To provide for improvements to the rivers and harbors of the United States, to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
ReportedReported by Mr. Carper, with an amendment
Reported by Mr. Carper, with an amendment
Reported by Mr. Carper, with an amendment
Reported by Mr. Carper, with an amendment
Reported by Mr. Carper, with an amendment
Reported by Mr. Carper, with an amendment
Reported by Mr. Carper, with an amendment
Reported by Mr. Carper, with an amendment
Reported by Mr. Carper, with an amendment
Reported by Mr. Carper, with an amendment
Summary
What This Bill Does
This bill authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct water resources development projects across the United States, including flood risk management, navigation improvements, ecosystem restoration, and water supply projects. It streamlines the Corps' project approval processes and expands partnerships with state, local, and tribal governments.
Who Benefits and How
- State and local governments benefit from increased federal cost-sharing (federal share increased from 65% to 75% for inland waterway projects) and reduced financial burdens for water infrastructure projects.
- Tribal nations gain expanded authority to directly implement water projects and increased eligibility for the Tribal Partnership Program, improving access to water infrastructure.
- Universities and research institutions (West Virginia University, Delaware State University, University of Notre Dame, Mississippi State University) receive authorization for federal funding to conduct water resources research.
- Shipping and navigation industries benefit from improved inland waterway infrastructure and harbor projects.
- Communities in flood-prone areas receive authorization for flood risk management studies and projects.
Who Bears the Burden and How
- Federal taxpayers bear increased costs as the federal cost-share for inland waterway projects rises from 65% to 75%, shifting costs from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund to the general Treasury.
- The Army Corps of Engineers faces increased reporting requirements to Congress, including 90-day implementation plans, regular briefings, and notifications on project decisions.
- Non-federal project sponsors must still meet cost-sharing requirements (though ability-to-pay provisions provide some relief for economically disadvantaged communities).
Key Provisions
- Increases federal cost-share for inland waterway projects from 65% to 75%
- Establishes a Tribal Project Implementation Pilot Program allowing tribes to directly manage construction projects
- Authorizes dozens of new feasibility studies and construction projects for flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration
- Creates the Levee Owners Advisory Board to improve coordination on levee safety
- Expands environmental infrastructure programs in multiple states
- Authorizes water resources research partnerships with universities
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
Authorizes water resources development projects and studies by the Army Corps of Engineers for flood risk management, navigation, ecosystem restoration, and water supply across the United States.
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Authorize and streamline federal water infrastructure projects while expanding partnerships with tribal, state, and local governments and shifting more costs to the federal general fund"
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of the Army
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of the Army
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of the Army
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of the Army
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
The Secretary of the Army
Has the meaning given the term in section 403 of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act (25 U.S.C. 3202)
A project that the Secretary determines to be within a drought-affected area and for which the Secretary may provide drought assistance
A non-Federal interest that owns and operates and maintains a levee system that was constructed by the Corps of Engineers
A project or activity eligible to be carried out under the Tribal partnership program under section 203 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000
A stream or body of water that does not meet water quality standards pursuant to section 303(d) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology