(a) Short title
This Act may be cited as the Water Resources Development Act of 2026.
(b) Table of contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Section 1001. Definition of Secretary
In this division, the term Secretary means the Secretary of the Army.
(1) In general
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a plan for implementing this division and the amendments made by this division.
(2) Requirements
In developing the plan under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—
(A) identify each provision of this division (or an amendment made by this division) that will require—
(i) the development and issuance of guidance, including whether that guidance will be significant guidance;
(ii) the development and issuance of a rule; or
(iii) appropriations;
(B) develop timelines for the issuance of—
(i) any guidance described in subparagraph (A)(i); and
(ii) each rule described in subparagraph (A)(ii); and
(C) establish a process to disseminate information about this division and the amendments made by this division to each District and Division Office of the Corps of Engineers.
(3) Transmittal
On completion of the plan under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall transmit the plan to—
(A) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2) and not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter until the Chairs of the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives determine that this division and the amendments made by this division are fully implemented, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on the implementation of this division and the amendments made by this division.
(2) Inclusions
A briefing under paragraph (1) shall include updates on the plan under subsection (a)(1).
(c) Additional notice pending issuance
Not later than 30 days before issuing any guidance, rule, notice in the Federal Register, or other documentation required to implement this division or an amendment made by this division, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a written notice regarding the pending issuance.
(d) WRDA implementation team
In addition to the duties described in paragraph (3) of section 1102(d) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3000), the Water Resources Development Act implementation team established under paragraph (2) of that section (138 Stat. 2999) shall carry out those duties with respect to this division and the amendments made by this division.
Section 1102. Corps of Engineers real estate guidance and outreach
Section 8117(b)(1) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (33 U.S.C. 2281b(b)(1)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking and at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
(D) real estate authorities, including leasing authorities.
Section 1103. Contributions by non-Federal interests
Section 902(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2280(b)) is amended—
(1) by striking Notwithstanding subsection (a) and inserting the following:
(1) In general
Notwithstanding subsection (a); and
(2) by adding at the end of the following:
(2) Expedited contributed funds for navigation projects
On the request of the non-Federal interest, the Secretary may include in the project partnership agreement for an authorized water resources development project an option that allows the non-Federal interest to contribute funds pursuant to paragraph (1) in an amount that is not more than 10 percent more than the maximum cost under subsection (a) for that project.
(1) In general
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary receives a written correspondence, including electronic written correspondence, from a member of a committee of jurisdiction (or a designee) requesting information, the Secretary shall provide that information in writing to that member.
(A) In general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the member (or a designee) may extend the deadline under paragraph (1) if that member (or designee) determines that an extension is necessary or appropriate based on the information requested.
(B) Notification
The member (or a designee) shall notify the Secretary in writing of an extension provided pursuant to subparagraph (A) as soon as practicable.
(A) In general
The Secretary may provide the information requested pursuant to paragraph (1) in the form of a briefing or a meeting if agreed to by the member (or designee) that initiated the request.
(B) Status briefings
At the request of the Chair or Ranking Member of a committee of jurisdiction, the Secretary shall provide the Chair or Ranking Member a briefing or meeting on a monthly or other recurring basis to review the status of pending requests under paragraph (1).
(4) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Committee of jurisdiction
The term committee of jurisdiction means—
(i) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate; and
(ii) the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
(B) Information
The term information means—
(i) a description of the status of any study, project (including a separable element of a project), activity, program, or report;
(ii) any implementation guidance, engineering circular, or other document that governs development or execution of the Civil Works Program of the Corps of Engineers;
(iii) a description of the capability of the Corps of Engineers in a fiscal year to carry out work on any study, project (including a separable element of a project), activity, program, or report;
(iv) technical assistance, including an effects statement or legislative drafting service; and
(v) any other information that is factual and non-deliberative or non-proprietary.
(1) In general
Any report of the Secretary prepared in response to an Act of Congress shall be considered final 30 days after the date on which the report is submitted by the Secretary to the Office of Management and Budget for interagency review.
(A) In general
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the reports under each provision of law described in subparagraph (B) shall be considered final and transmitted to the applicable committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives not later than 15 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
(B) Provisions described
A provision of law referred to in subparagraph (A) is any of the following:
(i) Section 8127(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3716).
(ii) Section 8130(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3717).
(iii) Section 8131(c) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3719).
(iv) Section 8134(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (33 U.S.C. 2348a(b)).
(v) Section 8205(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3754).
(vi) Section 8206(c) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3756).
(vii) Section 8209(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3757).
(viii) Section 8213(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3758).
(ix) Section 8217(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3761).
(x) Section 8220(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3762).
(xi) Section 8227(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3764).
(xii) Section 8230(c) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3766).
(xiii) Section 8231(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3766).
(xiv) Section 129(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2643).
(xv) Section 136(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 2203(a)).
(xvi) Section 137(d) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 2341c(d)).
(xvii) Section 215(c) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat 2687).
(xviii) Section 218(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2692).
(xix) Section 219 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2693).
(xx) Section 224 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2696).
(xxi) Section 503(d) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 610 note; Public Law 116–260).
(xxii) Section 509(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 610 note; Public Law 116–260).
(xxiii) Section 1208 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3808).
(xxiv) Section 1209 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3808).
(xxv) Section 1210(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3808; 134 Stat. 2696).
(xxvi) Section 1211 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3808).
(xxvii) Section 1212 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3808).
(xxviii) Section 1213 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3809).
(xxix) Section 1217(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3810).
(xxx) Section 1221 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3811).
(xxxi) Section 1222(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3811).
(xxxii) Section 1227 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3813).
(a) In general
Section 14(c) of the Act of March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1152, chapter 425; 33 U.S.C. 408), is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking standardizing and inserting pursuant to subsection (a) to standardize;
(2) in paragraph (2)—
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) as subparagraphs (B) through (D), respectively; and
(B) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated) the following:
(A) discuss—
(i) the process of applying for that permission, including—
(I) the role and responsibilities of the non-Federal entity;
(II) the requirements for an application to be determined complete by the Secretary;
(III) the timelines associated with the review by the Secretary of that application consistent with the timelines established under subsection (d), including any circumstances or issues that may extend 1 or more of those timelines; and
(IV) the options, as applicable, for processing the application, including—
(aa) the use of a categorical permission;
(bb) a single-phased review; or
(cc) a multi-phased review;
(ii) the process by which the Secretary will review an application; and
(iii) any actions that the Secretary may take after approving an application;; and
(3) in paragraph (3), by inserting or providing the technical assistance described in paragraph (4) after paragraph (2); and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
(A) In general
On the request of a non-Federal entity that intends to submit an application for permission pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary may provide technical assistance to that entity with respect to the planning and development of that proposed action.
(B) Methods
The Secretary may provide technical assistance under this paragraph through—
(i) a pre-application meeting described in paragraph (2);
(ii) written guidance documents; or
(iii) other appropriate means as determined by the Secretary.
(b) Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should expeditiously proceed with ongoing efforts of the Secretary to initiate a rulemaking process to transition Engineer Circular 1165–2-220 entitled Policy and Procedural Guidance for Processing Requests to Alter US Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Projects Pursuant to 33 USC 408 and dated September 10, 2018, to a regulation in order to provide regulatory certainty to applicants for permissions under section 14 of the Act of March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1152, chapter 425; 33 U.S.C. 408).
(c) Briefings
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act and every 30 days thereafter until the Secretary has initiated the rulemaking process described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall brief the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the status of that rulemaking process, including any reasons for the delay and any other challenges associated with initiating that rulemaking process.
(a) In general
On the request of a Member of Congress that represents a State or congressional district within the geographic boundaries of a District or Division of the Corps of Engineers, the applicable District or Division shall, not later than 30 days after the date of the request, provide to that Member of Congress written information that describes the status and readiness of all feasibility studies and water resources development projects prepared by the applicable District or Division for consideration by the Secretary for inclusion in—
(1) a work plan submitted to Congress pursuant to the joint explanatory statement for an annual appropriations Act under which the Corps of Engineers receives funding;
(2) a spending plan submitted to Congress for a supplemental appropriations Act under which the Corps of Engineers receives funding; or
(3) the annual budget request for the Corps of Engineers submitted to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code.
(b) Inclusions
The written information provided to a Member of Congress under subsection (a) shall include—
(1) the annual capability for each feasibility study and water resources development project for the current fiscal year;
(2) the criteria applied by the applicable District or Division of the Corps of Engineers in prioritizing those feasibility studies and water resources development projects; and
(3) any changes in prioritization from the prior fiscal year, including the basis for the changes.
(c) Definition of annual capability
In this section, the term annual capability means the estimated amount of Federal funding that can be reasonably obligated.
Section 1108. Emergency stream bank and shoreline protection
Section 14 of the Flood Control Act of 1946 (33 U.S.C. 701r) is amended by inserting breachways, after bridge approaches,.
(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall designate as an action categorically excluded from the requirements relating to environmental assessments or environmental impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) any project—
(1) carried out under—
(A) a continuing authority program (as defined in section 7001(c)(1)(D)(iii) of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 2282d(c)(1)(D)(iii))); or
(B) an environmental infrastructure program or authority; and
(2) for which the Federal share of the cost of that project does not exceed $50,000,000.
(1) In general
In this section, the term environmental infrastructure program or authority means a program or authority of the Secretary to provide assistance to a non-Federal interest for carrying out water-related environmental infrastructure or environmental assistance and resource protection and development projects.
