{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=0D79B131-0DD5-4C05-AD98-13DC2249D76E", "Senate Finalizes McConnell Provisions to Strengthen Kentucky\u2019s Water Infrastructure", "2022-12-15", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KY", "Mitch McConnell", "M000355", "www.mcconnell.senate.gov", "mcconnell", "https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced he secured several priorities to benefit Kentucky in the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA 2022) that the Senate passed today.\n\nThis legislation authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to carry out projects across the country that invest in ports, harbors, and inland waterways, build resilient infrastructure, and help preserve the natural environment. A House/Senate conference committee negotiated the legislation based on the two previous bills the Senate and House passed separately. This bill now goes to the President for his signature.\n\n\u201cKentucky sits at the heart of America\u2019s inland waterways, serving as a national hub for transportation and commerce. Because of this, I\u2019ve worked hard to advance the Commonwealth\u2019s priorities in this year\u2019s water infrastructure legislation to protect our natural heritage, foster development and growth, and help our waterside communities. I\u2019m grateful my Senate colleagues approved these investments in Kentucky\u2019s future,\u201d said Senator McConnell.\n\nSenator McConnell secured the following provisions to benefit Kentucky:\n\nKentucky Lock and Dam\n\nLanguage instructing the USACE to expedite the completion of the Kentucky Lock addition project in Livingston County, Kentucky. The bill also includes language pausing Appropriations limits on projects, which will allow construction to continue even with possible cost increases.\n\n\u201cFor years, I have used my leadership role in the United States Senate to advocate for the completion of the long-awaited Kentucky Lock and Dam project. I have helped secure more than $1 billion for this project, including over $465 million last year through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The language in this year\u2019s Senate water infrastructure bill will help that project stay on track, even if it is hit by cost overruns driven by inflation. Once finished, the new Kentucky Lock and Dam will allow the Commonwealth to take full advantage of our prime location at the heart of America\u2019s inland waterways system,\u201d said Senator McConnell.\n\n\"Each year roughly 25 million tons of product pass through Kentucky Lock, supporting jobs and commerce across the Commonwealth and neighboring states. Completion of the current Kentucky Lock expansion project is paramount to optimizing this critical transportation corridor, and the language in the Senate Water Resources Development Act of 2022 is a much-needed step in the right direction. Senator McConnell is leading the effort to expedite completion of this important project, and I applaud his unwavering commitment and steadfast leadership toward improving the inland waterways system and Kentucky Lock and Dam,\u201d said Crounse Corporation President and CEO Matt Ricketts.\n\nNewport Waterfront Festival Park\n\nUSACE authorization to study the construction of the Waterfront Festival Park in Campbell County, Kentucky. The City of Newport seeks to create a new community space along its Ohio River waterfront. This authorization will enable USACE to map out the project, which involves flood management, ecosystem restoration, and recreation.\n\n\u201cKentucky boasts many waterfront developments that serve as the gathering place of their communities. With the passage of this year\u2019s Senate water infrastructure bill, the City of Newport will be able to coordinate with USACE to build a new waterfront community space of its own. Around the Commonwealth, these projects have fostered development, encouraged recreation, and promoted local pride. I\u2019m proud to help Newport pursue this project to reap all these benefits too,\u201d said Senator McConnell.\n\n\u201cThe City of Newport is thrilled to receive authorization for the Corps to study the effects and benefits of planned improvements to our Festival Park area,\u201d said Newport City Manager Tom Fromme. \u201cBeing a critical part of Riverfront Commons, the park is a very important asset to Newport and to the entire region. We are extremely grateful for the efforts of Senator McConnell for his work and advocacy on behalf of our City and residents.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis is a long-awaited milestone for the Newport Festival Park project, and we applaud Senator McConnell\u2019s continued commitment to enhancing Northern Kentucky\u2019s riverfront,\u201d said Southbank President and CEO Will Weber. \u201cThe WRDA authorization for funding will enable the USACE to study the area for future recreational opportunities and continues the tremendous momentum of riverfront development through both public and private investment. \u201c\n\nColumbus Belmont State Park\n\nUSACE authorization to study and examine bluff stabilization at the Columbus Belmont State Park in Hickman County, Kentucky. The Park sits atop a steep bluff overlooking the Mississippi River and welcomes many visitors from the community and surrounding region. The Park faces significant erosion, so bluff stabilization efforts will help prevent future property loss.\n\n\u201cColumbus Belmont State Park is one of the crown jewel attractions of the Jackson Purchase but has become threatened recently by shifts in the path of the Mississippi River. I am proud to assist this Kentucky landmark in determining the best way to stabilize its bluff and prevent future erosion. These efforts will help ensure the park will be around for generations to come,\u201d said Senator McConnell.\n\n\u201cWe are grateful to Senator McConnell for securing authorization for a feasibility study on the Columbus Belmont State Park bluff project currently under the watch of the Corps of Engineers. Columbus Belmont State Park is one of the most picturesque parks in our great country. In the past few years, severe sloughing of the bluff has led to a dangerous situation affecting Columbus Belmont. We want to thank Senator McConnell and his staff for their tireless work in trying to save our park. It is much appreciated,\u201d said Hickman County Judge-Executive Kenny Wilson.\n\nThree Forks of Beargrass Creek\n\nFunding authorization up to $129 million for the restoration of three major branches of the Beargrass Creek in Jefferson County, Kentucky. This waterway flows through Louisville, Kentucky, into the Ohio River and currently has a stressed aquatic ecosystem. The project will restore the stream\u2019s flow and wetland habitat, improving the environmental quality of the watershed while increasing nearby communities\u2019 access to green space and recreational opportunities.\n\n\u201cMy hometown of Louisville is where Kentucky\u2019s urban and natural worlds collide. In addition to promoting jobs and development in our city, I\u2019ve also worked hard to preserve our natural beauty. Just like the Ohio River, Beargrass Creek is an integral part of Louisville and Jefferson County, and I\u2019m glad this year\u2019s Senate water infrastructure bill will help restore its environmental quality,\u201d said Senator McConnell.\n\n\u201cThis important restoration of Beargrass Creek will significantly help our community\u2019s endeavor to enhance this highly urbanized stream by reestablishing natural features and crafting a sustainable environment. We look forward to partnering with other local agencies to bring this to fruition. We appreciate the work of Leader McConnell to move this forward in the Senate,\u201d said Tony Parrott, Louisville MSD Executive Director.\n\nElkhorn Lake Improvement Project\n\nAuthorization for repairs to critical infrastructure at the Elkhorn Lake and Elkhorn Creek impoundment dam in Letcher County, Kentucky. The City of Jenkins lies below the Elkhorn Creek impoundment dam \u2013 which was built over a century ago and has not received significant improvements since then \u2013 and is threatened by the dam\u2019s deteriorating state. These repairs will improve safety at the dam by replacing outdated infrastructure and investigating possible safety risks.\n\n\u201cKentucky communities have benefitted immensely from the Commonwealth\u2019s extensive system of dams, but these projects must be well-maintained to ensure nearby residents\u2019 safety. I\u2019ve made it a priority to upgrade Kentucky\u2019s lock and dam infrastructure, and I\u2019m glad this year\u2019s Senate water infrastructure bill helps us improve the Elkhorn Creek impoundment dam and protect Letcher County against flooding,\u201d said Senator McConnell.\n\n\u201cFor years, residents of my town have worried that their homes and businesses could be threatened by deterioration at the Elkhorn Creek impoundment dam, which protects much of the City of Jenkins from flooding. This authorization will give the go-ahead for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate the necessary repairs to the dam, safeguarding our town. We deeply appreciate Senator McConnell\u2019s work to address this critical problem and support Jenkins\u2019 future development and growth,\u201d said Jenkins Mayor Todd DePriest.\n\nAsian Carp\n\nLanguage that expands the effort to control and prevent the spread of Asian Carp.\n\n\u201cInvasive Asian Carp have already wreaked havoc on Kentucky\u2019s inland waterways and disrupted the recreation and tourism industries that rely on them. I\u2019ve made this issue a priority in the Senate and helped mobilize the federal government to eradicate this destructive fish. I was proud to include language in this year\u2019s Senate water infrastructure bill to keep this endeavor at the top of USACE\u2019s priorities and prevent the future spread of Asian Carp,\u201d said Senator McConnell.\n\nRiverbank Protection and Restoration Along Kentucky River Watershed\n\nThe addition of the Kentucky River and its tributaries and watersheds to USACE\u2019s list of priority areas for flood risk management projects. This will enable the Corps to protect and restore riverbanks that were damaged in this summer\u2019s floods. Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-05), Dean of the U.S. House of Representatives, also advocated for including this provision.\n\n\u201cThis summer\u2019s flooding in Eastern Kentucky exposed the severe threat future disasters pose to the Kentucky River\u2019s riverbanks and those of its tributaries. Realizing this danger, Congressman Rogers and I worked together to bring USACE\u2019s attention to the region and enable future projects that will reduce flood risk. I stand with Eastern Kentucky as they rebuild from this summer\u2019s devastation and am pursuing all options available to try and prevent future flooding disasters,\u201d said Senator McConnell.\n\n\u201cWe cannot go back and reverse the historic destruction that occurred after the catastrophic flooding in July, but we can supply ourselves with tools to prevent such damage in the future. Adding the Kentucky River and its tributaries and watersheds to the USACE\u2019s list of priorities is another tool in our toolbox to help rebuild and protect our region. I want to thank Congressman Rogers and Senator McConnell for continuing to do all they can at the federal level for Eastern Kentucky,\u201d said Kentucky State Senator Brandon Smith.\n\nIn addition to these priorities, Senator McConnell also supported the following provisions to benefit Kentucky:\n\nPermanent 65/35 Cost-Share Adjustment for Major Inland Waterways Projects\n\nA provision permanently adjusting the cost-share for major inland waterways projects to 65 percent from the General Fund of the Treasury and 35 percent from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. This cost-share agreement was set to expire prior to the passage of this bill.\n\nThe Inland Waterways Trust Fund receives revenue from an inland waterway user fee paid by commercial barges operating on federally designated waterways. This adjustment will allow the USACE to continue to stretch the Inland Waterways Trust Fund further, injecting federal dollars into construction projects in Kentucky and around the country.\n\n\u201cKentucky has some of the best access to our nation\u2019s inland waterways in the country, so I always look for ways to increase federal investment in infrastructure programs with a specific focus on improving inland water transportation. By making this cost-share adjustment permanent, we will allow more federal resources to flow into these types of projects, benefitting states like Kentucky with extensive inland waterway networks,\u201d said Senator McConnell.\n\nCumberland River Dredging Study\n\nLanguage instructing USACE to conduct a feasibility study to assess the deepening of a portion of the Cumberland River near Paducah, Kentucky, to increase the fill weight and the number of barges that can travel the river.\n\n\u201cPaducah prides itself on its riverfront access and has long taken advantage of its prime location to foster trade, transportation, and recreation. With the study authorized in this year\u2019s Senate water infrastructure bill, Paducah will be able to benefit even more from its neighboring waterways by expanding the navigability of the Cumberland River,\u201d said Senator McConnell.\n\nEddyville Riverport\n\nAuthorization for the sale of a USACE-owned parcel of land to the adjacent Eddyville Riverport facilities on Lake Barkley, allowing the riverport to expand its capabilities.\n\n\u201cEddyville Riverport is part of Kentucky\u2019s large and growing network of inland waterways facilities and requires new land to expand their capabilities. In this year\u2019s Senate water infrastructure bill, I helped the Eddyville Riverport team cut through red tape and expedite the process required to acquire land from USACE. This will help the riverport expand and bring new economic opportunity to surrounding communities,\u201d said Senator McConnell.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:06Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=0D79B131-0DD5-4C05-AD98-13DC2249D76E"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0034709703177214, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}