties on federal agencies that do not meet deadlines. The expedited environmental review requirements are similar to provisions included in the 2012 surface transportation bill.

Harbor maintenance dredging. (Photo by Chris Miller, Newport Beach Harbor)

The bill does not address the Inland Waterways Trust Fund and lock and dam infrastructure. Committee leaders have indicated their intent that inland waterways issues will be addressed when the bill reaches the floor of the Senate and the Finance Committee has the opportunity to have input on the funding issues.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has indicated that WRDA could be considered by the full Senate in late April.