Group pushing Congress to pass waterways bill

Group pushing Congress to pass waterways bill    The National Waterways Conference is urging people to call Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn., the Senate Majority Leader, on April 26 to push S. 728, the Water Resources Development Act.
   According to the group, WRDA is a bill that authorizes water resources projects for the nation such as ports, beach renourishment, water supply facilities, hydropower generator improvements, locks and dams, environmental restoration, and flood control (including several projects for rebuilding New Orleans and the Gulf).
   The bill does not provide money for projects, but is a necessary part of the process so that projects can be considered for funding. Earlier this year, 81 senators signed letters to Frist asking that WRDA be brought before the full Senate as quickly as possible. However, in spite of an overwhelming level of support, the bill remains stalled in the Senate. Last July the House of Representatives passed a WRDA by a vote of 406-14.
   More information is available at https://www.waterways.org.