SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 59

(By Senators Jeffries, Clements, Boley, Karnes, Maynard, and Roberts)

[Originating in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; Reported on March 8, 2022]

Respectfully urging the executive branches of the United States government and the State of West Virginia to provide adequate staffing levels for all governmental agencies and departments involved in permitting road, bridge, water, wastewater, broadband, and other infrastructure projects.

Whereas, The federal government has been a vital contributor to West Virginia’s infrastructure funding, and West Virginia is expecting increased funding in the future, such as from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021; and

Whereas, In addition to funding, the availability of materials and speedy processing of permits, including but not limited to environmental permits, is essential to allow infrastructure projects to commence in a timely manner. Delays in the issuance of permits create obstacles that can pause, increase the cost, and prevent infrastructure improvements and construction; and

Whereas, The executive summary of the American Society of Civil Engineer’s 2020 Report Card for West Virginia’s Infrastructure gave West Virginia a grade point average of “D”, with a “D” grade defined as being poor and at risk. The summary noted, in part, that more than 95 percent of the state’s 7,291 bridges are maintained by the West Virginia Division of Highways and, of those bridges, 21 percent or 1,531 are structurally deficient, a much higher percentage than the national average of seven percent; and

Whereas, Time is of the essence to ensure that West Virginia’s infrastructure is available for save use, and a delay in the ability to obtain necessary permits, such as from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, may be prevented by streamlining permit processes and securing staffing levels capable of handling requests at once; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature hereby respectfully urges the executive branches of the United States government and the State of West Virginia to provide adequate staffing levels for all governmental agencies and departments involved in permitting road, bridge, water, wastewater, broadband, and other infrastructure projects; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Governor of the State of West Virginia, and the Secretary of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.