The Tulsa region should benefit from recently passed federal legislation known as the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation — or WINN — Act.
The bill directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize certain studies. Tulsa County's levees are covered by WINN Act funding for an Arkansas River flood risk management study in Tulsa and west Tulsa.
"They've put in a bulk sum for issues all across the country. Ours has been identified as one of those priorities, so I know we're in there for some funding but I don't yet know exactly how much," said County Commissioner Karen Keith.
The now 71-year-old levee system protects around 10,000 people and $2 billion worth of infrastructure. Rough estimates say rehabilitating them could cost upwards of $34 million.
Regional shipping lanes are also included for review in the WINN Act.
"It's something that really gives us the ability — in a second consecutive federal bill — that would look at our waterway system — the [McClellan Kerr] waterway — that would look at the Port of Catoosa, the Port of Muskogee and, really, the critical infrastructure needs that they have," said Tulsa Regional Chamber President and CEO Mike Neal.
There’s no money for the actual work, however.
"This would then require in the future that our congressional delegation would need to get appropriating legislation in place to provide funding for many of these initiatives," Neal said.
The McClellan Kerr navigation system has a repair backlog around $150 million.
