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Feasibility studies to determine flood risk management for Mosquito Creek Lake and in Niles will be funded under a bipartisan bill approved by the U.S. House.
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote sometime in the next week after reaching a compromise on the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act, which provides federal funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve the nation's ports, harbors and waterways.
After that, President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law.
The House passed the bill Tuesday by a 399-18 vote.
U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, who represents Trumbull County and got funding for the two studies into the bill, said, "I am proud to see a number of priorities I fought for, as well as a litany of projects that will benefit all of Ohio, included in this legislation. Upon final passage, this bill will foster job growth, reduce burdensome red tape and invest in water infrastructure and supply chains in Ohio and across the country."
A Republican from Bainbridge, Joyce, co-chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force, was able to get $16.8 million in funding for improvements in the 14th Congressional District, which he represents, into the bill. That includes $11.8 million to replace river retaining walls along the Grand River in Painesville.
The bill authorizes more than 200 feasibility studies throughout the country, including Mosquito Creek Lake and Niles.
The Mosquito study will look at modification to a plan for flood risk management and water supply, while the Niles study will be for a project for flood risk management, ecosystem restoration and recreation, according to Joyce's office.
The Senate passed its version of the bill Aug. 1 by unanimous consent. But there were differences with what the House wanted. The two chambers reached a compromise Dec. 3.
Congress has passed Water Resources Development Acts on a bipartisan basis since 2014.