In October, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an $8.2 billion bill ? the Water Resources Reform and Development Act ? mapping out plans for dams, harbors, river navigation and other water projects for the coming decade.
According to Georgia Congressman Jack Kingston, who sponsored the bill when Congress first authorized it in 1999, the act clears the way for the projects in Georgia, but will also allow needed funding for projects in other areas of the country.
?While our deep water ports support 352,000 jobs here at home, 75 percent of the 21,000 companies we service are based in other states?, Kingston said. ?Moreover, completion of the project will free up $231 million in private capital annually that can be invested in business expansion and job creation.?
The House voted 417-3 to approve the measure six years after the last water bill was enacted. The bill must now be reconciled with a similar Senate measure passed in May before it can be sent to the president.
