releases: http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398809
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| http://donyoung.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398809 | In Final Push of 114th Congress, House Approves Bipartisan Package for Water Infrastructure and Transportation | 2016-12-08 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Republican | House | AK | Don Young | Y000033 | donyoung.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. – Alaska Congressman Don Young successfully worked to include and defend numerous provisions beneficial to Alaska in S. 612, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN), bipartisan legislation to strengthen the nation’s water transportation infrastructure needs – including ports, harbors, dams, and flood protection. The bill, which passed the House today by a margin of 360-61, authorizes harbor projects for Little Diomede and the City of Craig while expanding opportunities for future projects in the Arctic. Overall, the bill would authorize 30 Army Corps of Engineers water infrastructure projects across the nation. Although there is no official estimate by the Congressional Budget Office, unofficial projections hold that S. 612 will save the taxpayer $581 million over the coming year. “Alaskans depend on our water infrastructure as a vital source of transportation and commerce. We need to build and maintain ports to receive tourists off cruise ships, transmit commercial fish catches to markets inland and beyond, transport vital fuel to our airports and rural areas for heating oil, ferry people in and around coastal communities – the list goes on. That’s why this annual legislation, authorizing various Army Corps of Engineers projects, is so critical to Alaska.” said Congressman Don Young. “This year’s WIIN Act, formerly referred to as the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), represents a hard-fought agreement between the House and Senate; each passed vastly different measures – in terms of size and scope – earlier this year. As a Senior Member and the former Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have fought throughout this process to balance our nation’s needs for fiscal restraint with Alaska’s needs to continually expand water infrastructure projects. Working in concert with Senator Sullivan and Senator Murkowski, I am pleased to send the WINN Act to the Senate and eventually to the President’s desk for signature.” The following reforms and provisions of Alaskan importance were supported by Congressman Young in the WIIN Act: LITTLE DIOMEDE, AK: The legislation authorizes $26,394,000 towards construction of a harbor in Little Diomede, AK. CRAIG, AK: The legislation authorizes $29,456,000 towards construction of a harbor in Craig, AK. ST. GEORGE HARBOR: The legislation includes language to expedite completion of a feasibility study for St. George Harbor based on the dire needs of the community. ADDITIONAL HARBOR REPAIR FOR ELFIN COVE, AK: Authorizes the Secretary to maintain federally authorized harbors of refuge to restore and maintain the authorized dimensions of the harbor. Elfin Cove is a small community located on Chichagof Island in Southeast Alaska. Since construction was completed in 1958, the channels have been monitored by the Corps through hydrographic surveys. In 2006, 2.4 feet of shoaling was discovered, and the channels are now 2.4 feet above their originally authorized depths of -8 feet and -10 feet, respectively. ARCTIC DEEP-DRAFT PORT: The legislation includes an amendment Congressman Young successfully included in House WRDA to enable the Corps to consider the national security benefits of an Arctic port. SMALL AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES GRANT PROGRAM: Authorizes $300 million over five years for a new grant program to assist small and disadvantaged communities in order to meet their basic water infrastructure needs. A priority is given to underserved communities without basic drinking water or wastewater services. Alaska Native communities and American Indian tribes would be eligible recipients under this program. DENALI COMMISSION: Reauthorizes the Denali Commission at $15 million annually through 2021. SMALL REMOTE AND SUBSISTENCE HARBORS: The legislation makes reforms to the current system the Corps of Engineers uses to evaluate small, remote, and subsistence port and harbor projects, by recognizing the regional benefits for justification of the project. Increasing capabilities at a hub community will dramatically lower the costs of goods throughout the region, in many circumstances. CITY OF VALDEZ: The legislation includes a bill sponsored by Congressman Young, H.R. 5087, which removes a navigational servitude on waterfront land in Valdez that currently impedes economic development of the property. The bill removes the Federal Government’s taint on title in order to allow investment prospects for lands that were created due to dredging disposal from the construction of the harbor. EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES: Allows Alaska Native Corporations to develop water infrastructure projects as non-federal sponsors. For additional information on the WIIN Act, please see the following information: ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |