▶ 0:16:35Subcommittee on water resources environment uh will come to order. I ask unanimous consent that the chairman be authorized to declare a recess at any time during today's hearing without objection so ordered. I also ask unanimous consent that members not on the subcommittee be permitted to sit with the subcommittee at today's hearing and ask questions. Without objection, so ordered.
▶ 0:16:59As a reminder, if members wish to insert a document into the record, please also email it to documents gov. I uh now recognize myself for the purpose of an opening statement for five minutes. I'd like to thank Assistant Secretary Tail and General Graham for joining us today as we review the core performance uh and implementation of recent water resources and development acts.
▶ 0:17:26I want to give special congratulations to you, Assistant Secretary Tail, on your confirmation by the Senate by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote just over a month ago. Based on the conversations we've had, I'm confident that you will provide much needed leadership to the Army Corps of Engineers. I look forward to working with you to ensure the core fulfills its critical missions. I know that you both share the same goal as I do to make the core act faster, more efficiently, and more economically.
▶ 0:17:57Unfortunately, core project delivery often falls short of where it should be. I have a background in in the trucking business where delivering on time is what keeps our doors open and my goal as chairman of the subcommittee is to get the core to complete its projects on time under budget and correctly.
▶ 0:18:16I understand some of the budgetary problems that the core faces but these are not excuses for study delays, year-long dredging backlogs and mismanagement of repairs to vital locks and dams on our inland waterway system. Earlier this year, I was able to visit Wilson and Chikamaga locks in Alabama and Tennessee, which are crucial assets that serve America's economic and national security by ensuring two of our nation's largest rivers are navigable to the Gulf of America.
▶ 0:18:47These locks and dams are a testament to the core's legacy of building America, but like so many other inland waterway projects, they are past their prime. So rehabilitating and replacing them is taking too long and costing taxpayers far more than it should. We have a responsibility to invest and manage America's hardearned tax dollars wisely and efficiently.
▶ 0:19:11While these projects are expensive, the core can and must do I am hopeful that section 1126 of the water 2024 which changed the cost share of these projects required to come from the inland waterway trans uh trust fund will help the core move these projects Another area where the core can improve is the consistent dredging of America's harbors.
▶ 0:19:36My home state of Georgia's economy relies heavily on the consistent dredging of the port of Savannah and Brunswick. 2025 represented the busiest year on record for the port of Savannah and the Port of Brunswick, which recently became America's number one port for automobiles. Despite this incredible growth at Georgia's seap ports, it has been years since Brunswick Harbor had been dredged to its federally authorized depth, leading to sholing and threatening of ships grounding.
▶ 0:20:06While I'm pleased that the core has made Brunswick a priority this year, this vital port should not have gone this long without routine The challenge at Brunswick is why I've made streamlining the core dredging processes, including contracting pri practices and environmental windows that seem to prevent consistent maintenance of federal channels a top priority. Water 2024 and other recent waters have also focused on core recreation projects.
▶ 0:20:34I look forward to the core's implementation of these provisions to allow greater local control of the core's recreation sites to ensure public access access. Recent failures by the core to manage and provide access to recreation sites at Lake Laneir and Georgia were a wake-up call that more needs to be done.
▶ 0:20:55Ultimately, I would like to get the core out of the business of running campgrounds and maintaining recreation sites so it can focus resource on navigation and flood control. Finally, I urged the court to prioritize implementation of section 1315 of water 2024 regarding the new Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam in Georgia. This issue has been around for decades and section 1315 provides a clear legal guideline for the core to follow.
▶ 0:21:24Protecting the water supply behind a dam, providing for rehabilitation of the lock and dam and clarifying the cost sharing requirements. The core must prioritize finalizing the engineering necessary to complete the project and provide an accurate cost estimate so that all parties involved understand the cost of completing the project and can work to secure the appropriations necessary to put the issue to rest once and for all. Thank you.
▶ 0:21:52And I now recognize uh ranking member Wilson for five minutes for an opening statement.
▶ 0:21:58Thank you, Mr. chairman for hosting this the leadership of the US Army Army Corps of Engineers. The core plays a critical role for communities across the country, especially in my home state of Florida. Our ports, beaches, and hurricane preparedness depend on the core.
▶ 0:22:20We also are home to the core's largest environmental restoration endeavor in history, the restoration of the Florida Assistant Secretary Tel and Lieutenant General Graham, you each carry a huge However, I'm concerned with your ability to be successful given the conditions you are facing in the p and just nine months.
▶ 0:22:51The Trump administration has put the core under tremendous pressure. First, core funding and budgets are getting slashed with the president recommending major cuts to the core's most essential missions.
▶ 0:23:08Second, the core is losing thousands of seasoned professionals through the deferred resignation programs with over 3,000 core employees leaving since the beginning of this administration. Meanwhile, the federal hiring freeze means there is nobody new coming in to fill these roles.
▶ 0:23:33Third, the administration is forcing the core's hand for political gain by pushing for unscheduled water releases, requiring legally questionable permit expedites, blocking reasonable permit requests for renewable energy, and telling them to look the other way.
▶ 0:23:54While a detainment camp, Alligator Alcatraz, is constructed in the middle of the core's largest project, the Everglades restoration. Simply put, I question how the core is going to fulfill its mandate to address the navigation, flood control, the environmental restoration needs of our communities with too little funding and too few
▶ 0:24:25core employees and going against its own careful science and engineering based practices. Now that you have been confirmed, Secretary Tel, I hope we can see better leadership and from the core. The core needs consistent robust funding to carry out its mission.
▶ 0:24:56In the next budget request, I hope to see full utilization of the available harbor maintenance trust fund dollars to keep our ports running efficiently and smoothing. This is essential for our local and national economies. I also hope to see funding for the environmental infrastructure projects that have become extremely popular in the last couple of words.
▶ 0:25:26There is a clear need and desire for water infrastructure funding especially for our tribal and minority communities facing affordability challenges. Lastly, I need asurances that the core will stand up for itself and not allow things like alligator Alcatraz to be constructed.
▶ 0:25:53I remained appalled that this detainment camp was allowed to be expanded and operated in the heart of the Everglades. the risk of disturbing the Everglades and therefore reversing decades of federal investment and progress is far too high.
▶ 0:26:18The core simply cannot sit by idly when something will have such a detrimental impact on the hard work of the core. And I will look for your commitment that no federal Everglades restoration funding will be spent to address any lingering consequences
▶ 0:26:48of this hugely misguided decision. Secretary Tel, I'm glad that you are here and hope you have been getting up to speed on all the critical projects that I'm sure my colleagues will be asking about. I look forward to working with you and getting the core back on track.
▶ 0:27:15There is a lot of work to be done and our ports, our waterways, our communities and our ecosystems are counting on you, both of you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
▶ 0:27:30I now recognize the ranking member of the full committee, Mr. Larson, for five minutes for an opening statement.
▶ 0:27:36Thank you, Chair Collins and Ranking Member Wilson for holding this hearing. Congratulations, Secretary Tel, on your confirmation last month. I'm happy to welcome you to the TNI committee for your first appearance at a hearing since your confirmation. And congratulations, Lieutenant General Graham, on your promotion to chief of engineers. I know this isn't your first time in front of the committee, but it's a first time as chief.
▶ 0:28:00Since 2014, this committee has honored its commitment to meet local water resources needs across the country through the bipartisan and bianual enactment of the water resources development act. Predictable passage of word of bills support core projects while creating jobs in construction and the industries and businesses that benefit directly from these projects.
▶ 0:28:20Regular enactment of word of bills also allows for the timely implementation of critical policy reforms that improve the function and flexibility of the core to respond to local water resource challenges. Worded 2024 built on that historic bipartisan success of this committee. The law successfully authorized the construction of 21 new projects covering every facet of the core's missions as well as over 150 new feasibility studies for future projects.
▶ 0:28:49Word of 2024 also authorized more than $5 billion in environmental infrastructure assistance for communitydriven projects including $242 million for water and wastewater infrastructure that local officials in Western Washington state requested. These federal, state, and local partnerships are critical to help address the growing water and wastewater infrastructure needs throughout the country.
▶ 0:29:12Lastly, word of 2024 continue to expand America's navigational capacity, strengthen its supply chains, ensure our communities are resilient to the challenges posed by climate change, and increase opportunities for the core to partner with rural, tribal, and economically disadvantaged communities in addressing their unique needs. However, authorization of projects or studies is the only is only the first step for communities to realize the benefits of water resource improvements.
▶ 0:29:42The administration must request and Congress must provide sufficient funding for project planning, construction, and operation maintenance to realize the benefits of these authorized projects and activities. The bipartisan infrastructure law was a great example of how this should work. The BIL provided a large down payment about $17 billion for critical word of projects making a positive impact on communities and creating and supporting good paying American jobs and the US economy.
▶ 0:30:12Contrast that with the significant reductions in core funding included in this administration's fiscal year 2026 budget request. This 24% reduction in core funding would significantly slow project delivery, delay the realization of critical transportation, flood control, and environmental benefits, worsen supply chain delivery challenges, and leave communities vulnerable to extreme weather events.
▶ 0:30:38The FY2026 budget also ignores the legal requirement of WERA to spend 100% of annual harbor maintenance trust fund collections for critical port maintenance work as well as to dedicate 12% of those expenditures to donor and energy transfer ports. This $1 billion cut in maintenance and dredging work will lead to more costly imports and exports, further increasing costs for US families and businesses.
▶ 0:31:07And this cut will equally affect our largest container ports such as Seattle Tacoma, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and New York, New Jersey, as well as ports critical to domestic energy production such as Mobile, Houston, and New Orleans. Robust and sustained federal investment is necessary for timely implementation of flood control, navigation, environmental restoration, water supply, and other key projects. Cuts to core funding will lead to higher costs for communities and families down the road.
▶ 0:31:37Deferred maintenance becomes disaster recovery. Preventable failures become national emergencies. So I look forward to our continued partnership with Chair Graves, Chair Collins, and Ranking Member Wilson in developing a new bipartisan Word 2026. And I welcome the leadership of the court here today as part of that discussion. And with that, I yield back.
▶ 0:31:59Thank you. I would now like to welcome our witnesses and thank them for being here today. Briefly, I'd like to take a moment to explain our lighting system to our witnesses. There are three lights in front of you. Green light is means go. Yellow light means you're running out of time. And uh red means to uh please conclude your remarks. I ask unanimous consent that the witness's full statements be included in the record. Without objection, so ordered.
▶ 0:32:24I also ask unanimous consent that the record of today's hearing remain open until such time as our witnesses have provided answers to any questions that may be submitted to them in writing. Without objection, so ordered. I also ask unanimous consent that the record remain open for 15 days for any additional comments and information submitted by members or witnesses to be included in the record of today's hearing. Without objection, so ordered.
▶ 0:32:50As your written testimony has been made a part of the record, the subcommittee ask that you li limit your oral remarks to five minutes. With that, Assistant Secretary Tail, you are recognized for five minutes for your
▶ 0:33:04Thank you, Chairman Collins, uh, Chairman Collins, uh, Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Wilson, Ranking Member Larson, and distinguished members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to be here today to discuss the Army Civil Work Army Civil Works Program and implementation of the Water Resources and Development Act. My name is Adam Tel and I'm honored to serve as the 14th assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works and as President Trump's Secretary HGths and Secretary Driscoll's top official responsible for overseeing the US Army Corps of Engineers civil works mission.
▶ 0:33:31I was nominated by President Trump on March 24th of this year and I was confirmed by the Senate on August 2nd. I began work in this role immediately and I've been on the job for five and a half weeks. During this time, I've been working alongside General Graham and his team to ensure that the Army Civil Works program is positioned to deliver on President Trump's vision for our country and on its critical mission, which this committee has had an important role in defining.
▶ 0:33:54I will say that I am pleased that I was able to spend a significant amount of time uh with the Senate during the confirmation process and throughout my career, but I am very honored to be here in front of the House of Representatives today. Uh and I would just like to compliment the chairman of this subcommittee, Chairman Collins. uh he's someone who understands this mission. Uh he understands the efficiencies we need to drive and I believe under his leadership uh he and I will be able to accomplish much together during our time in these roles. When I moved to Washington in 2005, I worked as a staff member of the United States Senate.
▶ 0:34:23Uh I I took that job because I believed I could make a difference in helping to represent the views and interests of the Americans I grew up with who often felt ignored or forgotten by important people in Washington. This is the reason I'm honored to be part of the Army Civil Works mission. It touches large and small communities every single day uh and in communities across the country. Very few government agency's missions capture the interests of American citizens, land owners, communities, states, job creators, and their representatives here in Washington quite like this one.
▶ 0:34:51The US Army Corps of Engineers originated in 1775, 250 years ago. The America we know today is a result of the work of the core. Congress has given the core missions in addition to its original navigation mission, including flood control and ensuring the future availability of our natural resources. Because this mission is important to the American public and their elected representatives here in Washington, during my first weeks, I've been working to establish greater consistency and accountability across the four layers of this enterprise, which include my office and the core headquarters, divisions, and districts.
▶ 0:35:22It is my mission to deliver navigation, flood control, disaster response, and stewardship of our natural resources to the American public as effectively as possible, as quickly as possible, and as costefficiently as possible. We must optimize our program for quality, speed, and cost. If we want to do our part to protect lives and commerce as President Trump is delivering on his vision to ensure the United States remains the greatest nation in the history of the world during the 21st century.
▶ 0:35:46Our partners here on Capitol Hill and particularly on this committee have been pivotal in supporting this enterprise and I request your partnership as I work with General Graham to ensure the civil works enterprise evolves to become more efficient and consistent to meet our modern demands. And the demand for the core's work continues to grow. To live to deliver against that workload, we must work in partnership with Congress throughout the executive branch and with our stakeholders to drive efficiency, collaboration, and results in an environment that is necessarily resource constrained.
▶ 0:36:17In addition to driving more efficiency into the civil works program, we must continue to lift the federal regulatory burden on local sponsors. This administration is committed to ending the last five decades of confusing and everchanging definitions of the term waters of the United States pursuant to the Clean Water Act of 1972. Together with Administrator Zeldon and President Trump's Environmental Protection Agency, the Army has already issued interim guidance that follows the Supreme Court's Sacket decision.
▶ 0:36:40And we will move quickly to ensure that a permanent definition that follows the post sacket law of the land, cuts red tape, cuts overall permitting cost, lowers the cost of doing business in communities across the country and continues to protect America's waters.
▶ 0:36:54In July, my office made muchneeded changes to our national environmental policy environmental policy act, implementing procedures that will reform, modernize, and expedite the core's environmental reviews, eliminate unnecessary delays, and help ensure the growth growth of highly cost-effective and reliable infrastructure across the nation. We also recognize the opportunities provided through WRA 2024 to address navigation, reservoir management, and beneficial use of dredge material.
▶ 0:37:19As we spend time today reviewing word of 2024, I look forward to gaining insight about your views and interests so that together we can serve America's vital infrastructure interests. Finally, I would like to take a brief moment to recognize my father, Whitney Royce Tel, who passed away this past Friday at age 73. He was a brilliant geologist, a passionate historian, a faithful husband to my wonderful mom, Rita, and a great American. Uh he was the type of man our country needs and the type of father I hope to be. Thank you, Dad.
▶ 0:37:50We miss you. Thank you, Chairman Collins, Ranking Member Wilson, and the members of this committee. I look forward to any questions you may have.
▶ 0:37:59Thank you. Uh next, General Graham, you are recognized for five minutes for your Chairman Collins, Ranking Member Wilson, Ranking Member Larson, members of the subcommittee, I'm honored to testify before you today in regard to the implementation of the Water Resource Development Acts.
▶ 0:38:18Through the Civil Works program, the Army Corps works with our partners to study, build, and operate water resource projects focusing on our three main mission areas of commercial navigation, flood, and storm damage reduction, and aquatic ecosystem restoration. breaking those down. The navigation program which consists of our coastal great lakes channels as well as the inland rivers and in coastal waterways underpins much of the national economy and it ensures that commodities can move reliably and efficiently.
▶ 0:38:49Our flood and storm damage reduction program maintains 746 dams, over 13,000 miles of federal levies, and 450 mi of shore Th that system provides on average $200 billion dollars per year.$200 billion dollars per year in flood damages to continuously maintain improve these mission areas. I want to thank this subcommittee for supporting the core civil works program.
