HYDE-SMITH VOTES TO ADVANCE BILL FUNDING ARMY CORPS WORKS IN MISSISSIPPI
Senate Committee Approves FY24 Energy & Water Development Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today voted with the Senate Appropriations Committee to advance a FY2024 appropriations bill that includes more than $185.7 million for specifically-authorized U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects and activities in Mississippi.
The committee voted 29-0 to advance the FY2024 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, which funds the Army Corps, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Department of Energy defense and nondefense programs, as well as independent agencies like the Delta Regional Authority and Appalachian Regional Commission.
“The Army Corps presence in Mississippi is significant and that is reflected in the recommendations we’ve made in this bill. Harbors, ports, levees, and water and wastewater infrastructure in our state warrant these expenditures,” said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee.
“The Senate bill also makes up for important work that was either omitted from or inadequately budgeted for in the administration’s budget plan,” the Senator added. “I look forward to full Senate consideration of this legislation.”
The following are among items of interest to Mississippi in the bill:
• $43.7 million to continue construction improvements on major flood control projects – Delta Headwaters, Yazoo Backwater, and Upper Yazoo.
• $21.3 million for dredging activities at Mississippi ports – Gulfport Harbor, Pascagoula Harbor, Vicksburg Harbor, Greenville Harbor, and Rosedale Harbor.
• $27.7 million for Army Corps-operated flood control reservoirs and lakes in Mississippi – Arkabutla, Enid, Grenada, Sardis, and Okatibbee Lake.
• $31.5 million for water and wastewater system improvements for a number of cities and towns across Mississippi.
o $12.3 million for DeSoto County Regional Utility Authority;
o $10 million for the City of Meridian; and
o $9.2 million for the Mississippi 592 Program to assist a number of Mississippi cities and towns with environmental infrastructure upgrades.
• $55.6 million for operation, maintenance, and mitigation activities on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.
• $30 million for research and development activities that will largely take place at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg.
• $30 million for the Delta Regional Authority
• $200 million for the Appalachian Regional Commission
The measure is now available for consideration by the full Senate.
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