Press Releases

Over the weekend, the President signed S. 4367, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024, into law. This bipartisan legislation serves as the authorization for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve federally regulated water infrastructure across the nation. Specifically for Southwest Michigan, this measure includes several priorities that Congressman Huizenga advocated for to help the communities of Battle Creek, Holland, Kalamazoo, and St. Joe. Congressman Huizenga released the following statement after S. 4367 was enacted.

“I am glad to see these important measures to improve infrastructure across Southwest Michigan signed into law,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “By authorizing studies for Battle Creek, Holland, Kalamazoo, and St. Joe, the Army Corps of Engineers can strengthen the local economy, enhance recreational opportunities, and take steps to mitigate and address urban flooding across Southwest Michigan.”

The Huizenga-led priorities included in S. 4367 are:

Battle Creek

The 2024 WRDA authorizes a new Army Corps study for the restoration of the Kalamazoo River in downtown Battle Creek enhancing both its ecology and economy. Specifically, the study would set the stage for an ecosystem restoration/river naturalization project to remove the concrete portions of the Kalamazoo River through downtown Battle Creek. Restoring the river channel from the environmental impacts of the concrete and the dam would not only address a wide variety of fish and wildlife ecosystem and related environmental issues, but it would also increase recreational opportunities, improve pedestrian access, and connect the downtown with the surrounding businesses and neighborhoods to spur economic opportunities in and around the downtown Battle Creek community.

Holland

The 2024 WRDA would authorize a new Army Corps study on the outer and inner harbor in Holland to examine the navigational and economic benefits of deepening the harbor. The current project depth for the Holland outer harbor is 23 ft and the inner harbor into Lake Macatawa is 21 ft. A study into navigational and economic improvements of deepening the outer and inner harbor project depths could provide for greater utilization of vessel capacity and attempt to avoid frequent and recurring “emergency” dredging issues due to shoaling in the harbor. Along the shores of Lake Michigan, current depths can cause Holland Harbor to go from “at depth” to critical very quickly. Proactively studying the advantages to deeper project depths and implementing them into action could improve future dredging and economic benefits to the area by allowing maximum vessel loads of material that support critical road construction and other projects in the region.

Kalamazoo

The 2024 WRDA authorizes a new Army Corps study in the Kalamazoo River Watershed to examine urban flooding in the City of Kalamazoo to set the stage for projects that Kalamazoo has been working to plan. Residents, businesses, and emergency services commonly impacted by flooding events could be supported by initiatives such as a by-pass and closure project along the Portage Creek and a stormwater relief project in the Northside Neighborhood of Kalamazoo. These projects have the potential to benefit the entire city of Kalamazoo.

St. Joseph

The 2024 WRDA would authorize a new Army Corps study on the outer and inner harbor in St. Joseph to examine the navigational and economic benefits of deepening the harbor. The current project depth for the St. Joseph outer harbor is 21 ft and the inner harbor and turning basin is 18 ft.  A study into navigational and economic improvements of deepening the outer and inner harbor project depths could provide for greater utilization of vessel capacity and attempt to avoid frequent and recurring “emergency” dredging issues due to shoaling in the harbor.  Along the shores of Lake Michigan, current depths can cause St. Joseph Harbor to go from “at depth” to critical very quickly.  Proactively studying the advantages to deeper project depths and implementing them into action could improve future dredging and economic benefits to the area by allowing maximum vessel loads of material that support critical road construction and other projects in the region.