▶ 0:39:16As you heard from ranking member Larson, your commitment since 2014 to pass bianual water resource development acts has provided the core with the authorities necessary to address the changing needs of the nation's water resource infrastructure. In order 24, Congress authorized new construction projects, new feasibility studies, and new environmental infrastructure projects. These studies and projects, when funded, will strengthen the supply chain, better protect Americans from flooding, and improve degraded aquatic environments.
▶ 0:39:47We deeply value the authorities you have entrusted to us, and our pledge is to put them to work to deliver for the American people. To that end, the Army Corps's objective every day is to safely deliver quality studies and projects on schedule and within budget. to this end and I spent four hours with the team yesterday looking at this. Our current onschedule rate across the civil works portfolio is 80.1%.
▶ 0:40:11That's a low low B and that's This performance is influenced by factors that we can control and we can control. Focusing on those things we can control, the core is absolutely committed to procedural improvements in the following three areas. First, get the engineering right. The focus here is on the majority of our designs.
▶ 0:40:34We'll not request project authorization unless the design is advanced enough that we truly understand what it is that we're proposing to build. That threshold is usually around the 35% level. There are some nuances that we need to work through with Congress on this regarding the complexities of cost share and how to break down large large complex projects. But fundamentally fundamentally we need to better understand what it is we're proposing to build before we request that you authorize us to build it.
▶ 0:41:05Second thing we need to improve upon is getting the project management right. The focus here is on crafting logical, fully resourced schedules and sticking dogmatically to them, ensuring that we're delivering these important projects with a great sense of urgency. Finally, the third thing is to get the team right. We're striving to bring together the right mix of talent either on board manning or by leveraging the incredible talents of the private sector firms. So, in closing, the path to successful delivery is clear.
▶ 0:41:34Plan projects thoroughly and then build them rapidly with the right team of master craftsmen. I look forward to working with this committee to stay on that path. Thank you again, chairman, for the opportunity to testify and I look forward to addressing your questions.
▶ 0:41:48Thank you all for your testimony. We will now turn to questions from the panel and I will recognize myself for five minutes for questions. As I mentioned in my statement, I'm concerned about dredging backlogs. In my home state of Georgia, the Port of Brunswick went years without being dredged to its authorized depth, which led to multiple ship groundings and hurting our supply chain.
▶ 0:42:10Unfortunately, this is due to multiple bureaucratic issues within the federal government, including antiquated contracting processes, nonsensical environmental windows, and budgeting that doesn't make sense in the real world. uh for either of you uh can you briefly describe how the core is improving its dredging processes to ensure that the ports throughout the country get the dredged uh when they need to? Chairman Collins, thank you for the question.
▶ 0:42:36Uh dredging capacity is critically important to our ability to be competitive in the 21st century. This is a time when others across the globe are trying to displace the United States of America as the greatest nation in the history of the world. And if we can't open our ports and harbors via regular dredging, we're not going to be as competitive uh as we enter this global competition. Uh you specific you specifically raised issues around contracting. I think you're right.
▶ 0:43:04I think we have to uh take a very hard look at how we're contracting looking looking at the capacity that exists exists out there in the private sector. You mentioned environmental windows. This is a critically uh important challenge because our ability to dredge is constrained uh by these environmental windows. Quite often there are ways uh that we are researching right now uh to expand those environmental windows and I'll let General Graham expand on that if he would like.
▶ 0:43:30Uh and then there's also uh a need to recapitalize uh assets that are native to the US Army Corps of Engineers. If we do all of these things, we have the potential to increase our dredging capacity at a time when our nation desperately needs it. Uh your port and your state uh is critically important to our nation. And I've I've heard this throughout uh on both sides of the aisle and in both houses of Congress that this is crit critically important to the nation and to the members of Congress and the Senate. So I look forward to working with General Graham to help get this right.
▶ 0:44:00General Graham, I'll defer to you for any additional comments you may Chairman, we we've got many members of the dredging industry with us today and so I'm pleased to say that we're working collaboratively with industry to bring capacity on board and I'm delighted to see the progress that's been made. I think with the pipeline dredges there's good capacity out there right now and industry is working to bring more of the ocean growing hopper dredges as Mr.
▶ 0:44:22Tel spoke to by 2027 we should have a replacement for the quarters east coast hopper dredge which will be known as the Donley to back stop where industry capacity falls short. Where I'm most concerned right now is dredging capacity up on the Great Lakes. And so that has our our full interest.
▶ 0:44:48Thank you. Uh I'm also concerned about the core's involvement in recreation. uh at its sites. Earlier this year, multiple recreation sites in Georgia and around the country were shut down because there were no core personnel there to run them. However, it seems to me that some of these responsibilities don't need to fall on the core.
▶ 0:45:06Uh for either of you, uh what opportunities exist to either transfer ownership of the core's recreational assets to locals or to hand over the responsibility to locals at the COR's owned recreation Chairman Collins, thank you for the question. And as you importantly point out, one of the ancillary benefits of the core's work is that it often provides opportunities for Americans to enjoy recreational opportunities on lands owned by the core of engineers.
▶ 0:45:34Unfortunately, the recreational uh workforce is a seasonal one. And I would say that the there was uh there were some shortages in the workforce this spring that frustrated uh many Americans who enjoy core of engineers facilities, frustrated me many members of Congress who represent those Americans. Uh it's unacceptable. But I will say that President Trump's administration recognized this problem very early and worked very quickly to begin rehiring these folks uh these which is a largely seasonal workforce to restore recreation this summer.
▶ 0:46:03Uh, and I'm I I will assure you, Chairman Collins, that we will get this issue fixed before uh next summer's recreational season begins. With regard to transferring responsibility to local entities, uh, I'm a believer across the board that the more we can delegate our authorities and our responsibilities to state and local partners, the better off we're going to be. They can do things more efficiently, quite often, and more cost-effectively than we can here in Washington.
▶ 0:46:26And so I'm looking forward to working with you and with General Graham to ensure that we're able to delegate as much of that responsibility as we can so we can get it right for the American public.
▶ 0:46:34All right. I I had one more thing I wanted to run by unless you want to add to it. General, I want to ask you about the new Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam. Uh when when are you going to be able to release the implementation guidance for the water 2024? And you got a cost Chairman, thank you for that question. On the new Savannah Lock and Dam, we are working with the assistant secretary's office on that implementation guidance, but we're not sitting uh still.
▶ 0:47:05We are working right now on doing a structural assessment of the the dam and the lock to make sure that we know the shape that that's in. That should take about a year to do that work. and then we'll be prepared to ensure that that pool stays stable and we'll be able to comply with the guidance we've been given in word of
▶ 0:47:24Is is that a year from today or is that a year from when you started or is that early early next year or
▶ 0:47:31that would be chairman? Let me get back to you with a a full answer on the exact date when we're going to finish.
▶ 0:47:38All right. Well, I'd appreciate that. With that, uh give five minutes to uh the ranking member, Miss Wilson. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, honorable T or Adam Tal, how are you?
▶ 0:47:56Good. Well,
▶ 0:47:56good, ma'am. Thank you.
▶ 0:47:58Section 219 authoriz authorizes authorizations for Miami Dade have grown to over $190 million and Broward County received a 50 million authorization in Word of 2024. Secretary Tail, what is your plan to deliver these projects efficiently?
▶ 0:48:19And will you commit to putting in priority order section 2019 projects for historically underserved neighborhoods in Miami Dade that face the most severe flooding and water quality issues?
▶ 0:48:36Ranking member Wilson, thank you for the question. uh in a necessarily resource constrained environment. I'm focused on ensuring that the core of engineers uh is focused on its core CORE missions which include navigation, flood control, and aquatic ecosystem restoration. With that said, Congress has often called on the core of engineers to take on uh municipal uh water supply that has traditionally been the responsibility of state or local governments.
▶ 0:49:03and in places like your district where the law says that we ought to uh prioritize these uh efforts to help prov help local communities uh access reliable and safe drinking water. Uh we are committed to following the law and I absolutely look forward to working with you to make sure that uh the the communities within your district that are most in need of this are uh are benefited by the laws that this committee has helped enact.
▶ 0:49:29Thank you. and uh General Graham as the core's top engineer. What specific operational steps are being taken to ensure that timely progress on the comprehensive Everglaze restoration
▶ 0:49:48Ranking member Wilson, thank you for that question. Uh we're working collaboratively with the state of Florida right now to ensure that we're focusing on the end result on restoring those Everglades as fast as possible. And whoever is in the best position to do that is who we're going is going to basically um we're going to turn to them to to do the work.
▶ 0:50:14And we've got a great governance infrastructure in place right now and met this week to ensure that that team has the proper oversight and we deliver efficiently.
▶ 0:50:24So tell me this, how workforce losses under the federal hiring freeze threaten core capacity. So how are you ensuring that the core maintains the technical technical expertise necessary to deliver very complex projects like Everglaze
▶ 0:50:47Ranking member Wiligan, thank you for that question. We are continuously we go through about our annual attrition rate is around 12%. So for an organization, they'll just round up to 40,000 people. That's around 4,000 folks that we have to replace every year. And so we continuously are on a hunt for talent to bring new people in and train them up.
▶ 0:51:11Optimizing the workforce and the guidance of Secretary or Assistant Secretary Tel is a imperative for us. So, we're working to make sure that the workforce is at the right size to deliver on the work and that they have the right talents. And I'm confident that we'll be able to do
▶ 0:51:33You're confident that you'll be able to do that?
▶ 0:51:36I am.
▶ 0:51:37Okay. So, Secretary T, um the black the backbay study has been elevated as a priority for addressing storm surge and sea level rise in Miami Dade County. How will you ensure sustained federal leadership and funding so that backbased studies recommendations are implemented on schedule and equitably benefit the most vulnerable communities? You have a plan in place.
▶ 0:52:06Ranking member Wilson, thank you for the question. And you've uh identified an issue that's important in your district and throughout the country. uh in the in the deep history of the core of engineers uh their focus the focus of on flood control related to riverine systems where the flooding was relatively predictable and that it happened uh on an annual basis generally during the wet season or during snow melt or during the spring. Riverine systems are uh more more easy to engineer against flood flood protection than our coastal systems.
▶ 0:52:36Uh in recent years, the Congress and uh various administrations have worked to try to get our hands around how we can protect coastal areas better. And it's a very it's a big challenge and many of these uh projects are regional in scope. Uh they're complex. They have many uh many different their systems of systems that all depend on the other.
▶ 0:52:54And uh General Graham and I have spoken many times in my in my short time in in this office and will continue to work to ensure that when we have these large complex regional projects that we provide you here in the Congress with elements of those projects that are budgetable, actionable, and separable.
▶ 0:53:11which means uh the Congress can make investments in those projects in a way that allows General Graham and his team to deliver on pieces of them and provide provide flood cont protection to communities like yours uh without studying it forever and to actually uh build things. Um and so uh that's one of the strategies. There are many more u and I look forward to working with you on getting this right.
▶ 0:53:35Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
▶ 0:53:38Thank you. Do I uh now recognize uh Mr. Boston for 5 minutes?
▶ 0:53:43Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I want to thank the witnesses for be being here. You know, uh Mr. Tell the levy maintenance and oversight in my district is vitally important since I have three navigable waterways with the Mississippi, the Ohio, and the the Cascasia River. Um and one bad flood can lead to hundreds of acres of farmlands, homes. um historical properties, livelihoods lost in an instant. Mr.
▶ 0:54:13T, I mentioned in our call last week, uh I was concerned about a scour hole that continues to grow next to the levy in Monroe County, Illinois, and how dangerous it could be if the Mississippi floods. Can you speak to how the core keeps track of threats of levies like the sky hole uh and when you know to step in and also how are you working to streamline the levy maintenance process and your communications efforts with
▶ 0:54:40Congressman Boss, thank you for the question and thank you for the job you do representing in a very important part of our country in southern Illinois where two of our nation's most important rivers uh converge. You mentioned the Ohio and the Mississippi. Uh it's very important that we get levy safety right or uh and levy maintenance right. And so I would defer to General Graham on the inventory process that he uses to help advise us on uh on which levies need our uh most rapid attention.
▶ 0:55:10But I will say that one of my priorities in this role is to work to make sure the four layers of the organization that I mentioned in my opening statement, my office, the assistant secretary's office, General Graham's headquarters, our divisions, our nine divisions, and our 39 districts. And I believe that your district uh is under the jurisdiction of multiple of those districts are uh are working in a harmonious way uh that measures priorities across the nation in a consistent way and delivers the results that you and the taxpayers expect from our United States Army Corps of Engineers.
▶ 0:55:40I'll let General Graham address the question of the inventory of our flood control infrastructure. Representative Boast, as assistant secretary mentioned, communication is absolutely key with the local levy sponsors through the local district to make sure that we truly understand the status of those levies.
▶ 0:55:58So, our commitment to you is to ensure that the team is prepared and ready to have the dialogue as mother nature votes and puts water up on those levies and we have a slide or damage and then we can get that rapidly into a a funding package and up here for Congress. Well, it kind of adds to goes to my next question. Can you uh and and I think it's probably for you, General Graham.
▶ 0:56:22Can you provide an update on the core's construction and maintenance backlog and any status update on when we will see a report detailing the projects because when we did the 2018 were to uh there was a part of that that asked for a report to be done by the core and delivered to us by and was due in 2020 and we still don't have that.
▶ 0:56:49Representative Boast, we'll I'll check on the status of where that report is and and we'll get back to you.
▶ 0:56:54Okay. You know, it is vitally important that we work together and as it was mentioned, um I I do have three cores that touch my district and um they all try to do a good job, but sometimes we run into and I and I've this is what we get is we get a tremendous amount of these questions prepared by staff. This is my question though. So, since being in Congress, I've dealt with what was known as a Lynn small levy. Was not it was not a federal levy.
▶ 0:57:25It was a state levy. Uh but it was a five-year levy when it blew in the uh holiday flood, which was no holiday in 2015. um it actually started trying to cut through um and and actually a dog tooth bin in the state of Illinois, which is that's not just a redneck statement. That's what it's actually called. Okay.
▶ 0:57:49Um and and it tried to cut through and it's still trying to cut through and I know we're doing a lot with rip wrap and everything there. They're not wonder they could they not bringing the farmland back. It it it has now all been put in reserve and everything like that. But if you would could you keep us maintain keep us informed on what your St. Louis Corps continues to see because originally they were dying.
▶ 0:58:15It wasn't going to be a navigable problem which is kind of embarrassing when they say that and then all of a sudden barge ends up in farmland. Uh so it is a very very very important issue to the district. uh can't get the farmland back for the people that lost it when that levy gave gave way.
▶ 0:58:32Um but it's something if you could I'd like you to keep an eye on represent the bank stabilization mission along all of our rivers in particular the the mighty Mississippi is critical to us dog to Ben we are tracking the stability of that bank.
▶ 0:58:47Thank you. I yield back.
▶ 0:58:49Thank you. The gentleman yields back. Uh I now recognize Mr. Larson for five minutes question.
▶ 0:58:54Thank you. Thank you Mr. Chair. Uh, Mr. Tell, in the bipartisan infrastructure law, Congress made investments in the core, the $17 billion. Uh, you discussed approaches for speeding up delivery. Um, there's another approach as well, and that's the robust and consistent funding. Uh, the core's current construction by uh backlog is close to hundred billion dollars, including 7.5 billion in new projects that we authorized.
▶ 0:59:18Uh but there's a roughly 27% cut to the COR's construction count in the budget request. Uh so it doesn't help close the gap. Can you help us understand this relationship between the construction backlog and the president's proposed budget that um uh that does not come close to helping us close that gap?
▶ 0:59:41Ranking member Larson, thank you for the question and it's an important one. Um to put a finer point on on the point you made um there are $78 billion worth of projects have been authorized but for which Congress has not yet appropriated funding. There are $44 billion worth there's $44 billion worth of work for which Congress has appropriated money but the money has not been executed of that $44 billion 12 billion of that is greater than 5 years old.
▶ 1:00:08Um I say that to say that uh the the demand for the core services far outpaces the supply and even under the most um uh optimistic projections about the ability of Congress to deliver against that work um it's it's still going to be uh small in comparison to the demand and that's why we have to get smarter.
