U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 8, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) by a vote of 408 to 2.  

“Being from Michigan, we understand better than most the critical need to keep our water infrastructure up-to-snuff. This bipartisan bill does just that. It also contains two provisions that directly impact folks here in Michigan to further combat Asian Carp and re-affirm the importance of a new lock at the Soo Locks. I was proud to support this bipartisan effort and look forward to seeing it signed into law soon.”

Specifically, WRDA contains a provision that expresses the sense of Congress that the construction of a new lock at the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, is vital to our national economy, national security, and national need for new critical infrastructure. Also included is a provision requiring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete its Chief’s report for the Brandon Road Study by the original completion date of February 2019.