23 September 2020

Hearing: House Committee on Natural Resources

Full Committee

Event date: 9/30/2020 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Export event

Full Committee Markup: Remote Full Committee Markup

Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2020Time: 12:00 PMPresiding: The Honorable Raúl M. Grijalva, Chair

On Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at 12:00 PM (EDT) via the Cisco Webex online video conferencing platform and livestreamed on the Committee’s Facebook live and YouTube pages, the Committee on Natural Resources is scheduled to hold a markup to consider the following bills:

H.R. 244 (Rep. Stewart), To maximize land management efficiencies, promote land conservation, generate education funding, and for other purposes. Advancing Conservation and Education Act.
H.R. 733 (Rep. McCollum), To provide for the transfer of certain Federal land in the State of Minnesota for the benefit of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation Restoration Act.
H.R. 970 (Rep. A. Brown), To direct the Secretary of the Interior to develop a plan for the removal of the monument to Robert E. Lee at the Antietam National Battlefield, and for other purposes. Robert E. Lee Statue Removal Act.
H.R. 1248 (Rep. Pingree), To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain river segments within the York watershed in the State of Maine as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes. York River Wild and Scenic River Act of 2019.
H.R. 1964 (Rep. Butterfield), To provide for the recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and for other purposes. Lumbee Recognition Act.
H.R. 3225 (Rep. Mike Levin), To amend the Mineral Leasing Act to make certain adjustments in leasing on Federal lands for oil and gas drilling, and for other purposes. Restoring Community Input and Public Protections in Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2019.
H.R. 3651 (Rep. Fortenberry), To facilitate the use of certain land in Nebraska for public outdoor recreational opportunities, and for other purposes.
H.R. 4135 (Rep. Norton), To direct the Secretary of the Interior to remove the statue to the memory and in honor of Albert Pike erected near Judiciary Square in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes.
H.R. 4139 (Rep. Vela), To provide for the boundary of the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Park to be adjusted, to authorize the donation of land to the United States for addition to that historic park, and for other purposes.
H.R. 4840 (Rep. O’Halleran), To modify the boundary of the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, and for other purposes. Casa Grande Ruins National Monument Boundary Modification Act of 2019.
H.R. 5153 (Rep. Young), To assist Tribal governments in the management of buffalo and buffalo habitat and for the reestablishment of buffalo on Indian lands. Indian Buffalo Management Act.
H.R. 5458 (Rep. Neguse), To modify the boundary of the Rocky Mountain National Park, and for other purposes. Rocky Mountain National Park Boundary Modification Act.
H.R. 5459 (Rep. Neguse), To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to correct a land ownership error within the boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park, and for other purposes. Rocky Mountain National Park Ownership Correction Act.
H.R. 5472 (Rep. Sandford Bishop), To redesignate the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site as the "Jimmy Carter National Historical Park". Jimmy Carter National Historical Park Redesignation Act.
H.R. 5598 (Rep. McCollum), To provide for the protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and interconnected Federal lands and waters, including Voyageurs National Park, within the Rainy River Watershed in the State of Minnesota, and for other purposes. Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act.
H.R. 5852 (Rep. Himes), To redesignate the Weir Farm National Historic Site in the State of Connecticut as the "Weir Farm National Historical Park". Weir Farm National Historical Park Redesignation Act.
H.R. 7098 (Rep. Grijalva), To expand the boundary of Saguaro National Park, to study additional land for future adjustments to the boundary of the park, and for other purposes. Saguaro National Park Boundary Expansion and Study Act of 2020.
H.R. 7099 (Rep. Grijalva), To provide for the conveyance of a small parcel of Coconino National Forest land in the State of Arizona.
S.212 (Sen. Hoeven), A bill to amend the Native American Business Development, Trade Promotion, and Tourism Act of 2000, the Buy Indian Act, and the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to provide industry and economic development opportunities to Indian communities. Indian Community Economic Enhancement Act of 2019.

Overview

Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) serves as the primary vehicle through which Congress authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects and establishes policy frameworks for water resource development nationwide. Enacted on a biennial schedule, WRDAs provide congressional authorization for USACE to conduct feasibility studies, construct flood risk reduction projects, improve navigation infrastructure, restore aquatic ecosystems, and assist with environmental infrastructure development.

Since the enactment of WRDA 1986, Congress has used these omnibus authorization bills to both create new USACE authorities and refine existing programs based on evolving national priorities and lessons learned from program implementation. Recent WRDAs have addressed critical issues including drought resilience, water supply development, infrastructure modernization, and support for economically disadvantaged communities.

The most recent legislation, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024, P.L. 118-272), continued Congress's bipartisan commitment to strengthening America's water infrastructure by authorizing new construction projects, modifying existing authorities, and establishing updated policy guidance for USACE operations. WRDA 2024 also authorized five new regional environmental infrastructure programs, each incorporating flexible delivery mechanisms that allow federal assistance to be provided through grants or reimbursements to nonfederal sponsors.

Authorization through WRDA is typically a prerequisite for USACE activities to receive federal appropriations through the annual Energy and Water Development appropriations process. This two-step framework—authorization followed by appropriation—ensures congressional oversight of both program scope and funding levels.

Section 219 Environmental Infrastructure

Section 219 of WRDA 1992, as amended, represents one of USACE's most geographically expansive environmental infrastructure assistance authorities. Originally enacted to authorize design assistance for 18 specific projects, Section 219 has been amended by subsequent Congresses to authorize both design and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure in hundreds of municipalities, counties, and states across the nation.

The Congressional Research Service has identified over 600 environmental infrastructure assistance authorities with cumulative authorizations of appropriations totaling approximately $18.1 billion. Section 219 authorities constitute the majority of these geographically specific project authorizations, covering at least 46 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories.

Section 219 projects address critical community needs including wastewater treatment facilities, water supply and distribution systems, stormwater management infrastructure, surface water protection, and environmental restoration. These projects support public health, environmental quality, and economic development in communities that have secured congressional authorization for USACE assistance.

Congress has continued to expand Section 219 in recent legislation. WRDA 2022 added 132 new Section 219 authorities and amended 24 existing authorities. WRDA 2024 authorized an additional 193 new Section 219 authorities and amended 53 existing authorities, providing a combined $5.4 billion increase in authorization of appropriations. WRDA 2024 also established a seven-year pilot program to increase the federal cost share from 75 percent to 90 percent for Section 219 projects benefiting economically disadvantaged communities.

Unlike traditional USACE water resource projects, Section 219 assistance does not require completion of the agency's standard feasibility study process. However, projects receiving Section 219 assistance must comply with applicable federal environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act.

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