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WRDA 2024 raises federal authorization for Lake Marion Regional Water Agency to $235 million
Summary
County officials said Congress increased the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency authorization from $165 million to $235 million in the Water Resources Development Act of 2024; the authorization allows for future appropriations and covers the St. George and Shady Grove reaches in Dorchester County.
Dorchester County officials told the council Jan. 21 that the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 increased the federal authorization for the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency from $165 million to $235 million.
County Administrator Mr. Ward said the bipartisan congressional approval (Senate 97–1, House 359–13) expands the project authorization by $70 million and specifically covers the St. George reach along U.S. Highway 15 and the Shady Grove reach along U.S. Highway 178 in Dorchester County. “This is the authorization which allows 75% Federal funds to be spent towards 25% of non Federal funds,” Ward said, and he stressed that authorization enables the project to be eligible for future appropriations but is not itself an appropriation of funds.
Ward said the authorization allows the county to move forward with parts of its five‑year capital improvement plan tied to the Lake Marion project; the project’s original authorization dates to 1992. Letters of thanks to members of Congress were sent on behalf of the Lake Marion Regional Water Agency by the agency chairman, Johnny Wright, Ward said.
What happens next: Authorization makes the project eligible for federal appropriations in future budget cycles; county staff said they may report additional appropriation news when available.
