(Washington, DC)— The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation Thursday evening authorizing funding for a regional flood control project requested by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5) and Congressman Dennis Moore (KS-3).

“I was Mayor of Kansas City during the Flood of 1993 and understand that funding our area’s flood control plans and systems is key to protecting life and property. Our entire region has work to do when it comes to controlling the rivers and streams that have always brought prosperity to our community,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Flooding does not recognize state lines. I am proud to work with Congressman Moore to ensure that federal dollars address flooding issues across our region.”

The bill, H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, authorizes $65,430,000 in funding for an ongoing study of the Missouri and Kansas river levee system and flood damage reduction project in the Kansas City metro area. The project has a federal cost of $42,530,000 and an estimated local cost of $22,900,000.

We can never fully prepare for severe weather, but improving our readiness for flooding will better protect families and businesses in the Kansas City area and will help relieve some of the fiscal pressures on our state and local governments,” Moore said. “Congressman Cleaver and I are committed to addressing this regional issue and ensuring that progress on this important project continues without delay or interruption.”

The existing Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas Levees Project consists of seven levee units including 60 miles of levees and floodwalls along both banks of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers in the Kansas City metropolitan area.  During the 1993 flood, river levels crested near the top of the levees and floodwalls at several locations. The analysis in the aftermath of the flood raised concerns about the level of protection and capabilities of the system to protect from future floods. 

The interim report from the Corps of Engineers’ feasibility study completed in late 2006 established improvement milestones for the Argentine, Fairfax/Jersey Creek, North Kansas City and the East Bottoms Levee Units. This report recommends under seepage, retaining wall, and floodwall modifications to improve the reliability of Missouri River units, and recommends a levee raise with foundation and pump station improvements for the Argentine Unit on the Kansas River.   The final feasibility report, which will be completed in 2008, will provide recommendations for the remaining work in the Armordale, Central Industrial District and East Bottoms Units.

Congressman Cleaver also secured an additional $11,037,000 for Blue River flood damage reduction around the Swope Park Industrial Area in Kansas City, Missouri. An additional $5 million in non-federal dollars will complete the $16 million project.

H.R. 1495, which was approved in the House by a vote of 395 to 25, now moves to the Senate for approval. 

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee.