Congresswoman Matsui Statement Praising Senate Passage of WRDA with Strong Bipartisan Vote
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Matsui Statement Praising Senate Passage of WRDA with Strong Bipartisan Vote
Bill Includes Sacramento Flood Priorities; Rep. Matsui Reiterates Call for House to Move a WRDA Bill That Authorizes the Natomas Levee Project
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) today released the following statement after the Senate passed a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), S.601, with a strong bipartisan vote:
"The WRDA bill that was passed today by the Senate with strong bipartisan support strengthens our nation's infrastructure, grows our economy and protects the environment. It also includes many of Sacramento's flood protection priorities, including federal authorization of the Natomas Levee Improvement Project (NLIP). Natomas' levees protect 100,000 Sacramento residents and billions of dollars of property and infrastructure. The inclusion of generic language that would authorize the NLIP is a critical step in advancing Sacramento's flood protection efforts. I applaud the bipartisan leadership and cooperation by Senator Boxer (D-CA) and Senator David Vitter (R-LA) in advancing this WRDA.
"I am pleased that the committee's WRDA also includes language similar to my legislation, the "Levee Vegetation Review Act," to address the issues surrounding the Corps vegetation on levees policy. Our levees are our first line of defense, so we need to use the best science and smartest funding decisions to make them as reliable as possible. By requiring the Corps to move to regional variances from a one-size fits all policy, this WRDA would implement the flexibility needed to ensure funds are used where they are most needed to strengthen and fix our levees.
"Finally, I am pleased that this WRDA bill attempts to encourage State and local initiatives that accelerate flood control improvements by allowing federal crediting for work accomplished by non-federal interests. The Corps' recent decision to discontinue crediting under Section 104 of the 1986 WRDA has had a negative effect in the Sacramento region, delaying critical levee improvements. This WRDA would be a step in the right direction for getting these projects back on track, including critical projects in West Sacramento.
"Now that the Senate has passed WRDA it is time for the House of Representatives to act. I am calling on my colleagues to move expeditiously on a robust WRDA, and I continue to stand ready to work in a bipartisan manner. The time is now. The American people, and Sacramento residents, cannot wait any longer. The Senate has provided a good starting point as well as a good example of cooperation; working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I know we can do the same in the House."
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