Water Resources Development Act of 2026: Stakeholder Priorities

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republicans held a hearing on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, focusing on stakeholder priorities related to water resources, flood control, navigation, and port infrastructure. Witnesses from various organizations, including the National Waterways Conference, Midwest Flood Control Association, HNTB infrastructure firm, and the Port of Long Beach, testified on the importance of maintaining a consistent biennial WRDA cycle to support critical water infrastructure projects. Key topics included the need for improved communication and collaboration between the Army Corps of Engineers, nonfederal sponsors, and Congress; challenges with project delays, cost escalations, and permitting processes; the importance of funding for harbor maintenance and dredging, especially for donor and energy ports; and the potential benefits of expanded use of public-private partnerships to accelerate project delivery. Concerns were raised about recent Department of Defense communication policies hindering timely information sharing, as well as the impact of flow frequency studies on levee accreditation and flood insurance. The hearing emphasized the critical role of WRDA in supporting economic growth, national security, and community resilience against flooding and climate change impacts.