Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) recently backed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which includes significant upgrades to Alabama’s water infrastructure. The legislation, approved last week, focuses on improvements to Wilson, Coffeeville, and Demopolis lock and dams and authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program to enhance the nation’s ports, inland waterways, and flood management systems.
“Alabama’s inland water infrastructure is essential to Alabama’s economy and national security—moving feedstock, steel, energy products, components of the arsenal of America, and more,” stated Senator Britt. She highlighted the bill’s authorization of new locks at Coffeeville and Demopolis Lock and Dams and provisions for addressing navigation challenges at Wilson Lock and Dam as pivotal steps for the state’s economic and infrastructural future.
Senator Britt played a key role in ensuring Alabama-specific provisions were included in the WRDA. These provisions direct the Army Corps of Engineers to:
- Expedite technical assistance to improve navigation at Wilson Lock and Dam.
- Authorize new locks at Coffeeville and Demopolis Lock and Dams to maintain navigability.
- Complete a report on fish passage projects at Claiborne and Millers Ferry Lock and Dam in Wilcox County.
The WRDA also includes additional measures benefiting Alabama, such as fully funding the Selma Flood Risk Management Project, boosting Environmental Infrastructure project funding from $50 million to $85 million, and directing sustainable dredging practices for Mobile Harbor.
Alabama’s vast network of inland waterways—spanning nearly 1,270 miles—connects to a larger system supporting trade across 23 states. The Port of Mobile, a critical hub for national and global commerce, continues to grow, handling over 55 million tons of cargo annually and recently being recognized as one of the fastest-growing ports in the U.S.
The WRDA also introduces broader reforms to enhance federal property management and reauthorizes the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the first time in two decades, focusing on economic growth in distressed communities.
Senator Britt’s advocacy for Alabama’s waterways aligns with her leadership on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, where she has secured significant funding for water infrastructure projects. Her efforts underscore the importance of modernized water infrastructure for Alabama’s economic growth and resilience.
