Grassley, Ernst Cement Iowa Priorities Into Water Resources Package

WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, have secured a number of key provisions in this year’s Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) — a biannual water resources package that passed the EPW Committee unanimously this morning — including key measures to update Cedar Rapids’ flood system and a levee in the Des Moines area.

 

“I’m glad we were able to secure several priorities in this year’s Water Resources and Development Act, and I’d like to thank Senator Ernst and the rest of the Environment and Public Works Committee for helping make it happen. This critical water resources legislation now contains several provisions that will directly benefit Iowa, including authorizations to help with additional flood control needs in both Cedar Rapids and Des Moines,” Grassley said.

 

The package will also include an Ernst-led government sunshine measure requiring taxpayer-funded projects that break the bank to be publicly disclosed.

 

“Footing the bill for government projects that are millions over budget and years behind schedule isn’t Iowa taxpayers’ idea of how their hard-earned money should be spent in Washington, and thanks to this legislation, they can hold those responsible accountable,” said Ernst. “I’m pleased this water resources package includes these key sunshine requirements to expose egregious government waste while supporting important priorities for Iowa farmers and families.”

 

The key provisions Ernst and Grassley included in the WRDA package are:

 

This request authorizes modifications to the flood risk management project consistent with the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Cedar River Flood Control System Master Plan to enhance flood protections for Cedar Rapids.

 

This request makes a jurisdictional fix for a levee in the Des Moines area — the Southeast Des Moines (SEDM) levee — so that it can finally get the improvements it needs.

 

This request extends the scope of a study on harmful algal blooms – or HABs – so that the Upper Mississippi River and its tributaries are included in the study. HABs occur when colonies of algae grow out of control and produce toxic or harmful effects on people, fish and birds.

 

-30-