Editorial: WRDA: Ninth Inning Tie, Rain Threatening

We inland waterways folks have seen more promising legislative activity on water resource development during the last 30 months than we have for a long time. But the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (H.R. 1495) is begging now for action by the Senate. It is not time to fumble the ball.

Our river fans have seen more unified support from both houses of Congress on this issue than we might have thought possible, though they did work hard to garner it. Actually the real progress goes back to the months preceding the visit of Hurricane Katrina. That disaster took the issue off the griddle for quite some time. But members of Congress did not and have not forgotten its importance.

Both houses struggled through the issue, and now we need a Senate vote again. The bill needs to end up on the president’s desk. Not to be overlooked is that while legislators have supported WRDA in surprisingly high numbers, the president has threatened to disregard their desires and veto the bill. We have heard that if he does that, they will override his action. Surely a presidential veto would indicate disregard for the numerous waterway infrastructure problems we have had for many decades. Unfortunately, that has been the posture of presidents and budget gurus for a long time.

Infrastructure, like food in the pantry, provides major benefits to the nation. Our waterway system contributes mightily to our nation’s well being. That’s old news. The continuing story is that with adequate dredging, ports and waterways are the backbone of our transportation system—ensuring domestic and international trade opportunities and low-cost, environmentally sensitive goods movements. Not to be taken lightly is the flood damage reduction program, which saves lives and prevents $8 in damages for each dollar spent. And should we forget that 24 percent of the electricity provided to the U.S. population is generated by Corps hydropower facilities? This bill is no small matter. It needs attention now!

What is the score today? The congressional players have worked hard for eight innings. The crowd is enthused over the possible outcome. Are we facing a tie in which the president can get away with raining on our ball game? Are the doubles and triples and stolen bases of the first eight innings to be in vain? Surely Congress is hungry for a win, since they are the durable team in this game. Presidents come and go. If WRDA 2007 is lost, it will show up in the record books as a major loss for Congress.

We have passed the regular season and are ready for post-season play. To be a winning competitor, Congress must get WRDA 2007 to the president’s desk. Fortunately, in this matter, he is not the chief umpire. Congress has the option to pinch-hit and beat him with an override.

Passage of the bill, even if it has to be over a veto, would represent an urgently needed step forward in updating and maintaining our waterways system—the infrastructure, if you will, that dates back further in many cases than the bridges that threaten collapse because of age and deterioration. WRDA 2007 would authorize $21 billion for navigation, flood control and environmental protection. But to conclude that it would be too large a financial mouthful would be a mistake. Congress, as always, maintains oversight and control of the exchequer. Legislators appropriate the funding in their own good time and as they deem necessary.

Among those who can be particularly influential in spurring action on H.R. 1495 are: Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Senate majority leader; Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate minority leader; and Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. Nevertheless, everyone has legislative contacts and can urge action.

We urge these influential legislators to step up to the plate and bring WRDA 2007 to the Senate floor. We urge positive action on the measure, so important maintenance and modernization of our waterways system can get underway.

Finally, we urge that waterway supporters of WRDA 2007 not leave the stadium early. Our team is poised for a major win. The battle of the season is upon us. Take time to contact your legislators again, particularly the four previously mentioned.

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