H.R. 9497

Water Resources Development Act of 2026

Sponsor: Sam Graves

3 cosponsors
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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

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I General Provisions

II Studies and Reports

III Deauthorizations and Modifications

Sec. 332. Kinzua Dam safety modification study, Allegheny River, New York and Pennsylvania Since introduced

(a) In general. In carrying out the dam safety modification study pursuant to section 8 of the National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467f) for the project for the Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir, New York and Pennsylvania, authorized pursuant to section 5 of the Act of June 22, 1936 (chapter 688, 49 Stat. 1586; 52 Stat. 1217), the Secretary shall identify any real property associated with such project that the Secretary determines is not needed to carry out the authorized purposes of the project.

(b) Conveyance authorized. Upon completion of the dam safety modification study described in subsection (a), the Secretary may convey, without consideration, to the Seneca Nation of Indians, all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the real property identified as excess under such subsection.

(c) Reversion. If the Secretary determines that the property conveyed under this section is not used for a public purpose, all right, title, and interest in and to the property shall revert, at the discretion of the Secretary, to the United States.

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety