Jenniffer González Defends Puerto Rico's Priorities in Water Project Legislation

Press Release

As a member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón presented her recommendations, priorities and concerns regarding U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects in Puerto Rico, many of which have been pending for some time.

This, as Congress is in the process of drafting the next re-authorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). With an eye toward this legislation the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee asked its members, including the resident commissioner, for their recommendations for language, policy and authorizations in areas concerning the Corps of Engineers in our districts.

The preliminary list presented by González Colón to the committee includes:

- Request for language that allows the Corps to credit all work by non-federal sponsors or non-federal partners included in the feasibility study. This enhances the matching agreement between non-federal sponsors, beginning in 2015.

- Request for language on Project Progress in Puerto Rico, requiring a quarterly report to Congress on projects approved for construction and funded by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, Public Law 115-123, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117 -58, located in Puerto Rico.

- Authorization for the San Juan metropolitan area coastal storm damage protection project: feasibility study completed, chief engineer's report submitted Sept. 21, 2021

- Re-authorizations: projects previously authorized and with funding (at least partial) approved by USACE under the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) BBA 2018 disaster supplemental, but requiring re-authorizations:
- Guanajibo River - Originally authorized under WRDA 1999 -- $60 million allocated from BBA 2018 - Validation report approved on October 4, 2021.
- Nigua River - Originally authorized under WRDA 1999. Allocated from BBA 2018: $60 million. Validation report expected in June 2022.
- Rio Grande de Loíza (Gurabo/Caguas) - Authorized under WRDA 1992. $250 million initially proposed allocation from BBA 2018. Request re-authorization and request Validation Report.

- Approval for start-up of Rio Guayanilla - Headquarters report signed August 15, 2020 with an estimated $154.3 million.

- Order a feasibility study for the Corps of Engineers to assume responsibility for improvements to the port of Yabucoa.

- Request to double the value cap and overall budget for so-called continuing authority projects (CAP) under sections 205, 208 and 14 of the flood control laws and provide greater flexibility in the cost/benefit calculation to facilitate the development of projects in small communities.

- Request for an amendment to adjust the current $455,000 limit for projects where the municipality is exempted from providing a match for inflation.

- Request for attention to projects and studies that have been pending for years and have been identified as a priority by the Corps of Engineers, the DNER or other agencies:
- Río Inabón/Mercedita, Ponce
- Aibonito
- Río Yauco
- Orocovis
- Río Canóvanas
- Villalba
- San Sebastián

The expectation is that the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will evaluate these priorities and requests and make its decision as to what recommendations to make in the version of the legislation that is ultimately submitted.

Source