Editorial: Thanks To Congress, WRDA 2007 Veto-Proof

We applaud congressional delegates who have managed to pass the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (H.R. 1495) by what has been described as a veto-proof vote. The U.S. Senate, in bipartisan fashion, passed the bill on September 24 by a margin of 81–12. The House adopted the measure on August 1. The last WRDA was approved in 2000. To be effective, the bills need to be passed every two years, the National Waterways Conference reminds us.

Passage of the $23 billion measure includes $4 billion for the Upper Mississippi/Illinois river projects calling for river improvements and replacement of old, small, locks by larger ones. Missouri’s Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) voted against the overall WRDA bill but supported the projects on the Upper Miss and Illinois. Sounds like she was attempting to salvage votes at home while joining detractors who have stalled WRDA for so long. Fellow Missouri Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond (R), on the other hand, was among the staunchest supporters.

What continues to puzzle us is why the overall value of water resource development continues to be a mystery to some. A worn out interstate highway attracts attention, and most understand the need for repairs and modernization when a highway develops choke points (bottlenecks). The very same principle applies to navigable waterways, but the “aginners” still come out in force.

Many and varied are the benefits to a nation when there is prudent management of waterways. Improved environment must certainly be included. After all, there are numerous cargoes moving by barge that cannot be transported over highways and/or through populated areas.

One should not overlook realities of WRDA. While it authorizes projects, those projects must be funded, which means appropriations. So one cannot look at the $23 billion measure and say, “we just spent” that amount. The expenditures will be extended over a number of years. As the projects get underway, the appropriated money will fund construction, which means thousands of jobs in various regions along the waterways are at issue. The money also goes for the purchase of concrete and steel and whatever else is needed for construction, not to speak of the contractors whose equipment and management services are utilized. The money circulates and flows back into the economy.

Well, what’s next? Yogi Berra, former major league baseball player and manager, and continuing purveyor of memorable phrases, told us, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

In a sense, he is correct. Bush is fully aware that there are more than enough votes to override a veto. But he has his “wants” too, and he may attempt leverage to get them. The president is known for threatening vetoes but not following through unless a moral issue is involved. So when will it go to the president? That’s a bit fuzzy. It is possible that some administrative details need to be completed. So we will just have to stay tuned.

In the meantime, it is not too soon to congratulate Congress for its effort. As dedicated supporters of water resources development, we believe it is crucial as a means of maintaining and modernizing our nation’s infrastructure. Passage of WRDA by the Senate with such a margin might even inspire some “It’s about times” from overseas waterway interests. In fact, the recent SmartRivers 2007 Conference in Louisville, Ky., focused on the challenges faced by river and port engineers in the United States and Europe.

Oddly, but sensibly, Europeans have focused on waterway use to one degree or another as a means of improving the environment. They see a great well of water transportation services to be tapped, while relocating cargo from rails and highways and reducing pollution.

In this nation, too many zealous environmentalists have used environmental laws to block waterways projects. Proponents of water resource development believe good management and increased use of river transportation can slow down the increase in pollution brought about by burgeoning highway traffic. Judicious use of waterways can help to stave off increased and costly damage to roadways by dampening the growth in heavy truck traffic.

There is strong reason to believe that WRDA 2007 will soon be a done deal. The president and his cabinet cohorts may not like it, but compared with the money being appropriated for Iraq activities and Katrina recovery, the cost is relatively small. WRDA covers the nation. It is worth the price.

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