(2) Inclusions
The term environmental infrastructure program or authority includes—
(A) section 1113 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (100 Stat. 4232; 110 Stat. 3719, 136 Stat. 3781; 138 Stat. 3161);
(B) section 217 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 390h–4 note; Public Law 102–580);
(C) section 218 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 390h–5 note; Public Law 102–580);
(D) section 219 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (106 Stat. 4835);
(E) section 220 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (106 Stat. 4836);
(F) section 313 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (106 Stat. 4845);
(G) section 324 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (106 Stat. 4849);
(H) section 340 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (106 Stat. 4856);
(I) section 522 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 3766);
(J) section 531 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 3773);
(K) section 552 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 3779);
(L) section 566 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 3786);
(M) section 584 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 3791);
(N) section 569 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (113 Stat. 368);
(O) section 570 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (113 Stat. 369);
(P) section 571 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (113 Stat. 371);
(Q) section 573 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (113 Stat. 372);
(R) section 592 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (113 Stat. 379);
(S) section 593 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (113 Stat. 380);
(T) section 594 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (113 Stat. 381);
(U) section 595 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (113 Stat. 383);
(V) section 528 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 2657);
(W) section 542 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 2671);
(X) section 5039 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1206);
(Y) section 5061 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1215);
(Z) section 5065 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1217);
(AA) section 5074 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1223);
(BB) section 5082 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1226);
(CC) section 5085 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1228);
(DD) section 5113 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1237);
(EE) section 5130 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1247);
(FF) section 5138 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1250);
(GG) section 5140 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1251);
(HH) section 8319 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3784);
(II) section 8353 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3800);
(JJ) section 8359 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3802);
(KK) section 1332 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3145);
(LL) section 1340 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3149);
(MM) section 1344 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3153);
(NN) section 1348 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3157);
(OO) section 1349 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3158); and
(PP) any other similar program or authority that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
Section 1110. Inland Waterways Users Board
Section 302 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2251) is amended—
(1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:
(A) In general
The Users Board shall concurrently transmit a copy of any advice and recommendations prepared in accordance with this subsection to Congress.
(B) No review or approval
No officer or agency of the United States shall have any authority to require the Users Board to submit advice and recommendations to any officer or agency of the United States for approval, comments, or review, prior to the submission of advice and recommendations to Congress.;
(2) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting, and the capabilities of the Corps of Engineers for such commercial navigation features or components, including any updated capabilities after United States; and
(3) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following:
(5) Transmittal of draft report
On the date on which the Secretary submits a strategic review under paragraph (4)(A) to the Office of Management and Budget for interagency review, the Secretary shall concurrently transmit a copy of the strategic review to Congress.
Section 1111. Shoreline and riverine protection and restoration
Section 212 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (33 U.S.C. 2332) is amended—
(1) in subsection (e)(2), by adding at the end the following:
(N) Blackstone River watershed, Rhode Island.
(O) Passumpsic River watershed, Vermont.
(P) Island End River, Massachusetts.
(Q) Cobbs Creek and Darby Creek, Pennsylvania.
(R) Western shoreline of the State of Alaska.; and
(2) in subsection (f)(2), by striking $15,000,000 and inserting $20,000,000.
(a) In general
Section 1021 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 2224) is amended to read as follows:
(b) Credit
A non-Federal interest may receive credit for the costs incurred by the non-Federal interest in carrying out activities pursuant to subsection (a) toward the share of construction costs of that non-Federal interest for another element of the same project or another authorized navigation project, except that in no instance may such credit exceed 20 percent of the total costs associated with construction of the general navigation features of the project for which such credit may be applied pursuant to this subsection.
(1) In general
Subject to paragraph (2) and the availability of appropriations, a non-Federal interest may be reimbursed for the costs incurred by the non-Federal interest in carrying out activities pursuant to subsection (a).
(2) Limitation
The total amount provided by the Secretary for reimbursement under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year shall not exceed—
(A) $10,000,000 for a single non-Federal interest; and
(B) $30,000,000 for all non-Federal interests.
(b) Clerical amendment
The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (128 Stat. 1193) is amended by striking the item relating to section 1021 and inserting the following:
(a) Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1) studies of the Corps of Engineers serve a critical role in identifying and evaluating comprehensive solutions to water resources problems;
(2) the Corps of Engineers has made significant efforts in recent years to address concerns over the inaccuracy of costs estimates contained in reports of the Corps of Engineers to authorize water resources development projects;
(3) the Corps of Engineers has numerous authorities provided by Congress to address varying water resources challenges;
(4) solutions considered in studies of the Corps of Engineers should address the unique water resources needs of the community;
(5) the level of design maturity required to provide an accurate cost estimate varies by solution;
(6) the Corps of Engineers should provide more transparency into the level of confidence and contingencies for any cost estimate;
(7) requiring advanced levels of design maturity for all solutions during the feasibility study phase may—
(A) substantially increase the costs and duration of a study;
(B) limit the ability of the Corps of Engineers to identify the optimal solution to the water resources problem; and
(C) limit the resources available to formulate, refine, and evaluate solutions; and
(8) detailed engineering and design activities carried out by the Corps of Engineers that are beyond those activities necessary to support informed decisionmaking by the Corps of Engineers are generally more appropriately conducted during preconstruction planning, engineering, and design activities for an authorized water resources development project.
(b) Design maturity
For a recommended project included in a report of the Chief of Engineers to Congress pursuant to section 2033 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2282a), the Secretary may not require a 35 percent or greater level of design maturity for the project if a lesser level of design maturity is sufficient to prepare a class III cost estimate (as such term is described in Engineer Regulation 1110–2–1302 of the Corps of Engineers entitled Civil Works Cost Engineering (June 30, 2016)) for the project.
(c) Documentation
In any report of the Chief of Engineers that is submitted to Congress pursuant to section 2033 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2282a), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include for the project recommended in that report a description of—
(1) the level of design maturity;
(2) the contingency percentage of the cost estimate; and
(3) any unknowns and associated risks, including—
(A) the quality of the geotechnical data and associated risks;
(B) the type of hydrology and hydraulics model used, the quality of the modeled data, and associated risks; and
(C) the quality of the survey data and associated risks.
(1) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Preconstruction planning, engineering, and design activities
The term preconstruction planning, engineering, and design activities means 1 or more activities necessary for conducting surveys and detailed studies, and plans and specifications for a proposed project, prior to the initiation of construction activities.
(B) Proposed project
The term proposed project means a water resources development project proposed in a feasibility study prepared by the Corps of Engineers in accordance with section 905(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2282(a)) and submitted to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives for the purposes of Congressional authorization.
(3) Updated project costs
If the Secretary uses the authority provided in paragraph (2) for a proposed project, the Secretary shall—
(A) establish milestones at intervals of not less than every 180 days for any activities for the proposed project carried out pursuant to that paragraph; and
(B) following the completion of those milestones, submit to the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Appropriations of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Appropriations of the House of Representatives any updated estimated total project costs for the proposed project.
(4) Establishment of account
The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, shall establish a separate appropriations account for administering funds made available to carry out this subsection.
(5) Limitation
Nothing in this subsection—
(A) allows the Secretary to initiate construction of a proposed project without specific authorization of that proposed project by Congress; or
(B) waives the requirements of the Secretary under section 902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2280).
Section 1114. Support of Army civil works missions
Section 8159 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3740; 138 Stat. 3011) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (9), by striking; and and inserting a semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (10), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
(11) the University of Arkansas to conduct academic research on navigation, supply chain resilience, transportation efficiency, technological modernization, and the management of water resources development infrastructure in the State of Arkansas and on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.
(1) In general
Except as provided in subsection (e), the Secretary shall not pause, terminate, or otherwise defer the initiation, continuation, or completion of any study, project, or activity described in subsection (b).
(2) Resumption of studies, projects, and activities
If the Secretary paused, terminated, or otherwise deferred the initiation, continuation, or completion of any study, project, or activity described in subsection (b) prior to the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall resume that study, project, or activity unless an exception under subsection (e) applies to that study, project, or activity.
(3) Resumption of certain studies
For the purposes of paragraph (2), a study completed prior to the date of enactment of this Act the purpose of which was to develop a recommendation with respect to a congressional authorization for a project or activity, including a congressional authorization to increase the maximum authorized cost of a project in accordance with section 902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2280), shall be considered terminated and subject to resumption if the Secretary completed that study without submitting to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a Chief’s Report or Director’s Report, as applicable, for that study that includes such a recommendation.
(4) Treatment
Resumption of a study, project, or activity under paragraph (2) shall not be subject to a new investment or new start decision.
(5) Congressional notification
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives a list of any study, project, or activity resumed pursuant to paragraphs (2) or (3).
(b) Study, project, or activity described
A study, project, or activity referred to in this section is an authorized study, project, or activity carried out by the Secretary for which—
(1) Congress has specifically appropriated funds in any annual appropriations Act or supplemental appropriations Act for the Corps of Engineers; or
(2) funds have been allocated in a work plan or spending plan that was submitted by the Secretary to the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
(1) In general
The District Engineer of the District of the Corps of Engineers responsible for a study, project, or activity described in subsection (b) shall—
(A) not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, notify the non-Federal interest for that study, project, or activity, in writing, of the status of the study, project, or activity;
(B) not less frequently than every 60 days thereafter, provide the non-Federal interest for that study, project, or activity, in writing or other appropriate means, as determined by that District Engineer—
(i) a current schedule for completion of the study, project, or activity; and
(ii) documentation of funds expended and work items completed;
(C) notify the non-Federal interest for that study, project, or activity, in writing or other appropriate means, as determined by that District Engineer, by not later than 30 days after the date of any—
(i) change to the current schedule for the study, project, or activity; or
(ii) pause, termination, or deferral of the study, project, or activity pursuant to an exception described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (e); and
(D) beginning February 1, 2027, and each February 1 thereafter, notify the non-Federal interest for that study, project, or activity in writing of the capability of the Corps of Engineers for the study, project, or activity in the upcoming fiscal year.
(2) Contents of notification
The notification under paragraph (1)(C)(i) shall include an explanation of the cause of the change to the schedule for the study, project, or activity.
(3) Disclosures to States
In the case of a study, project, or activity described in subsection (b) authorized to be carried out by the Secretary without an agreement with a non-Federal interest, the District Engineer of the District of the Corps of Engineers responsible for that study, project, or activity shall provide the applicable documentation and notifications required by paragraph (1) to the Governor of each State in which the study, project, or activity is carried out.
(1) In general
In the case of a study described in subsection (b) the purpose of which is to develop a recommendation with respect to a congressional authorization for a project or activity, including a congressional authorization to increase the maximum authorized cost of a project in accordance with section 902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2280), the Secretary may not—
(A) complete the study without submitting to Congress a Chief’s Report or Director’s Report, as applicable, for the study that includes such a recommendation;
(B) narrow the purpose or geographic scope of the study relative to the authorized purpose and geographic scope of the study, unless requested in writing by the non-Federal interest for the study;
(C) eliminate or otherwise restrict the alternatives considered as part of that study, without the approval of the non-Federal interest for the study; or
(D) delay progress of the study toward a schedule milestone by a period exceeding 45 days in total under subsections (b) and (c) of section 1001 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 2282c).
