Number
160172
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. MURPHY
Title
Substitute resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee’s support for the federal Water Resources Development Act.
Analysis
This substitute resolution expresses the City of Milwaukee’s support for the federal Water Resources Development Act.
Body
Whereas, U.S. Senate Bill 2848, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016, expands the existing authority of the Army Corps of Engineers to accept funds from states and local governments to carry out water resources projects; and
Whereas, The WRDA amends the revolving loan program under the Safe Drinking Water Act to make planning, design, and associated preconstruction activities, replacement or rehabilitation of aging treatment, storage, or distribution facilities, and public water system security measures eligible for assistance; and
Whereas, The WRDA authorizes a grant program for replacement of lead service lines, testing, planning, corrosion control, and education; and
Whereas, The WRDA establishes a drinking water technology clearinghouse to provide information on cost-effective, innovative and alternative drinking water delivery systems, including systems that are supported by wells; and
Whereas, The WRDA authorizes $20 million a year for fiscal years 2017 through 2021, totaling $100 million, for grants to carry out voluntary school and child care lead testing programs; and
Whereas, The WRDA authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to provide technical assistance to a non-federal sponsor that is developing its own feasibility study; and
Whereas, The WRDA authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to allow service providers to operate Corps recreation facilities and collect and keep user fees for that purpose, thereby allowing parks closed due to budget cuts to reopen; and
Whereas, The WRDA requires the Corps to repatriate the Kennewick Man, a 9000-year-old skeleton found by the Corps of Engineers, to the tribes that scientific studies have demonstrated are Kennewick Man’s descendants; and
Whereas, The WRDA clarifies the target appropriations from the federal Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund; and
Whereas, The WRDA reauthorizes grants for addressing combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, and stormwater discharges; and
Whereas, The WRDA authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a voluntary lead exposure registry applicable to any city whose citizens are exposed to lead contamination in drinking water; and
Whereas, The WRDA authorizes $300 million a year for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021, for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Common Council expresses its resolute support for U.S. Senate Bill 2848, the Water Resources Development Act of 2016; and, be it
Further Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution, the City Clerk shall mail a copy of the resolution to each member of Milwaukee’s congressional delegation and to the Office of the President of the United States.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB164545-1
Adam Wickersham
05/25/2016