Water Resources Development Act set for two years

Water conservation has been a consistent hot topic as many areas in Kansas have suffered record drought over the past few years. A sufficient supply of clean, usable water is a vital component to success in agriculture. While farmers cannot control Mother Nature, conservation of water can be managed.
The Water Resources Development Act is a piece of legislation allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct research, improve infrastructure in the nation’s ports, develop flood and storm protection and optimize inland waterway navigation.
Funding for this work is not included in the legislation and must be generated elsewhere. The American Soybean Association heavily focused on ensuring inland waterways projects were funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to use general revenue instead of Inland Waterway Trust Fund dollars.
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee approved the 2024 WRDA bill on June 25 without provisions for modernizing the inland waterways system. Fortunately, the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee passed its version of the bill in May, which permanently adjusts the inland waterways cost-share for construction and major rehabilitation projects to 75% general revenues (up from 65%) and 25% (down from 35%) Inland Waterways Trust Fund. Until this change, the 65/35 split would have run until 2031. While the change does not necessitate 100% general revenue funding, it more closely aligns with ASA’s policy priorities.
Both bills will go to their respective floors for a vote and then a formal conference to reconcile the two versions later this year. ASA, along with KSA will continue its advocacy to ensure favorable outcomes for our farmers.