(2) Interim chief’s reports
Nothing in this subsection prohibits the Secretary from submitting to Congress an interim Chief’s Report for an actionable element of a project prior to completion of a study described in subsection (b), subject to the following conditions:
(A) Continuation of the study after submission of the interim Chief’s Report shall not be subject to a new investment or new start decision.
(B) The non-Federal interest for the study agrees to the submission of an interim Chief’s Report.
(e) Exceptions
Subsection (a) shall not apply to a study, project, or activity described in subsection (b) if—
(1) the pausing of construction of the project is required to comply with section 902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2280), subject to the condition that the pause does not affect the validation study necessary to support an increase in the maximum authorized cost of the project;
(2) the pausing or deferral of the study, project, or activity is required because the non-Federal interest for that study, project, or activity lacks the capability or willingness to carry out the non-Federal responsibilities required by, as applicable—
(A) section 101, 102, 103, or 105 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2211, 2212, 2213, or 2215);
(B) section 221 of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 1962d–5b); or
(C) the authorization for the study, project, or activity;
(3) the pausing, termination, or deferral of a study, project, or activity is required to comply with a court order or condition of a settlement agreement; or
(4) the pausing, termination, or deferral of the study, project, or activity is requested in writing by the non-Federal interest for the study, project, or activity.
(f) Presumption
A study, project, or activity described in subsection (b) to which no exception under subsection (e) applies shall be presumed to be paused, terminated, or deferred in violation of subsection (a) if—
(1) progress of the study, project, or activity toward a schedule milestone is delayed by a period exceeding 45 days; or
(2) the District Engineer of the District of the Corps of Engineers responsible for that study, project, or activity fails to provide to the non-Federal interest for the study, project, or activity, or to a State, if applicable, any documentation or notification required under paragraph (1) of subsection (c) in accordance with the terms of that subsection.
Section 1116. Coordination
Section 1121 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (33 U.S.C. 2298a; Public Law 118–272) is amended—
(1) by striking The Secretary shall regularly and inserting the following:
(a) In general
Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary shall regularly; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
(b) Implementation
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the databases described in subsection (a) contain data and information that is consistent and compatible with the publicly available data and information on recreational sites under the jurisdictions of other relevant Federal agencies.
Section 1117. Dredging coordination
In carrying out operations and maintenance activities, including dredging, at federally authorized ports and inland and intracoastal waterways, to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall coordinate with relevant Federal agencies, non-Federal project sponsors, and other relevant non-Federal public entities and stakeholders—
(1) on the scope of, and timeline for the completion of, those activities;
(2) to mitigate, to the maximum extent practicable, the impacts on waterways operations, including the safe and efficient movement of vessels, associated with those activities; and
(3) on opportunities to improve communication regarding when those activities are proposed to be carried out.
(1) In general
In this section, the term nonstructural feature, with respect to a project for flood risk management or hurricane and storm damage risk reduction, means methods and techniques for reducing flood and coastal storm risk and damages by adapting to the natural characteristics of a floodplain, including—
(A) structure elevation;
(B) structure floodproofing;
(C) basement filling; and
(D) acquisition of floodplain land and attendant structure demolition or relocation, except as provided in paragraph (2).
(2) Exclusion
The term nonstructural feature does not include any property acquisition and attendant structure demolition or relocation required to implement a structural feature or to mitigate for flooding induced by a structural feature.
(A) In general
The Secretary shall not terminate the charter for the National Nonstructural Committee of the Corps of Engineers established pursuant to the authorities provided to the Secretary under section 206 of the Flood Control Act of 1960 (33 U.S.C. 709a) without specific authorization from Congress.
(B) Stakeholder engagement and community outreach policies
To the maximum extent practicable and consistent with section 206 of the Flood Control Act of 1960 (33 U.S.C. 709a), the National Nonstructural Committee shall prioritize the development of guidance and tools to enhance the use of nonstructural features, when appropriate and consistent with applicable statutory authorities, including through stakeholder engagement and community outreach.
(C) Consultation
The Secretary shall not require a District or Division of the Corps of Engineers to consult with, or provide funding to, the National Nonstructural Committee when that District or Division is carrying out an authorized study or project for flood or coastal storm risk management.
(A) In general
Beginning not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the National Nonstructural Committee, shall establish a working group (referred to in this paragraph as the Nonstructural Working Group) of representatives from Federal agencies with statutory responsibilities related to flood risk management or flood hazard mitigation, State and local governments, and nationally recognized nonprofit organizations with expertise in nonstructural flood risk management to provide individual advice to, and exchange information with, the National Nonstructural Committee—
(i) to advance the execution of flood risk management and hurricane and storm damage risk reduction studies and projects that include nonstructural features; and
(ii) to further the development of technical and policy guidance for the formulation, evaluation, and implementation of nonstructural features.
(i) In general
The Nonstructural Working Group shall meet virtually on not less than a quarterly basis.
(ii) Available to public
Each meeting of the Nonstructural Working Group shall be open and accessible to the public.
(iii) Agenda
The National Nonstructural Committee shall make available on a public-facing website the agenda for each meeting of the Nonstructural Working Group at least 10 days before the date of the meeting.
(iv) Minutes
The National Nonstructural Committee shall make available on a public-facing website the minutes for each meeting of the Nonstructural Working Group not later than 30 days after the date of the meeting.
(C) Access to information
As is necessary and appropriate as determined by the Secretary, the National Nonstructural Committee shall provide participants in the Nonstructural Working Group access to information related to ongoing flood risk management and hurricane and storm damage risk reduction studies and projects that include nonstructural features and technical and policy guidance for the Nonstructural Working Group to carry out the purposes described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A).
(1) In general
On the request of the non-Federal interest for a project for flood risk management or hurricane and storm damage risk reduction that includes nonstructural features at scale, the Secretary shall phase implementation of the nonstructural features by municipality, neighborhood, type of structure, category of nonstructural feature, or other appropriate criterion.
(2) Project partnership agreements
In carrying out a project described in paragraph (1), the Secretary may enter into a separate project partnership agreement with the non-Federal interest for each phase of construction of the nonstructural features.
(3) Multiple non-federal interests
In the case of a project described in paragraph (1) that involves multiple non-Federal interests, the Secretary may enter into separate agreements with each non-Federal interest.
(d) Acquisition and attendant structure demolition or relocation
If requested by a non-Federal interest for a flood risk management or hurricane and storm damage risk reduction project authorized on or after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary—
(1) shall carry out a property acquisition and attendant structure demolition or relocation nonstructural feature included in the project on a voluntary basis; and
(2) may not compel the owner of a structure included in the nonstructural feature to participate in an action described in paragraph (1).
(1) Temporary relocation assistance
Section 8154 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3735; 138 Stat. 3012) is amended—
(A) in subsection (e), by striking 10 years and inserting 12 years; and
(B) in subsection (g)(1), by adding at the end the following:
(G) Project for coastal storm risk management, Rhode Island Coastline, Rhode Island, authorized by section 1401(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3169).
(H) Project for coastal storm risk management, Pawcatuck River, Rhode Island, authorized by section 401(3) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2738).
(I) Project for flood risk management, Tar Pamlico River Basin, North Carolina, authorized by section 1401(7) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3171).
(J) Project for flood risk management, Princeville, North Carolina, under study on the date of enactment of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 under the authority of section 216 of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (33 U.S.C. 549a).
(K) Project for coastal storm risk management, Virginia Beach, Virginia, under study on the date of enactment of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 under the authority of section 1201(9) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3802).
(L) Project for coastal storm risk management, City of Boston, Massachusetts, under study on the date of enactment of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 under resolution of the Senate Committee on Public Works dated September 12, 1969 (91st Congress).
(M) Project for coastal storm risk management, Nassau County Back Bays, New York, under study on the date of enactment of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 under the authority of the Act of June 15, 1955 (69 Stat. 132, chapter 140).
(N) Project for flood risk management, Green Brook, New Jersey, authorized by section 401(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (100 Stat. 4119), under reevaluation on the date of enactment of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026.
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish a pilot program to evaluate the extent to which modifications to the structure elevation nonstructural features of a covered water resources development project to account for minimum design loads and associated criteria for wind risk will enhance the completeness, effectiveness, efficiency, acceptability, and equitable implementation by the Corps of Engineers of those nonstructural features for those covered water resources development projects.
(B) Elements
On the request of the non-Federal interest for a covered water resources development project, the Secretary may include in project costs shared in accordance with the cost share requirements otherwise applicable to the covered water resources development project the costs associated with modifying a structure elevation nonstructural feature of the covered water resources development project to comply with minimum design loads and associated criteria for wind risk as described in subparagraph (A).
(C) Congressional notification
The Secretary shall notify the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives prior to entering into a project partnership agreement providing for a covered water resources development project to be implemented under the pilot program established under this section.
(D) Sunset
The authority to enter into, or amend, a project partnership agreement providing for a covered water resources development project to be implemented under the pilot program established under this section shall expire on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(E) Report to congress
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that includes findings and recommendations of the Secretary with respect to the pilot program established under this section.
(F) Definition of covered water resources development project
In this section, the term covered water resources development project means—
(i) the project for coastal storm risk management, Rhode Island Coastline, Rhode Island, authorized by section 1401(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3169);
(ii) the project for coastal storm risk management, Pawcatuck River, Rhode Island, authorized by section 401(3) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2738);
(iii) the project for coastal storm risk management, Fire Island Inlet to Montauk Point, New York, authorized by section 401(3) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2738); and
(iv) the project for coastal storm risk management, Norfolk, Virginia, authorized by section 401(3) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2738).
Section 1119. In-kind contributions review and technical assistance
Section 221(a)(4) of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 1962d–5b(a)(4)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (B)—
(A) by striking The Secretary may credit and inserting the following:
(i) In general
The Secretary may credit; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
(ii) Phases
On the request of the non-Federal interest, a review carried out by the Secretary to make a determination under clause (i) may be done at key milestones for the design or construction of the project, if the Secretary and the non-Federal interest jointly determine and agree to those milestones.; and
(2) in subparagraph (C), by adding at the end the following:
(iii) Review
The Secretary may accept and expend funds provided by the non-Federal interest to carry out a review described in subparagraph (B)(ii) during the performance of work by the non-Federal interest before the date of execution of a partnership agreement or feasibility cost sharing agreement.
