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. 220. Honolulu Harbor, Hawaii Since introduced

Not later than 30 days 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 an update describing the status of the study to modify the project for navigation, Honolulu Harbor, Hawaii, authorized by the first section of the Act of March 3, 1905 (chapter 1482, 33 Stat. 1146; 136 Stat. 3750; 138 Stat. 3064), including the status of the assessment of the benefits of the project modification on disaster resiliency and enhanced national security from utilization of the harbor by the Department of Defense authorized by section 1202(3) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3064).

III Deauthorizations and Modifications

IV Water Resources Infrastructure

V Dam Safety