WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) praised Senate passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The legislation, which passed 93-1, will reinforce western water resilience and ensure the Army Corps of Engineers carries out water projects responsibly.

“It is critical we maintain the water facilities we already have, and I was proud to fight for language that protected the important energy, flood control, navigation, and irrigation benefits these Army Corps projects provide Idaho,” said Risch. “More broadly, WRDA will ensure the West is equipped to meet water resource challenges through improvements in flood control, ports, and inland waterways.”

“Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) plays a key part in preventing forest fires and is a prime example of what can be achieved when agencies work together to implement a shared vision of healthy, productive lands,” Crapo said.  “Collaboration between Senator Risch, Governor Brad Little, and me ensured this legislation will extend GNA to the Army Corps to protect more of Idaho’s precious land.”

Of particular importance to the Gem State, Risch and Crapo ensured the inclusion of an Idaho Good Neighbor Authority pilot project to reduce fire risk around projects in Idaho.

Risch also secured several other Idaho priorities in WRDA, including:

• A study to improve domestic flood control capability in the Northwest and reduce reliance on Canada.
• Channel maintenance to improve navigation capability at the Port of Lewiston.
• Language to prevent a Columbia Basin ecosystem study from being used as a back door to advocate for dam breaching.

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