Ricketts Issues Statement After Voting to Support Perkins County Canal, Nebraska Water Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) issued the following statement after voting to pass the Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works:

"The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is critical to addressing water infrastructure needs across Nebraska and the rest of the country. This legislation includes my efforts to address ice jams along the Missouri River. It also includes provisions to improve government efficiency and expedite a permit to construct the Perkins County Canal. Efficient, predictable regulatory frameworks drive down costs. I'm glad to support this effort on behalf of Nebraskans."

BACKGROUND:

The Water Resource Development Act of 2026 (WRDA) includes an amendment from Senator Ricketts that would expedite permitting for Perkins County Canal construction. The legislation would require the Corps to issue a permit for construction before February 15, 2028.

The legislation also addresses ice jams along the Missouri River, flood risk management on the Platte River, and reporting for the Wehrspann Lake spillway basin. The legislation would require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite its 408 permitting process and to brief the Environment and Public Works Committee on endangered species on the Missouri River.

The legislation was voted out of committee unanimously.