Press Releases

Miami, Fla. – Today, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24) voted in favor of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022. The legislation championed by Congresswoman Wilson as a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is reauthorized every two years and includes crucial investments in America’s ports, inland waterways, flood management systems, ecosystems, and other water resources infrastructure. WRDA 2022 seeks to support the local economy and keep South Florida ports competitive, while carrying out projects in an environmentally and socially responsible way. Now that WRDA has passed the House, the legislation must pass the Senate to ensure that WRDA 2022 is signed into law.

“The Water Resources Development Act helps communities throughout South Florida invest in critical water resource infrastructure as the needs of these flourishing communities continue to grow—especially as the effects of climate change worsen,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “I was proud to champion this legislation and vote to approve its passage today. By investing in our economy and our climate future, we are building more resilient communities, strengthening local economies, and protecting the lives and livelihoods of our Florida residents.”

As the founder and Chair of the Florida Ports Caucus, Congresswoman Wilson has worked tirelessly to advocate for WRDA’s two-year reauthorization and has fought to enshrine several key provisions that invest in water resources infrastructure, keep America competitive, and protect our local communities.  

The WRDA includes crucial commitments to local needs and reflects several of Congresswoman Wilson’s key priorities affecting South Florida, including:

· $184 million in new authorizations to address Miami-Dade County’s wastewater infrastructure needs and septic to sewer crisis

· Authorizes improvements for Port Everglades to strengthen our supply chain

· A feasibility study for reducing the risk of hurricane and storm damage in Miami-Dade County

· Coastal flooding mitigation projects

· Everglades restoration funding

· Algal bloom research

In addition, WRDA comprises provisions that affect communities around the county, including: 

· Improving U.S. water infrastructure by authorizing the study and construction of locally driven projects developed in cooperation and consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

· Strengthening America’s economy through investment in our ports, harbors, and inland waterways, which will increase efficiency and support supply chains. 

· Building more resilient communities by restoring natural infrastructure and ensuring new infrastructure helps to mitigate the effects of natural disasters, extreme weather, sea-level rise, and other challenges posed by climate change. 

· Improving America’s ports and harbors, while ensuring efficient and effective use of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund dollars unlocked by WRDA 2020.

· Directing the Corps to increase coordination with Tribal, indigenous, and economically disadvantaged communities to ensure that water resources development needs across the nation are met. 

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