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) In general. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish, using available funds, a pilot program under which the Secretary may accept services provided by a State for the removal of sediment captured behind a project for the purpose of restoring the authorized storage capacity of the project.
(b) Requirements. In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall—
(1) review the services of the State to ensure that the services are consistent with the authorized purposes of the project;
(2) ensure that the State will indemnify the United States for, or has entered into an agreement approved by the Secretary to address, any adverse impact to the project as a result of such services; and
(3) require the State, prior to initiating the services and upon completion of the services, to conduct sediment surveys to determine the sediment profile and quality before and after the completion of such services.
(c) Limitation
(1) In general. The Secretary may not accept services under subsection (a) if the Secretary, after consultation with the Chief of Engineers, determines that accepting the services is not advantageous to the United States.
(2) Report to Congress. If the Secretary makes a determination under paragraph (1) that accepting services is not advantageous to the United States, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate written notice describing the reasoning for the determination.
(d) Agreement. Prior to accepting services under subsection (a), the Secretary shall enter into a written agreement with the State and the non-Federal interest for the project that authorizes the Secretary to provide credit to the non-Federal interest for operation and maintenance of the project for the value of the services provided under subsection (a) that the Secretary determines are integral to the project.
(e) Congressional notification. Prior to accepting services provided by a State under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate written notice that the Secretary intends to accept the services.
(f) Prioritization. In carrying out the pilot program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall prioritize accepting services for projects in the following locations:
(1) John Redmond Reservoir, Kansas, authorized pursuant to section 204 of the Flood Control Act of 1950 (64 Stat. 173).
(2) Kanopolis Lake, Kansas, and the surrounding lands managed by the Corps of Engineers.
(3) Tuttle Creek Lake, Kansas, authorized pursuant to section 2 of the Act of June 28, 1938 (chapter 795, 52 Stat. 1218).
(4) Sardis Lake reservoir, Oklahoma, authorized by section 203 of the Flood Control Act of 1962 (76 Stat. 1187; 95 Stat. 1137).
(g) Project defined. In this section, the term project means a dam owned or operated by the United States and under the jurisdiction of the Secretary.
(h) Termination. This pilot program shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
II Studies and Reports
III Deauthorizations and Modifications
IV Water Resources Infrastructure
V Dam Safety