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House Passes $3 Billion Bill to Boost Ports, Dams, Harbors

The House of Representatives has passed the Water Resources Development Act Wednesday night. The $3 billion bill that authorizes water infrastructure projects across the country. Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) advocated for the bill to include reforms of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages Lakes Lanier, Hartwell, Russell and Carters.

“There are very few things that unify us and I think every member who has to deal with the Corps of Engineers is unified in this has to change,” Collins said.

Collins cited a personal example of complicated red tape regarding a lake front property he owns.

“One day I asked a simple questions our one of our property issues, that we actually put in wording that the local could actually take over pieces of property and do a joint share. It took seven lawyers from the Corps to come over to my office and explain to me what we put into law was not what we really put into law. It is now to fundamentally change the Corps completely.”

U.S. Capitol

The bill would give local entities a larger role in sourcing funding for projects and directs the Corps to consider local opinions in projects that involve ports, dams or lakes under its authority. The bill also would boost a project to deepen and expand the harbor in Savannah, Georgia. Lawmakers approved the bill 408-2, sending it to the Senate, where a similar bill is under consideration.