House Authorizes $44.5 Million Bloomsburg Floodwall

Bill Includes $28.8 Million Federal Share

WASHINGTON - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday passed H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that includes authorization for the Army Corps of Engineers to construct levees and floodwalls in the west end of Bloomsburg.

The project would protect 12,000 residents in more than 400 homes in Bloomsburg and seven major commercial enterprises. Substantial floods in 1936, 1972, 1975, and 2006 have cost the citizens of Bloomsburg millions of dollars in damage. Lesser flooding has also been a problem.

"I am pleased that the Water Resources Development Act includes authorization for the Bloomsburg Floodwall. Bloomsburg has continually suffered severe flooding because of its location between the Susquehanna River and Fishing Creek, and this project will provide protection for a substantial number of residents who live in fear every time it rains," Congressman Kanjorski said.

In the 109^th Congress, the House and Senate passed different versions of the WRDA bill and were unable to reach a compromise adjourning in December. Bloomsburg Town Council had voted in October 2006 to support the floodwall, but without the federal authorization could not proceed.  

WRDA authorizes funding for the Army Corps of Engineers to work on projects such as flood control, dam safety, water supply, recreation, and environmental restoration and protection. Congress typically passes WRDA bills every two years, but the last WRDA was passed in 2000.

Before the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 becomes law, the Senate will need to pass it, and then differences in the House and Senate bill will need to be resolved by a conference committee; each chamber then would need to pass the conference legislation, which the President would have to sign.

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