On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, including a number of priorities for the recreational boating industry. The package is expected to pass the U.S. Senate in before the end of the month.
“Boating and fishing was the most popular outdoor recreation activity in the nation this year, and will continue to grow thanks to the smart investments made in WRDA 2020,” said Adam Fortier-Brown, government relations manager at the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “It is critical that Congress continue to advance this package, and take meaningful steps to maintain our nation’s fisheries and marine habitats, and to address coastal erosion and increased flooding. The MRAA applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for their passage of this key legislation.”
The Water Resources Development Act, passed every two years, authorizes funding for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects across the nation, including maintaining navigability of inland waterways, and addressing the threat and spread of aquatic invasive species. Funding will also safeguard the health of America’s fisheries and marine habitat, and increase the use of natural infrastructure, such as reefs, to improve fish and wildlife habitats and prevent increased flooding and coastal erosion.
“Investing in our country’s water infrastructure needs will provide significant economic benefits to local and coastal communities and the recreational boating community applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing legislation that addresses this critical issue,” said Callie Hoyt, director of federal government relations at the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “The outdoor recreation industry – which counts boating and fishing as the top contributor – has played an important role in aiding our economy throughout the pandemic and the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) will help continue this trend in the days of recovery ahead.”
“Throughout 2020, it become increasingly apparent that Americans deeply value opportunities to get out on the water,” said Mike Leonard, vice president of Government Affairs for the American Sportfishing Association. “However, a day on the water with family and friends and the associated economic impacts are threatened by poor water quality, invasive species and outdated infrastructure. Thankfully, WRDA 2020 takes meaningful steps to address these challenges.”
“The Water Resources Development Act of 2020 is essential to marina business, providing authorization for studies and projects that improve our nation’s waterways and protect our businesses from flooding,” said Eric Kretsch, legislative coordinator for the Association of Marina Industries. “AMI members applaud the House passage of the bill and look forward to working with Congress to get this over the finish line.”
Other projects of particular importance to our industry include:
Harbor Maintenance
• Authorizes $2 billion in additional funds annually for harbor maintenance through the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund. This results in $3.5 billion to $4.0 billion in annual expenditures for port maintenance following passage of WRDA.
• More evenly allocates funding for U.S. harbor maintenance among commercial seaports, harbors, emerging harbors, and energy-transfer ports.
Building More Resilient Infrastructure
• Directs the Department of Transportation to finalize procedures to ensure development projects will maximize sustainable development, protect and restore the functions of natural systems, and address the needs of disadvantaged communities.
• Allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to calculate sea level rise and consider the effects of it on Corps projects
• Authorizes the Corps to study, design, and construct water resources projects for communities facing repetitive flooding events, including constructing temporary barriers.
• Requires the Corps to assess and update the environmental and economic impacts of projects before carrying them out
• Allows natural infrastructure is given the same consideration as structural alternatives, and allows nature and nature-based projects to be eligible for Corps programs.
Aquatic Invasive Species
• Creates a demonstration program to help detect, treat, and prevent harmful algal blooms that negatively impact fisheries and boating access throughout the country.
• Supports efforts to block and manage aquatic invasive species by authorizing the Brandon Road Lock and Dam to help block the spread of Asian Carp to the Great Lakes; expand the Corps Aquatic Invasive Species Research Program; Increased funding and scope of watercraft inspection stations to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species; establish an Asian Carp Prevention Pilot Program and dedicate additional resources to fight the spread of Asian Carp in the Mississippi and Ohio River basins
Everglades Restoration
• Prioritizes the construction of the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir
• Authorizes the Loxahatchee River Watershed Restoration Project
• Prioritizes feasibility studies and planning / design for the C-111 and Lake Okeechobee and Western Everglades projects, and requiring the consideration of impacts to coastal estuaries in the Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule review
• Addresses the risk of aquatic invasive species control and prevention in South Florida
A full summary of the package can be found here.
About the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
At the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, we believe that for the marine industry to thrive, the retail organizations that interact with the boaters in their community must thrive. With that in mind, MRAA works to create a strong and healthy boating industry by uniting those retailers, providing them with opportunities for improvement and growth, and representing them with a powerful voice. For more information, visit MRAA.com or contact us at 763-315-8043.
