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
(a) Policy and guidance updates
(1) In general. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall revise or update the policy and guidance documents of the Corps of Engineers related to identifying and approving the appropriate minimum interest in real property necessary to support a water resources development project, including Chapter 12 of Engineering Regulation 405–1–12, entitled Real Estate Handbook, consistent with section 1104 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (33 U.S.C. 598b).
(2) Publication. The Secretary shall make publicly available (including on a publicly available website) the changes to any policy or guidance documents made pursuant to this section.
(b) Delegation of approval authority. Section 1104 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (33 U.S.C. 598b) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(f) Delegation of approval authority. The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, delegate approval of the minimum interest in real property identified under subsection (b) necessary to support a specific water resources development project to the District Commander of the district of the Corps of Engineers in which the project is located.
II Studies and Reports
III Deauthorizations and Modifications
IV Water Resources Infrastructure
V Dam Safety