Isakson, Chambliss Praise Authorization of $127 Million in Water Infrastructure Projects for Georgia

Georgia Projects on Water Management Would Aid in Times of Drought

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today praised the Senate’s vote to override a presidential veto of water resources legislation that includes authorization for more than $127 million in critical water infrastructure projects in Georgia.  The actual funding for the projects would come later during the appropriations process.

The Water Resources Development Act authorizes Army Corps of Engineers projects dealing with regional water planning, water storage, flood control, storm protection, environmental restoration and inland navigation. The Water Resources Development Act is supposed to be authorized every two years. However, Congress has not re-authorized the legislation since 2000.

Isakson serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which had jurisdiction over the bill, and was selected by Senate leadership to participate in the committee that crafted a compromise on the bill.

“This bi-partisan, fiscally responsible bill is tremendously important for Georgia. The most precious resource we have is water, and these projects are especially important in my state and for the tens of millions of people in the Southeast affected by unprecedented drought,” Isakson said. “We have gone seven years without prioritizing the water resources of this country. This legislation sets priorities. It is an investment in safe drinking water, stormwater management, flood control and water resources across the United States of America.”

“We’re currently experiencing a historic drought in Georgia and the funding authorized in this bill will go a long way toward helping numerous urban and rural communities across our state plan for the future and will help our communities invest in many much-needed infrastructure upgrades,” said Senator Chambliss. “It was a privilege to work with folks across Georgia who brought their needs to our attention, because this is an important investment in the future of our state as we protect against storm damage and flooding, protect our environment, and enhance commerce through navigation.”

The bill includes $20 million for the construction of conveyance systems to connect both existing and planned wastewater infrastructure and facilities for the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District, which includes 16 counties and 95 cities within the metro Atlanta region. The bill also authorizes a management study of the watersheds of the Chattahoochee, Etowah, Flint, Ocmulgee and Oconee rivers lying within the counties of Bartow, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale and Walton.

The bill authorizes the following funds for Georgia projects:

·      $10 million for Savannah Riverfront development;

·      $6.175 million for environmental restoration of the Latham River in Glynn County;

·      $5 million for environmental restoration at Big Creek watershed in Roswell;

·      $24.5 million for municipal water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in the cities of Fayetteville, Grantville, LaGrange, Pine Mountain, Douglasville and Carrollton;

·      $10 million for municipal water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in the Armuchee Valley;

·      $8 million for municipal water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in Chattooga County;

·      $7 million for municipal water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in Meriwether and Spalding counties;

·      $4 million for municipal water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in Albany;

·      $5 million for municipal water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in Moultrie;

·      $8 million for municipal water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in the City of Toccoa and Stephens County;

·      $5 million for municipal water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in Dahlonega;

·      $5 million for municipal water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in Banks County;

·      $5 million for municipal water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in Berrien County; and

·      $5 million for municipal water, stormwater and wastewater infrastructure in the City of East Point.

The bill also includes language authorizing aquatic ecosystem restoration projects at the Chattahoochee Fall-Line, Longwood Cove and Mountain Park Dam, as well as a land exchange between Lake Allatoona and the Army Corps of Engineers.

In addition, the bill authorizes several studies, including a study to determine if the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is causing beach erosion at Tybee Island, a flood damage reduction study of the Macon Levee, a water supply study for Meriwether County and a feasibility study to build a joint port operation in Jasper County, S.C. Georgia is working with South Carolina in developing the port.