WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Congressman Rob Wittman delivered the following remarks at the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Hearing: Proposals for a Water Resource Development Act of 2022 (WRDA). In his statement, Congressman Wittman highlighted many water transportation and infrastructure needs currently facing Virginia, as well as specific WRDA proposals submitted by Congressman Wittman for Virginia’s First District.
Congressman Wittman’s Statement As Prepared for Delivery:
Chairwoman Napolitano and Ranking Member Rouzer,
Thank you for allowing me to testify before you today. I am honored to highlight some of the needs facing Virginia as you consider the upcoming Water Resources Development package.
The Water Resources Development Act is necessary legislation that provides for improvements to the Nation’s ports, inland waterways, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure and policy. Water infrastructure is vital to moving goods throughout the country, from products we all use in our everyday lives, to crops and goods we produce domestically and send abroad. I hope this committee and the House upholds its duty to authorize nationally important water infrastructure improvements that are more locally driven.
Furthermore, I would like to thank the Army Corps of Engineers as they work hard to manage more than 1,500 water resource projects with many of them in Virginia. The Army Corps of Engineers is critical to our commonwealth, from the Norfolk Harbor Channel Widening and Deepening Project to the public waterways restoration projects across Virginia.
As a proud representative of the Commonwealth of Virginia, home of the Port of Virginia—one of the largest and busiest ports on the eastern seaboard—advancing the work being done by the Port of Virginia to improve and expand its operations is critical. The Port manages cargo that is shipped to all 48 contiguous states.
The Port of Virginia is a national gateway for commerce, supporting businesses across the country. Moreover, in Virginia’s 1st District 334 businesses utilize the services of the Port of Virginia.
As a catalyst for commerce, the Port is attracting growth, fostering development, and creating jobs. On the state level, cargo moving through the Port supports more than 530,000 jobs statewide and generates in excess of $90 billion in annual economic impact for Virginia.
I would like to take this time to highlight some WRDA priorities the subcommittee should look at while deliberating the bill.
Norfolk Harbor and Channels: Anchorage F Expansion
Anchorage F is currently designed as a 3,000-foot diameter circle for free-swinging bow anchoring. The anchorage in its current design is used primarily as an emergency anchorage in inclement wave weather in the harbor or in situations of unexpected delays. For vessels to effectively utilize the anchorage, it is imperative – and common-sense - for the anchorage and approach depths to match that of the Federal Channel.
A deeper and wider anchorage will allow further use of the anchorage beyond the primary function and permit use by larger vessels calling on our port. Additionally, an improved anchorage and anchorage approach could provide passing vessels safe harbor during storm conditions.
The proposed modification includes widening the Anchorage F beyond its currently authorized diameter of 3,620-feet to a diameter of 3,840-feet and deepening the anchorage to 55-feet consistent with the 1986 authorization and the project depth of the Federal Channel. Project costs have been developed to a planning stage level of confidence and remain within the project's Section 902 cost limit.
Coastal Resilience Feasibility Study, Norfolk-Hampton Roads
Furthermore, I request legislative language to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to include Federal property in their feasibility studies for the Norfolk-Hampton Roads, Virginia area.
By allowing the USACE to include Federal properties for an upcoming Costal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) study of the Peninsula and greater Hampton Roads area, it would solve the restriction problem in incorporating these installations and facilities into the Civil Works planning and construction processes.
The intent of this language is narrowly focused on the CSRM study on the Peninsula. It is intended only to ensure that these USACE studies are comprehensive and holistic.
The language is not intended to indicate that the USACE has a responsibility for carrying out civil works projects on Federal installations. I believe this is common sense language that will ultimately produce a better report for action by a range of actors in the region.
I want to thank the Chairwoman, Ranking Member, and the Members of the Committee for the opportunity to testify today. I look forward to working with the Committee and the Corps as we move forward towards finishing WRDA 2022.
