Rep. Summer Lee Secures Major Wins for Southwestern Pennsylvania as Water Resources Development Act of 2024 Passes the House of Representatives
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Vaibhav Vijay | Vaibhav.Vijay@mail.house.gov
Kyla Gill | Kyla.Gill@mail.house.gov
Rep. Summer Lee Secures Major Wins for Southwestern Pennsylvania as Water Resources Development Act of 2024 Passes the House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) celebrated several key victories for Southwestern Pennsylvania as the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 today. Roughly every two years, Congress reauthorizes WRDA, vital legislation for managing and conserving our nation’s water resources, addressing flood risks, navigation, ecosystem restoration, and water infrastructure improvements.
Rep. Lee’s advocacy as a part of this large, bipartisan effort ensured several critical provisions were included in the 2024 WRDA that directly benefit communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania. These wins represent progress for Pittsburgh’s waterways, environmental restoration, and the region’s economy.
Wins for Southwestern Pennsylvania Wins in WRDA 2024
- Preserving Allegheny River Navigation
- The Allegheny River has faced declining freight volumes, leading to reductions in lockage hours and threatening the region’s waterway economy. Rep. Lee, alongside the Southwestern Pennsylvania delegation, successfully secured language to protect current levels of lockage service until a navigation and ecosystem restoration study is completed. The bill now directs the Army Corps of Engineers to “preserve, to the maximum extent practicable, the lockage levels of service along the Allegheny River.” This is a critical step for Pittsburgh stakeholders, including Port Pitt and IFPTE, in stabilizing waterway commerce.
- Addressing Acid Mine Drainage
- Legacy coal mining has left a devastating environmental legacy in Pennsylvania, with acid mine drainage (AMD) threatening waterways and ecosystems. Rep. Lee worked with Senator Fetterman to champion a provision to create a pilot program providing technical and construction assistance for projects aimed at restoring water impaired by AMD in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. This program will support centralized water treatment and infrastructure, marking a step forward for environmental justice in coal communities.
- Expanded Section 219 Environmental Infrastructure Funding
- WRDA 2024 authorizes $38.6 million for a Pennsylvania-specific environmental infrastructure program under Section 219. This funding will address critical needs in water supply, wastewater systems, and resource protection across the commonwealth.
The Fight Continues for Full Funding for Mon Lock & Dam
Despite bipartisan efforts, WRDA 2024 did not include the delegation’s push for full federal funding of the Montgomery Lock and Dam project, which received a 100-percent federal cost share under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Rising costs threaten to delay the completion of this critical project. Rep. Lee remains committed to working with the Pennsylvania delegation to secure the funding needed to advance this project.
Rep. Summer Lee’s Statement:
“From stabilizing navigation along the Allegheny River to tackling acid mine drainage and expanding environmental infrastructure funding, WRDA 2024 delivers real wins for Southwestern Pennsylvania. These provisions will protect our waterways, create jobs, and help ensure our region’s future is cleaner, greener, and more resilient.
“But the work doesn’t stop here. The exclusion of full federal funding for the Mon Lock and Dam project underscores the need for continued advocacy. I’m ready to fight for every member of our community—Black folks, brown folks, working-class folks, and everyone who relies on our waterways to thrive. Pittsburgh’s future is tied to these investments, and I won’t stop until we get the funding we need.”
Background on WRDA
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) provides the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the authority to plan and execute vital water resource projects. While WRDA itself does not allocate funding, it enables projects to seek future appropriations. Reauthorized biennially, WRDA reflects Congress’s commitment to improving flood control, water supply, and ecosystem resilience.