A bill to facilitate construction of a bridge on certain property in Christian County, Missouri, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 810. This bill authorizes construction of a bridge on property acquired for open space under section 404 of the Stafford Act.

Riverside Bridge in Christian County, Missouri, is a 100-year-old one-lane bridge that currently frequently closes due to flooding. Local transportation officials have agreed on a plan to replace the existing one-lane bridge with a wider bridge that has a larger footprint.

However, expanding the bridge involves building on land that has received FEMA disaster mitigation funds in the past.

After repeated flooding, FEMA provided funding to Christian County in 2009 to demolish a structure adjacent to the bridge, the Riverside Inn, and to purchase the land. As a condition of providing the funding, FEMA required that the land be maintained for open space, recreation, or wetland management. Unless Congress removes the restriction on construction on that site, the county cannot replace Riverside Bridge.

S. 810 provides that Christian County must ensure the bridge replacement project does not result in flood damage and is liable for any flood damage that occurs. No further disaster assistance from any Federal source may be provided for the property or the structure.

This bill provides a narrow exemption from existing FEMA rules that will allow Christian County, Missouri, to solve a transportation problem. I am not aware of any opposition to this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge its adoption, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 810) to facilitate construction of a bridge on certain property in Christian County, Missouri, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 810.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, S. 810 would allow the community of Ozark, Missouri, to finish the Riverside Bridge project, which spans the Finley River. After repeated major flooding in the area, the community purchased the land next to the existing bridge.

As a condition of the Federal funds used to purchase this land, FEMA prohibits the building of any structures on the property. Replacing the current one-lane bridge is essential and will alleviate traffic for families, small business owners, and emergency responders traveling in the region.

I would like to thank the entire Missouri delegation for their work on this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 192, S. 810.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be considered and agreed to, the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.