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. 145. Sense of Congress related to Everglades Agricultural Area project Added Sep 3

Where this section came from

Not in the first version (Introduced in House, Jun 29).

  1. Sep 3, 2026 · Reported in House Marked up by House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Jul 14 Reported by House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Sep 3 Committee members' individual votes aren't in our records.
What is a markup?

A markup is a committee meeting where members go through a bill and vote on changes before sending it to the full chamber.

(a) In general. It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should, to the maximum extent practicable—

(1) meet the expedited construction outlined in the July 18, 2025 Memorandum of Agreement between the State of Florida and Department of the Army for Expediting and Advancing the Restoration of America’s Everglades, for the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir, authorized by section 1308 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3819; 134 Stat. 2709);

(2) incorporate other components of the Central Everglades Planning Project to fully utilize investment and restore the flow of water through the central Everglades and Everglades National Park to Florida Bay; and

(3) prepare for and take all necessary steps to review and implement opportunities for expedited construction timelines and operations for remaining everglades restoration projects to achieve objectives, goals, and regional benefits including but not limited to eliminating harmful transfers to the St. Lucie Estuary, and reducing harmful transfers to the Caloosahatchee River Estuary and the Lake Worth Lagoon without causing harm to Lake Okeechobee, Everglades or southern regions, while also protecting and meeting water supply goals south of the lake consistent with congressionally authorized project purposes.

(b) Savings provision. Nothing in this Sense of Congress is intended to, nor shall it be construed or interpreted as altering, amending, prioritizing or supplementing any authorized project purpose. Furthermore, nothing stated here shall be construed as expanding Federal authority or oversight over State waters or environmental programs.

II Studies and Reports

III Deauthorizations and Modifications

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety