June 08, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 8, 2022

Contact: Sasha Galbreath, Sasha.Galbreath@mail.house.gov 

Trone Votes to Support Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act, Secure $20 Million in Investments for Maryland’s Sixth District’s Water Infrastructure

Congressman Trone visited the Brunswick Water Treatment Plant in January with Brunswick Mayor Nathan Brown. The plant will receive $15 million through the House-passed legislation.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Trone voted in favor of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022, legislation that will authorize crucial investments in America’s ports, inland waterways, flood management systems, ecosystems, and other water resources infrastructure – including $20 million toward local projects in Boonsboro and Brunswick. The legislation passed with strong bipartisan support (384-37) and now heads to the Senate for passage. 

“For decades, our infrastructure went underfunded, and our communities really suffered. No one should have to drink brown water or fear flooding that pollutes our rivers and threatens our homes,” said Congressman Trone. “Today’s bipartisan passage of the Water Resources Development Act is a step in the right direction toward building a healthier, brighter future for Maryland communities – especially its rural ones. Only by working together – across the aisle – will we improve our nation’s infrastructure and create jobs in the process.”

Congressman Trone’s two requests were incorporated into the final legislation, including:

• $15 million in funding for the Brunswick Water Treatment Plant/Wastewater Treatment Plant Renovation Project, which provides over 20% of the city’s drinking water. Right now, the city’s water distribution system turns drinking water brown and its wastewater treatment plant can barely keep up with demand when it storms. 
• $5 million in funding for the Boonsboro-Keedysville Regional Water System Reservoir Replacement Project, a 1.3 million gallon Washington County drinking water reservoir, which is suffering from leaks impairing its function. As of May 2022, the town estimates that they are losing 82,000 gallons of water a day, nearly 30 million gallons a year.

WRDA 2022 includes provisions that will: 

• Improve U.S. water infrastructure by authorizing the study and construction of locally-driven projects developed in cooperation and consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;
• Strengthen America’s economy through investment in our ports, harbors, and inland waterways, which will increase efficiency and support supply chains;
• Build more resilient communities by restoring natural infrastructure and ensuring new infrastructure helps to mitigate the effects of natural disasters, extreme weather, sea-level rise, and other challenges posed by climate change;
• Improve America’s ports and harbors, while ensuring efficient and effective use of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund dollars unlocked by WRDA 2020; and
• Direct the Corps to increase coordination with Tribal, indigenous, and economically disadvantaged communities to ensure that water resources development needs across the nation are met.  

Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Veterans’ Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the mental health and addiction crises, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.

Follow Congressman Trone at @RepDavidTrone for updates on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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