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
III Deauthorizations and Modifications
(a) In general. On receipt of a written request from the Canaveral Port Authority, the Secretary shall—
(1) review the covered land, including any easements on such land, and determine whether any portion of such land or easements are no longer required for the purposes of the Canaveral Harbor project;
(2) identify any portion of the covered land that the Secretary determines is no longer required under paragraph (1) and that would be suitable for conveyance or exchange with the Canaveral Port Authority; and
(3) as appropriate—
(A) convey, at fair market value to, or through exchange for real property of not less than equal value with, the Canaveral Port Authority any portion of the covered land that the Secretary determines is no longer required under paragraph (1); and
(B) grant to the Canaveral Port Authority any easement on the covered land that the Secretary determines under paragraph (1) is no longer required and will not adversely impact the operation of the Canaveral Harbor project.
(b) Actions. In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
(1) determine the exact acreage and the legal description of any real property interest to be conveyed under this section based on a survey that is satisfactory to the Secretary and completed by the non-Federal interest of the Canaveral Harbor project;
(2) coordinate with the Canaveral Port Authority in identifying opportunities for land exchanges, where possible; and
(3) ensure that any conveyance, grant of easements, or exchange of land carried out under this section, does not interfere with any Federal navigation project that has been constructed or is authorized to be constructed as of the date of enactment of this Act.
(c) Deed. The Secretary shall convey any property described in subsection (a)(3)(A) under this section by quitclaim deed under such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.
(d) Applicability of real property screening requirements. Section 2696 of title 10, United States Code, shall not apply to the conveyance of property under this section.
(e) Costs of conveyance or grant of an easement. The Canaveral Port Authority shall be responsible for all reasonable and necessary costs, including real estate transaction and environmental documentation costs, associated with a conveyance or grant of an easement under this section.
(f) Liability. An entity to which a conveyance or grant of an easement is made under this section shall hold the United States harmless from any liability with respect to activities carried out, on or after the date of the conveyance or grant of an easement, on the real property conveyed, or with respect to which an easement is granted. The United States shall remain responsible for any liability with respect to activities carried out, before such date, on the real property conveyed or with respect to which an easement is granted.
(g) Additional terms and conditions. The Secretary may require that any conveyance or grant of an easement under this section be subject to such additional terms and conditions as the Secretary considers necessary and appropriate to protect the interests of the United States.
(h) Definitions. In this section:
(1) Canaveral Harbor project. The term Canaveral Harbor project means the project for navigation, Canaveral Harbor, Port Canaveral, Florida, authorized by section 2 of Act of March 2, 1945 (chapter 19, 59 Stat. 16).
(2) Covered land. The term covered land means the land owned and known as USACOE TRACT 100 that is held by the United States for the Canaveral Harbor project.
IV Water Resources Infrastructure
V Dam Safety