WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) and Congressman Rod Blum (R-IA) called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to begin construction on the Cedar Rapids flood management project that was authorized by Congress in 2014. A
After the severe flooding of the Cedar River in 2008 -- which resulted in $2.4B in estimated property losses -- Congress authorized $73.1 million in funding towards a flood management and prevention project for Cedar Rapids in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) in 2014. However, since the project's approval there have been multiple delays keeping the project from moving forward, and the joint letter sent today by Loebsack and Blum requests that the Corps address the delays and expedite construction.
"The residents and businesses in downtown Cedar Rapids have waited too long to get the protection necessary to prevent future devastation. I have been fighting since the Floods of 2008 to get these protection measures approved by Congress and signed into law by the President, as well as delivering more than $4 billion in disaster assistance to help Iowa rebuild. While we can't predict what future weather will bring, we have to get these flood protection measures in place quickly so downtown Cedar Rapids can continue its recovery and thrive," said Congressman Loebsack.
"This project has already been authorized by Congress, and it's my hope that the Army Corps of Engineers recognizes the importance of the project so it can move forward in a timely fashion. Ensuring that the community of Cedar Rapids never again experiences the devastation of 2008 is critical, and I look forward to working with the Corps, my colleagues in Congress on both sides of the aisle, and local Cedar Rapids officials to expedite this process so the city can receive the funds designated by Congress," said Congressman Blum.
Reps. Loebsack and Blum will continue to work together with the Corps, the Administration and the relevant Congressional committees to ensure the completion of the project to protect the lives and property of their constituents that live along the Cedar River.
