WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after securing important projects for Tennessee in the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act, which passed the Senate this week and will soon be signed into law:

“Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene across East Tennessee, rebuilding our communities and reassessing flood risk is extremely important across the entire state,” said Senator Blackburn. “This year’s Water Resources Development Act will allow the dredging and maintenance of Pidgeon Harbor in Memphis, enabling the continued growth of the industrial area and supporting the city as the Logistics Hub of America. It will also improve our state’s flood risk management to help us better respond to future natural disasters and strengthen wastewater infrastructure to support the development of Blue Oval City.” 

• Authorization of federal maintenance and dredging of Pidgeon Harbor navigation channel in Memphis

• Feasibility study for flood risk management in Nashville

• Feasibility study for water supply support, including evaluation of Nolichucky River capabilities in Greene County

• Expedited completion of the Kentucky Lock and Dam navigation project

• $35 million for wastewater infrastructure and water supply infrastructure in Tipton County

• $50 million for water and wastewater infrastructure in Tipton, Haywood, and Fayette Counties

• Mandated coordination with stakeholders to address the dredging needs of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway in Mississippi and Alabama

• Expeditious completion of the projects at Wilson Dam