WASHINGTON D.C. (WKZO AM/FM) – A bipartisan water infrastructure bill that overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House Tuesday provides money for several projects in southwest Michigan, including Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.
Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 399-18. It already passed the Senate and will now head to President Biden for his signature.
The 2024 WRDA authorizes a new Army Corps of Engineers study in the Kalamazoo River Watershed to examine urban flooding in the City of Kalamazoo to set the stage for projects that Kalamazoo has been working to plan.
According to Congressman Bill Huizenga, residents, businesses, and emergency services commonly impacted by flooding events could be supported by initiatives such as a by-pass and closure project along the Portage Creek and a storm water relief project in the Northside Neighborhood of Kalamazoo.
The legislation also authorizes a new Army Corps study for the restoration of the Kalamazoo River in downtown Battle Creek. Specifically, the study would set the stage for an ecosystem restoration/river naturalization project to remove the concrete portions of the Kalamazoo River through downtown Battle Creek to address a wide variety of fish and wildlife ecosystem and related environmental issues, as well as increase recreational opportunities, improve pedestrian access, and connect the downtown with the surrounding businesses and neighborhoods.
Other grants in Huizenga’s district will fund harbor projects in Holland and St. Joseph.
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