Dredging small harbors benefits recreational boaters.
America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 Poised for
Passage; Boaters Stand to Gain.
Bill
includes focus on water-quality improvements
A safe place
to hide from a storm. Better navigation. Cleaner waters. Ensuring that boaters
matter when it comes to getting their fair share of federal funding. These are
all things that boaters stand to gain with the passage of a bipartisan bill, S.
3021, America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018, which will provide
critical funds and policy improvements for the nation’s waterways, reservoirs,
levees, locks and dams. A Senate vote is expected soon.
Boat Owners
Association of The United States (BoatUS), the nation’s advocate for boat
owners, urges the Senate to say “yes” to the legislation, which also encompasses
the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018. “The bill authorizes the
needed investment in waterways where millions of Americans recreate,” said
BoatUS Government Affairs Manager David Kennedy. “It also promotes policies to
address water-quality concerns such as the harmful algal blooms recently seen
in Florida and the Great Lakes.”
BoatUS says
recreational boaters will like the bill as it supports waterway-access
projects, navigation and water-quality improvements, and provides maintenance
funds for harbors of refuge. It also includes innovative policy changes such as
a provision directing the economic benefit of recreational boating be
considered for locks on the Allegheny River system. As the primary federal
legislation that addresses waterways, AWIA/WRDA serves to keep this crucial
part of the nation’s infrastructure working for everyone.
“Regular
passage of WRDA bills is good news for American boaters,” added Kennedy.
“Keeping up with water-infrastructure maintenance and updating the laws that
deal with our waterways will help keep boating one of our nation’s favorite
recreational activities.”
For the bill’s
full text, go to https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s3021/BILLS-115s3021eah.pdf.