News

WRDA signed into law

President Trump has signed a bill to improve water infrastructure in the U.S.

The America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 invests more than $6 billion into projects over the next decade.

Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition says the measure includes the Water Resources Act (WRDA) of 2018 and builds upon a nearly 50 percent increase in funding for the Civil Works portfolio since 2013.

John Kran is with the Michigan Farm Bureau.  “This is something that impacts every Congressional district in every state in some way.  It’s more than just the Great Lakes, it’s inland waterways, municipal projects and other things across the country.”

Kran tells Brownfield the state’s Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, which connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron, would receive nearly $1 billion for much needed upgrades.  “A lot of commodities or inputs that are coming from as far away as Minnesota move through the Great Lakes system and into the Soo Locks if you think about the ability to move thinks out to the Ocean through the St. Lawrence, or even down to Cleveland or other places.”

Steenhoek says the WRDA legislation establishes a blueprint for priority projects but it also needs appropriation approval to direct funding toward improvements.  Kran tells Brownfield because the legislation was passed by a voice vote with broad bipartisan support, it’s likely funding requests will be met.

AUDIO: Interview with John Kran