PASSED: Senator Reverend Warnock Successfully Advances Expansion of Savannah Harbor, Secures Major Investments in Water Infrastructure Across Georgia

The U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) by a vote of 97-1

SAVANNAH: Thanks to Senators Reverend Warnock and Ossoff, bipartisan legislation also directs the Army Corps of Engineers to study further deepening and widening the Port of Savannah to accommodate larger vessels

In January 2024, Senator Warnock led the entire Georgia delegation in a letter to key leaders requesting support for this study authorization

COASTAL GEORGIA: Senator Warnock secured a provision authorizing $50 million for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure assistance in Georgia’s coastal communities where rising seas and severe storms are endangering 18,000 homes, nearly 200,000 acres of land

ATLANTA: Senator Reverend Warnock secured a provision increasing the authorization for Atlanta’s environmental infrastructure authority from $75 million to $100 million following the catastrophic failure of the city’s drinking water system in June 2024

COBB/DEKALB COUNTY: Senator Reverend Warnock also secured provisions authorizing $40 million for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in DeKalb County, as well as $5 million for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure assistance in Cobb County

Senator Reverend Warnock: “Georgians across the state rely on safe, clean, and reliable water for drinking, maintaining homes and businesses, and more. But this is the type of work that goes largely unrecognized until disaster strikes, highlighting why it is so important to secure investments today that will protect Georgia’s water infrastructure tomorrow”

Washington D.C. — The U.S. Senate passed the Water Resource Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), sending the bill to the President’s desk with several Georgia priorities secured by U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), including a provision directing the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) to study further deepening and widening the Port of Savannah to accommodate larger vessels. Reauthorized every two years, WRDA authorizes the Corps to carry out projects relating to water supply, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, navigation, ecosystem restoration, and more. Senator Warnock has worked closely with members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee since entering the Senate to ensure the legislation includes key provisions crucial for the health and safety of Georgia’s water infrastructure.

“Thanks to our bipartisan efforts, I am proud to have advanced efforts to expand the Port of Savannah to accommodate larger vessels that will lead to a greater economic impact for Georgia. This is a testament to the good we can get done when we center the people in policymaking,” said Senator Reverend Warnock.

“Georgians across the state rely on safe, clean, and reliable water for drinking, maintaining homes and businesses, and more. But this is the type of work that goes largely unrecognized until disaster strikes, highlighting why it is so important to secure investments today that will protect Georgia’s water infrastructure tomorrow,” Senator Reverend Warnock continued. “This bipartisan legislation will help do just that, and I will continue championing federal investments that bolster Georgia’s economy and ecology.”

Senator Warnock has been a vocal advocate for investments in Georgia’s infrastructure, including critical projects to improve water and wastewater systems and strengthen Georgia’s economically important deepwater ports to optimize their efficiency and improve operations.

See key wins Senator Reverend Warnock secured in the Water Resources Development Act below:

Coastal Georgia

Savannah Harbor Deepening Feasibility Study: Senator Warnock secured a provision directing the Corps to study further deepening and widening the Port of Savannah. With GDOT’s decision to raise the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, Savannah can now accommodate significantly larger vessels, which will require further expansion of the harbor. This request marks the first step in securing USACE approval and support for harbor deepening. In January 2024, Senator Warnock led the entire Georgia delegation in a letter to key leaders requesting support for this study authorization. Senator Ossoff also pushed for this provision.

Coastal Georgia Environmental Infrastructure: This provision, led by Senator Ossoff and joined by Senator Warnock, authorizes $50 million for the Corps to provide drinking water and wastewater infrastructure assistance in Georgia’s coastal communities, providing those most impacted by climate change and sea level rise with another tool to address their water infrastructure needs. Assistance under this authority would be authorized for Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, and McIntosh counties.
The threat of climate change is very real in Georgia, where sea levels along the coast have risen nearly 12 inches since 1950 and where rising seas and severe storms are endangering 18,000 homes, nearly 200,000 acres of land, and water infrastructure along the coast. All told, nearly $400 million in infrastructure and assets along Georgia’s coast are threatened by climate change, not to mention continued operations at the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick and their significant economic contributions to the state.

City of Tybee Island Shoreline Feasibility Study: This provision authorizes the Corps to study the federal interest in a new beach nourishment project along Tybee Island.

In WRDA 2022, Tybee Island’s federal sand replenishment project was extended until 2036. Following the completion of this newly authorized study, Tybee will be able to reference the full scope of the shoreline’s benefits, including all other social, environmental, and economic benefits, when the time comes to extend federal assistance.
Beach nourishment is an expensive process that, without federal assistance, is often impractical for smaller communities. Regular replenishment provides both flood protection and recreation benefits for Georgians and tourists alike.

New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam (NSBLD): Directs the Corps to fully repair the NSBLD to ensure it can maintain the pool at a desired level, as well as construct an off-channel rock ramp fish passage structure.

Atlanta and surrounding metro area

Atlanta Environmental Infrastructure: This provision increases the authorization for Atlanta’s environmental infrastructure authority from $75 million to $100 million. This request follows the catastrophic failure of Atlanta’s drinking water system in June 2024. This provision authorizes additional funding for a program that Atlanta intends to use to help repair and replace its aging water infrastructure. Following the June water main breaks, Senator Warnock secured nearly $1 million in funding to help Atlanta partner with the Corps to begin a federal review of its water infrastructure with a focus on long-term upgrades.

DeKalb County Environmental Infrastructure: This provision authorizes $40 million for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in DeKalb.

Cobb County Environmental Infrastructure: This provision authorizes $5 million for the Corps to provide drinking water and wastewater infrastructure assistance in Cobb County.

Porterdale Environmental Infrastructure: This provision authorizes $10 million for drinking water and wastewater projects, including environmental restoration, in Porterdale.

Camp Creek Tributary Study: This provision authorizes a flood risk management and ecosystem restoration feasibility study along the Camp Creek Tributary in Fulton County.

College Park Flood Risk Study: This provision authorizes a flood risk management study for College Park, Georgia.

Proctor Creek Study: This provision authorizes a flood risk management study for Proctor Creek in Smyrna, Georgia.

Other water wins for Georgia

Challenge Cost-Sharing Program for Management of Recreation Facilities & Retention of Recreation Fees: This provision supports the use of revenue collected at Corps-managed facilities (like Lake Lanier, Georgia) for operations and maintenance of these facilities. These sections also authorize the Corps to enter into management agreements with private non-profit entities to support recreation facilities, something Georgia has pursued for several years. These provisions were pulled from Senator Warnock’s bipartisan LAKES Act.

Examination of reduction of microplastics: This section directs the Corps’ Engineer Research and Development Center, in consultation with other federal agencies, to carry out research and development activities on efforts to reduce the release of microplastics into the environment.

J. Strom Thurmond Lake Boundary Discrepancies: This section directs the Corps to complete an encroachment resolution plan for properties situated around J. Strom Thurmond Lake near Augusta, Georgia.

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