Introducing the Water Resources Development Act of 2013

History shows that America's exponential growth in the economy, as well as its rapid growth on land and water with little environmental consideration has caused trouble in the waterways, stirring up plenty of attention today.  As trade and transportation grew, our rivers saw more action with the boats and bridges delivered and constructed.  Everything was done in an economic sense, so development was a larger concern, and we hardly knew what was happening to our waterways.  River banks have corroded in result of a couple projects when rivers weren't deep enough for some vessels of cargo, creating sediment and downstream pollution.  This is seen in Oregon's Columbia River twenty year dredging project that just completed in 2010.  The coastal and inland coal mining we do also affects our oceans and rivers severely with the airborne and eventual waterborne pollutants mercury and other metals give off in the process.  Agriculturally we as a nation grow our crops in rapid rates with large amounts of pesticides and chemicals that leach into our waters through winds and a trickling through soil.  Bottom line, we as a nation have seen a lot of mishaps in the use of our aquatic resources even while through indirect involvement. 

The US Army Corps of Engineers, created with the start of this nation, is the group that has regulated and maintained most technological projects that has lifted a lot of America's infrastructure and military advancements.  They were called on for the dredging in Oregon, hydropowering projects for irrigation when it was necessary for agriculture, and for dam construction.  This high-in-demand group of engineers are desired again, but for better utilization of our water resources than previously requested.  Everything before demanded for advancement and now they are asked that they bring restoration, maintenance, and hope, that we can see better environmental assistance within our rivers, lakes, and harbors.  The Water Resource Development Act was first established in 1986, signifying a probable shift in the country's attitude towards water resource planning.  Legislation stated that non-federal sanctions should shoulder the load, but by law, federal government displayed three quarters of the estimated $16.23 billion they predicted water projects would cost.  In result, 377 water projects were authorized to the Corps of Engineers for research or construction.  The bill in 1986 was however not fulfilled completely because the federal government's stubbornness with its budget.  They insisted that the water projects are better handled by private sanctions, state, and local legislature.  This bill has been proposed now for a twelfth time this year, with there being modifications each new year it was addressed.  It is estimated that the government would have to spend $12.2 billion in the fiscal period of 2014-2023, though the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) feels as though it could be significantly more expensive.  Though the inflation is somewhat unprecedented, I'm pretty sure the government has seen worse investments.  Could the American Government just not be ready for this expenditure, and is this environmental endeavor just too expensive?  I don't think this is of much risk.  I mean, I don't understand why haven't passed this bill yet.