Washington, D.C. — This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007.

This legislation 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. WRDA 2007 also authorizes 100 new studies for the Corps of Engineers, covering all of the Corps missions – flood control, navigation, ecosystem restoration, and water supply.

Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva sponsored several projects that were authorized in the bill, which include:

• 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.

The last time a Water Resources Development Act was passed was in 2000.

 “The passage of this bill is long overdue,” said Grijalva. “The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 will ensure the protection and improvement of our nation’s water infrastructure, and I applaud the committee for including these important and vital projects for Arizona.”