▶ 1:00:32Uh, one of the things that I've learned that I'm going to be working with Chairman Collins and the rest of the committee on is that uh, and these are rough numbers, but um, the prelim my preliminary work shows that uh, for every dollar that that congress appropriates to the core of engineers, um, about a only about a third of it actually uh, goes to to build or maintain things. A third of it goes to land acquisition. A third of it goes to construction as I mentioned.
▶ 1:00:59And a third of it goes uh for each project goes to uh employees within the districts at at the core of engineers. And so one of the things that I'm going to be working with General Graham and this committee on is better understanding um how the unique budget structure of the core of engineers which includes projectbased budgeting.
▶ 1:01:16uh like I said, it's delivering about uh in that one-third one-ird one-third uh breakdown uh h how that uh creates incentives throughout the organization that may or may not uh align with the incentives of the American taxpayer.
▶ 1:01:31And so I look forward to working with you whatever the uh whatever the appropriated amount is to deliver the most for the taxpayer Uh second uh this might be a little easier because we directed the um administration any administration through word of 2024 to uh obligate 100% of the harbor maintenance trust fund um as well as to the donor and energy transfer ports 12% set aside and yet the budget just clearly does not do that even though
▶ 1:02:01we said do that. Um, can you commit to following the uh Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund spending allocations and funding targets that are are required by law? Ranking member Larson, we do commit to follow the law. Uh, and as it relates to donor and energy ports. These are projects uh which this committee has determined um contribute more to the harbor maintenance trust fund than they receive in return.
▶ 1:02:26And while we're focused on uh making sure that we have access to our ports, uh this program uh seeks to provide uh closer to the to the shore infrastructure to those ports. Uh I will say that the 2025 work plan and the FY26 president's budget does not preclude investments in these activities. Even if it doesn't specifically call them out,
▶ 1:02:46doesn't preclude it, but the law says what to do. So um a little closer over to my estate. Can you uh help us with the status of the salmon recovery continuing authority program?
▶ 1:02:59I'm sorry, sir. Could you repeat?
▶ 1:03:01So, what's the status of the salmon recovery continuing authority program?
▶ 1:03:04Uh, ranking member Larson, I I will defer to General Graham on the specifics, but what I can say is we are seeing in the continuing authorities program as we enter uh the end of the fiscal year and and into next fiscal year, there has been some carryover, meaning that there are balances that exist there. Uh, and so we're working with General Graham's team to ensure that we um we liquidate as many of those balances as we can efficiently, but there may be some carryover into the next fiscal year.
▶ 1:03:28Rather than have General Graham answer that, we'll follow up with him because I also want to be sure that uh you understand the word of 24 created a pilot program within the tribal partnership program for five projects in my state that were carried out um off tribal lands.
▶ 1:03:44Is that pilot program I will have to get back to you on how ready it is, but I will say that we respect uh the uh the role that the tribes play here and the in the tribal partnership program with which this committee has placed into law. We look forward to working with you to make sure that gets implemented uh among the 180 provisions that were included in Ward
▶ 1:04:06And just one more thing, Mr. Chair, if I may, just a request. So I sent earlier, the Democrats sent earlier um to your office our priorities for the word of 24 implementation committee and we did that in February. Understand you weren't there then. Uh maybe it's still sitting there but that request uh would appreciate if you'd ensure that each of those priorities are implemented
▶ 1:04:28Yes. Yes, Mr. Ranking member.
▶ 1:04:29Thank you, Mr. Chair.
▶ 1:04:32Thank you. The gentleman yields back and I recognize uh Mr. Taylor for five minutes for questions. Thank you, Chairman Collins and Ranking Member Wilson for holding this hearing today. And thank you to our witnesses for taking the time and making the sacrifices necessary to be here to speak to us. And uh thank you all for your service.
▶ 1:04:49Um as we begin the next war reauthorization and with the Ohio River running along my district, uh we need to ensure that the Army Corps uh implements policies that utilize the river's resources to create economic activity in the Appalachin region. My district's essentially all Appalachin. Um, the Ohio River continues to be a vital shipping route, transporting over 200 million tons of cargo yearly. Farmers and businesses rely on the locks and dams along the Ohio River to ship their products with minimal delays.
▶ 1:05:20With the ongoing maintenance on the Captain Anthony Mildall locks and dam, commerce and recreation along the Ohio River could be affected. Uh, General, what steps does the Army Corps take when undergoing maintenance like this on locks and dams to ensure that navigation can continue? represent Taylor. Thanks. Uh having grown up in Pittsburgh at the beginning of the Ohio River, I have a great love and affection for that that river system. Um it is all a slack water system.
▶ 1:05:50It is all confounded by locks and dams. And so the maintenance of those is absolutely critical. delighted to see the recapitalization of a lot of those uh facilities as well as commitments to the long-term maintenance particularly on on the main stem of the Ohio that that you spoke to. We work um handin glove with industry and the inland waterway users board to make sure that we look well in advance on when we're going to take down any main chambers.
▶ 1:06:16The good news on the Ohio River is that there is always a backup chamber with its auxiliary chamber. We understand that that's a a great inconvenience to and delay to industry when you go from 1,200 foot down to a 700t chamber. So the key there is to provide the navigation industry a reliable transportation system.
▶ 1:06:36it's unscheduled outages that um are the bane to their industry and that's our commitment is to ideally um do away with any unscheduled outages and stay ahead of maintenance.
▶ 1:06:50Thank you, General. I've been proud of this administration's priority to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used effectively. Um, unfortunately there was a project in uh my district that faced significant delays and rising costs because of the actions of a third party and was not the fault of the the Army Corps. Uh delays and vital flood prevention and infrastructure can cause potential harm to local communities.
▶ 1:07:12Uh General, when the Army Corps faces challenges with contractors and other third parties, what steps do you take to ensure that uh instances like this are prevented in the future? Congressman Taylor. So, we have a tracking system where we basically give a grade on how that contractor performs and if the contractor performed unsatisfactoryy or if they were unsafe, we don't want to do business with them again.
▶ 1:07:39As we see that they are starting to um fail in their performance, our commitment is to work handin glove with them to make them successful. But if they prove themselves not to be a a uh a successful contractor, they can't deliver for us and then we'll do our best not to work with them again.
▶ 1:08:00That makes sense. And and when you're choosing a contractor, does their past performance, your ability to vet their past performance um take it is taken into account even if nec not necessarily the the best price?
▶ 1:08:13Absolutely. Their past performance is one of the one of the main factors we look at. In April, uh, the Ohio River reached over 60 feet, the highest in more than 28 years, causing massive flooding in Cincinnati. While this is a rare occurrence, it's imperative that the federal government and its agencies prepare for potential floods to protect its citizens and mitigate damage. Uh, General, following flooding, how does the Army Corps work with state and local leaders in their flood risk management plan to prepare for potential tragedies in the future?
▶ 1:08:46Representative Taylor, thank you for that question. Immediately after a storm happens, we have authorities, public law 84.99 that allow us to responsibly work with local communities to immediately repair that damage where we can. We also have a planning assistance to state continuing authority that'll allow us to assist them to look at that wershed on what just happened and start to look at options to make that community more resilient to flooding in the future.
▶ 1:09:14and then that could spin off into future feasibility studies with us.
▶ 1:09:19Okay. Thank you both again for being here today and I yield back. Chairman,
▶ 1:09:23thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize uh Mr. Garam Mindy for five minutes for questions.
▶ 1:09:31Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Telus, and sorry about the loss of your dad. And so I'm going to kind of back down here a little bit. Um but you have an extremely important job as you know. uh in your testimony you said that few government agencies capture the interests of the American citizens, land owners, communities and states job creators like the core of engineers.
▶ 1:09:56And you went on to say the core supports commercial navigation, flood risks, restoration of aquatic systems and stewardships of our natural resources. Your words, your task. You've got a very, very important task out ahead of you.
▶ 1:10:11However, you're faced with a very very difficult situation as is the general one in which the administration has decided to go after the core of engineers and significantly reduce the funding and the staff. 3,000 employees are gone and general, you say you can figure out how to do this.
▶ 1:10:33I'd love to see it because I'd like to see the 2026 work plan that will tell us how you intend to implement the terrible cuts that have been made by this administration to the core of engineers critical functions to carry out Mr. Secret assistant secretary Telus' stated tasks and goals. How are you going to do it?
▶ 1:11:00You're looking at a 30% reduction in operation and maintenance. You've already heard from several members of this committee and you'll hear even more. Operation and maintenance is flood control. It is also the dredging. And by the way, you better obey the law which requires 100% of the money available through the programs where we tax incoming uh shipments.
▶ 1:11:29100% of that must be spent for the harbor maintenance fund. Apparently, you're going to have to stretch to do that. If you have a 30% reduction in O and M, you have a very difficult plan. And apparently, you are totally ignoring the one year of work done by Democrats and Republicans on this committee putting together the 204 word of plan. It is detail.
▶ 1:11:58We're not going to get the detail from you today because you're not giving us the work plan. But you better get it to us quick because by the end of this month, we will be dealing with the 2026 budget. And I will guarantee you and anybody else that cares to listen. You will not have my vote for that 2026 work plan unless these issues are addressed, including how you intend to obey the obey the law.
▶ 1:12:29word is not just a bunch of words. It is the law and you are required to carry it out. And unfortunately, you've been dealt a terrible hand by the as he carries out the 2025 So, where are we? You are in one serious mess.
▶ 1:12:57And I will guarantee you this, this is not one half of what I intend to lay on both of you when you come back here with that work plan. And it had better carry out the law 100% harbor maintenance, the programs that were authorized and the work plan that was developed last year. Is it going to be carried out or where are the cuts going to occur?
▶ 1:13:24We do know that in the early days of this administration, you decided, the administration decided to take it out on the blue states on the west coast. And so 200 plus million dollars of necessary programs, a dam in Washington that had to be replaced will not be upgraded and replaced as a result of a dis of a decision that was made to take money away from blue state Washington and a and a smaller but
▶ 1:13:54necessary amount of money from California. Will you restore If I give you a few minutes, you'd probably say we'll do our best. Well, your best isn't enough. The law is the law. The word is the law of the land. And you are required, this administration is required to carry out the law and not to write their own version of it. So, I'll see you next time around.
▶ 1:14:23And you better have answers for all of these things. Otherwise, I will unload on you then. This is just a touch. I yield back.
▶ 1:14:33Thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize uh Mr. Man for five minutes for questions.
▶ 1:14:38Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you both for being here today and thank you for your service uh to the country. I represent the uh big first district of Kansas, which is uh mostly the western twothirds of of state of Kansas except for the area around Witchah. Um, you know, our water in Kansas comes from, of course, rivers and lakes, but we also have the Ogalala aquifer, which is a big priority um for us and our agriculture as well.
▶ 1:15:02Word of 2024 made several common sense policy reforms to improve project delivery and identify areas of focus for the core to maximize public benefits. Uh, for Kansas, it's vitally important that the core is able to quickly and efficiently implement guidance and provisions from WAR 2024 and previous Wardas. and I look forward to hearing from you today on ways that um Congress can work with you to help to achieve this. Um ju just a handful of questions.
▶ 1:15:25Um first off um how will the core work with the EPA and the Trump administration to provide a definition of wus that adheres to the president established in the sacket decision? I know you referenced that in your testimony, but but what's the latest there and and what do you when do you anticipate a definition coming out and what does that look like? Uh, congressman, thank you for the question and you've identified a critically important issue.
▶ 1:15:49U, the term waters of the United States was included as the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act as it relates to section 404 in 1972. And since that time, there's been a lack of certainty and clarity about what that term means. And the sacket decision by the Supreme Court in 2023 provides uh a law of the land that provides as much clarity as as as we've had since 1972 about that which is this is an important issue for farmers and land owners in your state.
▶ 1:16:17And I would just say that uh we've taken action, President Trump's administration has taken action in March. uh we issued in inter interim guidance uh to adhere to the sacket decision as the core of engineers goes about doing its work in partnership with the EPA. Um we're in the process of issuing a proposed rule that will permanently uh enshrine the sacket decision in the uh way that the core and the EPA go about uh carrying out their responsibilities.
▶ 1:16:47And so I look forward to this uh action providing clarity and understanding to stakeholders across the country so that we can get uh to work. We can uh we can provide liberty and freedom to Americans as they go about doing what they do best which is innovate and deliver uh on the economy.
▶ 1:17:06Wholeheartedly agree and appreciate your work and efforts on that. That's you know impacts our farmers, our oil and gas producers um manufacturers a lot of folks as well. So thank you. Um, second question, what's the status of implementing subtitle B of WAR to 2024 to elevate water supply as a primary mission of the core?
▶ 1:17:26Uh, thank you for the question, sir. Uh, as you identify the u the the three core missions of the US Army Corps of Engineers uh have been navigation, uh, flood risk mitigation and aquatic ecosystem restoration.
▶ 1:17:40uh water supply winds up being a very important especially in the western part of our country an important part of the core's mission and we have to work very closely with our partners at the Bureau of Reclamation uh within the states uh to make sure that we're keeping a close eye on water control water supply as we think about ensuring that communities um don't experience floods that and that we can quite often uh respond to natural disasters and so water supply is already an important part of what General Graham considers as he's allocating resources that are
▶ 1:18:10held in reservoirs. Uh and it's something that we'll continue we've been focused on and we'll continue to focus on in light of word of 2024.
▶ 1:18:18Great. Um and then last question. Um what's the update on the core construction and maintenance backlog? Are there specific categories of projects contributing to the backlog more than others? Um, Congressman, I I ran through the numbers of of the uh authorized but unappropriated and appropriated but unexpended.
▶ 1:18:41Uh, and I would say that uh all categories feasibility studies uh construction project engineering and design uh construction and maintenance uh all have issues and uh these things take far too long. They cost far too much. And I'm committed to working with this committee and with General Graham and his team at the core uh to get at that problem.
▶ 1:19:05We can deliver more flood control, more water supply, more navigation for the country for less money and more quickly if we uh if if we work closely together and so I'm committed to that, sir.
▶ 1:19:17I agree. Well, thank you both again for being here and I yield back the balance of my time.
▶ 1:19:21Thank you. The gentleman yields back and I recognize uh Mr. Ryan for five minutes for questions. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you both both for being here. Mr. Tel, I I want to join in expressing condolences, not just from me, but from my constituents for for your loss.
▶ 1:19:36Um uh I want to take the few minutes I have to highlight my district and an important priority in my community um which is experiencing a major drinking water crisis and ask for your um your help and your your commitment to work with me on that which you've already been doing to great effect. Uh the vi the village of Curious Joel is one of the youngest and fastest growing communities in the nation.
▶ 1:20:00It's also the largest municipality in my district and the average size of a family there is 5.37 people which is double the national average. The village has experienced continued rapid population growth since 1990. It has 4x increased uh as the community has grown which which is which is a great thing. Because of this, the village has been working really hard to ensure it has infrastructure it needs across the board to support this growth.
▶ 1:20:26Um, in particular though, the current water infrastructure is at a an incredibly dangerous point where they've literally had to truck in water uh at at peak demand points because it just have not been able to keep up. Uh, and and to be clear, they have a great plan that they've been executing for decades now. It's just as we all know things move too slow and as that escalates they're in a in a critical situation. So that's why we're specifically asking your help.
▶ 1:20:53I know uh this is something that the core has taken on in in moments of critical need. Um specifically Curious Joel has been working um on the fifth and final component of a multi-phase project more than 20 years in the making called the Catskill Aqueduct Connection Project. It basically runs a 13-mi pipeline from the Catskco aqueduct, which is the water supply from New York City actually, and connects this community into that supply.
▶ 1:21:18It's a it's a great approach and idea that's very synergistic for not only Curious Shaw, but many other surrounding uh communities. The current and final stage of the project is a water filtration and treatment plant that'll treat around 2 million gallons of water per day. Um I I've been working really closely with the village on the project since I've been in office. We got an initial million dollars in community project funding. Uh but we certainly need a lot more.
▶ 1:21:45Um the project was included in section 219 um of the environmental infrastructure project going back to 2007. Uh and then in 2024 uh I was able to 5x that to 25 million authorized uh with the help of uh my colleagues on the committee. Uh, General Graham, I want to commend you and your team. Colonel Young from the New York District has been phenomenal and the whole team. Uh, they've, uh, just did a site visit with myself and the village leadership earlier this year.
