WRDA passes Senate
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

Wharton's flood reduction study has garnered Congressional assistance through the first Water Resources Development Act to be supported by the House and Senate in eight years.

And though a presidential veto is still possible, city officials are confident the WRDA will come to pass nonetheless - thanks to an expected override by a majority of lawmakers.

"It's good news, and even the president's party is pushing for him not to veto it," City Manager Andres Garza Jr. said.

The White House has reportedly taken issue with the WRDA - also known as HR 1495 - due to larger than anticipated costs.

In a letter sent earlier to the House and Senate, officials with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army and the Office of Management and Budget stated the conference version of the WRDA "significantly exceeds the cost of either the House or Senate bill" and contains "unacceptable provisions."

The WRDA outlines some $23 billion worth of projects for the Army Corps of Engineers in two dozen states. The initial House version had called for $15 billion in projects and the Senate version had listed $14 billion.

The compromise version was reached in July and approved by the House by a 382-40 vote. The Senate was unable to vote on the bill before its August recess.

On Monday, the Senate approved the bill by an 81-12 vote. It now heads to the president.

If vetoed, as expected, the WRDA can still become law if the House and Senate override the veto by a two-thirds majority vote.

City officials believe getting the WRDA passed is crucial to the success of its flood reduction study, a $28 million project that would remove the entire city from the 100 year flood plain.

With authorization in hand, there's a much better chance of obtaining funding. The city must cover 35 percent, or $9.7 million, of the $28 million total cost. City projects like the Santa Fe ditch, now under construction, can be applied as "in-kind" credit.

Federal support of $200,000 has already been obtained for the Pre-construction, Engineering and Design phase, which is estimated to cost $2 million.