Austin News

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued a statement following the Senate's unanimous passage of the 2024 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The act includes several provisions aimed at bolstering infrastructure throughout Texas.

Sen. Cruz expressed his satisfaction with the legislative priorities secured for Texas, stating, "I was proud to secure key legislative priorities for the Lone Star State in this year’s Water Resources Development Act. The provisions I championed bolster infrastructure projects throughout our state—improving coastal communities, protecting Texans against future storms, and supporting economic growth. I’ll continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure this legislation is signed into law."

The bill encompasses numerous critical provisions:

- **Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Coastal Resilience Program, Brazoria and Matagorda Counties**: Authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to enhance navigation and repair existing barriers for hurricane and storm damage risk reduction.

- **Galveston Bay Ship Channel Feasibility Study**: Allows the Army Corps to study improvements and deepening of ship channels and barge lanes in Galveston Bay.

- **Matagorda Ship Channel Design Deficiency Cost Share**: Sets federal cost-share at 90% to correct design deficiencies in Matagorda Ship Channel jetties.

- **Matagorda Ship Channel Improvement Project**: Directs actions to address delays in this project, including expediting required documentation if justified by a final report.

- **Study on Cost-Share Change to Navigation Construction Projects**: Instructs the Secretary to evaluate changing federal cost-share from 50 feet to 55 feet for construction navigation projects.

- **Expedited Consideration of Future WRDA Projects**: Allows expedited consideration of standalone legislation for project development stages.

- **Cedar Port Navigation and Improvement District Channel Deepening Project**: Expedites review and coordination of Section 203 feasibility study for Cedar Port Channel Deepening Project.

- **Sabine-Neches Waterway Navigation Improvement Project**: Expedites review and coordination of Section 203 feasibility study for Sabine-Neches Waterway Improvement Project.

- **La Quinta Ship Channel Expansion Project**: Expedites review and coordination of Section 203 feasibility study for La Quinta Expansion Project.

- **Waco Lake**: Expedites review of City of Waco's request regarding embankment repairs adjacent to Waco Lake.

- **Prioritize Prior Reports on Cost-Share Change to Navigation Operations & Maintenance Projects**: Evaluates impact of changing federal cost-share from 50 feet to 55 feet; directs prioritization by Secretary of the Army.

Additional authorizations include:

- Design and construction projects in Galveston and Corpus Christi

- Modifications for flood risk management at Addicks and Barker Reservoirs

- Ecosystem restoration modifications at Westside Creek, San Antonio Channel

- Support reaffirmation for Red River Chloride Control Project benefiting Wichita Falls and Sheppard Air Force Base

Read the full text of the bill here.