Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) recently spearheaded an effort with the entire Alabama congressional delegation to address concerns about significant lock failures on Alabama’s waterways. In a letter sent to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Michael Connor and Lieutenant General William Graham of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the delegation highlighted the substantial economic impact of these failures and urged adjustments in funding allocations for operations and maintenance (O&M).
The letter, signed by Senator Britt along with Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and Representatives Jerry Carl, Barry Moore, Mike Rogers, Robert Aderholt, Dale Strong, Gary Palmer, and Terri Sewell, emphasized the repercussions of lock closures at Demopolis, Holt, and Wilson this year. The closures disrupted supply chains and businesses reliant on Alabama’s inland waterways, which are crucial for the state’s economy.
The delegation expressed concern over the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ O&M budget guidance, which is based on a five-year tonnage average. They argued that including the reduced tonnage from 2024 due to the lock failures would unfairly lower funding for Alabama’s waterways.
“We urge the Corps to adjust the budget guidance for the Tennessee-Tombigbee and Black Warrior River systems by excluding the tonnage data from the calendar year 2024,” the letter stated. “These vital waterways and their associated industries should not face further hardship by inadequate O&M budget allocations in future fiscal years.”
As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Britt has prioritized funding for Alabama’s waterway infrastructure. In the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Energy and Water Development Act, she secured nearly $73 million for projects including:
- $20.6 million for the George W. Andrews Lock and Dam;
- $18.4 million for the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway;
- $12.1 million for the Black Warrior and Tombigbee Rivers;
- $11.2 million for Mobile Harbor; and
- $10.5 million for the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River System.
Senator Britt also advanced $25.07 million in critical funding for the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Energy and Water Development Act, which includes $20 million for modernizing the Coffeeville Lock and Dam and additional funds for riverbank studies, inspections, and recreation facilities.
The delegation’s efforts underscore the importance of Alabama’s waterways to the state’s economy and their commitment to securing the necessary resources for ongoing maintenance and infrastructure improvements. The FY25 funding awaits full Senate consideration.
