Periodically, Congress works to pass a Water Resource Development Act (WRDA), authorizing legislation for projects undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers.  This is not an Appropriations bill; rather it is under the jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.  

For the 2010 WRDA bill, I have requested two projects:    

Recipient:  Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
Location: Milwaukee
Amount Requested: $50,000  

Description:  This request asks Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a feasibility study for flood damage reduction within Lyons Park Creek and the Kinnickinnic River area.  Peak flows at these areas create both flash flood issues and extremely unsafe conditions in the upstream project area between Oklahoma Avenue to the confluence with the Kinnickinnic River east of S. 60th Street in the City of Milwaukee.  The flow velocities have also caused severe bank erosion along the Kinnickinnic River immediately downstream of the confluence with Lyons Park Creek and this erosion has damaged and threatens to further damage public infrastructure such as roads, storm sewer outfalls, and bridge abutments.  

Recipient:  City of Waukesha
Location:  Waukesha
Amount Requested:  $75,000,000  

Description:  This request asks the Army Corps of Engineers to create a pilot program to provide assistance for water projects in the City of Waukesha.  This project will help the City of Waukesha comply with Federal Safe Drinking Water mandates for updating the City's existing water supply to meet new standards for radionuclide while working to secure a reliable long term water source.  The City seeks to work with the Army Corps of Engineers to assist with a long-term solution.  The City envisions that this long-term need will approach $100 million.  This $75 million authorization would provide for a traditional 75% federal/25% local cost share.