The U.S. Army’s senior research scientist for environmental science, believes that engineering is on the brink of a new paradigm, with more federal funds and industry acceptance reflecting his energy and passion.
The $1-trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) signed into law Nov. 15 includes funding for “nature-based” infrastructure, a sign of the growing bipartisan support among lawmakers and federal officials for approaching flood control and other climate change-related projects by working with natural systems, rather than trying to control them, according to current and former officials at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Administrator Michael Regan said some cleanups have awaited federal dollars for give more than five years; new infrastructure bill funding will start work at 49 sites in 24 states.