Washington, D.C.  – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., R-Lafayette, today praised passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007 (H.R. 1495), a bill that authorizes critical flood control and environmental projects for Southwest Louisiana.  WRDA contains more than $1.2 billion for the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA), including the Chenier Plain, making it the largest coastal restoration project in American history.  

“This sets in motion a decades-long journey to complete one of the most ambitious coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects in our history,” Boustany said.  “These waterways are far more than commercial routes or playgrounds – they are a critical buffer to protect the homes, businesses, and way of life that make Louisiana so unique.”

Although it is intended to be reauthorized every two years, Congress has not approved a WRDA bill since 2000.  Boustany, who helped guide the bill through the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, also secured passage of an amendment to position Southwest Louisiana coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects as a national funding priority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“WRDA’s reauthorization is long overdue, and it is important that we expedite these projects,” Boustany continued.  “My amendment compels the Corps to focus on the protection of our communities and critical energy infrastructure in Southwest Louisiana.”

In a statement released yesterday, the Bush Administration outlined several objections to provisions in the bill.  Among these is a project that Congressman Boustany and the Louisiana delegation included to lower the cost-share paid by non-Federal entities to deepen and maintain coastal harbors and channels.

“Southwest Louisiana’s ports and waterways are critical conveyors of international trade to support America’s economy,” Boustany added.  “By lowering the cost-share, we are providing one less burden on the ports and communities that are responsible for maintaining these waterways.  I’m frustrated that the Bush Administration is opposed to this provision, but I’m confident that it will not impede this important bill from being signed into law.”