Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024
Key claim: The Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 became Public Law 118-272, directing the Army Corps of Engineers to improve nonfederal-interest engagement and public project information, raise feasibility-report cost caps to $5 million, minimize real-property interests taken, and stand up an implementation team for this and prior water-resources laws.
Abstract
(S4367 · 118th Congress) Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 DIVISION A—WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT Water Resources Development Act of 2024 TITLE I—GENERAL PROVISIONS Subtitle A—General Matters (Sec. 1101) This section directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to ensure that potential nonfederal interests are aware of the roles, responsibilities, and financial commitments associated with a completed water resources development project prior to initiating any feasibility studies. A nonfederal interest is an entity such as a state or Indian tribe, or a nonprofit entity with the consent of the affected local government, that has full authority and capability to perform the terms of its agreement and to pay damages in the event of failure to perform. The Corps must also designate a community project advisor at each of its district and division offices to respond to inquiries from potential nonfederal interests related to Corps water resources development authorities. To the maximum extent practicable, the Corps must make information on its projects and studies within each of its districts publicly available on a website. (Sec. 1102) The Corps must develop a plan to implement this act and prior water resources development law. Additionally, the Corps must establish a team of current federal employees to implement this act and such laws. (Sec. 1103) This section raises the cost cap on certain feasibility reports for water resources projects from $3 million to $5 million. (Sec. 1104) The Corps must provide a real estate plan to the nonfederal interest for an authorized water resources development project. For each project for which an interest in real property is required for any applicable construction, operation and maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, or replacement, the Corps must identify and use the minimum interest in real property necessary to carry out the applicable activity. The nonfederal interest for a project must provide the identified Latest action (2025-01-04): Became Public Law No: 118-272.
Why this matters
WRDA 2024 sets the near-term procedural rules for how the Army Corps of Engineers develops navigation, flood-risk, and port infrastructure projects that underpin large portions of the U.S. transportation network. The higher feasibility-study cost cap and mandate to minimize real-property takings directly affect project timelines and community impacts, while the nonfederal-partner engagement and implementation-team provisions shape how sponsors and the public interact with Corps decisions.