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

II Studies and Reports

Sec. 204. Expedited completion of other feasibility studies Since introduced

(a) Cedar Port Navigation and Improvement District Channel Deepening Project, Baytown, Texas. The Secretary shall expedite the review and coordination of the feasibility study for the project for navigation, Cedar Port Navigation and Improvement District Channel Deepening Project, Baytown, Texas, under section 203(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2231(b)).

(b) Raymondville Drain Project, Texas. The Secretary shall expedite the review and coordination of the feasibility study for the project for flood control, Raymondville Drain Project, Lower Rio Grande Basin, Texas, under section 203(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2231(b)).

(c) Sabine-Neches Waterway Navigation Improvement Project, Texas. The Secretary shall expedite the review and coordination of the feasibility study for the project for navigation, Sabine-Neches Waterway, Texas, under section 203(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2231(b)).

(d) Southern Florida Water Management District, Central and Southern Florida Flood Resiliency Study (Broward Basins), Florida. The Secretary shall expedite the review and coordination of the Central and Southern Florida Resiliency Study—Broward Basins for the project for flood risk management, Southern Florida Water Management District, Florida, under section 203(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2231(b)).

III Deauthorizations and Modifications

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety