Announcements from Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) and U.S. Sen. Katie Britt stated that language used in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024 has secured 100% of the federal cost share for the Army Corps of Engineers River Erosion Project in Selma.
“Throughout the past few years, we have been working closely with the Army Corps of Engineers to bring urgently needed resources to Selma to address the flooding and erosion challenges along the Alabama River,” said Sewell.
“I am thrilled that Congress has passed my provision to increase the federal cost share for this project to 100%. This special exception will save the City of Selma more than $9 million and help ensure that this project can move forward. I thank Senator Britt for helping us get this provision across the finish line and for her steadfast commitment to Selma’s vitality.”
The bill has passed the House of Representatives and will be sent to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.
“Selma’s history—including Bloody Sunday, the courageous march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement—must be preserved so all Americans can learn from it for generations to come," said Senator Katie Britt.
"Ensuring Selma’s Flood Risk Management and Stabilization project can be completed with federal funding will make all the difference to ensure this history doesn’t literally fall into the river after years of erosion along the bank of the Alabama River. I’m grateful to partner with Representative Sewell to champion the inclusion of this critical provision in the 2024 WRDA bill."
Flooding in the Alabama River near Selma has caused soil erosion that puts ten historic structures along the riverbank in danger.
“On behalf of the City of Selma, I sincerely thank Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Senator Katie Britt for their fierce and effective advocacy supporting the stabilization of our riverbank,” said Selma Mayor James Perkins, Jr.
“The 100% federal cost share equals between $9m to $12m that the City of Selma is no longer obligated to pay on the riverbank stabilization project. This is an amazing Christmas gift to the City. Again, Congresswoman Sewell and Senator Britt, thank you.”
See below for a video on Sewell’s January 2024 testimony before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee:
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