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
II Studies and Reports
III Deauthorizations and Modifications
In carrying out the project for ecosystem restoration, Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, Louisiana, authorized by section 7013(a)(4) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1281), notwithstanding any requirement of the plan described in such section that the non-Federal interest provide land for the project in fee in order to satisfy the property rights requirements of the project, the Secretary shall, where feasible, allow the non-Federal interest to provide easements on the land for the project in order to satisfy such property rights requirements.
IV Water Resources Infrastructure
V Dam Safety