U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) highlighted his support for several amendments to the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) this week, including measures to secure dredging for smaller inland ports along the Mississippi River; a provision to encourage resilient construction that can better withstand natural disasters; and a new study on flood protection and drought issues in relation to the Mississippi River Basin.
Blunt co-chairs the bipartisan Senate Mississippi River Caucus.
“ As we learned in the wake of numerous tornadoes, flooding, and droughts in Missouri, it’s important that we use federal dollars wisely when it comes to disaster preparedness and response. These amendments are a step in the right direction to ensure we’re using taxpayer dollars wisely to prepare for the future, ” said Blunt.
Background Information
– Dredging of Inland Ports: Senator Blunt submitted an amendment to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) to ensure U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducts dredging at small inland ports along the Mississippi River. This amendment was successfully included in the WRDA manager’s package in advance of the debate this week.
– Resilient Construction in Storm Situations: Senator Blunt and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (Fla.) introduced a bipartisan amendment to ensure two new government studies include an analysis of the use of resilient construction techniques to reduce future vulnerability from flood, storm and drought conditions. Resilient construction has the potential to substantially reduce property damage and loss of life resulting from all forms of natural disasters. In studying the impact of resilient construction in storm situations, we are able to prepare for future disasters, save money, reduce destruction and prevent the loss of lives in disaster-prone areas. The amendment passed the Senate by voice vote today.
– Mississippi River Study: Senator Blunt and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (Ill.) introduced a bipartisan amendment that would direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a study of the Mississippi River Basin. The study would review the federal government’s potential actions to prevent damages resulting from severe flooding and droughts.
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Press Release, May 10, 2013