WASHINGTON – Legislation to improve Mississippi’s waterways, ports, river systems, dredging, and flood protection projects passed the U.S. Senate and is expected to become law. U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., used his unique position on the Committee on Environment and Public Works to secure priorities for Mississippi in the legislation, the 2024 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

Senator Wicker released the following statement:

“Water resources are essential to Mississippi,” Senator Wicker said. “This bill gives us additional tools to provide clean drinking water, wastewater, and flood control solutions for communities across the country. I will keep using my position on the Environment and Public Works Committee to deliver results for Mississippi’s communities.”

Among other policies that are going to benefit Mississippi, WRDA will:

• Authorize Section 219 environmental infrastructure in four Mississippi communities. Those projects and communities include:
• A new water tank and wastewater collection system for Byram.
• Stormwater and drainage improvements for Hancock County.
• Wastewater treatment system improvements for Madison.
• Drinking water and wastewater improvements for Pearl.
• Increase authorized funding for Section 219 environmental infrastructure in five Mississippi communities for:
• A comprehensive stormwater management program for Rankin County.
• A regional wastewater program for DeSoto County.
• Wastewater infrastructure improvements for Jackson.
• A comprehensive water management program for Madison County.
• The Meridian Multi-phase Evaluation and Rehabilitation Water Program.
• Authorize federal funding for flood risk management and aquatic ecosystem restoration in North DeSoto County.
• In recent years, flooding has damaged businesses, residential homes, and other infrastructure in DeSoto County.
• Address dredging needs on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway to ensure continued navigation at locks and dams.
• Expedite competition of the Hatchie-Loosahatchie River floodplain management study. 
• Flooding from the Hatchie River has impacted roads, farmers, private landowners, and bridges. It also has caused several levee breaks.
• Require a report on the existing Levee Safety Guidelines to ensure they remain voluntary.
• Authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct research with Mississippi State University on technology that could be used in water resources development infrastructure, analyses of the environment before and after a natural disaster, and geospatial data collection.