House passes bill to fund Red River project, anti-carp measure
WASHINGTON - There is little this Congress agrees on, but a rare exception is a $12 billion piece of water legislation that passed the U.S. House on Tuesday.
The bill has something that pretty much every member is likely to tout to the voters back home.
In Minnesota's case, lawmakers are sure to point to language requiring the St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam to close in order to prevent the spread of invasive carp to the headwaters of the Mississippi.
Another major provision of the bill will direct up to $800 million in federal funds towards a massive flood diversion project along the Red River around the Fargo-Moorhead area.
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The Water Resources Reform and Development Act passed the U.S. House with 412 votes for and just four votes against. Seven of Minnesota's eight U.S. House lawmakers backed the bill. Fourth District Democrat Betty McCollum missed the vote.
During the floor debate, 5th District U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison stood before a picture of hundreds of carp jumping out of the water and warned lawmakers of the consequences of inaction.
"When a 60 pound silver carp jumps out of the water, needless to say it limits recreational opportunities and causes injury to the people," said Ellison.
Another measure in the bill inserted by 8th District Rep. Rick Nolan will require the Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees inland waterways, to take not just invasive plants but also invasive animals such as the carp into account when planning projects.
"So I just had a simple little amendment that said, 'plant and animal life,' so that's zebra mussels, that's Asian carp and all the other animal forms," said Nolan, who helped negotiate the bill with the Senate.
Nolan also touted an overhaul of the system that funds harbor maintenance projects that will ultimately direct more funding towards harbors, including the Port of Duluth, over the next decade.
The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate where a final vote could come as early as this week.