BPUB Announces Potential Federal Funding Authorization for Brownsville Water Projects in WRDA 2024
The Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) is pleased to share that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has included an authorization for Brownsville, Texas, in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024). This authorization could bring essential federal funding to critical water infrastructure projects in Brownsville, significantly benefiting the community.
The WRDA legislation, H.R.8812, supports vital investments in water and wastewater management, which are crucial for many communities and water utilities nationwide. Notably, the bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize water supply as one of its primary missions, alongside navigation, flood damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration projects.
If the water supply mission is included in the final WRDA 2024 bill, it will enable the Corps of Engineers to collaborate with local project sponsors to plan, design, construct, modify, operate, and maintain water resources development projects. This collaboration aims to address drought conditions nationwide. Specifically, the water supply authorization could help manage Falcon Lake, a vital Lower Rio Grande Valley water source. This support would aid in maintaining reservoir water levels, improving water quality, and enhancing conservation practices for long-term sustainability. Falcon Lake is also critical to Brownsville’s water supply, providing essential resources during droughts and extreme weather conditions.
Falcon Dam plays a crucial role in the water supply for Brownsville, Texas, and the surrounding region.
“We are thrilled to see a provision in the House WRDA 2024 bill for a $40 million authorization for water and wastewater infrastructure for Brownsville. We appreciate Congressman Vicente Gonzalez’s leadership and his colleagues’ efforts to include this provision in the bill,” said Marilyn D. Gilbert, General Manager and CEO of the Brownsville Public Utilities Board. “We hope that the eventual passage of the WRDA legislation later this year will bring additional federal support to Brownsville, helping the City and BPUB address critical water resources projects for generations to come.”
The House Legislation also includes a provision allowing the Corps of Engineers to waive all or part of the non-federal cost share for projects like the Brownsville Resacas Ecosystem Restoration Project. This provision addresses the affordability concerns of communities that might struggle to pay the non-federal share of a project. Mayor John Cowen and BPUB Board Members have worked with the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee since their appointments to include this authority to waive or reduce the local cost share provision in WRDA 2024.
The Senate passed its version of WRDA 2024 earlier this year. Both chambers will finalize their bills in December and expect to send the bill to President Biden for his signature before the end of the year.
For media inquiries or more information, please reach out to Alexa J. Perez, Division Manager of Communications, Public Relations & Digital Platforms at 956-596-3361 or [email protected]