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
(a) Comprehensive study
(1) In general. The Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive study to identify the core sedimentation issues in the Upper Missouri River Basin.
(2) Recommendations. In conducting the study under this subsection, the Secretary may develop recommendations for—
(A) the construction of a water resources development project;
(B) the structural or operational modification of existing water resources development projects, except as provided in subsection (f);
(C) monitoring or adaptive management measures for water resources development projects to respond to changing conditions in the Upper Missouri River Basin;
(D) additional studies focusing on specific geographic areas within the Upper Missouri River Basin;
(E) management plans and actions, to be carried out by responsible Federal agencies, to address or reduce sedimentation in the Upper Missouri River Basin; and
(F) further research on issues with respect to which data or current technology does not allow for immediate solutions.
(b) Continuation of study. The following studies shall be considered a continuation of the study conducted under subsection (a):
(1) Any study recommended to be carried out in a report that the Chief of Engineers prepares for the study conducted under subsection (a).
(2) Any additional study recommended under subsection (a)(2).
(3) Any study spun off from the study conducted under subsection (a), or from an additional study recommended under paragraph (2) of such subsection, before the completion of such study.
(c) Use of existing data. In conducting the study under subsection (a), and in carrying out any study pursuant to subsection (b), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable and where appropriate, make use of existing data provided to the Secretary by any applicable Federal, State, and local agency, Indian Tribe, non-Federal interest, or other stakeholder, or from any relevant multistate monitoring program.
(d) Costs
(1) Limitation. The total cost of the study conducted under subsection (a) shall not exceed $25,000,000.
(2) Federal share. The Federal share of the cost of the study conducted under subsection (a) and any study carried out pursuant to subsection (b) shall be 65 percent.
(e) Deadline. Not later than 5 years 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 that contains the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including any recommendations developed under paragraph (2) of such subsection.
(f) Prohibition. In conducting the study under subsection (a), and in carrying out any study pursuant to subsection (b), the Secretary may not consider any changes to the Missouri River Basin Mainstem Reservoir System Master Water Control Manual.
III Deauthorizations and Modifications
IV Water Resources Infrastructure
V Dam Safety