The Water Resources Development Act, aimed at improving the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of the nation’s water resources infrastructure, passed by a vote of 399 to 18. It now goes to the Senate, which is expected to add its approval before sending it on to President Joe Biden to be signed into law. Courtney’s provision would benefit the submarine base, known as Subase New London, which is being modernized in preparation for the homeporting of the next generation of Virginia-class submarines, which will be 84 feet longer than current Virginia-class subs. Existing piers at the base will have to be extended to accommodate the larger vessels. The provision would enable construction to extend Pier 8 by transferring control of a portion of the Thames River channel from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the Navy, as the scope of the project would extend beyond property managed by the base.
https://theday.com/news/210527/courtney-proposal-supporting-submarine-base-improvements-clears-us-house/