Congressman Cohen Champions Improved Environmental Justice Provisions in Hearing on the 2022 Water Resources Development Act
Cites “heroic grassroots effort” that stopped the Byhalia Connection pipeline
MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today discussed the need for an increased focus on environmental justice by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and greater efforts to restore the Mississippi River at a Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment hearing to consider priorities for the 2022 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).
In his questions to witnesses, Congressman Cohen noted the heroic effort made by residents of southwest Memphis in stopping the Byhalia Connection pipeline through their community.
"Luckily, the pipeline was ultimately killed due to a historic grassroots effort, but that is not always the case," Congressman Cohen said.
Congressman Cohen proposed that the 2022 WRDA bill contain a slew of policy provisions that would build upon the 2020 WRDA bill such as establishing the new position of Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice within the Office of the Chief of Engineers and establishing a Federal Advisory Committee on Environmental Justice to better advise the Corps on activities and actions that can be taken to ensure more equitable delivery of services and projects.
Congressman Cohen also advocated for a renewed focus on restoration of the polluted Mississippi River like the ongoing and successful efforts to address the degradation of the Great Lakes.
See his entire exchange with the witnesses here.
Witnesses at today's hearing were:
- The Honorable Wade Crowfoot, Secretary, Natural Resources Agency;
- The Honorable Peter Yucupicio, Chairman, Pascua Yaqui Tribe;
- The Honorable Darrell G. Seki Sr., Chairman, Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians;
- The Honorable Michel Bechtel, President, Gulf Coast Protection District;
- Mario Cordero, Executive Director, Port of Long Beach;
- Jim Middaugh, Executive Director, Multnomah County Drainage District;
- Julie Hill-Gabriel, Vice President, Water Conservation, National Audubon Society.
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