This comprehensive legislation, titled the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, focuses on enhancing the nation's rivers, harbors, and water resources. It seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) in delivering water resources development projects, conserving water, and managing related resources. The bill introduces significant reforms and authorizations across various aspects of the Corps' civil works mission. A core component of the bill is the establishment of several new program offices within the Directorate of Civil Works. These include the Office of Inland Navigation Construction Management to oversee waterways projects, the Office of Water Supply, Water Conservation, and Drought Resiliency to promote related initiatives, and the Office on Technical Assistance and Community Outreach to aid non-Federal interests. Additionally, an Office on Alternative Delivery Methods is created to streamline project execution and leverage non-Federal partnerships. The legislation addresses contracting efficiency by encouraging multiyear contracts and mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of their benefits. It also provides liability protection for the Secretary of the Army during contaminated sediment removal or remediation activities conducted under approved joint plans. A new **Levee Owners Board** is established to provide recommendations to the Secretary and Congress on levee system reliability and the Corps' levee safety program. Improvements to permitting and project studies are central to the bill. It requires the Secretary to establish **categorical permissions** for certain activities to expedite the permitting process and mandates an electronic system for permit application submission and tracking. Project study schedules and cost estimates are streamlined, with an emphasis on vertical integration and acceleration, and new requirements for congressional and public notification of study progress and costs. The bill modifies several **continuing authority programs**, including establishing a new program for flood risk management improvements to existing projects and updating the program for drought resiliency studies and projects. It also mandates that dredged material management plans provide for a minimum of 10 years of placement capacity and improves coordination in dredging activities, including updating regulations for the **Federal standard for dredged material disposal or placement** to align with beneficial use goals. Further provisions include a rulemaking process for levee certifications to evaluate risk assessment methodologies and a sense of Congress that all funds from the **Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund** should be allocated annually. It also updates policies on minimum real estate interest and appraisal validity, and expands watershed and river basin assessments. Notably, the bill prohibits the diversion of water from the Missouri River for use outside Missouri River States without gubernatorial approval. Disaster preparedness is enhanced through provisions on disaster debris removal and the development of **wildfire contingency strategies** for water resources projects. Environmental initiatives include adding a project to environmental dredging authorizations, allowing indirect costs for aquatic plant and invasive species control, and expanding the harmful algal bloom demonstration program. The bill also emphasizes the benefits of **natural and nature-based features** in project evaluations and outlines a policy for the Corps to fully utilize all its authorities and missions. The legislation clarifies federal policy on comprehensive flooding and nonstructural approaches, ensuring equal consideration for structural and nonstructural features in flood risk management studies. It also mandates the realignment of certain Corps districts and requires the Secretary to update Corps policies to comply with the Act. Provisions for reporting and oversight include various reports to Congress on project information, workforce needs, and specific studies, as well as GAO and Inspector General studies on Corps operations. Title II authorizes numerous new feasibility studies for water resources development projects across various states, covering flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, navigation, and coastal storm risk management. It also expedites the completion of several ongoing studies and reports, including those for watershed assessments and dredged material management plans. Title III includes deauthorizations of inactive projects, general reauthorizations for existing programs, and specific conveyances of federal property. Environmental infrastructure funding is significantly expanded, with new authorizations and increased caps for water and wastewater infrastructure projects in communities nationwide. The bill also modifies existing projects, such as incorporating forecast-informed reservoir operations at additional sites and updating floodplain management services. Specific deauthorizations are made for portions of projects in California, Minnesota, New York, and South Carolina. Finally, Title IV authorizes specific new water resources infrastructure projects for navigation, flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, and hurricane and storm damage risk reduction, along with modifications to existing projects. It also expedites the completion of various projects under continuing authorities programs and other specific projects. Title V amends the National Dam Safety Program Act, extending authorizations for dam safety activities and modifying definitions related to dam types.