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September 18, 2014
WRRDA 2014:
Perspectives on Implementation
National Waterways Conference Annual Meeting
Bossier City, LA
Timothy Feather, Ph D.
How does WRRDA help the nation get better water resources infrastructure?
• Facts
• Intent of provisions
• Implementation
• Strategy
• Business
• Local provider
• Corps
• Citizen
Info &
Insight
Reaction Profile: Skeptical Enthusiasm
Half Empty Half Full
New era
How do we get the money
Its about time
Not enough money
Its too late
This still won’t work
Implementation will sway the balance
WRRDA Overview
Title I
•Program Reforms and Streamlining•Reduces project timeline and review•Program Reforms and Streamlining•Reduces project timeline and review
Title II
•Navigation• Improvements to HMTF•Navigation• Improvements to HMTF
Title III
• Safety Improvements / Extreme Weather•Dam safety and emergency• Safety Improvements / Extreme Weather•Dam safety and emergency
Title IV
•River Basin and Coastal Areas• Initiate resiliency projects•River Basin and Coastal Areas• Initiate resiliency projects
Title V
•Water Infrastructure Financing•WIFIA•Water Infrastructure Financing•WIFIA
Title VI
•Project Deauthorizations• $18B projects not viable•Project Deauthorizations• $18B projects not viable
Title VII
•Water Resources Infrastructure•$22B new projects•Water Resources Infrastructure•$22B new projects
• Large and complex bill
• 532 pages• Projects and policies
• Authorization v. Appropriation
• Return the two year cycle?
Faster, Better, CheaperSelected Provisions in Title I
• Added funding capacity to Continuing Authorities program
• Expedited environmental reviews of federal agencies
• SMART Planning: 3 yrs, $3M, 3 concurrent levels of review
• Sunsets of future authorizations to limit backlog
• Improved mechanisms for using funds from nonfederal interests for projects
WRRDA Section 1014
Water Resources Development Projects by Non‐Federal Interests (NFI)
NFI can conduct Feasibility Studies
NFI can develop project or separable element
Expands authority beyond deep draft navigation to all water resources development projects
Implementation guidance needed
Corps role variable
Lessons learned from past 203 studies needed
WRRDA Section 1043
Non‐Federal Implementation Pilot Program
Pilot project for feasibility studies and
implementation $25M for 5
years
Evaluate the effectiveness of NFI leading
these projects
How are the pilots chosen?
Technical soundness?
Is this better?
Influence and Control Continuum
Federal Local
WRDA 1986
Section203/204
Section 211
Section 1043
Section1014
Flood Control Act of 1936
Final Thoughts• WRRDA at least brings water resources on the legislative radar
• Still need to provide technically sound infrastructure – sustainable and resilient
• Clearly change is happening – problem landscape, roles
• (Naivety warning) Simple model of policy and legislation
• In the meantime, get smart about the implementation