April 21, 2022

Manchin, Capito, McKinley Announce More Than $14 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for West Virginia Watersheds

Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Representative David McKinley (R-WV) announced $14,100,280 from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for twelve West Virginia projects. This funding will bolster flood protection, upgrade dam infrastructure and protect water quality across the state.

“In order to ensure all West Virginians have reliable access to clean water, we must continually update and improve our water infrastructure throughout the state,” said Senator Manchin. “I successfully fought to include funding for water infrastructure upgrades across West Virginia in our bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and I am pleased USDA is investing more than $14 million for twelve West Virginia watersheds to ensure proper water quality, improve dams and strengthen flood prevention in our communities. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for funding to address the infrastructure needs of the Mountain State.”

“As ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I advocated to make improving water quality for West Virginians a priority in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” Senator Capito said. “This funding will not only go toward key projects across West Virginia to ensure a safe water supply, but also to upgrade watershed and flood control structures in communities that need it most. West Virginia continues to benefit from the bipartisan infrastructure bill, and I’m proud to make another announcement that will help improve our cities and towns today.”

“Flooding has devastated countless communities across West Virginia, not only impacting residents who live in flood prone areas, but also limiting the potential for economic development. Businesses are not likely to come to a region that experiences significant flooding, plain and simple,” said Representative McKinley. “That is why this announcement of $14 million from the infrastructure bill to kickstart flood prevention and water protection projects is so important for West Virginia. This funding will support a dozen projects, including the Elk Creek Watershed flood control project in Harrison County and will provide enhanced flood protections for the New Creek dam in Mineral County. Upgrading flood protection and dam infrastructure will restore confidence in these communities, attracting businesses and good jobs, ensuring a better quality of life for the people of this state.”

In March of this year, the lawmakers announced $6.3 million from the bipartisan IIJA through the USDA for 22 West Virginia watersheds and flood protection sites.

Individual projects listed below:
  • Big Ditch Run Site, Webster County – Funding will be used for the planning phase of dam rehabilitation to address current design safety and performance deficiencies.
  • New Creek 1, Mineral County – Funding will be used to bring New Creek Site 1 into compliance with current dam design safety and engineering criteria and performance standards while continuing to provide flood protection.
  • Saltlick Creek 4, Braxton County – Funding will be used for the planning phase for rehabilitation of the structures that serve developments downstream and bring the dams to design safety criteria and performance standards.
  • Saltlick Creek 6, Braxton County – Funding will be used for the planning phase for rehabilitation of the structures that serve developments downstream and bring the dams to design safety criteria and performance standards.
  • Saltlick Creek 7, Braxton County – Funding will be used for the planning phase for rehabilitation of the structures that serve developments downstream and bring the dams to design safety criteria and performance standards.
  • Saltlick Creek 8, Braxton County – Funding will be used for the planning phase for rehabilitation of the structures that serve developments downstream and bring the dams to design safety criteria and performance standards.
  • Saltlick Creek 9, Braxton County – Funding will be used for the planning phase for rehabilitation of the structures that serve developments downstream and bring the dams to design safety criteria and performance standards.
  • Elk Creek Watershed Flood Control, Harrison County – Funding will be used to determine the feasibility of flood control protection through dams, channels, or other measures.
  • Little Whitestick Creek, Greenbrier County – Funding will be used to examine current hydrology and hydraulics of the project area and recommend additional measures that can be taken to reduce flooding in the vicinity.
  • Howard Creek Watershed, Greenbrier County – Funding will be used to look at the potential of additional flood protection, water supply and other watershed resource concerns.
  • Bluewell PSD Dam Removals, Mercer County – Funding will be used to decommission existing structures and look for alternate water supplies.
  • Elkhorn Creek Watershed, McDowell County – Funding will be used for construction to mitigate future flooding and the acquisition of floodplain easements.