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Water Resources Bill Overwhelmingly Passes House on the Way to a Conference with the Senate
Bypassing debate on some of the potentially more contentious issues, on October 23, the House overwhelmingly passed its "Water Resources Reform and Development Act." The vote was 417-3, with only two Republicans and one Democrat voting against the bill. Known as "WRRDA," the $8.2 billion public works bill authorizes flood control, navigation, and water resource projects, maintenance and studies by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers across the country, with many in the Mississippi River watershed. The bill's passage sets the stage for the likely formation of a House-Senate conference committee to resolve differences between the House WRRDA bill and a companion Water Resources Development Act (or WRDA) bill passed by the Senate in May. For a review of WRRDA from a Mississippi River Basin perspective, and of the upcoming WRDA-WRRDA reconciliation process, please see this article, as well as additional news article links, below.Next Week in Congress
As the dust from the federal government shutdown settles, and the Senate returns from a week off, there will be some Congressional committee activity next week relating directly or tangentially to the Mississippi River Basin. Foremost among those activities will be an opening session of the Senate-House farm bill conference committee on Wednesday (see related articles, below, under "Farm Bill", and for our latest 2013 Farm Bill news and resources summary, please see here). For other River-related committee activity scheduled for next week, you can follow this link.
Notable @UpperMiss Twitter Postings for the Week
Water Quality -
- U.S. Water Alliance: "Mississippi River Nutrients: Lawsuits and Workshops" http://ow.ly/q6pfc
- Private-public stakeholder coalition crafting best practices manual for dischargers seeking to trade water pollution credits http://ow.ly/q5LIg
- New study: Nitrogen fertilizer applied to crops lingers in soil and is released into water as nitrate for decades http://ow.ly/q3Ct8
- Study: Traces of nitrate fertilizers can stay in the ground for decades after their first application http://ow.ly/q3P8G
- Legal analysis: "Numeric nutrient criteria in the Mississippi River:a back-handed victory for EPA?" http://ow.ly/q1u0p
- Legal Commentary: "Are you killing the Gulf of Mexico?" (AGProfessional magazine) ow.ly/q8jZy
- "Hypoxia issues in the Gulf of Mexico" to be panel discussion topic at annual soil and agronomy meeting ow.ly/q8iW9
- EPA does not appeal court ruling allowing state discretion to incorporate mixing zones into water quality standards http://ow.ly/q1oaY
- House Republicans urge EPA to share draft surface water jurisdiction rule with outside science advisory board http://ow.ly/q1qjt
- MPR news: Conservation Corps Minnesota works to fight erosion along Minnesota's river bluffs http://ow.ly/q3VWW
- "Federal Numeric Nutrient Criteria: A Tragedy in Two Acts" by Brian Glass of Warren Glass Law http://ow.ly/q5HFE
- Federal court rules that West Virginia farm's runoff is covered by agricultural stormwater Clean Water Act exemption ow.ly/q8R00
- Federal judge: EPA has no right to force WV poultry grower to obtain water pollution permits for farm runoff ow.ly/q8gkl
- Federal court backs agriculture industry's reading of Clean Water Act agricultural stormwater permitting exemption http://ow.ly/qaAyO
- US EPA expected to approve in part, precedent-setting Kentucky water quality standard for selenium soon ow.ly/q8Qp4
Water Resources Reform and Development Act
- Despite opposition from conservative groups in Washington, House passes Water Resources Reform and Development Act http://ow.ly/q7Qxl
- Challenges await likely conference committee attempt to reconcile differing House and Senate water resources' bills ow.ly/q8RS5
- Congressional Budget Office releases cost estimate of the House's Water Resources Reform and Development Act http://ow.ly/q3pm4
- Fiscal conservative groups come out in opposition to House Water Resources Reform and Development Act http://ow.ly/q5Mbl Link to letter: http://ow.ly/q5MKo (PDF file)
- The Hill op-ed: "We must improve ports, waterways and water infrastructure" by Reps. Shuster (R-PA) and Rahall (D-WV) http://ow.ly/q3t5I
- White House backs WRRDA but urges changes to some of its "problematic provisions" http://ow.ly/q7U3Q (see White House statement, below)
- White House "Statement of Administration Policy" on the House Water Resources Reform and Development Act http://ow.ly/q7QMG (PDF file)
- House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Shuster thinks Congress should pass WRDA bill every two years ow.ly/q87R4
- Wisconsin State Journal editorial: Water Resources act only takes baby steps. Congress should pass a better bill. http://ow.ly/q91jh
- Environmentalists fear water resources bills' streamlining could lead to projects like Mississippi River Gulf Outlet http://ow.ly/qaCiV
Other Water Resource Management News
- World Resources Institute releases guidance "to protect America's water and reduce costs with natural infrastructure" http://ow.ly/pX538 (The publication, Natural Infrastructure: Investing in Forested Landscapes for Source Water Protection in the United States, is available here: http://ow.ly/pX5mw)
- Vote scheduled this week could re-start stalled Southwestern Minnesota Lewis & Clark Regional Water System project http://ow.ly/q1wJy
- Turbine company drops plans to place power-generating turbines in the Mississippi River http://ow.ly/q1xay
- Late addition to Federal fiscal deal adds $1.2 billion to spending cap for embattled Ohio River waterway project http://ow.ly/q1rYw
- Sen. McConnell (R-KY) on budget bill's $2+ billion Ohio River Olmsted locks and dam provision: it saved $160 million http://ow.ly/q3X8f
- Army Corps of Engineers denies "Kentucky Kickback" was intent of spending bill provision for Olmsted locks and dam project http://ow.ly/pWXHL
- Sen. Paul (R-KY) says budget deal was only alternative to keep troubled Ohio River locks and dam project on schedule ow.ly/q8htV
- Indiana Soybean Alliance : Indiana corn and soybean farmers were relieved to see Olmsted "shutdown" averted http://ow.ly/q3Xwq
- Group of Kansas farmers commits to water conservation program to help save dwindling groundwater supply http://ow.ly/q3F2d
- Illinois Soybean Association at forefront of effort by coalition to improve Mississippi River freight movement http://ow.ly/q5OVI
- Kansas and Army Corps will split cost of studying potential aqueduct from Missouri River to Ogallala Aquifer ow.ly/q8kgA
- Drought plaguing western Kansas resurrects 31-year-old federal study proposing pumping Missouri River water ow.ly/q7XY8
| Key differences between the Senate and House farm bill versions (click to enlarge) |
- Next week Congress is expected to revive an old but increasingly rare tradition-the conference committee (farm bill) http://ow.ly/q7PeQ
- House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders announce first Farm Bill conference committee public meeting; October 30, 1 PM ET http://ow.ly/q6iez
- Lengthy and broadly-topical Politico article on upcoming farm bill conference committee proceedings http://ow.ly/qavFK
- Key differences between the Senate and House versions of the farm bill http://ow.ly/q3TDW (PDF file) (also see photo version to the right)
- Farm bill could get wrapped into a year-end budget deal that replaces automatic sequestration cuts http://ow.ly/q0Zv9
- National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition letter to farm bill conference committee highlights NSAC's key priorities http://ow.ly/q5ID1
- National Council of Farmer Cooperatives sends bill priorities' letter to farm bill conference committee leaders http://ow.ly/qaxsf
- Two groups of House Members, Senators deliver farm bill ‘Dear Colleague’ letters to House and Senate leadership http://ow.ly/qaxWE
- Conservation groups urge conferees to include bee-protection measures in farm bill http://ow.ly/q7Uj2
- Tea Party-aligned groups are making sweeping reforms to farm bill a top priority as conferencing process begins http://ow.ly/q7PDH
- Unsettled status of federal farm bill and policy makes it hard for agricultural producers to plan for next year http://ow.ly/q5J7H
- Nebraska coalition against proposed TransCanada pipeline has been quiet on agricultural water contamination subject http://ow.ly/q199Z
- Conservation assistance is available from USDA for those affected by South Dakota blizzard earlier this month http://ow.ly/q5JoA
- MPR news: Minnesota farm to school nutrition programs grow, along with challenges. http://mprne.ws/q8NQr
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| October 22 U.S. Drought Map (click to enlarge) |
- Widespread precipitation leads to continuing drought relief in US mid-section: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
- Annual statement by Iowa scientists says that pattern of spring floods, summer droughts fits climate change models http://ow.ly/q3QTZ (Also see this E&E article: http://ow.ly/q3Rn6)
- Army Corps of Engineers will continue drought conservation measures in the Missouri River Basin ow.ly/q3Wd1
- Fish and Wildlife Service proposes establishing Upper Midwest critical habitat sites for two butterfly species ow.ly/q8SAT
- Perfluoroalkyl contamination may be leading to lower tree swallow hatching rates in Minnesota and Wisconsin ow.ly/q8fHB
- Coon Rapids Dam gates installed to help prevent Asian carp from reaching upper parts of Mississippi River watershed http://ow.ly/q3Egs
- Fish and Wildlife Service backs five-state plan to conserve habitat for prairie chicken in southern Great Plains http://ow.ly/q7Uzl
- Natchez, Mississippi, Mayor Larry Brown at Mississippi River Economic Summit: “We are not getting a fair shake from Congress” http://ow.ly/q1w2U
- Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative and Delta Regional Authority announce breakthroughs during Economy Summit http://ow.ly/q1uwt
- Iowa River Landing (Coralville, Iowa) is planned to ultimately be destination spot along River ow.ly/q7XJj and ow.ly/q7XM8
- Amount of oil found on Louisiana's coast has surged this year, three years after BP's Macondo spill http://ow.ly/q180M
- Two major meetings dealing with coastal restoration and science held this week at University of New Orleans http://ow.ly/q5PvM
- Bygone barriers: Preserving Louisiana coastal barrier islands proving to be difficult http://ow.ly/q5PY7
- Ousted levee board member pledges to hold oil, gas companies accountable for Louisiana’s coastal wetland destruction http://ow.ly/q5Qhw
- Mississippi River plume circulation played substantial role in oil fate, transport following Deepwater Horizon spill ow.ly/q7Z6c
- CPRA and Army Corps tout plan to restore coastal ecosystem with environmentally "wise" Mississippi River management ow.ly/q7YHY
- Wisconsin GOP lawmakers want to rein in ability of local governments to impose restrictions on sand mining http://ow.ly/pWXgj
- North Dakota conservationists want to start spending some of state's fracking tax income windfall on the environment http://ow.ly/q18HW
- New Kansas fracking regulations spell out what information that companies must disclose http://ow.ly/qazE9
- House-Senate Budget Conference Committee schedules first meeting for next Wednesday http://ow.ly/qaBLo
- The new House-Senate budget conference committee is expected to meet for the first time on October 30 http://ow.ly/q5KOQ
- House Majority Leader: House Republicans will not consider fiscal deal that eliminates some sequester cuts by raising taxes http://ow.ly/q7Q54
- Army Corps Missouri River Basin Water Management office public conference call on 2013-14 Draft Annual Operating Plan; Oct. 28; 1 PM CT http://ow.ly/q5OnO
- RESCHEDULED: Public Meeting for Proposed Water Quality Standards Regulatory Clarifications; Oct 29, Washington, DC and November 14 webinar ow.ly/pX1A1
- RESCHEDULED: USGS Webinar - Understanding Effects of Groundwater Pumping on Streamflow - November 20, 2 PM ET (webinar details: http://ow.ly/q40qP)
- New “Water” photography exhibit opens in New Orleans, runs through January 19; photos start in region and expand to rest of world http://ow.ly/q3qrK
- Call for Abstracts-Conference on Ecological and Ecosystem Restoration, New Orleans, La., July 28-August 1, 2014 http://ow.ly/q5EZ6
- American Farmland Trust's October e-newsletter http://ow.ly/pWVNv
- The fall edition of the Army Corps of Engineers' "Our Mississippi" magazine now available on-line: http://ow.ly/q12Yj
- St. Croix River Association's e-newsletter http://ow.ly/q13rk
- Montana Watershed Coordination Council October 17 Watershed News e-newsletter http://ow.ly/q15e8
- The Horinko Group "Sustainabulletin" e-Newsletter: October 2013 http://ow.ly/q1QRa
- Link here to the Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law and Policy's October 21 "TU Waterways" newsletter: http://ow.ly/ptkxO
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's "River Connections" for October http://ow.ly/q3IVe
- Green Lands Blue Waters bi-weekly update, highlighting conservation on Mississippi River Basin agricultural land http://ow.ly/q5Gta
- U.S. Water Alliance NewsWaves October monthly e-newsletter http://ow.ly/q6pRe
- Montana Watershed Coordination Council's October 24 "Watershed News" http://ow.ly/q8Vw0
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| U.S. Personality Region's Map (click to enlarge) |
- Researchers identify 3 U.S. personality regions -Mississippi River Basin states' residents generally "friendly and conventional" ow.ly/q5ZA2
- World Resources Institute: Conflicting reporting systems may hinder companies water risk strategies http://ow.ly/q1Rcj
- Dam, powerhouse committee receives 2013 rural market Iowa Tourism Award for Outstanding Collaboration http://ow.ly/q3YaH
- 11-member Paddle Forward expedition reaches half way mark in its 10-week canoe trip down the Mississippi River http://ow.ly/qaCGq
- State Sen. Neil Riser (R) and Vance McAllister (R) advance to runoff election for Louisiana's 5th District House seat http://ow.ly/q0Qem and http://ow.ly/q7Zs6
- Two-term Rep. Tim Griffin (R-AR-2) announces that he will not seek a third term in the House http://ow.ly/q1Cpw and http://politi.co/Hf8KwB
- Rep. Tim Griffin's (R-AR-2) unexpected retirement will likely spur crowded GOP primary for a competitive House seat http://ow.ly/q3lHP
- Miami University of Ohio professor Poetter (D) will challenge House Speaker Boehner (R) in Ohio's 8th District race ow.ly/q8Oqa
- Roll Call calls Kentucky's May 20 GOP Senate primary vote "the single most important election in the country next year" http://ow.ly/q3maa
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