Dick Durbin: Durbin Praises Congress Override Of The Presidents' WRDA Veto

Legislation Important For Illinois

November 9, 2007 -- [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement in response to President Bush’s veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA):

“Today's veto override may be a small political defeat for President Bush, but it is a huge victory for Illinois farmers, shippers, construction workers and those concerned with the environment. Passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) was years overdue. This bill is now law and we can begin the process of starting important projects around the country and in Illinois -- locks and dams on the Mississippi River, flood control projects in Rockford and invasive species control in the Great Lakes river basin.

“I am glad that my colleagues made the choice today to protect our workers and our economic future.”

The WRDA bill includes Congressional authorization for locks and dam modernization on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and authorizes specific projects for navigation, ecosystem restoration, and flood and storm damage reduction. A significant provision in the bill increases lock and dam capacity and improves the ecosystem of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Congress generally authorizes Army Corps projects in WRDA bills every two years, but Congress has not enacted WRDA legislation since 2000.

Flooding last year in the City of Rockford has raised concerns over Keith Creek and Alpine Dam. At least 350 homes and 50 businesses are located in the heavily developed floodplain in Rockford. The lower portion of Keith Creek does not have adequate capacity to contain flood flows and is downstream of Alpine Dam, a flood control dam constructed in 1942 by the City of Rockford. Alpine Dam’s spillway is 61 years old and is in poor condition. The dam does not meet current Federal design standards, and does not have adequate capacity to safely pass the Probable Maximum Flood. In addition, the dam does not provide adequate floor protection for heavily developed areas downstream.

The legislation also includes language that will authorize the use of federal funds to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the Asian Carp Barrier project. This barrier will prevent the spread of invasive species, including Asian Carp, between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

Source: Senator Dick Durbin

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