WRDA includes Comer’s push to require the Army Corps of Engineers to issue fees to local marinas consistently and fairly.
WASHINGTON – Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) today praised the House of Representatives’ passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. Congressman Comer supported the bipartisan legislation which will authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to carry out projects to improve the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure. In addition, WRDA includes language Congressman Comer authored which requires the Corps to implement consistent, clear, and fair fee policies to marina operators and other small businesses in Kentucky and across the United States.
“The Water Resources Development Act is the most consequential legislative package for Kentucky’s 1st District, and I was proud to support the bill’s passage today. Kentucky’s 1,590 miles of rivers are vital to the transportation of nearly 79 million tons of freight, valued at over 5 billion dollars, and these waterways provide a safe and efficient way to transport essential commodities that Americans need. The Water Resources Development Act will provide resources for major construction projects that will strengthen and improve Kentucky’s waterway infrastructure and create good-paying jobs for hardworking Kentuckians.
“Tourism is also crucial to Kentucky’s economy, especially lake related tourism, and marinas throughout the Commonwealth provide critical economic opportunities. Unfortunately, the Army Corps has levied inconsistent and exorbitant fees against local marinas and these unexpected fees can cripple marina operators. As Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, I made it a priority this Congress to bring much needed transparency and consistency to fees pushed by the Corps. WRDA includes language I authored, which will ensure fees pushed on local marinas are now administered consistently and fairly. In the 119th Congress, I will continue to advocate for Western Kentucky’s inland waterways system and tourism industry,” said Congressman Comer (R-Ky.)
Background:
In February 2021, Congressman Comer highlighted the Corps’ lack of transparency and requested documents from the Corps regarding their process for calculating administrative fees across all Corps Districts to determine whether marina businesses were fully informed and not unfairly charged.
In May 2022, Congressman Comer emphasized that questions remain about the Corps’ fee policies and requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study examining these administrative fee practices to ensure all fees are being calculated fairly.
In November 2023, Congressman Comer reintroduced the MARINA Act to bring much needed fee transparency and security for Kentucky marina owners.
In March 2024, Congressman Comer led a House Committee on Oversight and Accountability field briefing in Jamestown, Kentucky with the Army Corps to explore solutions to ensure fees are administered consistently and fairly.
(Austin Hacker – Office of Congressman James Comer)