WRDA and Infrastructure Take Center Stage at the 2018 Legislative Summit

When NWC members convened in Washington during the week of March 5^th for the 2018 Legislative Summit, discussions centered around possible water resources legislation taking shape in Congress and the Administration’s recently-released infrastructure concepts.

U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster touted the ongoing work in the House to craft a bill and build consensus to move legislation out of committee by late spring, with floor action before the 4^th of July recess, opening the door to conference negotiations over the summer. A similar timeline was supported by Brian Clifford, Deputy Staff Director for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, who delved into the Senate’s process for moving forward with WRDA.

Support for the Administration’s infrastructure proposal came from Mr. Ryan Fisher, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, as well as Alex Herrgott, point man at the White House from his perch as Associate Director for Infrastructure at the Council on Environmental Quality. Maritime Administrator Mark “Buz” Buzby, USN Ret., commented on Marad’s priorities, as well as the pivotal role of Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao in developing the Administration’s proposal.

NWC’s federal partners at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers played a central role in the Summit’s program, with budgetary and operational insight provided by Eddie Belk, Chief of the Programs Integration Division, and Tom Smith, Chief of Operations and Regulatory. LTG Todd Semonite, Commanding General and Chief of Engineers, and NWC President Amy Larson reaffirmed their commitment to working together on issues of mutual concern by signing a 5-year extension to our Memorandum of Understanding.

Don McNeill from Caterpillar discussed the work of the Natural Infrastructure Initiative and sought common ground with NWC members on various initiatives, including beneficial use of dredged material.

**Click here to read the 2018 Legislative Summit Final Agenda **

Speaker Presentations:

USACE Civil Works Update (2,647 KB) Edward E. Belk, Jr., PE, Chief, Programs Integration Division, Directorate of Civil Works, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The Natural Infrastructure Initiative (1,769 KB) Don M. McNeill, Strategic Growth Manager, Caterpillar Inc.; Director Natural Infrastructure Initiative

LTG Todd T. Semonite (26,387 KB) LTG Todd T Semonite, 54th Chief of Engineers and Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Thomas P. Smith, PE, SES (2,742 KB) Thomas P. Smith, PE, Chief, Operations and Regulatory Division, Directorate of Civil Works, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Thank You to our 2018 Legislative Summit Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor – Tarrant Regional Water District

Gold Sponsors – Alabama State Port Authority, CDM Smith, Ingram Barge Company, Trinity River Authority of Texas

Silver Sponsors – Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, Halff Associates, Oakley’s Port 33, Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Company, Port of Memphis, Red River Waterway Commission