WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 13, 2018) – Today, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers’s (WA-05) sixth bill of the year is poised to become law following the passage of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, a reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). This bill included the Congresswoman’s Port of Whitman Economic Expansion Act which would authorize a land transfer between the Port of Whitman and the Army Corps of Engineers.

“The America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 will strengthen our nation’s ports, dams, and waterways that drive commerce and support jobs,” said Cathy. “I was proud to support this bill to help tackle the backlog of water projects, reduce long-term costs, streamline burdensome regulations, and improve safety and quality of life for the American people. I’m also proud to see my Port of Whitman Economic Expansion Act included to allow the Port of Whitman County to continue their mission of economic development and business expansion as part of my continued work to deliver results for people here in Eastern Washington.”

“There are very limited development possibilities in our region with none currently available in Whitman County on or near the river. The Port of Whitman County would like to explore the possibilities of acquiring the East Unit land from USACE to expand economic development opportunities in western Whitman County. We greatly appreciate Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers work in sponsoring our language in the WRDA bill to start these efforts,” said Joe Poire, Executive Director of the Port of Whitman County

NOTE: This bill includes a provision from the Congresswoman’s Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017 (H.R. 3043), which passed the House with bipartisan support in November 2017. The provision, led for years by Cathy, promotes early action, infrastructure, and improvements at non-federal dams. This promotes necessary additions to dams like fish-friendly turbines and critical maintenance. Right now, these improvements must be made within a small window of time to count towards a dams’ new license. With this language included, these improvements can be made outside of that window and count towards the next license.

In the past year, Rep. McMorris Rodgers has seen ten of her bills pass the House. This will be her sixth to be signed into law. For more information on all these efforts visit https://mcmorris.house.gov/wins/.

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