Enhancing America’s Recreational Boating Economy through Water Resources Development Act Reauthorization
Understanding the Water Resources Development Act
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) authorizes civil works projects carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which are imperative to supporting sustainable recreational boating access. Since 2014, WRDA has been reauthorized on biennual basis with bipartisan support.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Role in Outdoor Recreation
USACE recreation sites play a key role in the outdoor recreation and boating economic boom the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated. The USACE is among the nation's leading provider in public boating access points.
Congress must start to fund and equip USACE as the leading recreation agency that it is, beginning with the biennual WRDA reauthorization.
What More Can Congress Do?
- Increase funding for USACE recreation facilities and infrastructure that provide access to recreation sites.
- Improve USACE joint management authority to better maintain and manage recreation sites.
- Address critical navigation needs at harbors and waterways supporting recreation access.
- Prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes Region by removing state cost-share requirements for the Brandon Road project.
- Maximize natural infrastructure solutions to strengthen the outdoor recreation economy.
Resources
