Press Releases

Today, with the support of Congressman David Rouzer, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed comprehensive water resources infrastructure legislation, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018.  WRDA seeks to strengthen our nation’s infrastructure by authorizing funding for locally driven investments in our country’s water resources infrastructure. 

Carolina Beach’s Coastal Storm Damage Reduction project reached the end of its 50-year federal authorization in 2014.  The legislation passed today includes Rouzer’s language to make clear that the Army Corps of Engineers’ potential extension for the Carolina Beach re-nourishment project would officially begin at the time of initiation of construction, a major priority for the Town of Carolina Beach.  The language included in this bill ensures that a newly authorized cycle of nourishment would start at the beginning of construction – not at the end of its previously authorized 50-year cycle, at the start of the required study that began in 2014, or any other arbitrary point in time.  The bill language also includes an extension of authorized nourishment for an additional 3 years to prevent any disruption of nourishment while the required study is being completed.

“As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am very pleased that this bill included my language to ensure that Carolina Beach receives the longest new cycle of authorized nourishment possible, pending the Corps’ approval of the project’s continuation, as well as an additional 3 years of authorization in the interim to provide more time for the required study to be completed.  Our ports, beaches, inlets, and waterways are the lifeline of economic activity and job growth for our coastal communities and remain a top priority of mine in order to address the unique, coastal needs of North Carolina’s 7^thDistrict.

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