Booker, Menendez Applaud Passage of Water Resources Development Act, Which Will Help Fund Critical N.J. Projects

Act provides $2.124 billion for NY & NJ Harbor Channel Improvement Project

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-N.J.) applauded the Senate passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), by a vote of 93-1. The legislation, which must now be reconciled with separate legislation passed by the House of Representatives, authorizes critical funding for water investments, including $2.124 billion Booker and Menendez fought for.

“I am proud to see the Water Resources Development Act pass in a bipartisan manner,” said Sen. Booker. “This year’s legislation includes a number of priorities that I fought for, including an authorization to deepen the NY-NJ Harbor to support commerce in our state. Importantly, as climate change increases the threat of dangerous storms, the legislation also includes measures for flood management and coastal storm risk management, which will help protect communities in New Jersey that are susceptible to flooding.”

“Today’s passage of the Water Resources Development Act will help advance critical projects that will address issues impacting communities across New Jersey, including coastal storm and inland flood risk mitigation, ecosystem restoration and channel improvements of the New York and New Jersey Harbor,” said Sen. Menendez.  “Through these investments we are making New Jersey more resilient both environmentally and economically.”

The bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2022 authorizes much-needed investments in projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) across the country. This legislation continues the recent two-year cycle for Water Resources Development Acts, ensuring timely Congressional authorization of Corps studies and projects, including projects in New Jersey. It also includes key policy reforms to bolster the Army Corps’ work and better direct federal resources to increase resiliency, mitigate flooding, restore habitats, and protect vulnerable communities. 

The NY & NJ Harbor Deepening Channel Improvement Project will deepen the pathways to Elizabeth – Port Authority Marine Terminal and Port Jersey – Port Authority Marine Terminal by 5 feet to a maintained depth of 55 feet improving safety and efficiency at the port. The project is also expected to create approximately 88,000 full-time jobs.

Additionally, the following feasibility studies are included in the Expedited Completion of Studies section of WRDA.  

·        Project for flood risk management, Rahway, New Jersey, authorized by section 336 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 23 Stat. 2712)

·        Project for coastal storm risk management, Sea Bright to Manasquan, New Jersey.

·        Project for coastal storm risk management, Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay, New Jersey.

The WRDA bill passed in 2018 authorized a significant increase in funding for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The 2018 WRDA bill also expanded the lead in schools testing program, which was co-authored by Booker, to provide schools with additional assistance to address lead contamination, including the replacement of drinking water.