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
II Studies and Reports
Where this section came from
Not in the first version (Introduced in House, Jun 29).
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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. The Secretary shall expedite the completion of an After-Action Review for the Lake Okeechobee Recovery Operations that occurred between December 2024 and June 2025.
(b) Report. Not later than December 31, 2026, 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 After-Action Review described in subsection (a), including—
(1) a description of the rationale of the Secretary, including identification of any factors and any processes used by the Secretary, in deciding to implement the Lake Okeechobee Recovery Operations that occurred between December 2024 and June 2025;
(2) an assessment by the Secretary of such Recovery Operations, including identification and assessment of the effects, if any, of such Recovery Operations on—
(A) the subaquatic vegetation and fauna in and around Lake Okeechobee;
(B) the ecology of estuaries and lagoons that received water transfers from Lake Okeechobee, including effects on subaquatic vegetation, adult oyster populations, and oyster reproduction rates in such estuaries and lagoons;
(C) congressionally authorized project purposes of flood protection, water supply, protection of fish and wildlife resources, and navigation; and
(D) the total quantity of water, measured in cubic-feet, transferred through congressionally authorized or funded projects;
(3) the identification of any periods during the 18-month period beginning on June 30, 2025, of water excess or water shortage in Lake Okeechobee, a canal used for navigation in the vicinity of Lake Okeehcobee, or sources of water for drinking or other consumption located in the area south of Lake Okeechobee;
(4) an assessment of the ability of the Corps of Engineers to undertake Lake Okeechobee Recovery Operations again during the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act; and
(5) an assessment of whether or not there may have been any adverse effects to water supply or other Congressionally authorized purposes, included but not limited to flood protection, protection of fish and wildlife resources, and navigation as a result of Lake Okeechobee Recovery Operations.
(c) Limitation. In the report under subsection (b), the Secretary may not recommend—
(1) expanding Federal authority or oversight over waters or environmental programs of a State; or
(2) anything contrary to the original goals, priorities, or authorizations of the project for ecosystem restoration, Central and South Florida, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program, Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration, Florida, authorized pursuant to section 601(d)(2)(B) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 2680; 121 Stat. 1179; 134 Stat. 2673; 136 Stat. 3761; 138 Stat. 3067).
III Deauthorizations and Modifications
IV Water Resources Infrastructure
V Dam Safety