Press Releases

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew celebrated the passage of the Water Resources Development (WRDA) Act of 2026 through the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation includes eleven priorities he secured for South Jersey, and it is expected to be signed into law.

"This is exactly the kind of work I came to Congress to do," said Congressman Van Drew. "South Jersey is surrounded by water, and our towns deal with flooding, erosion, aging dams, and waterways that need our full attention. I fought to get these priorities into the bill because they will directly address these concerns and make a real difference in the safety of the residents of South Jersey. Now they are on their way to becoming law. I am proud of what we were able to get done here, and I am going to stay on top of these projects to make sure the work gets done."

Priorities Secured:

East Point Lighthouse Shore Protection- Expands the ongoing Maurice River dredging study to include shoreline protection for the East Point Lighthouse.

North Wildwood Shore Protection- Expedites the North Wildwood hurricane and storm damage reduction project using Hereford Inlet as the source of sand.

Coastal Storm Risk Management Trust Fund Study- Includes Congressman Van Drew's provision directing a study to create a dedicated funding source for beach projects.

Dam Assessment and Mitigation Support (DAMS) Act- Reauthorizes the National Dam Safety Program through 2031 and includes Congressman Van Drew's DAMS Act provision to strengthen dam safety nationally.

Great Egg Harbor River Watershed Assessment- Adds the Great Egg Harbor River Watershed to the Corps' authorized watershed and river-basin assessment list.

New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway Rerouting- Authorizes a study to reroute the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway near Ventnor City to solve navigation challenges related to the Dorsett Avenue bridge.

Absecon Island Shoreline Project- Accelerates the Atlantic City hot spot erosion study.

Hot Spot Erosion Program Improvements- Strengthens Congressman Van Drew's program to address hot spot erosion by incorporating nature-based solutions. 

High Hazard Potential Dam Prioritization Study- Requires FEMA to study barriers preventing states from prioritizing dam projects with the greatest community benefit.

Beneficial Use of Dredge Materials for Beaches- Requires the Corps to update its regulations to better account for the benefits of using dredged materials for beach nourishment and restoration projects.

Coastal Infrastructure Improvement Act- Directs the Corps to research and test erosion mitigation technologies.