H.R. 9497
Water Resources Development Act of 2026
Sponsor: Sam Graves
3 cosponsors
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
I General Provisions
Where this section came from
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Jun 29, 2026 · Introduced in House Referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Jun 29
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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.
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(c) Dredged material management plan. In reviewing a request pursuant to subsection (a), if the Secretary determines that timely completion of a dredged material management plan with respect to a federally authorized harbor described in subsection (a) is not feasible due to complexity, controversy, or other compelling factors, and in cases in which capacity is inadequate to accommodate the maintenance dredging needs of the harbor, the Secretary may enter into the agreement prior to completion of such a dredged material management plan.
… 1 unchanged passage …
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. The Secretary shall expedite the review of a request of a non-Federal interest to enter into a partnership agreement under section 217(c) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 2326a(c)) for the design, construction, or operation of a facility used to demonstrate potential beneficial uses of dredged material from a federally authorized harbor in the State of Ohio.
(b) User fees. An agreement described in subsection (a) and entered into after an expedited review under subsection (a) may provide for the Secretary to reimburse the non-Federal interest for funds provided by such non-Federal interest for activities carried out pursuant to the agreement through the payment of subsequent user fees to the non-Federal interest in a manner consistent with section 217(d)(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 2326a(d)(2)), as though the non-Federal interest is a private entity under such section.
(c) Dredged material management plan. In reviewing a request pursuant to subsection (a), if the Secretary determines that timely completion of a dredged material management plan with respect to a federally authorized harbor described in subsection (a) is not feasible due to complexity, controversy, or other compelling factors, and in cases in which capacity is inadequate to accommodate the maintenance dredging needs of the harbor, the Secretary may enter into the agreement prior to completion of such a dredged material management plan.
(d) Practices and procedures. Prior to entering into an agreement reviewed pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary may apply the practices and procedures described in part 337 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, to the facility that is proposed to be subject to the requested agreement.
II Studies and Reports
III Deauthorizations and Modifications
IV Water Resources Infrastructure
V Dam Safety