Woonsocket Radio News Room

Amo Celebrates Wins in Passage of Bipartisan Water Infrastructure Bill

Legislation includes projects requested by Congressman Amo that strengthen resiliency and regional collaboration to benefit Rhode Island

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) voted to pass the bipartisan Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which included several priorities to bolster climate resiliency, strengthen flood protection, invest in infrastructure, and increase regional collaboration with neighboring states. Nationwide, the two-year authorization dedicates over $5 billion in new and modified environmental infrastructure authorities and it authorizes 162 new feasibility studies for future water resource development projects. 

 

“I’m proud to have secured real wins in this important bipartisan water infrastructure legislation that will benefit our state’s local infrastructure and climate resiliency needs,” said Congressman Amo. “I asked for these projects to be included because I know they would make a real difference for people in our district. I am encouraged this legislation is on a path to becoming law with the strong support in the House because it will strengthen neighborhoods, expand flood mitigation efforts, deliver clean drinking water, and foster cooperation on issues that span borders and communities.”

 

BACKGROUND

While the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure considered the bill, Congressman Amo sent a letter to colleagues on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure urging consideration of several measures to strengthen Rhode Island’s water resource infrastructure.

 

Following this letter, the following priorities for Rhode Island’s First Congressional District were included in the final bill:

• Authorization of “Rhode Island Coastline, Coastal Storm Risk Management” Project
• Reauthorization of the National Dam Safety Program
• Increases the federal limit and authorizations for Continuing Authorities Programs (CAP)

 

The final bill also includes the Southern New England Regional Commission Act.

 

Authorization of “Rhode Island Coastline, Coastal Storm Risk Management” Project

The Rhode Island Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) study was conducted due to frequent flooding from high tides, spring tides, and coastal storms in the study area. The study’s purpose is to identify a plan to reduce the risk of coastal storm damage along a large portion of the Rhode Island coastline while contributing to the resilience of communities, important infrastructure, and the natural environment. The study area includes significant critical infrastructure at risk of damage from future flooding and coastal storms including police, fire, and emergency support service facilities; schools; energy production facilities; water and wastewater facilities; nursing homes and assisted living facilities in addition to communities and businesses. These areas that experience frequent flooding are considered at high risk of coastal storm flooding with an associated threat to life safety; and are susceptible to relative sea level change.

 

In collaboration with U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Seth Magaziner, Congressman Gabe Amo sent letters to President Biden urging the White House to declare a disaster declaration under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for the state to access Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to assist with responding to and recovering from the flooding caused by heavy rain in December 2023 and January 2024. The authorization of this project would ensure Rhode Island and other coastal states can identify a plan to reduce flood risks. 

 

Reauthorization of the National Dam Safety Program

Dams play a vital role in Rhode Island’s infrastructure and contribute to the economic development of our nation. This vital program is an essential partnership between states, federal agencies and other stakeholders to encourage and promote the establishment and maintenance of effective federal and state dam safety programs that reduce risk to human life, property, and the environment from dam related hazards. Unfortunately, formal authorization for the National Dam Safety Program lapsed on September 30, 2023. Reauthorized of this program ensures that states like Rhode Island have the resources and support needed to monitor dams in their communities and reduce the risks associated with dam failure.

 

Increases the federal limit and authorizations for Continuing Authorities Programs (CAP)

Congress last increased the per-project federal expenditure limit for the CAP in 2014. Construction costs have drastically increased in the last decade, which is why it is necessary to increase the federal limit and authorization for CAP to account for per project adjustments and allow the Army Corps of Engineers to meet its mission.

 

Establishment of the Southern New England Regional Commission 

On December 10, 2024, Amo and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) introduced the Southern New England Regional Commission Act. The Southern New England Regional Commission Act would establish a regional commission covering Rhode Island and surrounding counties in Massachusetts and Connecticut for purposes of promoting economic development in renewable energy, defense manufacturing, the maritime economy, infrastructure, and job training, among others. By facilitating collaboration across various levels of government with federal support, this initiative seeks to bolster the region’s economic resilience and growth.

 

FULL TEXT OF CONGRESSMAN AMO’S LETTER TO THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

 

Chairs Sam Graves and David Rouzer and Ranking Members Rick Larsen and Grace Napolitano,

 

I thank the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the opportunity to submit testimony in support of the below priorities of Rhode Island’s First Congressional District for the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024.

 

Each WRDA is important to ensuring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) fulfills its mission. If drafted with the below priorities, this upcoming WRDA would help strengthen water resource infrastructure in Rhode Island and across our nation by energizing our economy, supporting resiliency projects and initiatives, creating good-paying jobs, protecting our environment and modernizing our water infrastructure.

 

Given the increased threat that the climate crisis poses, the mission of the Corps is more important than ever to protect our coastal communities. There remains an increased risk of extreme weather events such as floods, hurricanes, and storms that continue to threaten our economy and the lives of Rhode Islanders.

 

According to the latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States experienced direct losses from 18 separate billion-dollar disasters total[ing] over $170 billion in 2022.1 This worrying trend grew in 2023 to 25 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect the United States.

 

Coastal communities like those in Rhode Island are facing unprecedented risk from these threats, which is why the Corps work to reduce flood and storm damage, restore vital aquatic ecosystems, and improve our resilience is vital.

 

I look forward to working with the Committee on the WRDA of 2024. Below are specific requests that I submitted to the Committee for consideration.