(a) Feasibility studies
The Secretary shall expedite the completion of a feasibility study or general reevaluation report (as applicable) for each of the following projects, and if the Secretary determines that the project is justified in a completed report, may proceed directly to preconstruction planning, engineering, and design of the project:
(1) Project for flood risk management, Cave Buttes Dam, Arizona.
(2) Project for flood risk management, McMicken Dam, Arizona.
(3) Project for flood risk management and ecosystem restoration, Salt River, Rio Salado Oeste, Arizona.
(4) Project for flood risk management, Santa Barbara streams, Lower Mission Creek, California.
(5) Project for coastal storm risk management, Indian River Inlet Sand Bypass Plant, Delaware.
(6) Project for flood risk management, Wailupe Stream Watershed, Honolulu, Hawaii.
(7) Project for flood risk management, Kaiaka–Waialua Watershed, Hawaii.
(8) Project for flood and coastal storm risk management, County of Kauai, Hawaii.
(9) Project for flood risk management and ecosystem restoration, County of Maui, Hawaii.
(10) Project for flood risk management, Coffeyville, Kansas, authorized by section 1201(a)(57) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3053).
(11) Project for flood risk management, Shunganunga Creek, Topeka, Kansas.
(12) Project for navigation, Saginaw River, Michigan.
(13) Modifications to the project for navigation, Middle and West Neebish Channels, Saint Marys River, Michigan.
(14) Project for flood risk management, Rahway River Basin, New Jersey.
(15) Modifications to the project for flood risk management and water supply, Mosquito Creek Lake, Trumbull County, Ohio.
(16) Project for flood and coastal storm risk management, Chincoteague Island, Virginia.
(17) Project for flood risk management, Kanawha River Basin, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina.
(18) Project for flood risk management, Upper Guyandotte River Basin, West Virginia.
(b) Study reports
The Secretary shall expedite the completion of a Chief’s Report or Director’s Report (as applicable) for each of the following projects to be considered for authorization:
(1) Project for navigation, Port of Nome, Nome, Alaska.
(2) Project for aquatic ecosystem restoration, Central Everglades, Florida, authorized by section 1401(4) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (130 Stat. 1713).
(3) Modifications to Central and Southern Florida, Canal 111 (C–111) South Dade Project, Florida, authorized by section 401(7) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2741).
(4) Project for navigation, Port Everglades Harbor, Florida, authorized by section 1401(1) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (130 Stat. 1709).
(5) Project for flood risk management, Upper Des Plaines River and Tributaries, Illinois.
(6) Project for aquatic ecosystem restoration, Smoky Hill Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project, Salina, Kansas, carried out pursuant to section 216 of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (33 U.S.C. 549a).
(7) Project for navigation, Kentucky Lock and Dam, Tennessee River, Kentucky, authorized by section 101(a)(13) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 3664).
(8) Project for flood risk management, Lower Missouri Jefferson City L–142, Missouri, authorized by section 216 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2687).
(9) Project for ecosystem restoration, Lower Osage River Basin, Missouri, authorized by section 201(a)(16) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2670).
(10) Project for coastal storm risk management, New York–New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries, New York and New Jersey.
(11) Project for navigation, Matagorda Ship Channel Improvement Project, Port Lavaca, Texas, authorized by section 401(1) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2734).
(12) Modifications to the project for navigation, Norfolk Harbor, Virginia.
(c) Projects and activities
The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, expedite completion of the following:
(1) Project for flood risk management, Flood Risk Management and Bank Stabilization, Selma, Alabama, authorized by section 8401(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3839).
(2) Modifications to the project for navigation, Homer Harbor, Homer, Alaska, carried out pursuant to section 204 of the Flood Control Act of 1948 (62 Stat. 1181; chapter 771).
(3) Project for flood risk management, Little Colorado River, Winslow, Arizona.
(4) Project for ecosystem restoration, Tres Rios, Arizona.
(5) Project for ecosystem restoration, Salt River, Va Shly–Ay Akimel, Arizona.
(6) Project for ecosystem restoration, Los Angeles River, California.
(7) Project for flood risk management and ecosystem restoration, Murrieta Creek, California.
(8) Project for coastal storm risk management, San Francisco Waterfront, California.
(9) Project for ecosystem restoration, water supply, flood control, and protection of water quality, Central and Southern Florida, Indian River Lagoon, Florida, authorized by section 1001(14) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1051).
(10) Project for flood risk management, Four Rivers Basin, Florida, authorized by section 203 of the Flood Control Act of 1962 (76 Stat. 1183).
(11) Project for ecosystem restoration, Quincy Bay, Illinois, authorized by section 1103 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 652).
(12) Project for flood risk management, Hanapepe River, Hawaii.
(13) Project for flood control, Lower Mud River, Milton, West Virginia, authorized by section 580 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 3790) and modified by section 340 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 2612) and section 3170 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1154).
(14) Project for dam safety modifications, Bluestone Dam, West Virginia, authorized pursuant to section 5 of the Act of June 22, 1936 (49 Stat. 1586, chapter 688).
(d) Additional documents
The Secretary shall expedite the completion of the following documents:
(1) Dredged Material Management Plan for Calumet Harbor, Illinois.
(2) Lower Missouri River Flood Risk and Resiliency System Plan authorized under section 216 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2687).
(3) Lower Mississippi River Comprehensive Management Study authorized under section 213 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2684).
(4) Dredged Material Management Plan for the Cleveland Harbor, Cleveland, Ohio.
(5) Water supply assessment, Cole Rivers Hatchery, Oregon.
(e) Tribal partnership program
The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, expedite completion of the following projects and studies in the following locations under the Tribal partnership program under section 203 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (33 U.S.C. 2269):
(1) Ak–Chin Indian Community project for flood risk management, Arizona.
(2) Gila River Indian Community pilot project, Arizona.
(3) Navajo Nation watershed assessment for the Little Colorado River Basin, Arizona.
(f) Activities
The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, expedite completion of the following activities for operations and maintenance:
(1) Maintenance dredging for the following projects for navigation:
(A) Guilford Harbor, Connecticut.
(B) New Haven Harbor, Connecticut.
(C) Essex River, Massachusetts.
(D) Maurice River, New Jersey.
(E) Salem River, New Jersey.
(F) Appomattox River, Virginia.
(G) Chinook, Washington.
(2) Breakwater repair for the project for navigation, Laupahoehoe Harbor, Hawaii.
(a) Fort Pierce shore protection project, Florida
The Secretary shall expedite the review and coordination of the feasibility study for the project for hurricane and storm damage reduction, Fort Pierce Shore Protection Project, St. Lucie County, Florida, carried out pursuant to section 203(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2231(b)).
(b) Broward and Palm Beach Counties, Florida
The Secretary shall expedite the review and coordination of the feasibility study for flood risk management, Central and Southern Florida Flood Resiliency Study for Broward Basins, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, Florida, carried out pursuant to section 203(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2231(b)).
(d) Raymondville drain project, Texas
The Secretary shall expedite the review and coordination of the feasibility study for the project for flood control, Raymondville Drain Project, Lower Rio Grande Basin, Texas, carried out pursuant to section 203(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2231(b)).
(1) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States (referred to in this section as the Comptroller General) shall initiate a review of the statutory and administrative requirements that govern the contributions of non-Federal interests, including in-kind contributions, to authorized water resources development studies and projects and authorized activities carried out by the Corps of Engineers on a cost-shared basis.
(2) Requirements
In carrying out the review under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall—
(A) assess the extent to which—
(i) the requirements described in that paragraph allow for a contribution from a non-Federal third party; and
(ii) the relevant documents of the Corps of Engineers, including regulations and guidance documents, are consistent with part 200 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); and
(B) identify and describe—
(i) the reasons why non-Federal third party contributions are not allowed, if applicable; and
(ii) the reasons for any inconsistencies identified during the assessment carried out under subparagraph (A)(ii).
(3) Report
On completion of the review under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the review and any recommendations that result from the review.
(1) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall initiate a review of the policies, guidance, and procedures of the Corps of Engineers related to induced flooding determinations associated with—
(A) the alternatives considered by the Corps of Engineers; and
(B) an authorized water resources development project.
(2) Requirements
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall assess—
(A) whether the policies, guidance, and procedures of the Corps of Engineers governing induced flooding exceeds requirements required in accordance with applicable case law;
(B) the impact of induced flooding determinations on the cost and feasibility of alternatives and projects;
(C) the accuracy of methodologies used by the Corps of Engineers to predict induced flooding; and
(D) the extent to which compliance with internal policy results in the additional acquisition of real property or other mitigation measures.
(3) Report
On completion of the review under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the review and any recommendations that result from the review.
(1) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall initiate a review of the engineering and design activities carried out by the Corps of Engineers for water resources development projects.
(2) Inclusions
In conducting the review under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall include an assessment of—
(A) the extent to which the Corps of Engineers enters into a procurement contract with the private sector to carry out the design and engineering work, including any differences across—
(i) the mission areas of the Corps of Engineers; and
(ii) the districts of the Corps of Engineers;
(B) any challenges associated with the procurement of design and engineering services from the private sector, including—
(i) the requirements of the procurement process;
(ii) compliance with statutory requirements and policies of the Corps of Engineers; and
(iii) levels of expertise; and
(C) the potential benefits of the increased use of procurement for design and engineering services from the private sector, including the extent to which that increased use would—
(i) reduce delays and cost overruns of water resources development projects; or
(ii) provide cost savings over the lifecycle of a water resources development project.
(3) Incorporation of prior report
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Comptroller General may incorporate applicable information from the report of the Comptroller General under section 1244(d)(3) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3096).
(4) Report
On completion of the review under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the review and any recommendations that result from the review.
(a) Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should provide the necessary resources to expedite the completion of the documentation necessary to advance 1 or more projects to manage the risk of flooding, including from glacial lake outburst flooding, in Juneau, Alaska.
(b) Expedited completion
To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall expedite the completion of the documentation necessary for managing the risk of flooding in Juneau, Alaska, including—
(1) a technical report;
(2) a report of the Chief of Engineers, if applicable;
(3) a Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations Report, if applicable; and
(4) any additional documentation the Secretary determines is necessary.
(c) Preconstruction planning, engineering, and design
If the Secretary determines, based on the documentation completed under subsection (b), that a project recommended in the documentation is justified and if the project requires an additional authorization from Congress pursuant to that documentation, the Secretary shall proceed directly to preconstruction planning, engineering, and design on the project.
(a) In general
In carrying out the feasibility study for flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, and navigation, Coastal Virginia, authorized by section 1201(9) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (132 Stat. 3802), the Secretary is authorized to use funds made available to the Secretary for water resources development investigations to analyze, at full Federal expense, a measure benefitting Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of another Federal agency.
(b) Savings provisions
Nothing in this section—
(1) precludes—
(A) a Federal agency with administrative jurisdiction over Federal land in the study area from contributing funds for any portion of the cost of analyzing a measure as part of the study described in subsection (a) that benefits that land; or
(B) the Secretary, at the request of the non-Federal interest for the study described in subsection (a), from using funds made available to the Secretary for water resources development investigations to formulate measures to reduce risk to a military installation, if the non-Federal interest shares in the cost to formulate those measures to the same extent that the non-Federal interest is required to share in the cost of the study; or
(2) waives the cost-sharing requirements of a Federal agency for the construction of an authorized water resources development project or a separable element of that project that results from the study described in subsection (a).
Section 1207. National Academy of Sciences study on the Upper Rio Grande Basin
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should consider using existing or future funding provided to the Secretary in an annual appropriations Act to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to carry out the study and report required under section 1230 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3086).
Section 1208. Northern estuaries ecosystem restoration, Florida
To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall expedite the completion and submission of the comprehensive plan for the purpose of restoring, preserving, and protecting the northern estuaries, including the elimination of harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee, Florida, required under section 8215(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3760; 138 Stat. 3138).
(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on the status of the reports described in subsection (b), including any challenges encountered in completing those reports.
(b) Reports described
The reports referred to in subsection (a) are the following:
(1) The report on antecedent hydrologic conditions in the Missouri River basin under section 226 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2697).
(2) The report on recreational boating in the Great Lakes basin under section 8218 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3761).
Section 1210. Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study, Texas
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall—
(1) expedite the completion of the report of the Chief of Engineers for the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study, Texas, carried out pursuant to the matter under the heading investigations under the heading Corps of Engineers—Civil Department of the Army under title IV of the Further Additional Supplemental Appropriations For Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2018 (132 Stat. 76); and
(2) incorporate, as appropriate, in the report described in paragraph (1) any information or recommendations included in the report of findings for the project submitted to Congress pursuant to section 1221 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3082).
(a) In general
In carrying out the feasibility study initiated on September 23, 2022, for modifications to the project for navigation, Honolulu Harbor, Hawaii, authorized by the first section of the Act of March 3, 1905 (33 Stat. 1146, chapter 1482), the first section of the Act of August 8, 1917 (40 Stat. 261, chapter 49), the first section of the Act of July 3, 1930 (46 Stat. 933, chapter 847), and section 101 of the River and Harbor Act of 1954 (68 Stat. 1254), the Secretary shall use the authorities provided to the Secretary under—
(1) section 2006(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2242(a)); or
(2) subsection (b) of section 1148 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3039), notwithstanding any other requirement of that section.
(b) Resumption
If the Secretary terminates the study described in subsection (a) before the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall resume the study without a new start or new investment decision.
(a) Briefing
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on the status of the implementation of section 6002 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (128 Stat. 1349; 134 Stat. 2635).
(b) Requirements
The briefing under subsection (a) shall include—
(1) the actions taken by the Secretary to implement section 6002 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (128 Stat. 1349; 134 Stat. 2635); and
(2) a description of any requirements of that section that remain incomplete, including—
(A) a description of any funding constraints identified by the Secretary that may be impacting the ability of the Secretary to complete those requirements; and
(B) a schedule for the completion of those requirements.
(a) Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1) reports required by Congress should be submitted within a reasonable timeframe and according to statutory requirements;
(2) despite the requirement under subsections (a) and (b) of section 1150 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3040) to issue delayed reports required under previous laws, including the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3691), Congress has not yet received numerous statutorily required reports; and
(3) the Secretary should expeditiously submit the outstanding reports and ensure that any reports required under this division or an amendment made by this division are submitted within the statutory deadlines.
(b) Hydropower report
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Appropriations of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Appropriations of the House of Representatives the latest biennial report on expediting hydropower at Corps of Engineers facilities required under section 1008(c) of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 2321b(c)).
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Charleston Tidal and Inland Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study
The term Charleston Tidal and Inland Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study means the feasibility study for the project for tidal and inland-related flood risk management, Charleston, South Carolina, authorized by section 201(a)(22) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2671).
(2) Charleston Peninsula Coastal Storm Risk Management Project
The term Charleston Peninsula Coastal Storm Risk Management Project means the project for hurricane and storm risk reduction, Charleston Peninsula, South Carolina, authorized by section 8401(3) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3842).
(b) Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1) the City of Charleston faces frequent flooding resulting from the interaction of coastal storm surge, tidal conditions, and precipitation; and
(2) evaluation of these interacting flood drivers, consistent with existing statutory authorities, can improve the efficiency, resilience, and long-term performance of flood risk management infrastructure.
(c) Expedited completion
The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with statutory authorities, collaborate with the non-Federal interest to address coastal and inland flood risk in the City of Charleston and Charleston Peninsula, South Carolina, and expedite the completion of—
(1) the Charleston Tidal and Inland Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study;
(2) the Charleston Peninsula Coastal Storm Risk Management Project; and
(3) any documentation necessary under subsection (d)(1).
(1) In general
On completion of the report of the Chief of Engineers for the Charleston Tidal and Inland Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study, the Secretary shall carry out an analysis to determine whether any features recommended in the report are substantially similar to the features recommended in the report of the Chief of Engineers for the Charleston Peninsula Coastal Storm Risk Management Project.
(2) Incorporation of features
The Secretary may incorporate any features identified under paragraph (1) into the Charleston Peninsula Coastal Storm Risk Management Project, consistent with applicable statutory authorities.
(e) Preconstruction planning, engineering, and design
If the Secretary determines that a project that is the subject of the Charleston Tidal and Inland Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study is justified in a completed report, and if the project requires an additional authorization from Congress pursuant to that report, the Secretary shall proceed directly to preconstruction planning, engineering, and design on the project.
(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on the efforts by the Secretary to address deferred maintenance at recreational sites and facilities under the jurisdiction of the Secretary along the Missouri River, North Dakota, including at Lake Sakakawea.
(b) Requirements
The briefing under subsection (a) shall include a discussion of—
(1) deferred maintenance projects at each site referred to in subsection (a) and the total estimated amount of funding needed to carry out those projects;
(2) strategies identified by the Secretary to reduce the number of projects identified under paragraph (1), including—
(A) previously completed, ongoing, or planned work;
(B) efforts to partner with non-Federal public entities; or
(C) the utilization of public-private partnerships;
(3) annual visitor data for the sites referred to in subsection (a), if available; and
(4) any statutory requirements that limit the ability of the Secretary to enter into agreements with non-Federal public entities or form partnerships with private nonprofit entities for the expansion or enhancement of recreation sites and facilities under jurisdiction of the Secretary.
Section 1216. Sense of Congress on NAS Study
It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary should consider using existing or future funding provided to the Secretary in an annual appropriations Act to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to carry out the study and report required under section 158(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2662).
(a) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on opportunities for the Corps of Engineers to contract with private entities for the design and procurement of dredging vessels owned and operated by the Corps of Engineers.
(b) Requirements
In providing the briefing under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
(1) discuss any current or previous efforts by the Corps of Engineers to contract with private entities for the design and procurement of dredging vessels; and
(2) identify the benefits and challenges, as applicable, associated with such contracts, including any challenges associated with costs and the acquisition process.
(a) In general
Not later than 1 year after enactment of this Act and subject to subsection (c), the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the encroachments identified by the Secretary at the Table Rock Lake project.
(b) Contents
In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall include in the report—
(1) a description of the encroachments identified at the Table Rock Lake project, including, for each encroachment—
(A) the location coordinates or GIS data;
(B) the total land quantity;
(C) the structure type;
(D) the estimated initial date of existence; and
(E) any supporting evidence, such as photographs and surveys;
(2) an assessment of any impacts that the encroachments may have on the authorized purposes of the Table Rock Lake project; and
(3) any claims of historical use, boundary disputes, or other contextual factors provided by the owner of an encroachment identified in the report.
(c) Limitation
The report under subsection (a) shall only apply to encroachments on the portion of the Table Rock Lake project located in the State of Missouri.
(d) Table Rock Lake project
In this section, the term Table Rock Lake project means the Table Rock Lake project of the Corps of Engineers, located in Missouri and Arkansas, authorized as one of the multipurpose reservoir projects in the White River Basin by section 4 of the Act of June 28, 1938 (52 Stat. 1218, chapter 795).
Section 1220. Maximization of beneficial use in dredged material management plans
Section 1130(d)(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (33 U.S.C. 2326 note; Public Law 118–272) is amended—
(1) by striking the period at the end and inserting; and;
(2) by striking to the maximum extent practicable, prioritize and inserting the following: “to the maximum extent practicable—
(A) prioritize; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
(B) be developed for a period of not less than 20 years.
(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on the implementation of section 8136 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (10 U.S.C. 2667 note; Public Law 117–263) (referred to in this section as section 8136).
(b) Requirements
The briefing under subsection (a) shall include a discussion of—
(1) the status of the guidance required under section 8136, including an estimated timeline for completion;
(2) any leases that exceed 25 years entered into by—
(A) the Chief of Engineers pursuant to section 2667 of title 10, United States Code; or
(B) the Secretary pursuant to section 4 of the Act of December 22, 1944 (commonly known as the Flood Control Act of 1944) (58 Stat. 889, chapter 665; 16 U.S.C. 460d); and
(3) any challenges with the implementation of section 8136, as identified by the Secretary.
(a) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the extent to which the publicly owned surface transportation infrastructure in the Mobile River or Mobile Bay, Alabama, impacts the ability of the Corps of Engineers to carry out activities for the operation and maintenance of, or potential modifications to, the project for navigation, Mobile Harbor, Alabama, authorized by section 201(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (100 Stat. 4090).
