U.S. Senator Katie Britt Applauds Passage of Water Resources Development Act with Major Improvements to Alabama’s Locks and Dams

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 18, 2024 – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today supported the passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which included several critical improvements to Alabama’s water infrastructure—specifically Wilson, Coffeeville, and Demopolis lock and dams. The 2024 WRDA bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program for projects to improve the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure.

“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,” said Senator Britt. “The 2024 WRDA bill authorizes the construction of new, critical locks at the Coffeeville and Demopolis Lock and Dams and pushes the Secretary of the Army Corps to provide critical assistance to improve navigation at the Wilson Lock and Dam. This targeted, modernized investment in water infrastructure strengthens our state’s future. I have long promised to focus my efforts on behalf of Alabama families and our communities—this WRDA bill does this in a big way that will help deliver for our state for years to come.”

Senator Britt was instrumental in ensuring Alabama’s lock and dams were supported in the 2024 WRDA bill. She ensured the legislation included provisions that:

• Directs the Army Corps of Engineers to expeditiously provide needed technical assistance to address the current impacts to navigation at the Wilson Lock and Dam;
• Authorizes the construction of new locks at the Coffeeville and Demopolis Lock and Dams to maintain the long-term navigability of Alabama’s inland waterway system; and
• Directs the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite completion of the Chief’s Report for the Claiborne and Millers Ferry Lock and Dam Fish Passage project in Wilcox County, Alabama.

The 2024 WRDA agreement also includes several additional provisions that will benefit Alabama in an effort to improve navigation, flood control, and environmental management. The bill:

• Modifies the federal cost share for the Selma Flood Risk Management and Stabilization Project to 100% to help ensure historic Civil Rights structures are maintained for future generations;
• Directs the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure not less than 70% of suitable dredged material is used for beneficial use and further calls for collaboration with local stakeholders to address dredging and dredging material placement in Mobile Harbor;
• Authorizes a feasibility study to address flooding in Lamar County at Luxapalila Creek;
• Increases the authorization for Environmental Infrastructure projects in Alabama from $50 million to $85 million, allowing Alabama communities to seek federal funding for certain water infrastructure economic growth projects;
• Requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct an analysis of the distribution of funding from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, including the usage of credits by energy transfer ports (such as the Port of Mobile, AL) to conduct maintenance dredging; and
• Requires the Army Corps of Engineers to coordinate with relevant stakeholders to address the dredging needs along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway to ensure its continued navigability.

Background:

Alabama’s nearly 1,270 miles of navigable inland waterways connect to over 15,000 miles of waterways in 23 states. The state’s deep-water port, the Port of Mobile, is a leader in national and global trade and was recently named the second fastest-growing port in the country, handling over 55 million tons of cargo each year.

The 2024 WRDA bill also includes additional provisions to increase the efficient use of federally owned office space, including setting occupancy standards, strengthening congressional oversight and public accountability of federal real estate projects, selling certain unused federal properties, and saving money for the taxpayers.

The bill also reauthorizes and modernizes the Economic Development Administration (EDA), for the first time in nearly 20 years, and other regional commissions whose mission is to spur economic development in distressed communities across the country.

In November of 2024, Senator Britt led every member of the Alabama delegation in sending a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers advocating for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funding for Alabama’s inland waterway system and expressing concerns over recent major lock failures.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Britt secured almost $73 million in direct spending for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Energy and Water Development Act, which was signed into law on March 9, 2024. Earlier this year, Senator Britt advanced critical appropriations funding totaling $25.07 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Energy and Water Development Act.

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