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) Sense of Congress. It is the sense of Congress that the standard terms and provisions used by the Corps of Engineers in emergency debris removal contracts should facilitate effective and expedient removal of disaster-generated debris that poses a risk to public safety while maximizing the value to the taxpayer and minimizing the risk of unnecessary debris removal that harms property, natural systems, or wildlife.
(b) Evaluation. In determining the standard terms and provisions that the Corps of Engineers should use in emergency debris removal contracts, the Secretary shall evaluate—
(1) the various contract and fee structures utilized by the Corps of Engineers and the impact of each such structure on total cost and work quality, including an assessment of such structures that is tied to the volume of debris removed;
(2) the addition of terms requiring coordination between the Corps of Engineers, the contractor, Federal, State, and local agencies and officials and other relevant experts prior to removing debris to ensure protection of healthy vegetation, important habitats, and vulnerable wildlife; and
(3) other terms and measures to protect private property, habitat, and wildlife during emergency debris removal activities.
II Studies and Reports
III Deauthorizations and Modifications
IV Water Resources Infrastructure
V Dam Safety