(b) Requirements
In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall coordinate with relevant State agencies, local agencies, and stakeholders in the State of Alabama.
Section 1223. Wehrspann Lake, Nebraska
The Secretary shall—
(1) complete an Integrated Deficiency Report for the spillway basin at the Wehrspann Lake, authorized as part of the project for flood protection and other purposes, Papillion Creek Basin, Nebraska, by section 203 of the Flood Control Act of 1968 (82 Stat. 743); and
(2) submit the findings of that report to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on shoreline management plans for water resources development projects of the Corps of Engineers and opportunities to enhance recreation and economic development at those projects.
(b) Requirements
The briefing under subsection (a) shall include a discussion of—
(1) the process for reviewing and revising shoreline management plans, including—
(A) any opportunities for relevant non-Federal public entities to request such reviews; and
(B) any recommendations to improve that process;
(2) the extent to which recreation and economic development opportunities are considered when developing or revising a shoreline management plan; and
(3) the implementation status of section 164 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2668), including—
(A) any structures or improvements identified by the Secretary as suitable for enhanced development pursuant to subsection (a) of that section; and
(B) any challenges with implementing that section.
Section 1226. Watershed and river basin assessments
Section 729(d) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2267a(d)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (17), by striking and at the end;
(2) in paragraph (18), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
(19) Ohio River Basin, Pennsylvania;
(20) Peachtree Creek and Nancy Creek Basins, City of Atlanta, Georgia;
(21) Muskegon River Watershed, Michigan; and
(22) Humboldt River Watershed, Nevada.
(a) In general
In carrying out the study for ecosystem restoration, Imperial Streams Salton Sea, California, authorized by resolution of the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate on April 28, 2016 (114th Congress, 2d Session), the Secretary shall not exclude a measure or alternative from consideration or selection solely because the measure or alternative is located on land under the jurisdiction of another Federal agency.
(b) Savings provisions
Nothing in this section—
(1) precludes—
(A) a Federal agency with administrative jurisdiction over Federal land in the study area from contributing funds for any portion of the cost of analyzing a measure as part of the study described in subsection (a) that benefits that land; or
(B) the Secretary, at the request of the non-Federal interest for the study described in subsection (a), from using funds made available to the Secretary for water resources development investigations to formulate measures to restore such Federal land, if the non-Federal interest shares in the cost to formulate those measures to the same extent that the non-Federal interest is required to share in the cost of the study; or
(2) waives the cost-sharing requirements of a Federal agency for the construction of an authorized water resources development project or a separable element of that project that results from the study described in subsection (a).
(a) In general
The Secretary is authorized to carry out a study for flood risk management and hurricane and storm damage reduction in Greater Providence, Rhode Island (including the municipalities of Providence, North Providence, Pawtucket, East Providence, Johnston, Cranston, Warwick, West Warwick, East Greenwich, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, and North Kingstown).
(b) Scope
In carrying out the study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
(1) formulate alternatives to address comprehensive flood risk as described in section 8106 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (33 U.S.C. 2282g);
(2) evaluate measures—
(A) to reduce residual risk associated with the project for coastal storm risk management, Rhode Island Coastline, Rhode Island, authorized by section 1401(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3169); and
(B) to supplement the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier, including a new hurricane barrier at Fields Point; and
(3) adopt a 100-year period of analysis.
Section 1229. Briefing on status of certain activities on Missouri River
Section 1228 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3086) is amended to read as follows:
Section 1228. Briefing on status of certain activities on Missouri River
Not later than 30 days after the date on which the final biological opinion under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536) for the operation of the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System, the operation and maintenance of the Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project, and the operation of the Kansas River Reservoir System is published, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on the outcomes of the final biological opinion, including a discussion of the data included in the final biological opinion.
(a) Report
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on efforts by the Secretary and the Alaska District of the Corps of Engineers to implement Executive Order 14153 (90 Fed. Reg. 8347; relating to unleashing Alaska's extraordinary resource potential) (referred to in this section as the Executive Order).
(b) Inclusions
The report under subsection (a) shall include a discussion of—
(1) the staffing level of the Alaska District of the Corps of Engineers and any future staffing needs to ensure full compliance with the Executive Order;
(2) procedures implemented by the Secretary to comply with the Executive Order, including procedures for environmental review and permitting processes; and
(3) any challenges identified by the Secretary that may hinder the ability of the Secretary to fully implement the Executive Order.
Section 1231. Non-Federal project implementation pilot program
Section 1043(a)(7) of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 2201 note; Public Law 113–121) is amended by striking the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act and inserting September 30, 2030.
Section 1232. Oceanside, California
Section 1210 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3077) is amended to read as follows:
(a) In general
The Secretary—
(1) shall—
(A) subject to subparagraph (B), expedite the completion of the study of plans for mitigation and beach restoration authorized by section 414 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 2636);
(B) in carrying out the study described in subparagraph (A), consult with the relevant State and local agencies on the alternatives being evaluated under that study; and
(C) to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with applicable statutory requirements, produce a report of the Chief of Engineers with a recommended plan for mitigation and beach restoration that—
(i) avoids the incorporation of seawalls, jetties, berms, groins, breakwaters, or other physical structures;
(ii) incorporates natural features and nature-based features (as those terms are defined in section 1184(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (33 U.S.C. 2289a(a))); and
(iii) is based on updated sediment sampling and analysis; and
(2) may, if the Secretary determines that the mitigation and beach restoration plans described in the study described in paragraph (1)(A) are technically feasible and environmentally acceptable, proceed directly to preconstruction planning, engineering, and design of the mitigation and beach restoration work.
(b) Locally preferred plan
If the plan recommended for the study described in subsection (a)(1)(A) is not the locally preferred plan, the Secretary shall carry out the locally preferred plan if the City of Oceanside agrees to pay any costs of the locally preferred plan that exceed the costs of the recommended plan.
(a) Report
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Engineer Research and Development Center, shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the operation of hydrokinetic energy technologies in the Mississippi River for additional energy generation.
(b) Inclusions
In developing the report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall include a discussion of—
(1) any benefits associated with the use of hydrokinetic energy technologies in the Mississippi River;
(2) the potential impacts on the authorized purposes of water resources development projects located along the Mississippi River that may result from the installation and operation of hydrokinetic energy technologies in the Mississippi River; and
(3) any applicable permits or approvals that would be necessary for the installation of hydrokinetic energy technology in the Mississippi River.
(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a briefing on the implementation of section 1154 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3045) and the amendments made by that section.
(b) Requirements
The briefing under subsection (a) shall include a discussion of—
(1) the projects at recreation sites and facilities under the jurisdiction of the Secretary that received funding in a work plan submitted to Congress pursuant to the joint explanatory statement for an annual appropriations Act under which the Corps of Engineers receives funding consistent with section 210(b)(4) of the Flood Control Act of 1968 (16 U.S.C. 460d–3(b)(4)); and
(2) any challenges associated with implementation of section 1154 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3045) and the amendments made by that section.
Section 1235. Expedited modification of existing feasibility studies
The Secretary shall expedite the completion of the following feasibility studies, as modified by this section, and if the Secretary determines that a project that is the subject of the feasibility study is justified in the completed report, may proceed directly to preconstruction planning, engineering, and design of the project:
(1) Washington Metropolitan Area, Washington, District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia
The study for water supply for the Washington Metropolitan Area, Washington, District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, authorized by section 8201(a)(14) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3745), is modified to include the phased investigation of long-term and large-scale backup water supply solutions.
(2) Delaware Inland Bays watershed, Delaware
Section 1201(a)(29) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3051) is amended by inserting regional sediment management, after hurricane and storm risk reduction,.
(3) Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Section 1201(a)(81) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (138 Stat. 3054) is amended by inserting and ecosystem restoration after flood risk management.
(a) In general
In carrying out the feasibility study for modifications to the project for flood risk management, Hoosic River, Massachusetts, authorized by section 204(a)(2)(L) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2677), the Secretary shall—
(1) use the authority provided to the Secretary under section 118(c) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 2201 note; Public Law 116–260); and
(2) evaluate the application of methodologies to address distributional effects, consistent with relevant guidance of the Office of Management and Budget.
(b) Resumption
If the Secretary terminates the study described in subsection (a) prior to the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall resume the study without a new start or new investment decision.
(a) In general
The Secretary may periodically conduct wildfire risk assessments to reduce risk and recovery costs associated with wildfire and post-wildlife impacts to federally authorized dams, reservoirs, and associated infrastructure under the jurisdiction of the Corps of Engineers in the State of Arizona.
(b) Considerations
In conducting a wildfire risk assessment under this section, the Secretary shall consider and identify—
(1) wildfire exposure risks that may affect the ability of the Corps of Engineers to carry out authorized purposes, including navigation, flood control, hydropower, water supply, recreation, and aquatic ecosystem restoration;
(2) corresponding risks to communities that could occur in the event of failure of the dam, reservoir, or associated infrastructure due to wildfire exposure;
(3) the functionality of the dam, reservoir, and associated infrastructure regarding post-wildfire risk, including any known or estimated impacts associated with excess sedimentation and debris flows;
(4) available studies, information, literature, or data from relevant Federal, State, or local entities; and
(5) mitigation strategies to increase the capability of the Corps of Engineers to prepare for and respond to wildfire risk affecting the dam, reservoir, and associated infrastructure.
Section 1402. Surf City and North Topsail Beach, North Carolina
Beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the project for coastal storm risk management, Surf City and North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, authorized by section 7002(3) of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (128 Stat. 1367), is modified to deauthorize the portion of the project known as North Topsail Beach, in accordance with the Supplemental Report of the Chief of Engineers dated December 9, 2025.
