Water Resources Legislation Passed the U.S. Senate and will Stop Invasive Carp, Prevent Coastal Erosion and Flooding, and Improve Waterway Navigation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters secured major wins for Michigan in the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act that passed the U.S. Senate. This bill will authorize projects through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop invasive carp, prevent coastal erosion and flooding, and improve navigation in waterways. The bill passed out of the U.S. Senate unanimously on August 1.  

“This bill includes big wins for Michigan – it allows essential water infrastructure projects to move forward and addresses critical problems impacting our Great Lakes and waterways. I will continue to push to get this important bill signed into law,” said Senator Stabenow. 

“Michigan’s Great Lakes, ecosystems, and precious natural resources are vital to both our economy and our way of life,” said Senator Peters. “This critical legislation will help keep them strong and healthy for future generations by providing the Army Corps of Engineers with the tools they need to execute infrastructure upgrades and other essential projects. I fought to ensure this bill meets Michigan’s needs and I’ll keep working to see it signed into law.” 

The senators secured important wins in the Water Resources Development Act including: 

• Increasing the federal cost share for the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project: The federal cost share for operating and maintaining the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project will increase from 80% to 90%. This project is vital to preventing invasive carp from entering the Great Lakes. This change further decreases the cost for our state partners.   

• Addressing destructive coastline erosion and flooding: The bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to work with Grand Traverse, Brighton, Marysville, and Ludington to promote shoreline restoration and prevent future erosion and flooding. 

• Identifying and addressing flood risks in Southeast Michigan, Northern Michigan, and the Kalamazoo River watershed: The bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to work with Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, the City of Cheboygan, Grand Traverse County, and the Kalamazoo River watershed to identify and address flood risks in their communities impacted by flooding from extreme precipitation. 

• Improving waterway navigation: The bill allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study navigation improvements for the St. Marys River and Grand Traverse Bay Harbor so that they are safe, accessible, and continue to play a critical role in our economy and national security. 

• Expediting critical projects in Michigan: The bill allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the Menominee River Navigation project to help ensure that materials can continue to be shipped through this harbor. It also allows the Corps to expedite projects to improve navigation at the Big Bay Harbor of Refuge and repair the George W. Kuhn Headwaters Outfall. 

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