Schakowsky Urges Inclusion of Des Plaines River Project in Water Resources Development Act

Chicago – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), released the following statement after sending a letter with Representatives Mike Quigley, Danny Davis, Robin Kelly, Luis Gutiérrez, Tammy Duckworth, Dan Lipinski, Bill Foster and Bobby Rush to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders urging them to include Phase II of the Des Plaines River Project in this year’s Water Resources Development Act:

“The Des Plaines River Project will protect northeastern Illinois from flooding and boost our local economy. We are calling on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to authorize the next phase of this project in its water resources bill. Continuing this project will help prevent the flood damage we have seen in recent years while supporting local jobs and our environment.”

Full text of the letter:

Dear Chairmen Shuster and Gibbs and Ranking Members DeFazio and Napolitano:

As the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advances this year’s Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), we urge you to authorize Phase II of the Des Plaines River project.

The Des Plaines River project addresses significant flooding risk in northeastern Illinois while supporting the local economy and ecosystem. The area surrounding the Des Plaines River has experienced repeated flooding in recent years, including significant flooding in May 2004, August 2007, September 2008, December 2008, and April 2013. Phase I of the Des Plaines River project was authorized in the 1999 WRDA bill and supported construction of six structural elements and a flood warning system. Phase II would advance flood risk management in the region. It would provide an additional two reservoirs and three levees as well as hundreds of smaller flood mitigation measures. In addition, the project includes seven sites for ecosystem restoration, improving ten square miles of aquatic habitat.

As Phase I of the Des Plaines River project concludes, Phase II of the Des Plaines River project is ready for authorization. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chief’s Report on Phase II of the Des Plaines River project was signed last year and approved by the Office of Management and Budget on January 4, 2016. The project has already been included the WRDA bill reported out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on April 28, 2016.

Further flood risk management on the Des Plaines River is critical to the safety of area residents. This investment will also provide jobs and restore the environment. We urge you to support its authorization. Thank you for your work to advance a WRDA bill this year.

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