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. 141. Reporting and oversight Since introduced

(a) Report

(1) In general. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Appropriations of the Senate a report that includes for each report described in paragraph (2) the following:

(A) A summary of the status of the report, including if the report has been initiated.

(B) The amount of funds that—

(i) have been made available to carry out each such report; and

(ii) the Secretary requires to complete each such report.

(C) A detailed summary of the resources and procedures the Secretary intends to use to complete the report, including the expected timeline for completion of the report.

(D) Any other information regarding the report that the Secretary determines may be relevant to such committees in understanding the status, timing, and progress towards completion of the report.

(2) Reports described. The reports described in this paragraph are the following:

(A) The initial report required under section 1150(a)(1) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3040).

(B) The report on turbidity in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, required under section 1205(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3071).

(C) The report on ice jam prevention and mitigation required under section 1205(k) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3075).

(D) The report on excess lands for Whittier Narrows Dam, California, required under section 8213 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3758).

(E) The report on recreational boating in the Great Lakes basin required under section 8218 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3761).

(F) The report on the disposition study on hydropower in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, required under section 8220(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3762).

(G) The report on the status of the implementation of real estate administrative fees required under section 1120 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3014).

(H) The report summarizing comparisons of the benefit-cost ratios of projects in covered communities required under section 1148(d) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3039).

(I) The report on dredge capacity required under section 8205 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3754).

(J) The report identifying opportunities for potential exchange of land or flowage easements associated with the Lake O’ the Pines, Texas, project, as required under section 1222 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3082).

(b) Prior guidance. Not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue guidance regarding each of the following:

(1) Section 103(m) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2213(m)).

(2) Section 444 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 3747; 113 Stat. 286; 138 Stat. 3149).

(3) Section 8132 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (33 U.S.C. 2238e).

(4) Section 1129 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3018).

(5) Section 1148 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3039).

II Studies and Reports

III Deauthorizations and Modifications

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety