Managing America's Water (S. 601)

What is S. 601?

(Updated September 17, 2016)

Authorizes $12 billion over 10 ten years in federal spending on water supply, flood protection, dam and levee projects, and port improvements. Notably, the bill would:

-authorize nineteen water infrastructure projects that would address flood risk management, environmental restoration, and storm damage prevention; 

-construct ship channels to maintain navigation and commerce;

-reauthorize the National Dam Safety Program;

-establish a National Levee Safety Program; 

-reduce the Army Corps of Engineers' backlog of over 1,000 outdated projects; 

-reform the Army Corps of Engineers' approval process. 

Argument in favor

Benefits to river health, an innovative financing pilot program to fund clean water and flood mitigation projects, proactive floodplain protection and restoration activities.

Argument opposed

Provisions have the potential to exacerbate U.S. water infrastructure issues through rubber-stamping of environmentally unsound projects.

Impact

Wide-ranging in scope of influence. Has the potential to affect ports and harbors, endangered species, integrity of bridges, levees and dams.

Cost of S. 601

The CBO estimates that implementing S. 601 would cost about $12 billion over the 2014-2023 period.

Additional Info

Media:

May 2013 White House Statement on S. 601

This Week In Congress: S. 601 Analysis 

Of Note: 

-If enacted, this would be the Water Resources Development Act since 2007.