Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., along with co-sponsor Rep. Daniel Lipinski, D-Ill., today introduced H.R. 1149, the "Waterways Are Vital for the Economy, Energy, Efficiency and Environment Act of 2013," also known as WAVE 4, to modernize the lock and dam infrastructure on the inland waterways system.
Additional co-sponsors include Reps. Bill Cassidy, R-La.;Spencer Bachus, R-Ala.; and Pete Olson, R-Texas.
The legislation incorporates the elements of the Inland Waterways Capital Development Plan. The Capital Development Plan and WAVE 4 apply objective criteria to prioritize essential construction and major rehabilitation projects, revise current beneficiaries' cost-sharing for these projects, reform the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' internal project delivery process and suggest a revenue enhancement to fund infrastructure investments.
The Waterways Council, along with 200 stakeholders, has applauded the bill. The public policy organization for ports and inland waterways has also urged Congress to include elements of the WAVE 4 bill in the Water Resources Development Act and Reinvesting in Vital Economic Rivers and Waterways Act of 2013, the Senate companion bill.