WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, David Trone and Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) today applauded the Senate passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA 2024), which is the primary authorization for the Civil Works programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and enables their critical work to manage our nation’s water resources. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers works to maintain our ports, harbors, and inland navigation, as well as provide communities with flood and storm protection.
“The Maryland Delegation has always fought to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and their efforts to support complex projects that are essential to our state. From working tirelessly to reopen the Port of Baltimore following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge to maintaining our shipping channels through frequent dredging and enabling the conservation of the Bay, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plays a critical role here in Maryland. The bill that now heads to the President’s desk includes a wide range of provisions that will enable the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to execute its mission and advance several projects important to Maryland’s economy, environment, and climate resilience,” said the lawmakers. “This legislation supports our long-standing effort to protect our environment and the Bay, restore our oyster population, support the flow of commerce and boost our economy – which are all vital to the health, safety, and livelihoods of Marylanders.”
Key Maryland Wins in WRDA 2024:
Seagirt Loop Channel
WRDA 2024 authorizes $53.8 million in federal funding for deepening the federal channel at Seagirt Marine Terminal. Seagirt is the Port of Baltimore’s main container terminal, handling 97 percent of its container volume. This project proposes to further widen and deepen (to a 50-foot depth) a channel near the terminal so that large container vessels can more efficiently and safely enter and depart the terminal.
Oyster Program Authorization Increase
WRDA 2024 increases the program authorization for oyster restoration to $120 million. The Army Corps’ program for oyster restoration (“704b”) has completed important work in Maryland tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay including in Harris Creek and the Tred Avon River.
Small Waterways and Community Harbors
WRDA 2024 builds off a provision Senator Cardin secured in WRDA 2022 to support maintenance dredging of small harbors and channels. These projects are critical for sustaining working waterfronts, recreation, and tourism, but do not easily rise to the top of the Army Corp’s list of priority projects. WRDA 2024 continues to push the Corps to capture the full range of benefits these harbors deliver to Chesapeake Bay communities, including the beneficial use of dredged material for ecosystem restoration, in their project decisions.
In addition, the legislation includes a Sense of Congress that states shallow draft dredging in the Chesapeake Bay is critical for tourism, recreation, and the fishing industry, and that additional dredging is needed. It encourages the Army Corps to use existing statutory authorities to address the dredging needs at small harbors and channels in the Chesapeake Bay.
Baltimore Coastal Storm Risk Management Projects
WRDA 2024 authorizes $51.4 million in federal funding for USACE to implement coastal storm risk mitigation measures for Baltimore City as recommended in the Baltimore Coastal Storm Risk Management Study. In addition to coastal storm risk, the bill also recognizes the riverine flooding challenges that the Baltimore region faces by authorizing a new feasibility study on inland flooding risk in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
Feasibility Study for Coastal Highway (Route 528)
The bill authorizes a feasibility study for Route 528 near Ocean City, Maryland. The route follows the Atlantic Coast and is highly vulnerable to damage from erosion, flooding, and waves caused by coastal storms. The Army Corps-partnered study will help identify measures to help protect public infrastructure as well as lives and property and ensure access in times of emergency.
Feasibility Study for Route 50 in Prince George’s County
The bill authorizes a feasibility study for Route 50, a key connector corridor between Washington and Baltimore, that is prone to flooding during extreme storms. Specifically, flooding from Beaverdam Creek can affect both vehicular traffic and CSX and Amtrak rail traffic. The Army Corps feasibility study will help identify potential solutions for mitigating this flooding.
