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

Expand all

I General Provisions

II Studies and Reports

Sec. 214. Assessment of nonstructural approaches to flood risk management and hurricane and storm risk reduction Changed · Sep 3

Where this section came from

  1. Jun 29, 2026 · Introduced in House Referred to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Jun 29
  2. 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 changed in the text

… 6 unchanged passages …

(6) The project for coastal storm risk management, Nassau County Back Bays, New York, authorized pursuant to the Act of June 15, 1955 (chapter 140, 69 Stat. 132).

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.

Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on the status of the following projects:

(1) The project for flood risk management and ecosystem restoration, Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, and Passaic Counties, New Jersey, including as it relates to buyouts in the Township of Wayne, Passaic County, New Jersey, authorized pursuant to section 101(a)(18) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1990 (104 Stat. 4607).

(2) The project for flood risk management, Township of Denville, New Jersey, being carried out pursuant to section 205 of the Flood Control Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C. 701s).

(3) The project for flood control, Green Brook Sub-basin, Raritan River Basin, New Jersey, authorized by section 401 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (100 Stat. 4119; 134 Stat. 2671).

(4) The project for hurricane and storm damage reduction, New Jersey Back Bays, Cape May, Ocean, Atlantic, Monmouth, and Burlington Counties, authorized by resolutions of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, approved in December 1987.

(5) The project for hurricane and storm damage risk reduction, Fire Island Inlet to Montauk Point, New York, authorized by section 401(3) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2738).

(6) The project for coastal storm risk management, Nassau County Back Bays, New York, authorized pursuant to the Act of June 15, 1955 (chapter 140, 69 Stat. 132).

III Deauthorizations and Modifications

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety