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

Sec. 111. Dredging coordination Since introduced

(a) Consultation

(1) In general. In determining the scope and performance timeline to be included in a contract entered into on or after the date of enactment of this Act with an entity to carry out maintenance dredging at an authorized water resources development project, the Secretary shall consult with stakeholders, including—

(A) the non-Federal interest for the project;

(B) relevant Federal and State entities; and

(C) to the extent practicable, other non-Federal entities that utilize or rely on the project.

(2) Exception. Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the Secretary determines that an emergency exists or there is an important national interest at stake, the Secretary may determine the scope and performance timeline to be included in a contract described in such paragraph without consulting with stakeholders that are not a party to the contract.

(b) Communication. If the Secretary receives, from an entity carrying out maintenance dredging at an authorized water resources development project under a contract entered into with the Secretary, information about changes with respect to the performance of such maintenance dredging, the Secretary shall, not later than 3 business days after receiving such information—

(1) determine whether such changes are reasonably likely to affect the period of performance of dredging under the contract; and

(2) if the Secretary determines that such changes are reasonably likely to affect such period, notify the applicable non-Federal interest of such changes.

(c) Capability numbers. With respect to any maintenance dredging activity, the Secretary shall, upon request, make available to the applicable non-Federal interest the estimate made by the Secretary of the amount of funding that the Secretary could reasonably expend in a fiscal year with respect to such activity.

II Studies and Reports

III Deauthorizations and Modifications

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety