H.R. 9497

Water Resources Development Act of 2026

Sponsor: Sam Graves

3 cosponsors
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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

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I General Provisions

Sec. 131. Policy on utilization of all Corps authorities and missions Since introduced

(a) Policy

(1) In general. It is the policy of the United States for the Corps of Engineers, consistent with applicable statutory authorities, to—

(A) fully utilize the programmatic, technical and planning assistance, and project-specific authorities provided by Congress in addressing the mission areas described in paragraph (2);

(B) maximize using the full array of authorities and mission areas described in paragraph (2) to comprehensively address local water resources challenges, consistent with the goals of the applicable non-Federal interest;

(C) fully identify and analyze national economic development benefits, regional economic development benefits, environmental quality benefits, and other societal effects of proposed water resource development activities and projects;

(D) ensure that the Corps of Engineers receives and allocates sufficient funding to address the varied local water resources challenges of diverse geographic regions of the United States; and

(E) maximize the development, evaluation, and recommendation of project alternatives for water resources development projects that produce comprehensive project benefits.

(2) Mission areas described. The mission areas described in this paragraph are the following:

(A) Navigation, including coastal and inland waterways navigation.

(B) Flood risk management and coastal storm risk management (including nonstructural, natural, or nature-based features, and efforts to control, retain, and reuse stormwater).

(C) Environmental and ecosystem restoration and protection.

(D) Municipal, industrial, and agricultural water supply, water conservation, and drought resiliency.

(E) Recreation, including recreational navigation.

(F) Hydropower.

(G) Aquatic plant and species control.

(H) Emergency response.

(I) Research and development.

(b) Full consideration. In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall give full consideration to requests and proposals from non-Federal interests that are in alignment with the authorized programmatic, technical and planning assistance, and project-specific authorities and mission areas described in subsection (a).

II Studies and Reports

III Deauthorizations and Modifications

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety