Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act, a bill that authorizes studies for water and wastewater issues throughout America. A portion of the legislation included a provision to conduct an Army Corps of Engineers study of existing water and water quality-related infrastructure in Lincoln County, North Carolina.

In a February, 2005 meeting the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners asked Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) to help produce a survey of the current infrastructure that would examine the best ways to connect county water and wastewater infrastructure. The bill, which passed today, will assist local government to determine the most efficient and effective way to connect infrastructure in Lincoln County.

“One of the most important ways to increase new capital and create new job opportunities is to make sure appropriate infrastructure is in place, and update it when necessary,” said Congressman McHenry. “This study will help us know how to connect current infrastructure, and with that information we can help create more logical and efficient growth in economically sensitive areas of western North Carolina.”

The bill will now be sent to the U.S. Senate for consideration, and Congressman McHenry will urge the Senate to keep this project in the bill. Once signed by President Bush, funding must be allocated by the Corps of Engineers to conduct the study.