Wednesday night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5303, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016 by a vote of 399-25. The two-year cycle legislation would authorize water infrastructure projects and programs conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), in conjunction with the Nature Conservancy and the American Society of Civil Engineers, successfully worked with congressional champion Representative Reid Ribble (WI) to include a provision in WRDA encouraging the consideration of green infrastructure in the design, planning, and maintenance of water infrastructure projects. During Ribble’s recent testimony on behalf of the amendment, ASLA was recognized for its efforts in support of the amendment.
“The Society applauds Representative Ribble’s efforts to advance green infrastructure in Army Corps of Engineers projects, and put emphasis on the power of nature-based solutions, which landscape architects employ in their projects on a daily basis,” said Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, ASLA’s executive vice president and CEO.
The Ribble provision will ensure that nature-based solutions are considered when planning water infrastructure projects, and recognizes the important role these approaches play to help meet the needs of people and communities nationwide, while also saving taxpayer dollars.
On September 15, the U.S. Senate passed its version of WRDA by a vote of 95-3. The legislation also included a similar nature-based provision championed by Senator Cory Booker (NJ). Both chambers will now prepare to reconcile their respective bills in the coming days.
About the American Society of Landscape Architects
Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing more than 15,000 members in 49 professional chapters and 72 student chapters. Members of the Society use “ASLA” after their names to denote membership and their commitment to the highest ethical standards of the profession. Landscape architects lead the stewardship, planning and design of our built and natural environments; the Society’s mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education and fellowship.
