H.R. 9497

Water Resources Development Act of 2026

Sponsor: Sam Graves

3 cosponsors
Follow this bill

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. 345. Washington Metropolitan Area, Washington, District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia Since introduced

(a) In general. In carrying out the feasibility study for the project for water supply, Washington, District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, authorized by section 8201(a)(14) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3745; 138 Stat. 3160), the Secretary shall carry out a second phase of the study focused on the identification of a secondary water source and additional water storage capability or other long-term and large-scale backup water supply solutions necessary to meaningfully reduce the structural water supply risk of the region.

(b) Treatment of study. In carrying out the second phase of the study under this section, the Secretary—

(1) shall treat such study as a continuation of the first phase of the study carried out under section 8201(a)(14) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022; and

(2) shall continue such study without a new investment decision.

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety