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

Expand all

I General Provisions

II Studies and Reports

III Deauthorizations and Modifications

Sec. 336. Rio Puerto Nuevo flood risk management project, San Juan, Puerto Rico Added Sep 3

Where this section came from

Not in the first version (Introduced in House, Jun 29).

  1. Sep 3, 2026 · Reported in House Marked up by House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Jul 14 Reported by House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Sep 3 Committee members' individual votes aren't in our records.
What is a markup?

A markup is a committee meeting where members go through a bill and vote on changes before sending it to the full chamber.

(a) In general. In carrying out the project for flood control, Rio Puerto Nuevo, Puerto Rico, authorized by section 204(b) of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (84 Stat. 1828; 100 Stat. 4127; 132 Stat. 76), the Secretary shall conduct a general reevaluation report to reconsider natural and nature-based approaches to flood control as alternatives to the construction of each project element described in subsection (b).

(b) Project elements defined. For purposes of subsection (a), the project elements to be reconsidered are—

(1) Contract No. 4 for the Central Río Piedras and Las Américas Bridges;

(2) Contract No. 5A for the Notre Dame Bridge;

(3) Contract No. 6A for the Upper Río Piedras;

(4) Contract No. 6B for Quebrada Buena Vista;

(5) Contract No. 7B for Quebradas Doña Ana and Contract No. 7A and 7C for Quebradas Josefina; and

(6) Contract No. 5B for the West Piñero Avenue Bridge.

(c) Inclusions in general reevaluation report. In conducting the reevaluation report under subsection (a) the Secretary shall include in such report the following data and analyses, updated to reflect conditions as of the date of enactment of this Act:

(1) Hydrologic and hydraulic data;

(2) A review of local acceptability and economic conditions in the project area.

(3) Any real estate costs analysis.

(4) Cost apportionment analysis, including in such updated analysis a detailed description of projected operation and maintenance responsibilities associated with the completed project and the estimated cost to complete the project.

(d) Consideration; consultation. In reevaluating the project elements under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

(1) consider the use of natural and nature-based features;

(2) consult with the heads of applicable Federal agencies, agencies of Puerto Rico, and community stakeholders within the geographic scope of the project;

(3) validate any findings through an external review process that is independent and outside of the Corps of Engineers; and

(4) develop a process for public participation through which the Secretary shall—

(A) regularly publish any findings; and

(B) hold public hearings and regular consultation meetings to give ample opportunity for public comment on the findings.

(e) Interim progress report. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate an interim status report with respect to the reevaluation report required under subsection (a), and include in such interim status report—

(1) any conclusions and recommendations made, and activities carried out, pursuant to subsection (a);

(2) identification of any additional, site-specific areas within the geographic scope of the project for which the Secretary recommends any additional reevaluation; and

(3) any interim actions taken by the Secretary to reduce comprehensive flood risk within the geographic scope of the project while carrying out the reevaluations under subsection (a), including if applicable, the cost of each such action.

(f) Expedited consideration. The Secretary shall expedite the completion of each reevaluation of a project element under subsection (a).

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety