WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has introduced America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, made the following statement:

“Our nation’s water resources are incredibly precious and increasingly threatened. Importantly, this bipartisan bill includes some valuable provisions and is free of any language that undermines bedrock laws that protect our nation’s waters and wildlife.

“We are pleased the bill advances natural infrastructure as part of our federal flood and storm protection toolkit. Projects that use natural elements do double-duty—they protect communities and improve habitat for fish and wildlife.

“We appreciate the bill’s directives to expedite critical ecosystem restoration efforts in the Mississippi River Delta and in the Everglades, including the long-awaited construction of a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee which will help restore a more natural flow of water through the Everglades system. We also applaud the bill’s investment in upgrading aging drinking water and wastewater systems, focusing on communities in need.

“However, the bill also advances destructive Corps projects, including an effort to dam the ecologically-rich Pearl River near Jackson, Mississippi.

“The National Wildlife Federation looks forward to working with the Committee to improve this bill further as it advances.”