Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (GA-02) supported the approval of the Fiscal Year 2023 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies funding bill during its consideration by the full House Appropriations Committee. The bill included a measure that would improve the treatment and management of hydrilla, an invasive water plant which impacts waterways and their surrounding communities across the country, including Lake Seminole in Southwest Georgia. Congressman Bishop will fight to maintain this provision as the appropriations bill progresses through the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
“This bill will fund major investments that help ensure American energy independence and lower energy costs. It also supports the Army Corps of Engineers and its work with communities across the country on major water infrastructure projects that make us more resilient to flooding, help avoid drought, and ensure clean water for families and businesses,” said Congressman Bishop. “This bill also provides $2,000,000 to monitor, survey, and control hydrilla in order to help places, like Lake Seminole, manage this invasive species and improve accessibility and the economic well-being of impacted waterways for families, businesses, and communities.”
“Congressman Bishop is a long-time advocate and strong supporter of our rivers and lakes and the citizens of southwest Georgia. His work toward controlling hydrilla is vital for tourism, economic development, and overall quality of life. Hydrilla has tremendously adverse effects on water quality, power generation, wildlife and native plant health, recreational boating, and recreational and professional fishing,” said Philip Clayton, Executive Director of TriRivers Waterway Development Association. “We are always grateful for Congressman Bishop’s interest in and support of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin.”
Congressman Bishop has hosted town halls and community meetings in Southwest Georgia about the Hydrilla problem in Lake Seminole. He regularly gets community input and solicits feedback from the Army Corps of Engineers. Last November, the Congressman sent a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers in support of a focused effort to manage the invasive species. Congressman Bishop testified before the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee earlier this year where he successfully fought for the inclusion of a provision in the 2022 Water Resources Development Act directing greater focus on addressing hydrilla.
Some additional highlights from the Fiscal Year 2023 Energy and Water funding bill include:
- $48.2 billion for the Department of Energy to incorporate clean energy technologies, reduce cybersecurity risk, support research to develop new energy technology, along with a several other projects
- $2.3 billion allocated to Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund projects, that of which will follow in accordance with the budgetary adjustments outlined in the Water Resources Development Act
- $451 million in funding for water resources projects authorized in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, under the Department of Interior and Bureau of Reclamation
- $54 million designated for rural water projects
- $33 million for the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission in order to address economic needs of distressed portions of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia
Original source can be found here.
