Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, North Carolina Congressman David Rouzer (NC-07) and Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) hosted the third annual Water Adaptation to Ensure Regional Success (WATERS) Summit in Greenville, North Carolina. This full day nonpartisan event brought together more than 150 local, state, and federal leaders, academic experts, and flood mitigation professionals to discuss adaptation strategies to waterway challenges in North Carolina.

Since the last WATERS Summit, Congressman Rouzer has been proud to work on legislation on various water issues, such as bringing clarity to the definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS), identifying ways to increase permitting efficiency, and streamlining disaster assistance. 

“Many communities in North Carolina—from east to west—have experienced devastating flooding due to major storm events,” said Congressman Rouzer.  “During today’s third annual WATERS Summit, we again convened leading experts to build on our previous summits as we work to better prepare for the future and protect North Carolinians from flood risk.  This includes harnessing new technologies, better utilizing our agriculture community to help manage our state’s water resources and working at every level of government to improve our state’s flood resiliency.  I thank everyone who participated today, and I look forward to continuing our work on innovative flood solutions.”

"This year's WATERS Summit was a huge success as hundreds from our great state, and all across the country convened to engage in a robust discussion focused on flood mitigation," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "All of our participants' firm commitment to ensuring North Carolina is capable of managing a wide variety of waterway issues is stronger than ever. This gathering, in a time of severe partisanship, shows us how individuals from all walks of life can put politics aside to work together to make a difference for North Carolina. The importance of protecting our businesses and communities as well as preserving our beautiful environment is second to none."

As Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Congressman Rouzer looks forward to crafting the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024.  WRDA 2024 will help protect families from flooding and include initiatives to improve the strength and durability of our ports and inland waterways. 

In WRDA 2022, Rouzer secured authorization to establish an innovative program in North Carolina requiring the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to map inland and coastal waterways to identify potential hazards which can lead to increased flood risk.  The authorization also includes a feasibility study for dredging inland waterways once the mapping is complete.

2024 WATERS Summit speakers included: Rep. David Rouzer (NC-07), Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03), Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) (virtual), Senator Ted Budd (virtual), Rep. Don Davis (NC-01), Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo, NC House Majority Leader John Bell, NC House Speaker Tim Moore, Pender County Commissioner Jackie Newton, and American Flood Coalition Chairman Jay Faison. Several stakeholders were also represented, including NC Department of Transportation, NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, NC Soil and Water Commission, NC Farm Bureau, NC Department of Environmental Quality, and the US Department of Agriculture, in addition to private organizations and leading academic institutions.

To watch the summit, click here.