Rep. Sykes Votes to Authorize Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act
Bipartisan legislation responds to local water resources needs in Ohio’s 13th District
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) voted in support of S. 4367, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA). This bipartisan legislation authorizes projects to strengthen the flood protection and resiliency of our communities, invest in wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and to complete ecosystem restoration that maintains America’s vital natural resources. The Water Resources Development Act now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
“I’m glad to support this bipartisan legislation, which authorizes funding for a variety of local projects that will improve water quality and infrastructure throughout Ohio’s 13th District,” said Rep. Sykes. “In Congress, I’ll keep working to ensure the water resource needs of our communities are met.”
Rep. Sykes, the only member of Ohio’s Congressional Delegation to serve on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, is the Vice Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, which has jurisdiction over matters relating to water resources development, conservation and management, water pollution control and water infrastructure, and hazardous waste cleanup.
The Water Resources Development Act includes several provisions that Rep. Sykes advocated for on behalf of the people of Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, including:
- Summit County Environmental Infrastructure New Authority: Creates and authorizes Summit County Environmental Infrastructure New Authority at $25 million to fund projects such as Akron Water Main Replacement, Akron Lead Service Line Replacement, Castle Boulevard Storm Water Improvements in Akron, West Market Street Waterline Replacement in Fairlawn, New Franklin South Main Street Storm Water replacement in Village of New Franklin, Stratford Street Waterline in Barberton, Rosemont Preserve in Fairlawn.
- Stark County Environmental Infrastructure New Authority: Creates and authorizes Stark County Environmental Infrastructure Authority at $23.9 million to fund projects such as the Cromer Water Storage Reservoir Replacement Project in Canton, Ohio Erie Canalway Lock IV Park updates, and the Sanitary Sewer Project for the Community of North Lawrence.
- Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Strategy (CHEERS): Requires that up to 70% of dredged materials need to be used for beneficial use so long as the material is not contaminated. This will ensure that the Port of Cleveland can use the dredged material to help develop their CHEERS project, which plans for additional parkland and habitat along Cleveland’s Lake Erie shoreline in proximity to the St. Clair-Superior and Glenville neighborhoods.
- Lock and Dam Remote Operations Protections: Requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to maintain local on-site operations for locks and dams and prevent the jobs from being outsourced for 10 years.
- Ohio's Environmental Infrastructure Program: Increases Ohio’s Environmental Infrastructure Program authorization by $1.1 million to be used for projects such as wastewater treatment and related facilities, combined sewer overflow, water supply, storage, treatment, and related facilities, mine drainage, environmental restoration, and surface water resources protection and development.
- Harmful Algae Bloom Project: Address harmful algal blooms by prioritizing activities that reduce nutrient pollution, use natural and nature-based approaches, and protect wetlands.
- Corrosion Prevention: Encourages coordination with apprenticeship programs and National standard best practices when conducting corrosion prevention activities.
- Miami Conservatory District Study: Develops a risk-based prioritization of recapitalization and rehabilitation of the 100-year-old integrated flood protection system along the Great Miami River and in the Miami Valley. This feasibility study is a proactive step in maintaining the safety of residents, the uninterrupted activities of commerce, and the preservation of critical recreational space and local natural ecosystems.
- St. Marys River Study: Examines deepening the upbound channel of the St. Marys River in the vicinity of Neebish Island.
- Bank Stabilization and Protection Projects: Increases funding authorization for projects to protect public and non-profit infrastructure from flood and storm damages due to erosion.