Congressional Roundtable in Miami to Kick Off Work on Next Water Resources Development Act

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment will hold a roundtable policy discussion at PortMiami to launch the development of new legislation to improve the country’s ports, locks and dams, inland waterways, and other water resources infrastructure.

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is legislation that authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out navigation, flood control, shoreline protection, hydropower, dam safety, water supply, and environmental restoration activities nationwide.  This infrastructure is critical to the Nation’s competitiveness and is directly tied to job creation and economic development.

Under the leadership of the Subcommittee and the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Congress has returned to regular order in considering this vital infrastructure legislation every two years.  In 2014 and 2016, bipartisan WRDA bills became law under Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA).

The roundtable discussion, entitled “America’s Water Resources Infrastructure: Concepts for the Next Water Resources Development Act,” will bring together bipartisan leaders of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, Members of the regional Florida Congressional Delegation, and public and private stakeholders for a policy discussion on water infrastructure needs and challenges states and communities face in addressing those needs.

WHO:  

Members of Congress (subject to change; tentative as of 10/25/17):

• U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (PA-09), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman
• U.S. Rep. Garret Graves (LA-06), Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman
• U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member
• U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (FL-18)
• U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster (FL-11)
• U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (FL-24)
• U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-21)
• U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
• U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo (FL-26)
• U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30)
• Additional Members of the Water Resources Subcommittee

Stakeholders (subject to change; tentative as of 10/25/17):

• The Honorable Carlos A. Giménez, Mayor, Miami-Dade County, on behalf of the National Association of Counties
• Mr. Juan Kuryla, Port Director and CEO, PortMiami, on behalf of the American Association of Port Authorities and the Florida Ports Council
• Ms. Amy Larson, President, National Waterways Conference
• Mr. Dan Mecklenborg, Chief Legal Officer, Ingram Barge Group, on behalf of the American Waterways Operators and Waterways Council, Inc.
• Mr. Federico Fernandez, Governing Board Member, South Florida Water Management District
• Ms. Dawn Shirreffs, Senior Everglades Policy Advisor, Everglades Foundation
• Mr. Robert Turner, Director of Engineering and Operations, Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East, on behalf of the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies
• Mr. Derek Brockbank, Executive Director, American Shore and Beach Preservation Association
• Mr. Douglas J. Callaway, Senior Policy Advisor, Florida Department of Transportation

WHAT:  Roundtable policy discussion of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment to discuss concepts for Congress’ next Water Resources Development Act.  Media availability with Committee members to follow immediately at the end of the event.

WHERE: Cruise Terminal B, Port Miami, 1751 North Cruise Boulevard, Miami, Florida 33132

WHEN:  9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Friday, October 27, 2017

WEBCAST: A live webcast of the roundtable will be available here.

Logistical Information for Media:

• Media must arrive at 8 a.m. for security clearance processing.
• Media vehicles will park on the south side of Terminal B (1751 N Cruise Boulevard) at the Bus Parking area.
• PortMiami Security will be on-site to assist.  Upon arrival to PortMiami, please follow signs to Terminal B.

Contact Justin.Harclerode@mail.house.gov, Jeff.Urbanchuk@mail.house.gov, or Keith.Hall@mail.house.gov for questions about the roundtable subject.  For additional logistics assistance, press may also contact Andria.Muniz-Amador@miamidade.gov with PortMiami.