▶ 1:22:15We're able to show them the project. They spent several hours with us, uh, and committed at a broad level to continue to support the project, working with the state, uh, New York State as well. Um, so I just wanted to flag that for you both. um ask your help and specifically I ask if uh General Graham and of course would invite you as well uh assistant secretary if you'd sit with me um to just talk a little bit more about this project figure out how we can get it moving because we are just I mean we're really running out of time and uh so just would ask your help on that and any thoughts you have on that
▶ 1:22:45starting with you General Graham represent Ryan we're certainly tracking the the aqueduct connection that that village is working to make and subject to funding on the 219 program. We're prepared to assist them.
▶ 1:23:02Congressman, happy to visit with you at any point and learn more about this project and see how we can be of of help to you.
▶ 1:23:09I appreciate that and we'd love to follow up with you on that and understand um amidst all the priorities that that you all have on your priorities list um what we can be doing to make sure that this uh is seen as it is because it it isn't reaching an existential situation. Um, but that's the main question that I have and again I just want to uh as a former Army guy uh it's good to have Army folks in in this committee as well. Appreciate the service you're both doing for our nation and uh yield back, Mr. Chair.
▶ 1:23:38Thank you. The gentleman yields back and I now recognize Mr. Fong for five minutes for questions.
▶ 1:23:44Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Um thank you both for being here. Um to to the assistant secretary, my condolences to you and your family on your loss. Um wanted to f also uh move on to thanking the president for his leadership on on California water. Uh we haven't had a president focus on our water policies in California in a very long time and the fact that he signed two executive orders. One on the first day he was inaugurated uh certainly signifies the importance he takes to our needs in California.
▶ 1:24:11Uh President Trump's executive order uh titled emergency measures to provide water resources in California. uh directs federal agencies like the Army Corps to take emergency measures at the streamline policies constricting water infrastructure construction in California while maximizing water delivery. The Red Bank and Fanter Creek dams uh that service my district are authorized as singlepurpose flood control facilities. Uh Army Corps studies will analyze modifying existing infrastructure like these to increase water storage that will directly be used and managed groundwater recharge in California.
▶ 1:24:41wanted to ask um uh um both of you, but maybe first to the assistant secretary. How does the Army Corps plan to streamline its policies to prioritize review and approval of water projects like Red Bank and Fantry Creek, which will meaningfully impact water supply uh in in agricultural regions like my side, my my my district?
▶ 1:25:00Congressman Fun, thank you for the question. Um and I would just agree with you wholeheartedly about President Trump's commitment to uh water supply in California. We're very fortunate to have a president who is so focused on water issues in your state and throughout the country. Uh and I would also compliment the California congressional delegation, Congressman Lamafa, Congressman Calli on this committee for your expertise on this issue that's very important to your state.
▶ 1:25:23Um as you've conveyed to me and and your colleagues have conveyed to me, we can make the pie bigger in terms of water supply in California if we're willing to do what it takes to optimize the use of the reservoirs there uh to keep this precious resource available. uh that's in the form of water control manuals, uh using forecast and form reservoir operations.
▶ 1:25:43Uh these are all uh activities that we're focused on throughout your your state and and if we increase that water supply in California, um we're going to be able to deliver on the needs of uh farmers in your state, uh the municipalities in your state, and when disaster strikes, uh we're going to have more water to be responsive to it. And so I look very look forward to working with you and members of the California delegation under President Trump's leadership uh to deliver on that uh on that hope.
▶ 1:26:08Thank you. Um also thank you for that and want to mention uh two other projects. Uh as you know uh for several years my community has been working with the core to initiate a feasibility study to raise Pine Flat Dam in my district. We talked about that as well when we you were generous enough to offer some time. Uh this project has brought bipartisan support uh since it adds critical flood protection uh needed to prevent the kind of devastation we saw in the central valley during the flooding events of 2023.
▶ 1:26:32So look forward to working with you on how we can commence work uh on some of the the of the requirements for feasibility determinations so that we can move through the process quicker. And then the success reservoir enlargement project uh provides again more significant flood protection for our communities and farms uh in my district. Uh once completed, uh this project will more than double flood protection uh creating over 28,000 acre feet of new water storage. Um there's $15 million remaining to close out this major project.
▶ 1:26:59So uh certainly look forward to the partnership uh to funding this project uh complete uh the lake success project to ensure uh that this uh project becomes operational as quickly as possible. I do want to end um uh my my uh my opportunity to chat with you both about the use of um advanced forecasting technologies like ASO and FIO uh that allows us to better map and predict snowpack and watershed levels.
▶ 1:27:23Um, how do how does the core plan to incorporate a greater use of available technology uh to better manage watersheds, snowpack and uh so that our uh existing infrastructure uh can better protect communities from floods while also increasing water supply levels and that that goes to either one of you. Uh, Congressman Fun, you've identified a critical issue, which is uh which is to optimize the use of our existing infrastructure.
▶ 1:27:48When we're able to use things like forecast inform reservoir operations to update water control manuals that may not have been updated since the 1970s, we can use all of the sensing and data uh capabilities that we've developed in the interim uh to uh to provide to to store more water, provide more water, uh take take smarter risks when necessary uh without uh really spending a single dollar on new infrastructure.
▶ 1:28:13So, uh, you've identified a critical area where we can do more and better and I'll defer to General Graham on any of the specifics if he'd like to. Can't really say much more than that. As secretary Tail, um, ringing the maximum value we can out of all the projects around the Central Valley is is absolutely key. And so, we're great to we're delighted to see Lake Mescino and its new water control manual coming online this month.
▶ 1:28:38And that's the first of the fear of for forecast informed reservoir operations, water control manuals that we'll be able to put into operation and we're continuing to work on the additional ones.
▶ 1:28:48Thank you. My I've run out of time, but water is life for us in the central valley in California. We are the food production capital of our state and I look forward to partnering with both of you. Thank you. I yield back.
▶ 1:28:57Thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize Mr. Papus for five minutes for questions.
▶ 1:29:02Well, thanks very much, Mr. Chairman. Thanks to you and the ranking member for holding this session. And I want to thank our witnesses, Assistant Secretary Tel and Lieutenant General Graham. We appreciate all your hard work and I can attest to the um significance of the core uh in terms of New Hampshire uh in projects that we have seen undertaken over the last several years. We're really grateful for your attention to a number of initiatives. I wanted to build on what the chairman was asking you about uh Mr.
▶ 1:29:26Assistant Secretary around recreation, an issue that's top of mind to a lot of folks in New Hampshire where our communities are really rooted in access to the wilderness and the outdoors. Um, as you know, the Army Corps has been subject to a hiring freeze imposed by the administration. It's impacted the New England District recreation areas. It's left recreation areas in New Hampshire unable to hire summer rangers at all who serve in essential roles and keep those areas open and safe and accessible for individuals and families to enjoy.
▶ 1:29:52Uh, without summer rangers, recreation areas in New Hampshire where people boat, swim, fish, and hike experienced reduced hours, limited access to facilities, and significant significantly reduced services throughout this past summer. So, I share those concerns and I'd love to hear a little bit more about an action plan to address this. But I just want to add that it's not just the summer months. Um, it's all year round in New Hampshire. Uh, in terms of our outdoor recreation, uh, opportunities, and it's connected to our economy.
▶ 1:30:19The outdoor economy represents a major sector in New Hampshire, employs tens of thousands of people. We're among the top 10 states nationwide in terms of proportion of GDP that's generated based on outdoor recreation. Um so whether it's uh activities in the summer, access uh to you know lakes and ponds in the winter for ice fishing, uh hiking and uh hunting. Um this goes uh 365 days throughout the year.
▶ 1:30:44So I'm wondering if you can expand a little bit more on access to outdoor recreation, how we can get more people out there to make sure that we're not compromising not only access but economic opportunities. And I'll just add that I think the notion that this could somehow be shifted to other agencies or to state and local taxpayers, that's not something that folks in New Hampshire I know would support. So love to hear a little bit more about how we can improve this. Um and I think people uh at the local level have great urgency around wanting to see some action.
▶ 1:31:13Uh Congressman, thank you for the question and thank you for uh astutely pointing out that core of engineers facilities do uh many of them uh do attract visitors throughout the year. Um, with regard to uh the the workforce that supports the recreational activities of the core of engineers, this is an an area that the Trump administration identified early very early on uh as a challenge and uh instituted a a program to to hire these folks as quickly as possible.
▶ 1:31:41And we made significant pro we've already made significant progress against that goal. Uh we're tracking it every single day uh uh in cooperation with General Graham. And it's something that we intend to have fixed. we've already addressed uh over the course of this summer, but heading into the winter months and into next summer, I'm confident that we will have it uh we will have a workforce that meets the needs of the American public as it relates to using core of engineers facilities for recreation.
▶ 1:32:07Well, we're hoping we can continue to communicate with you on this. It's important and where there are exemptions needed from the hiring freeze, I think we absolutely should be looking for uh maximum capabilities uh from the core to be able to fill these positions. Congressman, we are aggressively hiring today against these needs and uh look forward to working with you and giving you more information about that.
▶ 1:32:27Thank you. Additional question for you, Mr. Assistant Secretary. A key priority of mine in the last word was language encouraging the secretary to coordinate with apprenticeship programs when conducting corrosion prevention activities as well as the use of industry recognized standards and best practices. This will enhance the quality and effectiveness of corrosion prevention measures through certified training programs, ensuring the integrity of our infrastructure over the long term. So, I was pleased with this uh inclusion with its inclusion in the legislation.
▶ 1:32:56I'm wondering if you can talk about any coordination with apprenticeship programs, whether it's on uh corrosion prevention or other things that will uh help support the needs of our infrastructure.
▶ 1:33:07Uh, Congressman, corrosion is an important issue when it comes to our nation's water infrastructure. uh when water and metal touch, corrosion and and and oxygen touch, corrosion occurs. And uh m much of our infrastructure is is far too old. And so uh anything we can do to get get against uh the corrosion challenge on our nation's infrastructure, locks and dams and other infrastructure related uh related to the United States Army Corps of Engineers mission uh is something we ought to take a close look at and I congratulate you on your leadership in that area.
▶ 1:33:35Well, thank you. there are apprenticeships out there that are the gold standard that um you know ensure that workers are skilled uh and that they're using best practices. So I hope that the core can continue to benefit from those types of programs. With that I yield back.
▶ 1:33:48Thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize uh Mr. Mass for five minutes for questions.
▶ 1:33:52Thank you chairman. Appreciate it. Secretary General, nice to see you both. You guys are a pretty new team working together getting along well. All right. Secretary, appreciate you coming in the other day. It was a great conversation. Appreciate your work on the issues. I know you bring a wealth of knowledge having been in a and working for a number of senators. Uh now you're getting your PhD and everything, but I know you've had a lot of exposure to everything. So I'm glad to see you both in here. Just want to have a little conversation about something I frequently do. Lake Okachchobee. It's the biggest thing that affects me as it relates to the US Army Corps of Engineers.
▶ 1:34:23Uh and and I would frame the conversation in this way. Corps of Engineers does not like to deal with issues of you know quote water quality, but water quality affects us all. Uh you guys have to move waters of different levels of quality. You have to manage uh water standards in different parts uh for the outlets of Lake Okachchobee.
▶ 1:34:43Uh the quality water quality standards for what goes south into the Everglades are not what the east and west coast of Florida uh get to have in terms of uh you know eight parts per billions or eight parts per billion is the the standard that the EPA set for what's toxic algolooms. 10 parts per billion for water going down to the Everglades for phosphorus. We don't have those kind of standards to the east and west. Uh but we have a lot of toxic algo blooms on Lake Okachchobee and that affects your people. The water quality affects your people. I don't know.
▶ 1:35:11Have either of you had to be on top of uh the Port Maka Lock and Dam with algo blooms measuring 100, 200, 300 parts per billion micro system. Have you done that
▶ 1:35:24I haven't had a chance to do that yet,
▶ 1:35:26General. Congressman.
▶ 1:35:28So, Congressman Mass, I think the last time I met you was out in the field with your son at Port Maka when there was algoloom going on.
▶ 1:35:34You so you know what that's like.
▶ 1:35:36Absolutely. I think your son walked out of the car said, "Dad, this place stinks." And he was absolutely
▶ 1:35:43And so the point is that that quality, your people got to stand on that. How many hours a day? Eight, 10 hours a day reading those things in. It's serious. And just as much as it's serious for for your people in uniform out there working daily, weekly, monthly on top of that, it's the same level of seriousness for our people that have that discharge to them. So the point of the conversation I just want to have for a couple minutes, you guys are a new team coming in.
▶ 1:36:12What do you feel like we can do to protect my people on the East Coast that get that dumped on them when we don't receive any benefits? the people on the west coast that get that dumped on them even though they want a minimum level of water flowing to them because they have a natural connection. We have an unnatural connection and your people that have to sit on top of this and work every day. What can we do to work on this?
▶ 1:36:36Congressman Mass, thank you for being uh for being on top of this issue. You you have helped me as I've gotten up to speed on this issue. I've been down to Lake Okachchobee already. Uh you've been a tireless advocate uh for your constituents along the St. Lucy River. Uh the core of engineers under General Graham's leadership has already taken action to update the water control manual of Lake Okachchobee to ensure that we're not having unnecessarily unnecessary discharges into the St. Lucy River, the Kousa Hatchee River.
▶ 1:37:05Uh you've been at the forefront of making that happen. There's still more that we can do to ensure that we provide uh we we provide uh for the Everglaze restoration project and we provide for flood control throughout central and south Florida without negatively affecting your constituents and so uh I look forward to working on this with you. Um you've been an incredible advocate for the interest of your
▶ 1:37:29Look forward to working with you. Also, General, anything to add? One piece I'd add, Congressman Mast, I know you've been a great supporter of this, is research and development that we can do when the harmful alleg blooms erupt that we have a tool to combat that. South Florida Water Management District has some some pretty good tools that we've used. We're going to continue that research and development, but at the end of the day, the root cause of this is the nutrients that are causing this to begin with.
▶ 1:37:56I know we're working handinand glove with with the state of Florida to improve that.
▶ 1:38:00Yeah. And the water quality standards that I started to speak about, those are related to nutrients. That's not even related to are we moving toxic pollutants like microiston that the EPA says, hey, if you're a human being, don't come in contact with this at eight parts per billion, much less 800 parts per billion. Right?
▶ 1:38:18So, I hope there's a place that we can work together to rightsize that there are not different water quality standards for water that goes south than the water that comes to these epicenters of people across the state. It doesn't make sense. I'm sure you could agree, General, it wouldn't make sense to have a water quality standard for the water that goes to one part of one housing development, Normandy at Fort Bragg, then goes to a different housing development at somewhere else on Fort Bragg. It wouldn't make any sense. That's basically what we have going on with Lake Okachchobee.
▶ 1:38:49And it's those those inputs of those nutrients that allow our our coastal estuaries that are otherwise Bahama blue to be turned into something that looks like your uniforms, which are great uniforms, but it's not how we want our water to look. And so in that, my time's about expired. I look forward to working with both of you.
▶ 1:39:08Thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize Miss Freriedman for five minutes of questions.
▶ 1:39:13Thank you very much. And uh Mr. Tell my condolences on your loss. Um I don't need to tell anyone here today how important the word of funded projects are and we've heard about a lot of them today. And I wanted to highlight the need to continue to invest in water resource projects that reduce flood and storm damage, support water supply and drought resiliency and restore ecosystems by focusing on a very important project in my district.
▶ 1:39:38Um, we have a project that was authorized under the most recent word bill, the LA River Restoration Project. And if you're listening to this, you might think you don't know the LA River, but you do because you saw Greece and you saw the cars racing in what may have looked like a giant drainage ditch, but that's actually the LA River, which in recent years has really captured the imagination of the public as we think about what that river could be to Los Angeles.
▶ 1:40:03Uh we in fact I toured this project recently with ranking member Larson and he was amazed at what's already been accomplished and how many people midweek are using the bike paths that now go along a lot of the river and talking to him about the parks that are going to be created and the areas some of which are are fairly blighted around the LA River but looking forward to a complete economic revitalization as we reclaim this amenity.
▶ 1:40:27Um, as you know, this project is a major investment that requires close collaboration between the city of LA and the core. And you've been working uh the core has been working with LA for a number of years on the LA River. Now, it's my understanding that the LA River ecosystem restoration project will require a section 902 adjustment along with a post authorization change report since projects costs have naturally increased.
