2026 Water Resources Development Act moves forward
The 2026 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is on its way to the full U.S. House.
The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Tuesday unanimously passed the over $6 billion bipartisan legislation that lays out the federal government’s priorities to improve and maintain the country’s ports, inland waterways, and more.
Committee Chair Sam Graves, of Missouri, says the legislation, which has been passed every two years since 2014, is an important example of Congress working together.
“WRDA 2026 makes targeted and common-sense reforms to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deliver resilient infrastructure through the country that will enhance our nation’s navigable waterways, solidify our flood risk management, and protect our waters,” he says.
Members of both sides of the aisle pointed out maintaining the nation’s inland waterway system is vital to the economy and agriculture. Ohio’s Dave Taylor told the committee, “The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 establishes programs vital to the Ohio River, like the Office of Inland Navigation Construction, and reforms the Army Corps operations to speed up project timelines.”
The bill also authorizes numerous community water projects across the country. Arizona’s Greg Stanton says, “The bill advances strong drought resiliency provisions, a new Office of Water Supply and Drought Resilience, a new continuing authority program for small drought projects, and new authorities to tackle invasive species and restore water storage capacity.”
However, Ohio’s Emilia Sykes reminded the committee that this is only the first step.
“The authorization bills alone do not bring funding home to my district or yours without the necessary appropriation.” She says, “I would encourage the Appropriations Committee to actually appropriate the funds that we authorize.”
In a release, The Fertilizer Institute applauded Congress for advancing the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) saying the legislation also includes the proposed creation of the Inland Navigation Construction Organization (INCO), an important step toward improving the maintenance, modernization, and long-term reliability of our nation’s inland waterway system.
By: Jared White
Source: Brownfield News