H.R. 9497
Water Resources Development Act of 2026
Sponsor: Sam Graves
3 cosponsors
Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Water Resources Development Act of 2026
This bill authorizes and modifies certain water resource infrastructure projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and makes related requirements. For example, the bill authorizes and modifies various water resources feasibility studies and projects of the Corps of Engineers, such as studies or projects to
- maintain ports and harbors,
- make certain waterways more navigable,
- reduce flood and storm damage,
- restore aquatic ecosystems and protect fish and wildlife,
- protect shorelines,
- address harmful algal blooms,
- rehabilitate dams,
- manage recreational sites and facilities,
- support water supply and storage projects, and
- support other water resources infrastructure.
The bill also directs the Corps of Engineers to establish an Office on Alternative Delivery Methods in order to accelerate project delivery of infrastructure.
In addition, the bill directs the Corps of Engineers to issue a rule that establishes categorical permissions for certain harbor or river improvements that will cause only minimal adverse environmental effects.
Text of the bill
I General Provisions
(a) Vertical integration and acceleration of studies. Section 1001 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 2282c) is amended—
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
(a) In general. In carrying out a feasibility study carried out by the Secretary pursuant to section 905(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2282), the Secretary shall—
(1) complete the feasibility study as efficiently and expeditiously as practicable;
(2) align the scope of the feasibility study with the goals of the non-Federal interest, to the extent practicable in accordance with the authorities of the Secretary and statutory requirements relating to water resources development projects;
(3) carry out the feasibility study in a manner that ensures that personnel from the district, division, and headquarters levels of the Corps of Engineers concurrently conduct the review required under such section 905; and
(4) include in the report submitted with respect to the study under section 2033(f)(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2282a(f)(2)) sufficient information for Congress to fully review the study, which may be in the form of details relating to any remaining project cost uncertainties as appropriate for the maturity of the project design.
(2) in subsection (d)(1), by striking the environmental review process under section 1005 and inserting any required environmental review;
(3) by striking subsections (b), (c), (e), and (f); and
(4) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (b).
(b) Detailed project schedule. Section 905(g) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2282(g)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking , to the maximum extent practicable,;
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
(3) Requirements
(A) In general. In carrying out paragraph (2), for each feasibility study, the relevant District Engineer shall establish deadlines for milestones, and a total cost estimate for the study, taking into consideration, to the maximum extent practicable—
(i) the goals of the non-Federal interest;
(ii) the statutory requirements and authorities of the Corps of Engineers;
(iii) the complexity of the study; and
(iv) any other factors identified by the District Engineer and the non-Federal interest.
(B) Collaboration with non-Federal interest. The District Engineer shall collaborate with the relevant non-Federal interest in establishing deadlines for milestones under subparagraph (A).
(C) Complexity. In determining the complexity of a feasibility study for purposes of subparagraph (A), the District Engineer shall consider, with respect to the project that is the subject of the feasibility study—
(i) the type, size, location, scope, and overall projected cost of the project;
(ii) whether the project will use any innovative design or construction techniques;
(iii) whether the project will require significant action by other Federal, State, or local agencies;
(iv) whether there is significant public dispute as to the nature or effects of the project; and
(v) whether there is significant public dispute as to the economic or environmental costs or benefits of the project.
(D) Extensions. At the request of the relevant non-Federal interest, the District Engineer shall extend any deadline established under subparagraph (A).
; and
(3) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
(4) Congressional and public notification. For each fiscal year, the Secretary shall—
(A) submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate an annual report that includes—
(i) a list of all detailed project schedules established under paragraph (2) in the fiscal year;
(ii) a description of any such project schedule that is expected to result in the completion of a final feasibility report more than 4 years after the date on which the Secretary determines the Federal interest for purposes of the report pursuant to section 2033(f) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2282a(f));
(iii) a description of any feasibility study for which the maximum Federal cost is expected to exceed $5,000,000, based on the total cost estimate established under paragraph (2), including an explanation of such exceedance; and
(iv) an explanation of any missed deadlines or extensions; and
(B) make publicly available (including on a publicly available website) a copy of the annual report described in subparagraph (A) not later than 14 days after the date on which a report is submitted to Congress.
(c) Applicability
(1) New studies. The amendments made by this section shall apply to feasibility studies initiated on or after the date of enactment of this section.
(2) Ongoing studies. For any feasibility study initiated before the date of enactment of this section, but for which a final report of the Chief of Engineers has not been submitted to Congress pursuant to section 2033 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2282a) on or before such date of enactment, the Secretary shall, upon request from the relevant non-Federal interest, apply the requirements of section 1001 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (as amended by this section) and section 905(g) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (as amended by this section) to the feasibility study.
(d) Notification to Congress on terminated studies. The Secretary shall provide written notice to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate on any feasibility study terminated or proposed to be terminated, including a summary of the reasons for such termination, and any proposed alternatives the non-Federal interest may pursue in lieu of a feasibility study.
II Studies and Reports
III Deauthorizations and Modifications
IV Water Resources Infrastructure
V Dam Safety