Panel to review 2014 water funding bill

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is planning to review the implementation of a $12.3 billion bill to boost U.S. ports and waterways that Congress passed last year. 

The 2014 measure, which is known as the Water Resources Reform and Development Act, identifies new water infrastructure projects and authorizes funding for them, though the actual money is being doled out by appropriations committees. 

The committee said Friday that it will hold a hearing on June 10 titled “One Year Anniversary After Enactment: Implementation of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014.” 

{mosads}The panel said the hearing will allow lawmakers to discuss the “legislation that made reforms to accelerate the project delivery process, promote fiscal responsibility, and increase transparency, accountability, and congressional oversight in reviewing and prioritizing future water resources development investment.” 

Among the projects that were identified for funding in the 2014 water bill are long-sought projects to deepen ports in Jacksonville, Fla.; Savannah, Ga.; and Boston. 

Transportation advocates have warned that U.S. ports need to be expanded to be able to handle larger ships that are expected to come through the Panama Canal after the Central American channel is deepened this year.   

The measure was the first water funding legislation to become law since 2007.