Section 2001. Definition of Administrator
In this division, the term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(a) Emergency grant program
Section 1442(d) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–1(d)) is amended by striking $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 and inserting $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
(b) Technical assistance to small public water systems
Section 1442(e)(5) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–1(e)(5)) is amended by striking $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 and inserting $26,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
(a) In general
Section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–12) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking subparagraph (G) and inserting the following:
(G) Additional uses of funds
In addition to any use otherwise authorized under this section, amounts in a State loan fund may be used for—
(i) addressing emerging contaminants in drinking water, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which may include—
(I) capital investments to facilitate assessment and monitoring;
(II) identification or development of alternative supply options where treatment is impractical; and
(III) at the discretion of the State, prioritizing projects addressing emerging contaminants in drinking water, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in communities located in drought-prone regions that rely on groundwater aquifers as a primary or secondary source of drinking water, including communities within an aquifer designated by the Administrator as a sole source aquifer;
(ii) lead service line (as defined in section 1459B(a)) replacement projects and associated activities directly connected to the identification, planning, design, and replacement of lead service lines (as so defined); and
(iii) a project that—
(I) improves drinking water service while also providing wildfire suppression benefits; and
(II) is located in—
(aa) a community located in an area with a high risk for fire or wildfire, in the built or natural environment, as evidenced by a State wildfire map or a geospatial map generated pursuant to section 210(a) of the Wildfire Suppression Funding and Forest Management Activities Act (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; Public Law 115–141); or
(bb) a rural community.;
(2) in subsection (g)(3)—
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting and after the semicolon at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking; and and inserting a period; and
(C) by striking subparagraph (C);
(3) in subsection (m), by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
(1) In general
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the purposes of this section—
(A) $3,750,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
(B) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
(C) $4,250,000,000 for fiscal year 2029; and
(D) $4,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2030.; and
(4) by striking subsection (t).
(1) In general
Section 1452(g)(2)(A) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–12(g)(2)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(iii) Determination of grant amounts
The amount of grant awards described in clause (ii)(II)(cc) shall be determined based on the total amount appropriated to the Administrator each fiscal year to carry out this section, including, if applicable, any items of Community Project Funding or Congressionally Directed Spending for a drinking water project that are referenced in a provision of an Act making appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) Updated guidance
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall update any applicable guidance to reflect the amendment made by paragraph (1).
(a) In general
Section 1459A of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–19a) is amended—
(1) in subsection (j)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting (including emerging contaminants, with a focus on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) after a contaminant; and
(2) by striking subsection (k) and inserting the following:
(b) Drinking Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability
Section 1459A of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–19a) is amended—
(1) in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking (j) and (m) and inserting (j), (l), and (m); and
(2) in subsection (l)—
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
(1) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Eligible entity
The term eligible entity means an entity that—
(i) is—
(I) a public water system;
(II) a water system that is located in an area governed by an Indian Tribe;
(III) a State, on behalf of an underserved community; or
(IV) an institution of higher education that has an institute of cybersecurity and an established partnership with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, if the institution of higher education is in partnership with an entity described in subclause (I), (II), or (III); and
(ii) serves a community—
(I) that, under affordability criteria established by the State under section 1452(d)(3), is determined by the State—
(aa) to be a disadvantaged community; or
(bb) to be a community that may become a disadvantaged community as a result of carrying out a project or activity under this subsection; or
(II) with a population of less than 10,000 individuals that the Administrator determines does not have the capacity to incur debt sufficient to finance a project or activity under this subsection.
(B) Natural hazard; resilience
The terms natural hazard and resilience have the meanings given those terms in section 1433(h).;
(B) in paragraph (2)—
(i) by striking 2026 and inserting 2030; and
(ii) by striking for the purpose of increasing resilience to natural hazards. and inserting the following: for the purposes of—
(A) increasing resilience to natural hazards; and
(B) reducing cybersecurity vulnerabilities.;
(C) in paragraph (3)—
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting or reduces cybersecurity vulnerabilities after natural hazards; and
(ii) by striking subparagraph (F) and inserting the following:
(F) the development and implementation of measures—
(i) to increase the resilience of the eligible entity to natural hazards; or
(ii) to reduce cybersecurity vulnerabilities.;
(D) in paragraph (4)—
(i) in subparagraph (B), by inserting or potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities, as applicable, after natural hazard risk;
(ii) in subparagraph (C)—
(I) by striking of the natural and inserting the following: of—
(i) the natural;
(II) in clause (i) (as so designated), by adding and after the semicolon at the end; and
(III) by adding at the end the following:
(ii) the potential cybersecurity vulnerability to be addressed;
(iii) in subparagraph (D), by inserting or cybersecurity events after natural hazard events;
(iv) in subparagraph (E), by inserting or cybersecurity vulnerabilities after anticipated natural hazards; and
(v) by striking subparagraph (F) and inserting the following:
(F) explains how the proposed program is expected—
(i) to enhance the resilience of the community water system of the eligible entity to the anticipated natural hazards; or
(ii) to reduce cybersecurity vulnerabilities.; and
(E) in paragraph (6), by striking $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 and inserting $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
Section 2104. Reducing lead in drinking water
Section 1459B(e) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–19b(e)) is amended by striking $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 and inserting $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
Section 2105. Operational sustainability of small public water systems
Section 1459E(h) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–19f(h)) is amended by striking $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 and inserting $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
Section 2106. Midsize and large drinking water system infrastructure resilience and sustainability program
Section 1459F(f)(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–19g(f)(1)) is amended by striking $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 and inserting $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
Section 2107. Voluntary school and child care program lead testing and reduction grant program
Section 1464(d) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–24(d)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking 4 percent and inserting 15 percent; and
(2) by striking paragraph (8) and inserting the following:
Section 2108. Indian Reservation Drinking Water Program
Section 2001 of the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (42 U.S.C. 300j–3c note; Public 115–270) is amended by striking subsection (g) and inserting the following:
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Critical water supply need
The term critical water supply need means an existing or reasonably anticipated future water supply need that cannot be met by existing water supplies, as identified in a comprehensive Statewide or regional water supply plan or assessment projected over a planning period of not less than 20 years.
(2) Digital infrastructure technology
The term digital infrastructure technology means information technology or operational technology that utilizes—
(A) remote sensing, flow or pressure monitoring, real-time pollutant or water monitoring, management, analytics, data, or acoustic data collection tools and technologies that may detect or reduce water loss, identify damaged or nonfunctioning infrastructure, or improve the efficiency, reliability, or resiliency of the operations of a public water system or treatment works;
(B) industrial control systems, including supervisory control and data acquisition technology;
(C) artificial or embedded intelligence, or other intelligent optimization tools;
(D) hydraulic analysis, digital design software, and advanced digital design and construction management tools or software that may aid in the development of digital models and engineering plans; and
(E) real-time data acquisition to support predictive aquifer recharge through water reuse and stormwater management capabilities.
(3) Eligible entity
The term eligible entity means—
(A) the owner or operator of a publicly owned public water system or treatment works that serves—
(i) a rural area; or
(ii) an area of a State that is experiencing a critical water supply need; and
(B) a State or Indian Tribe, on behalf of an entity described in subparagraph (A).
(4) Program
The term program means the grant program established under subsection (b)(1).
(5) Public water system
The term public water system has the meaning given the term in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f).
(6) Rural area
The term rural area has the meaning given the term rural community in section 221(f)(2)(B)(i) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1301(f)(2)(B)(i)).
(7) Treatment works
The term treatment works has the meaning given the term in section 212 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1292).
(1) Establishment
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator shall establish a grant program to provide infrastructure assistance to eligible entities in accordance with this subsection to design, construct, and maintain digital infrastructure technology.
(2) Form of grants
The Administrator may award a grant under the program to assist an eligible entity in—
(A) designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining digital infrastructure technology for water infrastructure, source water protection, and water development projects in rural areas, including for—
(i) facilities that supply, collect, and treat water, including drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater, including through desalination and water reuse;
(ii) water distribution and wastewater conveyance systems; and
(iii) the protection or development of surface water or groundwater resources, including through banking or recharging of aquifers;
(B) providing training and workforce development activities to help project and construction managers and owners and operators of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities manage water infrastructure projects using digital infrastructure technology; and
(C) mitigating risks and employing countermeasures to reduce the vulnerabilities of digital infrastructure technology for water infrastructure from cyber-attacks through on-site cybersecurity training and technical assistance.
(3) Prioritization
In selecting recipients of grants under the program, the Administrator shall give priority to eligible entities that—
(A) own or operate public water systems or treatment works that serve fewer than 3,300 people; or
(B) serve people or comprise people that, as determined by the Administrator, are most in need, such as—
(i) pre-fabricated home community organizations or associations that are controlled by a local public body; and
(ii) other organizations that—
(I) own or operate a public water system or treatment works; and
(II) are owned or controlled by members of the community served by the public water system or treatment works.
(c) Applicability of other Federal and State laws
Nothing in this section waives, limits, or otherwise affects the applicability of any provision of Federal or State law that would apply to a project to be carried out with grants provided under the program.
(d) Government Accountability Office report
Not later than 5 years after the date on which grant funds are first disbursed to eligible entities under subsection (b), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that—
(1) identifies—
(A) water loss and inadequate fire flow capacity in public water systems that serve rural areas;
(B) potential bottlenecks in combined sewer systems that serve rural areas that could prevent an overflow in a wastewater infrastructure system caused by extreme precipitation or excess runoff; and
(C) models and simulations that are effective in assessing the challenges of water resource management in rural areas;
(2) makes recommendations for—
(A) developing water resource management plans to accommodate population growth in rural areas;
(B) prioritizing areas for improvement of the infrastructure and operations of public water systems and treatment works in rural areas;
(C) maximizing interoperability of digital infrastructure technology with other systems, products, tools, and applications;
(D) reducing project delays and cost overruns in water infrastructure projects that serve rural areas;
(E) reducing the total cost of drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in rural areas;
(F) understanding the impact of digital infrastructure technology in rural areas on sustainability and resiliency of a public water system or treatment works; and
(G) using digital infrastructure technology to increase the affordability of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater services in rural areas; and
(3) evaluates the results of the program.
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Contaminant
The term contaminant has the meaning given the term in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f).
(2) Eligible entity
The term eligible entity means a State, municipality, Tribal government, or other entity that—
(A) serves a community with a public water system that demonstrates elevated levels of lead, perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, or other drinking water contaminants above the applicable maximum contaminant level for the contaminant; and
(B) is undertaking or expects to undertake an effort to remediate the elevated level described in subparagraph (A) through a project of not less than 120 days in length.
(3) Maximum contaminant level
The term maximum contaminant level has the meaning given the term in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f).
(4) Pilot program
The term pilot program means the pilot program established under subsection (b).
(5) Public water system
The term public water system has the meaning given the term in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f).
(b) Establishment
Subject to the availability of appropriations, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a pilot program to competitively award grants to eligible entities to purchase and distribute point-of-use filtration systems certified to reduce 1 or more contaminants to below the maximum contaminant level of that contaminant.
(c) Selection; prioritization
In selecting the recipient of grants under the pilot program, the Administrator shall—
(1) give priority to eligible entities that include in the application for a grant under the pilot program a detailed plan for remediation, including expected timelines for projects that are expected to last for not less than 120 days; and
(2) ensure that recipients of grants are evenly distributed among areas served by each regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(d) Report
Not later than 2 years after the date on which the pilot program is established, the Administrator shall submit a report describing the results of the pilot program, including interest in the pilot program relative to available funding, to—
(1) the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
Section 2201. Research investigations, training, and information
Section 104(u) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1254(u)) is amended—
(1) by striking (g); and (8) and inserting (g); (8); and
(2) by striking subsection (b)(8). and inserting subsection (b)(8); and (9) not to exceed $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030 for carrying out subsections (b)(3), (b)(8), and (g), of which not less than $50,000,000 shall be used to carry out subsection (b)(8)..
Section 2202. Pilot program for alternative water source projects
Section 220(i)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1300(i)(1)) is amended by striking $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 and inserting $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
Section 2203. Sewer overflow and stormwater reuse municipal grants
Section 221(f)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1301(f)(1)) is amended by striking $280,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 and inserting $280,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
Section 2204. Grants for construction and refurbishing of individual household decentralized wastewater systems for individuals with low or moderate income
Section 226(e)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1302d(e)(1)) is amended by striking $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 and inserting $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
(a) Eligible projects
Section 603(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1383(c)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (11)(B), by striking and at the end;
(2) in paragraph (12)(B), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
(13) for projects otherwise described in this subsection that address emerging contaminants, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which may include capital investments to facilitate assessment and monitoring.
(1) In general
Section 603 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1383) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(l) Determination of grant amounts
The amount of grant awards described in subsection (d)(7) shall be determined based on the total amount appropriated to the Administrator each fiscal year to carry out this title, including, if applicable, any items of Community Project Funding or Congressionally Directed Spending for a clean water project that are referenced in a provision of an Act making appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) Updated guidance
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall update any applicable guidance to reflect the amendment made by paragraph (1).
(a) America's Water Sector Workforce Initiative
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall update the America's Water Sector Workforce Initiative of the Environmental Protection Agency with a focus on the development of a water sector workforce in small and rural communities.
(b) Innovative water infrastructure workforce development program
Section 4304(c) of the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (42 U.S.C. 300j–19e(c)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (3)—
(A) in subparagraph (D)(iii), by striking and at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
(F) training related to cybersecurity in the water sector.; and
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 and inserting $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
Section 2207. Grants to Alaska to improve sanitation in rural and Native villages
Section 303 of the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 1263a) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by inserting, including operations and maintenance for emergency repairs when necessary before the period at the end; and
(2) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
(a) Funding
Section 5033 of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 3912) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
(4) Fiscal years 2027 through 2030
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this subtitle $65,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030, to remain available until expended.; and
(2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking 2026 and inserting 2030.
(b) Agency reporting
Section 5034(a) of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 3913(a)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking and at the end;
(2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
(2) the average amount of time each application is processed by the Administrator and the Office of Management and Budget before obligation of funding; and.
Section 2209. Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Control Infrastructure Technologies
Section 50217(b)(4)(A) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (33 U.S.C. 1302f(b)(4)(A)) is amended by striking 2022 through 2026 and inserting 2027 through 2030.
(a) Congressional declaration of purpose
Section 103(4) of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10302(4)) is amended by inserting, including the growing artificial intelligence industry, after private industry.
(b) Water resources research and technology institutes
Section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10303) is amended—
(1) in subsection (f)—
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking subsection 104(g) of this Act and inserting subsection (g); and
(B) by striking the subsection designation and all that follows through Any sums in paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
(2) in subsection (g)—
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking (2) Research funds and inserting the following:
(B) in paragraph (1)—
(i) in the third sentence, by striking Funds made and inserting the following:
(3) Availability of funds
Funds made; and
(ii) by striking by institutes which focuses in the first sentence and all that follows through Such funds when appropriated in the second sentence and inserting the following: by institutes with respect to any of the following:
(A) Research that focuses on water problems and issues of a regional or interstate nature beyond those of concern only to a single State.
(B) Research that relates to specific program priorities identified jointly by the Secretary and the institutes.
(C) Research that relates to water problems identified by Congress as being of an interstate nature.
(C) by striking the subsection designation and all that follows through 2025 in the first sentence of paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
(1) In general
Of the amounts made available under subsection (f)(1) for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030, 20 percent shall be used.
Section 2211. Enhanced aquifer use and recharge
Section 124(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1276(c)) is amended by striking $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 and inserting $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
Section 2301. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Section 118(c)(7)(J) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1268(c)(7)(J)) is amended by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:
(i) In general
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $475,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
Section 2303. Columbia River Basin Restoration
Section 123(d)(6) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1275(d)(6)) is amended by striking $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021 and inserting $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
Section 2304. National Estuary Program
Section 320(i)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1330(i)(1)), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), is amended by striking $26,500,000 and all that follows through 2026 and inserting $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
(1) Definitions
In this subsection:
(A) Administrator
The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(B) Commission
The term Commission means the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission.
(C) Program
The term Program means the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program established by section 120 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1270).
(2) Report
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report assessing the effectiveness of the Commission in serving as the fiscal agent for the Program.
(3) Consultation
In developing the report under paragraph (2), the Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, consult with members of the Management Conference established by section 120(a)(1) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1270(a)(1)).
(4) Contents
The report under paragraph (2) shall—
(A) review how the Commission has fulfilled its role as fiscal agent for the Program, including executing payroll, paying bills and other obligations, developing and executing funding agreements, and acting as a fiduciary for the Program; and
(B) make recommendations on—
(i) how to improve the role of the Commission as fiscal agent for the Program; and
(ii) whether a new fiscal agent should be selected to replace the Commission as fiscal agent for the Program.
Section 2306. Southeast New England program
Title I of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(a) Definition of coastal watersheds of southeast new england
In this section, the term coastal watersheds of southeast New England means all of the watersheds of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts that drain into coastal waters between Long Island Sound and the Gulf of Maine.
(b) Establishment
There is established in the Environmental Protection Agency a program, to be known as the Southeast New England Program (referred to in this section as the Program).
(c) Purpose
The purpose of the Program shall be to protect, enhance, and restore the coastal watersheds of southeast New England by developing, funding, and advancing implementation of protection and restoration projects in collaboration with partners across the southeast New England region.
(1) In general
In carrying out the Program and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Administrator may award grants to support and carry out projects in the coastal watersheds of southeast New England that assist in—
(A) eliminating or reducing pollution;
(B) restoring contaminated sites;
(C) protecting or restoring ecosystems or habitats;
(D) improving water quality;
(E) monitoring watersheds to evaluate trends;
(F) reducing stormwater runoff;
(G) promoting resilience of the coastal watersheds;
(H) supporting workforce development, training, or education initiatives that contribute to the health of the coastal watersheds of southeast New England; or
(I) providing technical assistance in carrying out projects described in subparagraphs (A) through (G).
(2) Eligible recipients
An entity eligible for a grant under this subsection is—
(A) a State;
(B) a county or local government, or a subdivision of such a government;
(C) a federally recognized Indian tribe;
(D) a regional planning organization;
(E) a nonprofit organization; and
(F) an institution of higher education.
(e) Coordination
The Administrator shall coordinate the actions of Federal agencies that affect water quality and the living resources of the coastal watersheds of southeast New England to improve those resources and enhance efficiency.
(3) Administrative expenses
Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1) in a fiscal year, not more than 5 percent may be used for administrative expenses.
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Community water system
The term community water system has the meaning given the term in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f).
(2) Natural hazard
The term natural hazard has the meaning given the term in section 1433(h) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300i–2(h)).
(3) Treatment works
The term treatment works has the meaning given the term in section 212 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1292).
(4) Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center
The term Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center means the Information Sharing and Analysis Center referenced in section 1435(d) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300i–4(d)).
(b) Establishment
Subject to the availability of appropriations, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop and carry out a program—
(1) to encourage, support, and maintain the participation of community water systems, treatment works, and other appropriate entities in the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center;
(2) to offset costs incurred by community water systems and treatment works that are necessary to maintain or initiate membership in the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center;
(3) to expand the cooperation and coordination of the Environmental Protection Agency with the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center with respect to incident data collection and analysis of water sector-related threats; and
(4) to enhance the tools, resources, and materials of the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center for—
(A) monitoring the status of the water sector; and
(B) enhancing the preparedness of community water systems and publicly owned treatment works to identify, protect against, detect, respond to, and recover from malevolent acts (within the meaning of section 1433 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300i–2)) or natural hazards.
(c) Report
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that—
(1) describes—
(A) the state of cybersecurity in the water sector; and
(B) any significant challenges that the water sector faces with respect to cybersecurity; and
(2) identifies any legislative changes recommended by the Administrator in order for the Administrator to better assist the water sector with cybersecurity.
Section 2402. Combating plastic waste
Section 302(g) of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (33 U.S.C. 4282(g)) is amended, in each of paragraphs (1) and (2)—
(1) by inserting in after described; and
(2) by striking 2025 and inserting 2030.
(a) Revision required
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall revise such regulations as the Administrator determines to be appropriate, including sections 144.7 and 146.4 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, to provide for exemptions that allow the use of nonpotable aquifers for Class VI wells.
(b) Regulatory requirement
In carrying out the revisions required under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall designate an aquifer, or portion of an aquifer, as an aquifer subject to the exemption described in subparagraph (A) if—
(A) the aquifer, or portion of the aquifer, does not currently serve as a source of drinking water; and
(B) the aquifer, or portion of the aquifer, cannot now and will not in the future serve as a source of drinking water; or
(A) the total dissolved solids content of the ground water from the aquifer, or portion of the aquifer, is more than 3,000 mg/l and less than 10,000 mg/l; and
(B) the aquifer, or portion of the aquifer, is not reasonably expected to supply a public water system.