PASSED: Huge Water Resources Wins for Delaware

Dear Friend,

As you may know, Delaware is the lowest-lying state in the nation. This means that our state is especially vulnerable to the impacts of a changing climate. We continue to see Nor’easter storms and flooding batter our beautiful beaches and coastal communities, and experts predict that this is only going to worsen in the years ahead. Fortunately, we are taking action in Congress to restore and fortify our coasts.

Last week, I led a bipartisan majority of my colleagues in the Senate to pass the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022. WRDA is biennial legislation that authorizes flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects and programs for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The 2022 WRDA legislation includes historic advancements to address our water resources challenges in Delaware and across the country. As the lead negotiator of WRDA 2022, I’m proud to say that the bill includes the most significant advances to address climate change in more than two decades. Importantly, communities big and small will be able to benefit from this work.

WRDA 2022 has clear economic benefits for the First State. The legislation ensures that Delaware’s critical water and ecosystem infrastructure receives the care and maintenance needed to keep goods flowing and our economy moving forward. In addition to protecting our communities and restoring our coastlines, for the first time, WRDA will advance environmental infrastructure projects for Kent, New Castle, and Sussex counties. This will help address our state’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater management needs.

There’s no denying that WRDA 2022 is a major bipartisan accomplishment. And, truthfully, I’ve barely scratched the surface of the good this bill will do for Delaware. I look forward to President Biden soon signing it into law, and seeing the benefits to the First State come to life in the months and years to come!

Sincerely,

Tom Carper