Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02), announced the referral of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) to the full House of Representatives. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee reported the bill as amended by a bipartisan vote of 61 to 2.
“As Hawai‘i has seen in increasing frequency, extreme weather events are leaving a trail of destruction and loss behind. From hurricanes to flooding to wildfires, we need to do all we can to protect our local communities from the impacts of sea level rise and natural disasters,” said Rep Tokuda. “I am proud this bill includes projects in four counties to help protect our communities from future disastrous events.”
“In addition, Hawaiʻi’s harbors serve as a critical lifeline for residents and businesses. This year’s WRDA includes efforts to maintain the infrastructures that keep products flowing in and out of our state and keep Hawaiʻi moving forward,” she said.
The bill includes several top priorities for Hawai‘i secured by Rep. Tokuda, including:
- an increase in the Maui Environmental Infrastructure authorization from $20 million to $50 million to assist with the wildfire recovery.
- a study of the Lahaina Watershed on Maui, including the coral reef habitat north of Lahaina, which will examine the mauka to makai impacts of the wildfire to better protect the community from flooding and the coast from runoff.
- an assessment of the Waialua Watershed on Oʻahu to inform efforts to prevent future flooding and climate change impacts.
- modifications to repair Laupāhoehoe Harbor on Hawaiʻi Island to allow for the repair of the harbor’s breakwater structure.
- a comprehensive new start Feasibility Study to evaluate sources of flooding and propose solutions to reduce flood damages in the Hanapepe River watershed.
WRDA is a comprehensive bill, which is generally passed by Congress every two years. It provides for the conservation and development of water and related resources and authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct studies, construct projects and research activities that can lead to the improvement of rivers and harbors of the United States.
A full summary of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, as reported by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, can be found here.
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