▶ 1:40:53Congressional authorization by Awarda is needed to increase authorization of appropriations for this project which has been undergoing for a number of years. In order to increase authorization of appropriations, a complete packer is needed and it's my under my understanding that the current targeted date for completion of this packer is July of 2026. My constituents are relying on this project being completed and to be clear, this project does go through uh part of my district.
▶ 1:41:21Um, and I'm worried that any delay in completion of the packer won't allow the committee to complete the review in time for word in 2026, leaving our taxpayers to pick up the tab at a time when we're already overburdened because of the LA fires um nearby in the county.
▶ 1:41:37So, uh, I don't know which of you wants to answer this question, but my question is what we can do to speed up completion of the packer process to ensure that it's completed in time for the committee to consider ahead of next year's WERA and how can I be helpful in that
▶ 1:41:55Congresswoman, thank thank you for the question. And I will just say before I turn it over to General Graham, Los Angeles is one of America's great cities. Um, and it's going to be on the world stage soon. Uh it's important that uh the core of engineers do what it can to support uh the citizens of Los Angeles and the greater Los Angeles area including with the LA River which is an an important um part of that ecosystem. So I look forward to working with you and learning more about this project u and hopefully getting out to LA very soon. Uh, General Graham
▶ 1:42:28and the um we are committed to deliver that packer to this committee in term in time for order 26. Uh the cut off point usually set for the district is the end of May's because um never know when the the next order might get put together.
▶ 1:42:46So, I'm a little concerned that the district right now plans to finish that in July and we're working with with the district to see one to make sure that we maintain it on track to deliver it by July, but I'd like to see it moved towards the end of May and and that right now is our goal. We're also working collaboratively with the county of Los Angeles Department of Public Works um for the entire system.
▶ 1:43:09This committee has authorized some deauthorization of or transfer of some of the features of the entire LA County drainage initi DPW and Mark Pistrella. So, we're absolutely committed to continue to work collaboratively with them to make sure that that system provides the tremendous protection to your citizens.
▶ 1:43:30Thank you. And we have heard that there's been good coordination. I really appreciate that. And along with the LA River project, there's several bridges that are going to be uh uh built because we've got parks like Griffith Park and Alleian Park where right now it's very hard for people on the other side of the river uh to access those amenities and these are some park poor areas and I know that they've been working closely with the core on making sure that they can expedite or or move the approvals of those bridges uh through. But Mr. Tel, I would love for you to come to Los Angeles.
▶ 1:43:59I would love to walk you through some of this project area and show you how it's going to take what's already a great city but really move it up to the next level. And this is a major piece of infrastructure uh for Los Angeles to help with flood control but also bring a lot new more recreation to Los Angeles. So thank you.
▶ 1:44:15Thank you.
▶ 1:44:18Thank you. The gentle lady yields back and recognize Mr. Ander for five minutes for questions.
▶ 1:44:23Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you to our witnesses today. Um, back back home in my district in Missouri, I hear the same concerns time and again from farmers and river communities, local officials, they depend on reliable levies, timely dredging, and flood protection to keep their families, their lands, and their neighborhoods safe.
▶ 1:44:46Um, yet too often we see these projects bogged down by multi-year studies, by shifting regulatory definitions and ballooning costs. But the flood waters don't wait for Washington's bureaucracy. A good example is the lower Missouri River Basin flood risk and resiliency study. It was authorized under WARDA. Yet the interim report wasn't ex expected until December 2023 and its final completion is not scheduled until March of 2027.
▶ 1:45:17This means the region won't experience tangible improvement until nearly eight years after authorization. In the meantime, the rivers may over top uh flawed levies and my constituents pay the price um in uh anxiety risk and economic damage. That is why here today's hearing is so important. Translating word of mandates into timely action, minimizing bureaucratic drag, restoring discipline and accountability to protect local communities.
▶ 1:45:45Uh despite Congress's clear direction, bureaucracy continues to slow things down. And I'd like to explore explore opportunities to make a difference here. Um, Secretary Tel, the lower Mississippi River Basin um flood and risk and resiliency study highlights how nearly eight years can pass between authorization and real results.
▶ 1:46:07What specific reforms are you implementing to cut down on these uh study timelines and deliver protections to our communities faster?
▶ 1:46:17Congressman, thank you. Thank you for the question and um you're absolutely right. Uh it's unacceptable that these projects take so long and cost so much. I think we have an opportunity under the leadership of Chairman Collins and President Trump to get after this program in a way that will help the entire country and especially uh areas like yours that
▶ 1:46:36uh have multiple big rivers all coming together. Um in terms of specific reforms, uh it's important to me that uh the the United States Army Corps of Engineers um is a an organization that from my office to the headquarters to the nine divisions to the 39 districts that we deliver policies and standards that you can count on whether you're in the St. Louis district or the Kansas City district.
▶ 1:47:06And I think that u that's something that General Graham and I have worked diligently on. Another one that I've mentioned already is uh is looking at the uh project based budgeting and what that means in terms of the incentives that uh it creates throughout the system. It's the the United States Army Corps of Engineers is virtually the only uh agency within the federal government that budgets in this manner and there are advantages to budgeting that way.
▶ 1:47:33Uh but there are also potential uh perverse incentives in terms of delivering lowcost and quickly. And so I look forward to working with you and with Chairman Collins, Ranking Member Wilson to really explore how we can get serious about reducing schedule and cost on these projects. The American public can't wait uh for like you said for us here in Washington. And I think the the benefit of uh harmony across the core of engineers enterprise is perhaps we can reduce the weight times at the different levels of paperwork.
▶ 1:48:04Um and I know you agree with this sir which is that you expect the core of engineers to build infrastructure not build paperwork. And I'm uh committed to helping help helping work through that with with General Graham's partnership.
▶ 1:48:15And you um you've committed to reducing regulatory burdens and aligning with the sacket decision. When will we seek clear final uh a clear final definition of waters of the US that removes uncertainty for land owners and farmers? Thank you, sir. Uh as I mentioned earlier, we've already um we've already uh published interim guidance that is implementing that uh decision now.
▶ 1:48:42Um and if you know, one of the challenges is making sure that all of our districts all the way down the line are understand that guidance and are implementing it. So if you hear of anybody who's not implementing the sacket decision within your districts, please let us know. Uh in the meantime, we are also expecting by the end of this year to publish uh a proposed rule that would provide permanent clarity uh in response to the sacket decision and uh give much needed relief to Americans who are experiencing the regulatory burden of uh of
▶ 1:49:12I appreciate that. Thank you. I yield
▶ 1:49:15Thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize Mr. Figures for five minutes for questions. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, thank you both for being here today and sitting through this grilling um, as they call it. And, uh, Mr. Tel, I want to extend my condolences to you um, on your father. I lost my father. It'll be 29 years ago in a couple days here in three days.
▶ 1:49:40Um, but I want to thank you for still being here and showing up um, despite that because I know it's tough, man. So, I appreciate that. Um, I want to, um, start by acknowledging that I have the proud honor of representing the area that will soon be the deepest port in the Gulf. Um, from Panama, as I understand it, from the Panama Canal all the way up to Charleston, South Carolina, that's the port of Mobile. Uh, when they are done with the dredging um, here in a few weeks.
▶ 1:50:10We keep hearing the date get shifted and shifted but they nevertheless they are they are uh fastly approaching uh completion of that and the core I want to thank you guys for your cooperation and getting us to that point and also want to extend an invitation to both of you to come down to celebrate um our new distinction uh which will incidentally be on my what would have been my father's 78th birthday on October 13th if either of you are available uh we'd love to have you down in Mobile uh to celebrate that.
▶ 1:50:37It's a significant accomplishment uh for a lot of parties involved and we're really looking forward to the impact that that's going to have in the future. Um that being said, uh 24% funding cuts u makes it tough to ensure that we are doing what we need to do uh to keep that port in a position that's not like my colleague from Georgia was mentioning earlier and having issues with the regular uh maintenance dredging.
▶ 1:51:01And so can you guys discuss um what impact the budget proposal would have uh on your ability to be able to um sufficiently perform the maintenance dredging that's necessary to keep the port of mobile open at its new depth.
▶ 1:51:17Congressman, thank you uh for your advocacy for that important project. Um and and I hope I'm not giving away too much about my schedule here, but I do plan to be in uh Mobile and Baldwin counties uh on the 14th of October. So, we'll see about the 13th.
▶ 1:51:32Yeah, get over on third. We're not worried about Ballwin County. That's Barry Moore.
▶ 1:51:36Uh, yes, sir. Um, look, we're General Graham and I are committed uh to ensure that we perform critical maintenance um of our dams and our ports, port, critical ports like the um wi with with the resources contained within the president's budget request. Uh and so we're working hard to make sure that happens.
▶ 1:51:58It's, as I've said multiple times during this hearing, our ability to compete in the 21st century is dependent on our ability to have uh port facilities that allow us to open up our country, our coastal areas, and our inland areas to global commerce
▶ 1:52:14and uh dredging and maintenance is part of that. And so you have my commitment that uh we're going to do everything we can to maintain our ports uh keep our channels dredged and open America and important places like uh Mobile to the rest of the world.
▶ 1:52:28Well, I appreciate that. I also encourage you to come down and visit it because I'm pretty sure we have the newest core of uh Army Corps of Engineers facility uh in the nation. Um so you should also take a look at that. Um the um and I've had the privilege to meet the newly installed uh Colonel Kelsey Shaw uh and have full confidence uh in his ability. Very impressive guys, alumni of Tuskegee University, which is also in the district and so looking forward to working with him over the next several years.
▶ 1:52:54Um beneficial use of the dredging material is a huge deal back home in Mobile. Um as you know, your predecessor issued a directive I think requiring 70% uh of dredging sediment to be used for beneficial use. This is something we want to ensure can continue to happen. These are sentiments that are echoed by my colleague over in the Senate, uh, Senator Britt.
▶ 1:53:14This is a very important issue to make sure that we're exploring all beneficial use options, uh, for the sediment dredging material for wildlife reasons, for recreation reasons, um, and just general um, you know, good housekeeping reasons. And so, uh, do we still have that commitment uh, from you guys to enforce that threshold and do everything you can to ensure that the sediment uh, that's being dredged out of these ports is being prioritized for beneficial use?
▶ 1:53:39I I will say without uh commenting on the 70% threshold as I'll need to look look into that, but I will just say that when we can use dredge material for a beneficial use, whether it's restoring a shoreline uh or restoring barrier islands um or reourishing beaches, that's a winwin for the taxpayers uh and for the ecosystem. And so in general, I would just say that the use of beneficial use material as we call it uh within our within the core of engineers is important.
▶ 1:54:08And you're correct that Senator Britt has uh been advocating to me the importance of ensuring that the dredge material from uh the Mobile uh port channel uh is used in a way that is a benefit to Alamians.
▶ 1:54:20Well, thank you. Well, we look forward to seeing you guys on October 13th. And um I yield back.
▶ 1:54:26Thank you. The gentleman yields back and I recognize uh Mr. Mr. Petronis for five minutes for questions.
▶ 1:54:31Gentlemen, good morning. Thank you for being here. Um, my district is Northwest Florida. Secretary, you know where that is. Um, you know where the Gulf of America is. Even though I'm the lowest ranking member, I've been in government a long time and I've dealt with the core on a lot of issues, some of which are totally revolutionary.
▶ 1:54:52can't believe we're able to make some of these transformational permits in the case of a real significant out ofthe- box thinking project that is exist in the state of Florida. And then sometimes I scratch my head about why in the hell is the core even looking into what I'm asking y'all to look into. And and I'm not saying this is something that that you're going to fix today. Um but I'm gonna I'm a big believer in going through the chain of command. I am a rule follower. You know what? And so now I'm I'm going to look past you. you.
▶ 1:55:21I'm going to look at your staff because I'm not going to ask for the secretary of the general's phone number in this public meeting, but I'll be happy to give you mine, but I'm looking at your staff behind you and I'm going to ask you in the next 30 days to come schedule an appointment my office so we can go through some permits. I'm not going to ask you for a single dollar. I'm not going to ask you to spend a single bit of your resources that are so important to everything else you've already heard today. But I'm going to tell you that, you know, the most precious thing that we have in life is time.
▶ 1:55:48I would love to have more time with my family. I would love to have more time enjoying life. But when things get clogged up in your system, that is eliminating precious access to time and resource that I'm sorry I I just can't tolerate. I'm going to give you two examples of issues. I'm not going to use names. We'll talk about this when your team shows up. But I have got a land swap happening that has been waiting for years to take place.
▶ 1:56:16Every time a land swap takes place, we're gonna have to get a new appraisal. After we get a new appraisal, appraisals are are perishable. They're only valuable for so long a period of time. This particular land swap has been approved at the district and Atlanta immediate headquarters in DC headquarters. Yet, it cannot get approved and the appraisals continue to get neglected and appraisals have to get start over again. So, we'll go into details of that when your staff shows up. The second, again, scratching my head. I don't know why I'm even talking to y'all about this.
▶ 1:56:46Okay, I've got a constituent who's been waiting on more than a year to put in a floating dock at an existing marina. Why is this even an interest of the core of engineers? You know, it it just scratches my head again. We I think one of the greatest things we've got is the Gulf of America. I want people to enjoy it. I want people to spend money, enjoy their families. I want those tourists to come down and enjoy Northwest Florida. But why why does the core even care about an 80 foot floating dock? Makes no sense. What do we have?
▶ 1:57:15Maybe two pylons in the water, maybe four pylons on 80 foot, maybe six pylons. Okay, D has approved it at Florida Department of Environmental Protection has totally approved it. They care about the seagrasses. They do all that. Why is the core care? Again, these are things that y'all got bigger fish to fry. Why are we even talking to you about this? And why couldn't it be off your desk already? So, you know, I I want to work on these things. I am, like I said, I want to praise you. I want to support you.
▶ 1:57:40I want to give you your resources, but also I I want to get these these problem children that are buried in somebody's desk because I know you get overwhelmed uh with some of the type of things that shouldn't be there just like a 80oot floating dock. And I just want to make your life a little bit easier, you know. Um I told people when I was back in Florida, I said the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the greatest freedom agency in the state of Florida. It can take your freedom away or it can give you freedom.
▶ 1:58:09And and y'all are in a in a very similar category. I you know I had somebody the other day that I was talking to in Jacksonville and and they were going through some permitting on some dredging. I said, "Do you want me to reach out to the core for you?" "No, no, no, no. We've got a great relationship with the core. They treat us great. We're very happy." Again, where praise is due. I'm going to share it with you. And it was great hearing that. But then I hear other folks just like these here that make no sense whatsoever.
▶ 1:58:36You know, and again, I'm not thinking this is somebody's personal agenda. Um, but you know what? I' I've seen people at D that just um I think it's their mission in life just to make sure that nothing ever gets out of their office. And unfortunately, we're humans and sometimes we just have those agendas sometimes embedded in us. So, um, I don't really have a lot to ask you other than thank you for your service. I look forward to working with you and I hope to be a advocate for the good that y'all do.
▶ 1:59:06Mr. Chairman, I yield.
▶ 1:59:08Thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize uh Miss Poe for five minutes for question.
▶ 1:59:16Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First, let me begin by saying that I absolutely want to uh thank uh Assistant Secretary Tel and Lieutenant General uh Grant for joining us today. Thank you so very much gentlemen. You know last week I met with uh mayors from across my district. Uh the issue I heard over and over again was concern with the water management. So I wanted to just address something.
▶ 1:59:45It you know the US Army Corps of Engineers has been a lifeline for our district which faces uh repeated several flooding severe flooding. I am grateful to the Army Corps for recently uh meeting with our local officials in Clifton to discuss a critical mitigation project uh study to address the chronic flooding from the Third River.
▶ 2:00:11I want to work with uh each and every one of you, but I want to work with you to ensure that this project gets the resources that it needs under the continuing authorities program to to advance to the next phase. I also look forward to reviewing the results of the New Jersey, I'm sorry, the New York Harbor and Tribut uh Tar's uh coastal storm risk management study to better prevent devastating losses from hurricanes.
▶ 2:00:41Information like this is sorely needed to support areas like my district that are at risk from uh supertorrms. In our district, the lower uh Saddle River basin was has uh faced repeated flooding for decades, impacting at least eight cities and towns, including Loey, uh Garfield, and in response, Congress
▶ 2:01:11the lower saddle river flood project uh protection project, ladies and gentlemen, back in 1986. six. Now that's almost 40 years, 39 plus, literally 40 years ago. However, the basin contains known contaminated uh sites, areas with heavy pollution.
