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. 344. Puget Sound nearshore ecosystem restoration, Washington Since introduced

In carrying out the project for ecosystem restoration, Puget Sound, Washington, authorized by section 1401(4) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (130 Stat. 1713; 136 Stat. 3806), the Secretary shall consider the removal, relocation, and replacement of the following sites to be a project feature the costs of which are shared as construction:

(1) Highway 101 causeway and bridge over the Lilliwaup Estuary of the Hood Canal site.

(2) NE North Shore Road roadway and bridge over the Tahuya Estuary of the Hood Canal site.

(3) Highway 101 causeway and bridge over the Snow Creek and Salmon Creek (at the head of Discovery Bay) site.

(4) County and local roads and bridges over the Nooksack and Lummi Rivers and Tennant Creek at the Nooksack Estuary of the Northern Puget Sound site.

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety