Congressman Dan Goldman Celebrates House Passage of His Measures to Authorize $160 Million for New York City to Improve Climate Resliency Efforts, Mandates Comprehensive Flood Protection Plan
Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 Includes Key Measures Fought for by Goldman to Bring Vital Funding to New York’s 10th Congressional District
Bill Includes Authorization of $160 Million for Environmental Infrastructure Improvements, Mandates Comprehensive New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Study (HATS) to Protect Against Multi-Hazard Flood Risks
New York, NY – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today celebrated the House’s passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 which includes key funding and policies to improve New York’s climate resiliency efforts. Congressman Goldman successfully secured language in the bill that mandates the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) perform a New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Study (HATS) that addresses the variety of flooding threats facing New York City including tidal and river flooding, heavy rainfall, groundwater emergence, erosion, and sea level rise.
The Water Resources Development Act of 2024 also includes Representatives Goldman, Leader Jeffries, Representatives Nadler, and Velázquez request to dedicate $100 million and $60 million for Kings County and New York County respectively to improve water and wastewater management, including stormwater management such as combined sewer overflows.
“As ‘once in a generation’ extreme weather events occur far more frequently than once in a generation, I am using every tool at my disposal to protect New Yorkers and improve our climate resiliency,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “This is the first step in appropriating new funding to improve water management infrastructure in New York and Brooklyn. This latest WRDA will also ensure that New Yorkers are protected from the multitude of flooding hazards that threaten our city. I am incredibly proud to have secured these critical wins for our communities and will continue fighting to protect all New Yorkers from the impacts of climate change.”
The Water Resources Development Act gives the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authority to carry out water development projects and studies, among other things. Allowing the Army Corps of Engineers to spend the money is the first step in the process. If signed into law, Congress would still need to provide funding for the Corps to carry out the environmental infrastructure projects in the upcoming appropriations process.
Congressman Goldman has worked throughout his first term to ensure that New Yorkers are protected from all flooding threats and extreme weather events.
Last year, Congressman Goldman and Congresswoman Velázquez led twelve Members of Congress from New York and New Jersey in sending a bi-partisan letter to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) expressing concern that the Corps plan to address flood risk insufficiently protects their communities and demanding a new study be undertaken that comprehensively addresses all flooding risks.
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