▶ 2:01:36The presence of these sites means mean means that if the uh the army corps begins construction they risk the legal and financial consequences as well as decades of bureaucratic inaction and stalled progress.
▶ 2:01:54So to the both of you please help me to understand uh and and I understand that the army corps has been involved with contamination re radiation at other projects. How does that presence of that contamination impact the core's ability to complete necessary work at this particular site?
▶ 2:02:18Congressw woman thank you for bringing these issues to our attention. Uh, one of the things that I didn't fully appreciate until I was confirmed for this role was the work that General Graham's team does um fall into two categories uh that you're talking about. If it's a former defense site, it falls under uh the FUDs program which is under the military program side of General Graham's work. And if it's a former Department of Energy site, it falls under the Fuzz wrap program which is under the civil works portion of General Graham's portfolio.
▶ 2:02:46And so I will defer to him to make sure we fully understand in the case of your uh your area which it is. Uh uh Lieutenant General, let me just ask though as you're thinking about answering the question. I I specifically would like to have you uh speak with the contaminated areas of the lower Saddle River and what steps are needed to get that project off the ground since we've been literally waiting uh you know 40 years.
▶ 2:03:16I don't want to have to wait another 40 years. Yeah, repres Thank you again for that question and it is a big challenge on many of our our waterways. They were used as open sewers and just disposal areas in the in the past and we do a lot of cleanup work as the assistant secretary mentioned. We also do some cleanup work under the Environmental Protection Agency and I think probably in this case and we'll check on the specifics.
▶ 2:03:46It's we're working to find out who put that contamination in there and hold them Understand that that's usually where this gets stuck
▶ 2:03:54is finding that out and then when where that's not feasible then it'll go into the EPA program and oftentimes they will hire us. They'll bring us in to then do the actual engineering and cleanup work. So, and we'll get back with you on the exact status of this particular issue and we'll collaboratively work with you to see if we can get a path forward. Word 86 was a long time ago.
▶ 2:04:20Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know my time is up, so I really appreciate it. I yield back. Thank you,
▶ 2:04:27Thank you. The gentle lady re yields back. I now recognize Mr. Herd for five minutes for questions.
▶ 2:04:32Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Gentlemen, uh, good morning. Thanks for being here. I represent Colorado's third district, which is Colorado's a headwater state. We're the only state in the continental US where all the water flows out. And the Colorado River Basin is an important issue not only for the constituents that I represent, but also for the 40 million plus citizens uh who live uh in the Colorado River Basin and for our down basin cousins as well.
▶ 2:04:58This year has been a very difficult year in Colorado when it comes to snowpack and moisture and I'm concerned what that means uh for us in Colorado as well as our fellow Colorado River basin states. I understand that section 208 of WERA directs the Secretary of the Army to assess potential applications of forecast inform reservoir operations in the Cotto River Basin and provided there's sufficient resources to do so, the secretary can facilitate smarter water storage and release programs.
▶ 2:05:29Uh Mr. tell and General Graham, can you speak about the implementation of this provision, potential implementation about of this provision, and have there been any lessons learned from forecast informed reservoir operations in the past in terms of how we can be better prepared and more resilient uh when it comes to drought related challenges?
▶ 2:05:51Congressman, thank you for the question and you you and other of your colleagues have pointed out the importance of forecast informed reservoir operations and other uh technology enabled um methods to make uh the best use of scarce water resources. The Colorado River winds up being the source of water for a great portion of the southwestern United States.
▶ 2:06:12Um, and it's I I think the disputes between the states over the Colorado River uh water supply are historic um and challenging and so that speaks to the importance of using every tool in our toolkit to better optimize the way that we manage the system and General Graham um is on top of that and I would defer to him in terms of implementation of section 208 uh as it relates to this specific basin.
▶ 2:06:39Represent Herd, taking the lessons we're learned right now on forecast and foreign reservoir operations, putting those into practice with the water control manuals out in California and Lake Menino. We certainly want to continue to um deploy that technology throughout the country. You say, well, maybe that's only for California. We can see the atmospheric rivers coming. When I talked to some of the scientists and engineers before, they even were talking places like New Jersey might be capable for it.
▶ 2:07:05And as the assistant secretary has said, his guidance is to make sure ringing every ounce of value we can from these facilities. We just operate them differently. We don't have to build anything new. So, our commitment to you is to take a look at all of the watersheds, the uh headarters of the Rio Grand, uh the Arkansas River, and the Colorado to make sure that if this uh technology or this uh I'll call it a technology, this different way of looking at managing water is
▶ 2:07:35applicable here, we absolutely want to apply it.
▶ 2:07:38General, can you think of any additional resources or authority that would help accelerate adoption of forecast informed reservoir operations? I'm sorry I missed the question.
▶ 2:07:48Is there Can you think of any additional resources or authorities that would help accelerate adoption of the of forecast informed reservoir operations?
▶ 2:07:56Can we do it better? How can we do it
▶ 2:08:00Scaling up from we're kind of if you if you as we branch out from getting it started in California, we want to continue to to train our staff and to bring in additional staff. So I think it will start to expand out our capabilities. We're also working not only with our researchers at our engineering research and development center but also to bring in private sector organizations, college and universities so that we can expand this
▶ 2:08:29Okay. Thank you. Were you going to say something Mr. Tel? Uh sir, I was just I was just going to mention that one of the ways that we can uh achieve what you're the scale that General Graham references and uh that that you're seeking is by making sure that we're taking uh district employees who have expertise and experience in these uh new methods of of of controlling water reserves and making them available to other districts and regions throughout the country.
▶ 2:08:57potentially making sure that we uh take advantage of our expertise across the country and potentially creating centers of excellence, which is something that General Graham and his team have done a really good job job of to eliminate duplication within the districts and and focus expertise in one or two areas in the country. And so I would just say as forecast and form reservoir operations becomes uh more and more prevalent, uh we look forward to working with you on helping stand up that capability.
▶ 2:09:22Great. Thank you very much, gentlemen. I see my time's almost expired. Mr. Chairman, I'm going to yield the remainder of my time back.
▶ 2:09:26Thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize Miss Gillan for five minutes for questions.
▶ 2:09:31Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, thank you, gentlemen, for taking the time to appear before us today, and thank you for your service to our country. I represent New York's fourth congressional district, which is contained entirely on the southshore of Nassau County on Long Island. We are the home to many coastal communities and many beautiful beaches.
▶ 2:09:50Um, I in my prior role in local government had the privilege of working with the Army Corps to ameliate some of the effects that were still lingering from Superstorm Sandy, which was devastating to my district uh and other hurricanes that uh happened after that and really worked productively with you. So, I thank you for that. Um, so my district contains two uh federal navigation channels, the East Rockaway Inlet and the Jones Beach Inlet.
▶ 2:10:16And due to sholing, the depths and navigable channel in these waterways are often reduced, which poses a real threat to safety, especially during rough weather. And I've heard from many in our maritime trades and uh recreational voters as well about the need to regularly maintain and dredge these two inlets to keep voters safe.
▶ 2:10:35So, I guess Lieutenant General Graham, could the Army Corps, and perhaps your staff can follow up with me, provide my office with an update on plans to conduct dredging at both East Rockaway and the Jones Beach Inlet? East Rockaway was last dredged in 2022, and Jones was last dredged in
▶ 2:10:56Thank you. Uh and um I'm also asking if Congress can do something to help New York reduce the delays and increase the frequency of maintenance dredging on inlets such as this. Um and perhaps look at ways particularly with respect to the East Rockaway and the Jones Beach inlet. If we could look at ways where we might be able to do some studies, perhaps working with our local uh governments on alternate locations to place some of the dredging material so this problem doesn't keep occurring every year.
▶ 2:11:25Uh, do you think that's something that we could look at together?
▶ 2:11:30Excellent. Thank you. Um, so again, I mentioned working together with the Army Corps on uh addressing erosion after Superstorm Sandy and the beautiful beaches um that serve our community are not only a great source of recreation, they're a great source of n natural beauty, they're really important resource for my district. Um but erosion remains a continuous problem with these beaches. Having to rebuild our dunes, having to restore our shoreline. Um so there is new technology available, gentlemen.
▶ 2:12:00Um they're reusable plastic grids which are also known as cliff stabilizers and they can be driven into sand to protect against beach and do uh dune rather erosion. Uh so assistant secretary tal would you and the army corps be willing to work with my office and the committee to explore potential applications of this technology to prevent future coastal erosion and also reduce the burden that you might have to come back and replenish those beaches.
▶ 2:12:28Congresswoman, uh thank you. And and and yes, there there are technologies out there that help uh reduce beach erosion. Some of them are already deployed in different parts of our country. Uh General Graham recently mentioned the engineer research and development center which is uh the US Army Corps of Engineers R&D uh component and we'll be happy to put you in touch with the appropriate folks there to see what this technology might be able to provide to the nation in terms of reducing beach
▶ 2:12:57Excellent. Thank you. Anything else, Lieutenant General? And we're always looking, as the assistant secretary said, to innovate as a tremendous amount of funds, but the the amount of funds we have for the coastal storm risk management system is certainly insufficient to deal with the needs that are out there. So, stretching every dollar, doing more with this is um certainly our commitment to you.
▶ 2:13:23And so, if there's new technologies um always happy to spend some time up on Long
▶ 2:13:29Excellent. Well, thank you. We welcome you anytime to come visit and uh my office will follow up with you about the two points we discussed. So thank you
▶ 2:13:37Thank you the gentle lady yields back. I now recognize Mr. Burles for five minutes to ask questions.
▶ 2:13:44Thank you Secretary Tel. Thank you General Graham for being here today. Really appreciate your service to our country and I'm sorry to hear about your loss of your father. Um I'm sure he was very proud to see you become secretary. Um, and I want to say thank you for coming to my office last week and visiting. Um, I I greatly appreciated that meeting and it gave me hope that uh that we'll be able to resolve some issues together. Um, as you know, Table Rock Lake, which is located in my district, is more than just a body of water.
▶ 2:14:13It is a cherished landmark of Southwest Missouri and it's really a crown jewel for the whole state. Um some property owners through no fault of their own as we as we discussed have have structural encroachments much of which happened when um surveys were confused or plot lines were confused. Many of these individuals um didn't build the structure.
▶ 2:14:39They just bought a bought a home in their their dream their retirement dream home, right? only to find out that there's an encroachment that requires them to remove their septic tank or or some structure or sometimes a retaining wall that's holding back dirt from flooding their home. And so, um, I want to just kind of get get an update from you, um, after that meeting. Um, any follow-up that you had.
▶ 2:15:04Uh, Congressman Berles, uh, thank you for being advocate for your constituents on this issue. It's one that my office and General Graham's operation are tracking very closely. Uh we let you know last week uh and I'll that we would that we had paused all enforcement actions on uh residents around Table Rock Lake. Uh which as I conveyed to you last week, I understand personally the lake culture that exists throughout much of Middle America, including in places like your district.
▶ 2:15:34Uh you and I talked about uh visiting Southwest Missouri, which I intend to do, uh and the Little Rock District as well. And so what I will say to those constituents of yours who you've advocated for around Table Rock Lake is that we are working every single day to deliver a common sense and fair outcome to this solution. Um there should be there's no place for the government to inappropriately infringe on individual property rights, but uh there is a flood control mission there.
▶ 2:16:02And so we're going to have to balance the flood control mission against uh property the property uh issues. But I see no reason that we shouldn't be able to solve this in a fair and common sense way that produces a good outcome for your
▶ 2:16:14Well, thank you. After our meeting a couple of days later, I got a call from my aunt Bonnie who lives on Table Rock Lake and she said, "The core has gone crazy. They are telling us that we have to remove our flower pots off of our docks and that they're not allowing pizza to be delivered. I didn't realize pizza could be delivered by boat on Tail Rock Lake, but that's pretty awesome. Um, and so, um, we get I get those kinds of phone calls all the time.
▶ 2:16:43And so, um, it it one has to scratch your head and wonder, don't they have something better to be focused on than than, uh, the flower pots, you know, that my my, you know, Aunt Bonnie has on her docks, right, Congressman? I I I hope that that's not true. If it is, I know General Graham and I will look into it with the Little Rock District and see what we can do to make sure that we're being reasonable in enforcing our mission of flood control in that area.
▶ 2:17:10Thank you. And I want you guys to mark on your calendar November the 9th. Um each year we have a a veterans fishing charity event. We provide free fishing guides um to to area veterans. It is one of the most beautiful patriotic American things you could ever see and on the most beautiful lake in the country. And I would love for you both to attend November 9th if you can make that Thank you, Congressman.
▶ 2:17:41And then I have a last question. Um um General Graham, and this is a this is a strange question, I know, but in a interview on Tucker Carlson, um former assistant secretary of housing and urban development, Katherine Austin Fitz, reported that um there were secret underground military bases and bunkers that were that were built.
▶ 2:18:06She said that the United States government has diverted $21 trillion dollars to build a network of underground military bases um a vast almost like city type structure with transportation in between. Um are you aware of that claim that she made and is there any validity to it?
▶ 2:18:23Um you can't comment
▶ 2:18:26I I I I don't have any knowledge of of of any of that.
▶ 2:18:31Okay. All right. Thank you. I yield
▶ 2:18:35Thank the gentleman yields back. I now recognize the gentle lady, Miss Sykes, for five minutes for questions.
▶ 2:18:41Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, gentlemen, for being here. I have quite a bit to get through, but I also want to join my colleagues in expressing my condolences, and thank you for being here to share. Uh, water is certainly a very important topic all across this country, and my district is no different. So, uh, I want to direct your detention, I should say, to Ohio's 13th congressional district, particularly, uh, the city of Masselin.
▶ 2:19:03Uh, the core has work has been benefiting a lot of, uh, my communities, but Masselin in particular needs and and wants some help from the core. Last term, the core wrapped up a $22 million levy safety investment at the dam uh, there that will help keep our community safe from flooding for years to come. So, thank you for that. Uh when we discovered um uh that the core couldn't help us fund a sloogate replacement for their dam uh we were a little con concerned.
▶ 2:19:33Part of this was because we were told a unique contract where the city and the course with the operations and maintenance funding. Um but it was my understanding that Word in 2022 gave you the authority to do this. uh we used as one of our CPF funding uh uh projects my first term uh this project to help the city uh cover this gap uh but it was rejected and uh the last time we had a hearing in this committee in 2023. I asked about guidance related to this new authority in section 8152.
▶ 2:20:04Um as of today my office has re has since received this guidance. So we just got this today. Uh so I know that was not your administration but now we have it. Um but however it doesn't appear that the on the core website and um the individuals in my community were not uh communicated with.
▶ 2:20:21So secretary tell uh while we work with masculine uh to work on this rehabilitation uh could you share how the court intends to share in new implementation guidance with regional offices and relevant partner projects part project project partners excuse me.
▶ 2:20:38Uh Congressman Sykes thank you for the question. Um we take very seriously the water resources development act enacted by congress and signed by the president uh and and following that law of the 180 approximately 180 provisions contained in the 2024 word just to give you an idea of the process that we go through as we implement it some of those
▶ 2:21:02Mr. Secretary, this is from 2022, not
▶ 2:21:04I'm I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Uh apologies for that. In general, uh when we when we receive uh wordas, the way that we implement them, some of them some of the provisions are simple enough that they can be implemented right away and they sort of speak for themselves. Others of them are very complex and as you mentioned, require implementation guidance.
▶ 2:21:26um it's a it's a minority of the provisions that require that type of guidance, but that type of guidance uh means that we have to get into much more detailed uh level of specificity in how we're going to carry out the laws that Congress passes.
▶ 2:21:43I hate to interrupt you um because but I have a couple more, but can I just count on your support to work with the city of Masselin to figure this out? Uh we are now three years into this and and they could use that help. there are over 22 gates they need to deal with. Absolutely. And they have to do two at a time. Thank you so much. And I do since you were talking about WRA, I I think many of my colleagues were disappointed uh with the appropriation of WRA uh for the 2024 that you just referenced.
▶ 2:22:07We have significant authorities uh large authorities to deal with so many projects in our area across the district from Akran, Canton, New Franklin, Barbadan, Fairon and more. But what do you do when you're not appropriated the money, but these re but these projects still need to be done? I know you don't appropriate funds. That's not your role. That is ours. U but what do you do with the authorities that are not funded?
