Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to override President Bush’s veto on The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007.

The final vote was 361-54.

WRDA 2007 authorizes $210 billion for more than 800 project modifications and new projects for the Army Corps of Engineers, including projects for navigation, flood control, environmental restoration, recreation and environmental infrastructure.  It also authorizes 100 new studies for the Corps of Engineers, covering all of the Corps missions – flood control, navigation, ecosystem restoration, and water supply.  

“With this vote, we have corrected the President’s misguided veto,” said Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva. “The bill authorizes more than 200 projects to protect lives and livelihoods in our communities from the devastating impacts of flooding by building and repairing floodwalls and levees, as well as by restoring wetlands that absorb floodwaters.”

Among the projects sponsored by Rep. Grijalva, Congressional District 7 will benefit from the following:

• Tanque Verde Creek, Pima County, Arizona – For environmental restoration. Authorized at $5.906 million, with a federal share of $3.836 million and estimated non-federal share of $2.07 million.
• Gila Bend, Maricopa, Arizona – For a study to determine the feasibility of carrying out a project for flood damage reduction.
• Marana, Arizona – Increased the authorization to $27 million for continuing wastewater treatment and distribution infrastructure enhancements. 
• Santa Cruz River, Paseo de las Iglesias, Arizona – For environmental restoration. Authorized at $97.7 million, with a federal share of $63.3 million and an estimated non-federal share of $34.4 million.
• Nogales Wash and Tributaries Flood Control Project, Arizona – Increased the authorization for continuing flood control.  Now authorized at a total cost of $25.4 million, with an estimated Federal cost of $22.93 million and an estimated non-Federal cost of $2.48 million.
• Tucson Drainage Area, Arizona – Increased the authorization for continuing flood damage reduction, environmental restoration and recreation. Now authorized at a total cost of $66.7 million, with an estimated Federal cost of $43.35 million and an estimated non-Federal cost of $23.35 million.