Rep. Brian Babin Questions Waterway CEO on Streamlining Infrastructure Projects

Challenges in Water Infrastructure Projects

• 📌 Representative Brian Babin highlighted frustrations from Texas communities regarding long delays, rising costs, and inconsistent requirements from the US Army Corps of Engineers for water infrastructure projects.
• 🎯 Julie Ufner, CEO of the National Waterways Conference, noted that existing provisions in previous Water Resources Development Act (WRA) bills intended to empower non-federal sponsors have not worked as intended due to excessive requirements from the Corps.
• 💡 Ufner suggested giving more authority to non-federal sponsors to take on greater responsibility, emphasizing the goal of completing projects efficiently and creating win-win scenarios.

Importance of Implementation and Reform

• 🔑 Ufner stressed the critical importance of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WORD 2026) focusing not only on new authorizations but also on ensuring the Corps fully and consistently implements reforms already enacted by Congress.
• 📈 The ASA's office is currently implementing WERA 2024, with some provisions requiring only guidance, while others may need congressional oversight to address existing pain points.

Industry Perspective on Project Delivery

• 🚀 Mr. Jones emphasized that study requirements are often too rigid and protracted, sometimes spanning decades, and that reducing study timelines is critical for project implementation.
• 🛠️ He suggested that the Army Corps of Engineers may not always be the best agency to lead projects, advocating for giving non-federal sponsors the necessary tools, resources, and latitude.
• 💡 Jones also proposed not overthinking or overstudying projects, but rather focusing on the intent and finding the quickest solution, potentially involving the private sector through innovative financing or alternative delivery methods.