▶ 2:22:31Um Congresswoman, we keep very close track of all uh projects that are have been authorized by Congress, all projects that could be authorized by Congress, and all projects for which appropriations have been received from Congress. We keep very close track of all that. As I mentioned uh earlier in this hearing, uh there's some $78 billion worth of projects that have been authorized, but we haven't received appropriations. There's some $44 billion worth of projects that we've received appropriations for where that funding has not been expended.
▶ 2:22:59And all this is to say the demand for the core of engineers services is greater than than the supply. And if we're going to get after uh the challenges that exist in your state and exist throughout the country, this is a massive undertaking. We've got to be more efficient and smarter. Uh it's not just about more resources. We have to deliver more with the resources that we have if we're ever going to get at this challenge and General Graham and I are working together every day to try to ensure that that happens.
▶ 2:23:26Thank you. I appreciate you talking about efficiency and working smarter. I do want to thank you. Uh although not funded, you've been working with the city of Kaga Falls on giving some technical assistance and removing the Gorge Dam, which will be incredible. I actually texted the texted the mayor because he had some interesting comments and he said that the removal of those dams uh opened up about uh one to two miles of challenging white water for the experienced kayaker and then when it's removed it will open up two to two and a half miles of white water which is not available anywhere east of the Mississippi.
▶ 2:23:55Going back to your conversation on efficiency, last month the Secret Service directed the Army Corps to change the outflow of Ohio Caesar Creek Lake to accommodate a kayaking trip for the vice president uh JD Vance. In terms of efficiency, it seems like this was probably not an efficient use of resources. So, I do want to ask you how much did this cost?
▶ 2:24:15Uh and if you are concerned about efficiency, uh please explain how this action uh contributed towards the safety and efficiency of the Army Corps to have a um escapade, if you will, out on kayaking for the vice president.
▶ 2:24:32Ma'am, thank you for the question. Um the water level in the lower Miami River uh was requested to be increased by the Secret Service who was on a mission to protect the vice president. Uh within the past year we've or within in 2024 we experienced two attempts on the president's life.
▶ 2:24:52Um it is when the state of Ohio uh contacted the Louisville district and asked them to raise the water level in that in that tributary to accommodate the secret services patrol boats. They did so to ensure that the vice president wasn't under threat. And none of the operations to increase the level of that river did anything to affect it was all within the water control manual and none of it did anything to affect the operations of that river.
▶ 2:25:18All those downstream of it were notified promptly and it was a successful use of our water resources to ensure that we protect a secret service
▶ 2:25:27Uh thank you sir. And I'm not sure about the time because I've seen a lot of different numbers here but Mr. Mr. Chair, I I appreciate your answer for that. It does it is not satisfactory in my uh estimation and certainly we do want to keep the vice president safe as well as all of our elected officials.
▶ 2:25:43Gentle lady's time as well.
▶ 2:25:44This is not something that's made eligible for everyone and I and I just did not hear that from Thank you, Mr.
▶ 2:25:48Thank you. The chair now recognizes Mr. Babin for five minutes for questions.
▶ 2:25:53Thank you, Mr. Chairman, very much. Uh I want to thank Lieutenant General Graham and Assistant Secretary Tel uh for being here today. It's good to see both of you. Uh, as you know, our district in Texas has uh several critical projects underway along the Texas coast, including the Cedar Bayou channel improvement, the use and ship channel expansion, and the Ike dyke. These projects are essential to keeping America moving forward and strengthening our economy.
▶ 2:26:21And the Gulf of America serves as a central hub for energy, trade, and commerce, driving growth not only for our region, but for the entire nation. And uh Mr. Tail, we discussed these projects uh at our meeting last week. Thank you so very much for being there.
▶ 2:26:40I really appreciate your cooperation with me and my office in completing them, especially during hurricane season, which we are now uh in uh and preparedness and timely action are more important than ever before. Uh will you direct your team to provide my staff with status updates on these projects? uh and the other core projects in our district.
▶ 2:27:04Uh Congressman Babin, uh yet the answer is yes. This is one of the most complex series of projects in the United States of America right now. It's a large system of systems in an area that's vulnerable to natural disaster as you know very well. And so it's important that we keep on track and that we keep you updated.
▶ 2:27:21Absolutely. I have a couple of more questions for you. Uh, building on your plans to revamp the civil works division, uh, how do you plan to streamline communication between USACE's headquarters and the individual districts to make sure that members of Congress and local stakeholders are kept up to date on project developments. Uh, Congressman, we're very fortunate.
▶ 2:27:42The United States Army Corps of Engineers has 39 districts across our country, and those 39 districts have generally have positive relationships with the locally elected officials and members of Congress. Uh what we could use some work on is making sure that the communication from the district level to the division level to General Graham's level to my level and down uh up and down that chain is more efficient and is more responsive to the needs of the stakeholders like you. So we're going to work together on that.
▶ 2:28:11Absolutely. I thank you both very much. And uh one more question uh Mr. tell under its flood control and coastal emergencies authority or FCCE. Uh the core provides much needed post- disaster assistance to impacted communities uh supports recoveries and requires infrastructure that the core is responsible for maintaining.
▶ 2:28:34Has the core conducted any analysis of what resources and authorities are needed uh to respond to future disasters? Congressman, thank you for the question and thank you for recognizing our organization's contribution to disaster response here in the United States. Um, we are part of the disaster response framework and we activate primarily on debris removal but other activities when called upon by the inter agency.
▶ 2:28:59Uh, and I would just say um how proud I would like to express how proud I am to be affiliated with this organization, which was one of the first and most aggressive uh organizations when Hurricane Helen devastated western North Carolina, East Tennessee, and other parts of Appalachia uh recently with the Los Angeles wildfires uh and with the Juno u glacial outburst flooding. These are these are places that um in many cases the core of engineers doesn't get the credit it deserves.
▶ 2:29:26But our US Army is on the ground helping Americans every single day as disasters approach and I'm very proud of that.
▶ 2:29:31Amen. Thank you so very much. Appreciate and proud of of you say both of your of your services to your your to our country. One last one. If you believe do you believe Mr. tell that the core's current FCCE authorities are sufficient and if not tell please please please
▶ 2:29:51Uh Congressman Babin thank you for that question. Uh I'll get back to you if if there are any authorities that I feel like we don't have, but currently our FCCE authorities do allow us to do uh the minimal uh things we need to do to to prepare and get in place and provide uh mitigation against looming disasters.
▶ 2:30:11In cases where FCCE is not sufficient, we have a very welloiled relationship with the inter agency that allows us to activate and provide the United States Army Corps of Engineers expertise and uh and human capital to respond to disasters using using funding and authorities derived from other agencies.
▶ 2:30:29Absolutely. Well, thank you and I that would conclude my uh my questioning. I yield back, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 2:30:35Thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize Mr. Stanton for five minutes for questions.
▶ 2:30:39Thank you very much, Mr. chairman for holding this hearing and on the water resources development act wera and for the army corps and civil works for coming to testify today and I was informed assistant secretary tale about the passing of your father last week I want to pass on my sympathies and thank you for being here it's got to be very tough a major component of recent word of bills has been authorization for environmental infrastructure assistance the EI program including in my state of Arizona section 595 funds for Arizona were originally put
▶ 2:31:09into statute in 2020. And last year's WA of 2024, this very committee increased authorizing by 50 million up to 250 million total. That's more money going back into local communities to meet their infrastructure needs and protect water supplies.
▶ 2:31:26In Arizona, nearly 50 million of EI funds have been delivered to projects to help our communities and tribal nations used wastewater more efficiently, recharge area aquifers, and improve water delivery and conservation through new wells and pipelines. We anticipate more projects to be funded in 2026. Just this week, we will be celebrating the first groundbreaking in Arizona with the Pasco Tribes project.
▶ 2:31:51This key milestone will bring a bring in non-pottable water for irrigation of landscaping, parks, and fields and leave potable water for use by tribal members in the future. But there's more work to be done. Building resilient water infrastructure is paramount in Arizona. It's no exaggeration to say that the future of Arizona and the entire American Southwest depends on how we respond to the historic drought in the Colorado River Basin.
▶ 2:32:16Arizona's communities are doing their part to conserve water, but we are going to need the federal government to do more to step in. Arizona will have more than 15 billion in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure needs over the next two decades according to the Arizona Society of Civil Engineers. This is this is any range of projects including Goodyear's soil aquifer treatment site to increase recharge capacity or Santa Cruz County's reconstruction of the Ngalas Wash line channel.
▶ 2:32:43Right now, there is 9 million additional environmental infrastructure funding for projects that would be chosen by the administration in the energy and water bill that passed the house. Pending that we keep some sort of funding upon passage of a government funding bill. Lieutenant General Graham, my question is this. How will the Army Corps prioritize these environmental infrastructure dollars?
▶ 2:33:05Represent Stan, thank you. First off, I think the LA district has vastly improved its with your constituents, with your office, and so I'm I'm be glad to get your thoughts on that. But my report is that's correct.
▶ 2:33:23Okay. So, I'm I'm delighted that we're on the same sheet there. Thank you for bringing that to our attention. Um the the district is committed to delivering for the state and we will continue to make our best technical recommendation on these as you laid out very valuable
▶ 2:33:42Infrastructure takes time as we all know and there are ways to move the needle faster. Recently a city of Flagstaff was not able to wait for EI money. It was aloc it was allocated through the core IJ work plan in 2022 due to the length of time to complete the environmental review for simple flood mitigation project. As a result, the city will now construct a project with its own uh uh funding. Obviously taken away from other projects that they could do in in that important city.
▶ 2:34:09We've also heard from the city of Buckeye and west west of Phoenix who received uh $2.25 25 million to update the to the wastewater treatment process at its central wastewater reclamation facility experiencing delay due to environmental uh assessment. Moreover, when these EI projects broadly happen in an existing facility, it would move things move things along faster if CE is allowed. So, Lieutenant General Graham, my final question is this.
▶ 2:34:38What is the Army Corps doing to expand the use of CE on EI projects um categorical exclusion obviously to get them under construction more quickly and are there other ways to streamline the process to get the water infrastructure projects built faster? I think this is certainly with where President Trump has asked us to go, which is to take a look at the environmental rules to continue to streamline those and if there are categorical exclusions to use those.
▶ 2:35:09We're working within the Department of Defense and they have more categorical exclusions. So, I think that will be an advantage of the environmental infrastructure program.
▶ 2:35:18Okay. As secretary, anything to add? Uh no, the general covered it and which which is uh there have been actions taken significant actions to date uh during the Trump administration to reduce the burden of federal regulations uh without compromising our environmental quality. And so uh nationwide permits under section 404 of the Clean Water Act is another one that we've talked about here uh something that uh comes due in March and we're committed to renewing those.
▶ 2:35:46Those are an important tool that actually provide for some 50,000 annual uh 404 permits um which is over half and so uh that's a critical tool that provides transparency to the public and enables uh fast action uh when a member of the public seeks to take action.
▶ 2:36:02Thank you very much. Look forward to working with you on that and yield back.
▶ 2:36:05Thank you. The gentleman yields. I now recognize uh Miss King Hines for five minutes for questions.
▶ 2:36:11Thank you very much Mr. chairman for allowing me to sit in today and uh thank you very much assistant secretary Tel and General Graham for being very gracious with your time this uh today. So I represent the northern Marana Islands and uh it's a it's a chain of islands and each of the islands have very different challenges and I want to start and um I don't really have any questions.
▶ 2:36:35I just wanted to be able to have a conversation with you this morning to elevate some of the concerns with regards to the challenges that we are having. Um, so I'm going to start off with the island of Saipan, which is our capital island. Our biggest challenge is shoreline erosion. So recently we had a tropical storm sometime in July that um exacerbated the issue.
▶ 2:36:59the the wave action uh was so bad that it unearthed unexloded ordinance uh on the shoreline which it consisted of landmines, hand grenades and and just different types of artillery. And you know this 4,000 ft stretch beach uh sits adjacent to a publicly owned act actually to the American Memorial Park.
▶ 2:37:23and um you know we're working to to to fix the issue but obviously um permitting and technical support is very much needed from the army corps and in recent conversations one of the challenges uh that uh has been raised is the request for technical support from the core has has been denied. So, I'm looking for the opportunity to be able to collaborate with you to figure out how to, you know, provide that assistance to our community.
▶ 2:37:52In addition, we also continue to face challenges with sediment removal in our primary marina where our boulders uh Dredging there is very urgently needed. Uh but the issue is delayed in permitting. you know, we've been working with everybody to include the CBS to to figure out how to how to how to help and expedite that that process.
▶ 2:38:16But, um, the issue really is permitting and getting the technical guidance, uh, from the Army Corps is an issue. Um, another issue that I want to raise, a couple years ago, we actually more than 10 years ago, we paid the Army Corps to do a study to see the, you know, to to figure out basically if the if the islands of Tinan and Roda could qualify for um could be eligible for the safe and subsistence,
▶ 2:38:47I think it's the remote and subsistent section 206 remote and subsistent harbors funding through Um, you know, we spent a couple million on that study only to find out that we weren't eligible because of Army Corps interpretation of specific language with regards to uh eligibility requirements and and I want to be able to, you know, work with you to be able to figure out how do we get especially the island of Roa qualified.
▶ 2:39:18So as we all know you know the ports uh having viable ports is very critical to having an economy. Fortunately for the island of Tinian we do have a lot of department of defense activities happening there. And so DoD is working to improve the harbor and the breakwater there on the island of Tinian. But for the island of Roa uh funding is very cha you know it's it's very challenging and it doesn't have the same activities there. And so, um, I'm looking forward to be able to work with you.
▶ 2:39:47Uh, I just wanted to be here to elevate those issues. We will be following up with a letter shortly here kind of outlining what I've just discussed. Um, and I also want to take this opportunity to invite the two of you to the Mariana so that you can see exactly what it is that I'm talking about. Thank you very much,
▶ 2:40:05ma'am. You absolutely have our our commitment to to work with you on those issues. Many of those I am tracking right now. Um, Santa, the entire region is tremendously important, certainly as you mentioned to the Department of Defense and to the nation as a whole. Um, happy to take our our general in the Pacific and send him out to meet with you as soon as possible. And then if possible, I would like to also to have the opportunity to to meet you out there. I mean, that that's the importance of
▶ 2:40:35Yeah. I mean, there's there's no better way than just laying eyes on it, right? And so looking forward to that happening. Thank you so much. threw the gauntlet down on what the CBS were doing. We're going to have to show
▶ 2:40:46Yeah, for sure.
▶ 2:40:48I yield my time.
▶ 2:40:49Thank you. The gentle lady yields. I now recognize Mr. Lamafa for five minutes for questions.
▶ 2:40:55Thank you, Mr. Chair. And uh thank you panelists for for being here and sorry I'm u last second at the meeting here. I'm uh three uh three committees at the same time. doesn't help you do a great job sometimes. So anyway, and uh assistant secretary tell my understanding of um mourning in your family there. So God bless you and or our hearts are with you, sir. Thank you.
▶ 2:41:23Thanks for soldiering through today. So um it's a it's a business here. I'm um appreciate the opportunity to speak with a little bit earlier and uh we um you know in Northern California where I represent it's the Sacramento district office is primarily the one overseeing the um the operations in in in my district here.
▶ 2:41:52So, um, so question for both, uh, Assistant Secretary Tel and, uh, Lieutenant General Graham on, uh, on, uh, in your roles. Uh, what what can we do to help with the staffing situation that, uh, in the Sacramento district that seems to just put us so far behind on projects, you know, because we have important things we're trying to get done that have to do with the water, water supply, and um, like that.
▶ 2:42:19What what what can we touch on to have the staff situation be able to work move people around that maybe are less occupied and into a position where they can help move uh pretty important water projects and water related issues. Uh Congressman Lalfa, thank you for the for visiting with me last week and thank you for the expertise you bring to the complicated conversation that is California water.
▶ 2:42:45Um, I would just say that one of the things that General Graham and I are working on every day is to make sure we're optimizing the workforce across the districts. And we've done a lot of discussion here today about forecast informed reservoir operations, which I know is important to you as it relates to the Shasta Dam, which is really the headarters, you might say, for all of California's water and important to the agricultural interests in your district.
▶ 2:43:06And so I would say that General Graham and I are committed uh to try to deliver expertise from across the enterprise to districts that are busy uh from from districts that may be less busy and that have expertise for districts that may not. And in the case of the Sacramento district, I look forward to working with General Graham and with you to see uh what we may do to accelerate uh the update of some of the water control manuals in your district.
▶ 2:43:34As we've discussed here today, this is a lowcost way to utilize existing infrastructure and optimize water supply for the variety of purposes that's needed in places like California.
▶ 2:43:46Thank you, uh, Lieutenant General,
▶ 2:43:50Representative La. Absolutely. bringing all of the possible value we can out of those facilities and ones that we work in collaboration with like the aforementioned Lake Shasta with Bureau of Reclamation in Orville with the state of California. Absolutely.
▶ 2:44:07So delighted to see Lake Mendescino's water control manual go into operation and the our ability to continue to take a look at those facilities get the the the assessments done on whether whether or not uh the forecast informed reservoir operations is applicable here and then move that rapidly into an update to the water control manual. That that's our pledge to you is to do that in an optimized and efficient way.
▶ 2:44:37G given uh fish uh gi given the size of uh lake shasta being four and a half million acre feet and the largest project in the state and uh in in federal purview there um I I you know and and then the possibility of a dam raise there of another 600,000 acre feet combined with this work on the manuals the the fro the forecast and form reservation operations would be certainly make a lot of sense to me with instead of older manuals that uh because I believe as
▶ 2:45:07I was watching water flooding out Glen County from releases in February or March this year that uh with the with Phyro just with that forecast ability to see you know what the weather's going to be for a few weeks at a time perhaps you know offshore fronts and such that we could have probably conserved a couple hundred thousand more acre feet of water by adjusting that to the timeline for conservation. So, we have that opportunity.
▶ 2:45:34Again, we have the raise itself that we need to be sure we can engineer out, move that along. And as we talked about, too, the uh the assessment of the Black Lake there in Glen County, which um needs to finish a review on dam safety, but also incorporate it hopefully at the same time.
▶ 2:45:51And this is what we we got amendment built into legislation here recently on both those items, the fire and the black butes installing gates there that could raise the capacity safely just by having the ability to regulate the spillway there. So those are two very important projects tied in with two other study aspects really four things simultaneously we need to get done and at pretty low cost really and enhance water supply.
▶ 2:46:17So we've seen in that the west side of the valley there in the year 2022 devastation by water supply uh uh you know 250,000 acres of rice just left out and u you know drought is drought but if we manage water and stretch it farther into upcoming years then we we will get a lot more yield. So with that thank you Mr. Chairman I'll yield back.
▶ 2:46:38Thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize the chairman of the subcommittee for coast guard Mr. Eel for five minutes questions.
▶ 2:46:47Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you guys for both being here today. Uh, congratulations on your new job and look forward to working with both of you in the future. And, uh, condolences to you, but your father. Uh, since I've been in the Congress, there hadn't been too many weeks that have gone by that I hadn't had some kind of call about the Army Corps of Engineers. It was kind of like when I was sheriff. Uh, some deputy was always doing something that uh, he wasn't supposed to. But uh I do get quite a few calls uh various complaints.
▶ 2:47:17But uh you know I know that uh some of the main issues that we've dealt with and worked tirelessly to address uh the Bonnie Care spillway issue on the Mississippi River. I'm sure both of you are aware that the Mississippi River and its infrastructure are outdated in comparison to some of the technology that's available today.
▶ 2:47:37uh levies, chemicals, runoff, drainage issues, outdated processes, and more, you know, plague our our management of the Mississippi, resulting in a dead zone uh nearly the size of Connecticut out there in the Gulf of America. Uh we've had uh we've we've we have to get together to find a solution that works for both Mississippi and Louisiana. That's just something we've got to do. And I I look forward to working with both of you and opportunity and speaking with you and getting this thing done.
▶ 2:48:06But, uh, General Graham, I've got a vital port in my district that's currently undergoing a dredging process. Uh, given the time that's already elapsed, I'm hopeful that it will soon transition uh from a study uh to actually moving some mud. U, can you provide me with a update on the dredge capacity report required uh by section 8205 of Wora 2022?
▶ 2:48:34uh when do you expect it to be available for public comment? It's almost been three years.
▶ 2:48:42Thank you for that question and and that report is under administration review. uh you know I want to uh general ask you about uh beneficial reuse uh which is and I heard somebody say something about that earlier implemented in the 2016 word section 1122 and again in word of It's been 10 years since the pilot program was first implemented. Uh when do you expect the pilot program to be ready for use?
▶ 2:49:14Uh, Congressman, I'll defer to General Graham on the on on the on the timeline there, but uh, as you say, beneficial use material, dredge material has been, especially in your district where uh, the Barry Allens were restored or partially restored post Hurricane Katrina. And um, I would just like to recognize the 20th uh, anniversary of that event, which your citizens uh, and your district did a tremendous job persevering through and rebuilding. So congratulations to you and to them.
▶ 2:49:44Uh but the beneficial use uh program is important to preventing future storms.
▶ 2:49:49It absolutely is and looking at well just like its name implies is that dredge material isn't a waste byproduct. It's actually a commodity we want to maximize. So we'll get back with your office on the exact status of those pilots. Uh
▶ 2:50:04can can you any any idea about what's holding this thing up? just everybody's been
▶ 2:50:14we'll get back to your staff with with
▶ 2:50:16I get it. Uh General Graham, there are roughly 18 strategic uh seapports in the United States that work with DoD for preparedness and general transportation of equipment. Uh the result is numerous acres set aside uh that ports cannot use. uh the extensive labor and costs associated with these agreements ensure that the country's military can deploy at a rapid pace if needed.
▶ 2:50:43Uh General, uh do you think ports that have these obligations should see this obligation incorporated into the benefit to cost ratio in some way?
▶ 2:50:56Congressman, I have not come across that ask before, but I'll certainly go back to the staff and and take a look at that. Okay,
▶ 2:51:03Congressman, I would just I would just say as we calculate the benefits of a project, General Graham and I are stretching to make sure we're being holistic in that calculation to account for monetary and non-monetary benefits. And I know the Port of Gulfport in your district um as a major mobilization point for Camp Shelby and the Army National Guard has that designation and it's something that we'll try to take into account as we look into that
▶ 2:51:26Very good. Um, I'm proud to have somebody from Mississippi with some ties to the Army Corps here with us. Thank you, sir. Griven, giving up to your career at this point, I'm sure that you are aware of the issues we face down on the Gulf Coast. Uh, can you, Mr. Secretary, uh, can you give me some of the priorities of the Army Corps of Engineers and, uh, how can word be a resource to you?
▶ 2:51:53Uh, Congressman, uh, thank you for the question and I I'll just say I don't have much free time, but what free time I do, I generally spend in your district. So, uh,
▶ 2:52:04thank you.
▶ 2:52:04Thank you. There there there's a lot that can uh this is this applies to the entire coast of the Gulf of America, which is such an important uh part of our country. Uh, Mississippi is no exception to that. Um, it's a wonderful place and I think one of the things that I hear when I'm when I've visited your district is the importance of the operations on the Mississippi River that you reference and I would just commend our New Orleans district um during the spring floods this year of the Mississippi River uh for really holding off on opening the Bonnie Carry Spillway.
▶ 2:52:34They had a uh a very precise understanding of when that would be needed and fortunately in this year's flood it was not needed. uh and they're going to take that thing right up to the limit to preserve the quality of the water in the Mississippi Sound. And so, um I would just like to commend uh the New Orleans District, the commander down
▶ 2:52:53Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.
▶ 2:52:54Thank you. The gentleman yields back. I now recognize the uh chairman of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, Mr. Rouser, for five minutes.
▶ 2:53:03Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh Mr. Secretary, so sorry to hear of your loss. Certainly going to be in our our thoughts and prayers. Um this is uh uh to both of you, but probably more predominantly uh uh General Graham. Um you're aware, I'm sure, of the Surf City, North Carolina Coastal Storm Risk Management Project, uh which has advanced through key milestones with a committed non-federal sponsor. Um a signed chief's report has been issued.
▶ 2:53:31Uh but I understand there are some outstanding technicalities uh that must be resolved in the chief's report uh how quickly uh can that be resolved? Can that be accomplished?
▶ 2:53:41Rouser, it was it was great to get down there and meet with that team. I got a PhD dissertation on turtles from the from the team down there and they are phenomenal non-federal sponsors that that study went through or that project went through some challenges um with I believe it was North Top Sale pulling out, but we're committed. Signed that one immediately. the technical challenges that we're working through. I don't expect them to take long and we'll get it so that it'll be over here ready to go.
▶ 2:54:08Okay. When you say don't take long, is that a month? Is that two months?
▶ 2:54:11So, I'll get back with you with an exact
▶ 2:54:14Okay. That would be wonderful. So, you don't see any problems um pertaining to the project thereafter?
▶ 2:54:20No. No. Um critical flaws have been brought to my attention.
▶ 2:54:24Very good. Um, the North Carolina Ports Authority completed a section 203 study for the Wilmington Harbor channel improvement uh project uh which was contingent contingently authorized in WARA uh 2020. Uh it took nearly two years to reach a cost share agreement for the project. Uh is there a good reason for that? It just seems like this is dragged on a little too long.
▶ 2:54:48Congressman, I'll defer to General Graham on the specifics of that project, but you you raised a really important question here. um which is uh the length of time these projects take. And you also referenced cost share agreements. Uh because the cost share agreements with core projects have robust non-federal sponsor commitments. Um and they often deal with real estate acquisition which is complicated especially in coastal communities and riverine communities.
▶ 2:55:13um getting uh uh an agreement between the federal government and and the non-federal sponsor can take a significant amount of time. And we need to work with this committee to address that timeline. Quite often the non-federal sponsor can be a better acquirer of real estate than the federal government. And so that's one key way in these uh project partnership agreements that we can uh deliver better results for the taxpayer.
▶ 2:55:36Yeah. Well, this is deepening of that uh of that harbor. Obviously ports are critically important uh to the economy and in North Carolina we have two that uh you know service the economy in exceptional ways and improvements at those ports uh you know are necessary u and the whole the whole purpose of this uh of the program was to expedite not to slow anything down and and to uh you know to have good uh non-federal uh you know partners that could take the lead and
▶ 2:56:06and not only share in the cost but help to move things along. wrong and it just doesn't seem to have worked out that way.
▶ 2:56:14We look forward to working with you to get this right. Agree with you. This is critically important. We got to get it
▶ 2:56:20Well, one other item I want to mention before my time runs out. Uh we have a lot of beautiful beaches in North Carolina as you know. Um a number of them are uh federally authorized and uh it's important uh that uh continual uh reourishment cycle uh is important in terms of uh uh protecting uh the uh uh infrastructure uh property.
▶ 2:56:45Uh the um money that's invested upfront uh saves the taxpayer a whole lot of money on the back end. Uh you know once a storm comes through. Uh you can go to the beaches that aren't well renourished and see the damage uh that's done and it's lasting and forever.
▶ 2:57:02Uh and then you can go to to the ones that have a good uh reourishment program and and you'd never know a storm ever came through there and in large part because so much of that property was protected uh from the storm and and the infrastructure as well. So it saves the taxpayer money on multiple fronts. National flood insurance program, insurance cost, you name it. And uh so I I just want to reiterate uh you know the importance and underscore the importance of beach reourishment.
▶ 2:57:31Uh I assume the administration and the core specifically is is still very much committed to that process.
▶ 2:57:39Congressman, you're correct. Um in many coastal communities, beach reourishment is the best way to prevent storm surge flooding and other types of flooding. And um that's true in your state and it's true in many others.
▶ 2:57:51Well, thank you very much. With that, I yield back. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chairman.
▶ 2:57:54Thank you. And the gentleman yields back. I now recognize uh Mr. Breahan for 5 minutes for questioning.
▶ 2:58:00Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My district is northeastern Pennsylvania, which is no stranger to flooding and natural disasters. Uh over time, the Wyoming Valley has seen more frequent and more severe flooding and storm events. Uh yesterday was the 14th anniversary of the 2011 floods which nearly broke the Wilsar levy.
▶ 2:58:23Uh during the storm, the Suscuana River hit a record of 42.66 feet against a levy that is designed for 41 feet of water. Uh families in West Pittston, Plains, West Nanny Coke, Shikshini, and Edwardsville either lost their homes or spend thousands rebuilding uh including my own grandparents' home that is uh on the Susuana River Banks.
▶ 2:58:46Uh, couple this with Hurricane Agnes in 1972 and the September 2023 floods and you can see why flood mitigation efforts are so important to my district. Um, they are literally life-saving measures. My district has the second lowest median income in Pennsylvania with a median household income of $61,140. uh and my constituents cannot afford to keep rebuilding year after year and we don't have the tax base to build our own levies without federal support.
▶ 2:59:17Uh since 1996, the Lutheran County Flood Protection Authority has been working with the Army Corpse on mitigation efforts which cover five counties and 52 municipalities over a 60-mile span, including Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district, which is represented by my colleague, Congressman Daner. Unfortunately, these efforts have stalled on the project and it's been drawn out since 2009.
▶ 2:59:41Uh with each passing year, project costs increase and with each year without mitigation efforts, moving forward, my constituents live in properties are at risk. Uh the cancellation of FEMA's brick program has cost my district at least 22 million for property buyouts and levy projects. So, here's the catch. 22. Uh the Army Corps has said that for local authorities to be reimbursed, it can only be for a fully functioning project.
▶ 3:00:08Uh the Army Corps conditionally approved the Luzer County Flood Protection Authority mitigation projects with the stipulation they be design phase. So now these projects are tied up in design only uh phase since brick funding was cancelled. Um so we can't complete a fully functioning project since brick funding was cancelled.
▶ 3:00:28Um, so what my district needs from the Army Corps is to review the requirement change for designonly projects to be advanced so our local flood authority can be reimbursed and for the Army Corps to move this project off the back burner and to the top of the priority list. So perhaps maybe that was just a long- winded way of saying we need help.
▶ 3:00:48Um, and perhaps over the next few weeks, um, you can commit to coming out to northeastern Pennsylvania to, uh, visit and meet with our local flood authority, uh, to discuss a plan which was first developed in 1996. Is that something that we can perhaps work together on?
▶ 3:01:05Uh, Congressman, uh, I I would enjoy visiting your district and and happy to do that. Uh, and I know we have a native Pennian here next to me who, uh, may have the ability to do that as well. This is what we're built for and we'll look with the Baltimore district uh to see what the challenges are up in Lousern County. Uh the management working in conjunction with the PTOIC River Authority is is is really um I'm sorry, the Susquana is is really is really important.
▶ 3:01:35So absolutely agree to um to meet with you and your team.
▶ 3:01:40I think it's a very notable moment when you smell flood mud for the first time. It was in 2011. And I was actually helping my grandparents and other neighbors uh sandbag and when uh actually we were flooded from the rear through the sewer systems first uh before the actual river toppled over its banks. And everybody 1972 was slightly before my time. But everyone remembers Hurricane Agnes and how close in 2011 we actually came to disaster again.
▶ 3:02:09And I mean, we were within centimeters with a with a a levy that really uh we got very lucky on many different fronts. So, uh I look forward to having you come up to visit Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district to walk the banks of the Suscuana and hopefully be able to move this ball forward and come up with a finite solution so our friends and family and neighbors um can sleep well at night. So, thank you.
▶ 3:02:35Thank you.
▶ 3:02:37Thank you. The gentleman yields back. Are there any further questions from any members of the subcommittee who have not been recognized? Seeing none, uh before we conclude, I just also uh Secretary, I want to extend my condolences. I'm I'm sorry for your loss and you don't know how much it means for you to show up today. Thank you very much. Uh General Graham, good to see you again. Thanks for your time today. It uh went a little bit over, but I appreciate y'all coming.
▶ 3:03:03And uh you know it's it's it's hard for this old Georgia bulldog to put good praise and Alabama in the same sentence. But uh I want to try to make an effort myself to get down on the 13th of October to Mobile is that that you know that pilot project that uh Congressman Figures was talking about came in under budget and ahead of schedule.
▶ 3:03:26And I think that could be a good example going forward of how we could improve efficiency and productivity uh within the Army Corps projects. So, uh, thank you for being here. And with that, this, uh, subcommittee stands adjourned.