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 Secretary should, when a public recreational amenity, including a park, trail, green space, recreational waterway, or other public open space available for recreational opportunities, is affected by the construction of a water resources development project—
(1) maintain a level of recreational access to such public recreational amenity that is equivalent to the level provided when the public recreational amenity is not affected by such construction, including by providing alternative access where necessary to ensure continued recreational opportunities during such construction; and
(2) minimize temporary disruptions to such access through project planning and coordination with affected communities.
(b) Recreational access preservation plan. To the maximum extent practicable, as part of a feasibility study for a water resources development project, the Secretary shall—
(1) review the potential impact of construction of the project on existing public recreational amenities, including facilities for hiking, biking, walking, and waterborne recreation; and
(2) include in any final recommendation for such project a plan to minimize disruptions and maintain recreational access, as described in subsection (a), to such amenities during and after construction of the project.
II Studies and Reports
III Deauthorizations and Modifications
IV Water Resources Infrastructure
V Dam Safety