ALSOBROOKS JOINS EPW COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP IN INTRODUCING THE WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2026

July 14, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, joined U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the EPW Committee, Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the EPW Committee, Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Chairman of the EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the EPW Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife Subcommittee in introducing the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA 2026).

The Water Resources Development Act is biennial legislation that authorizes flood risk management, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). WRDA 2026 also reauthorizes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) drinking water and wastewater infrastructure programs, including the State Revolving Funds (SRFs).

Senator Alsobrooks is proud of the real results for Maryland included in this legislation:

Environmental Infrastructure Implementation

• Amends Section 219, which authorizes the Army Corps to assist non-federal partners with local environmental infrastructure and water-related projects, to allow non-federal interests to lead design and construction and receive reimbursement for the federal share of costs, which will streamline implementation and lower costs.

Potomac River Basin Water Supply Study

• Much of Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Washington, DC, and parts of Northern Virginia rely on the Potomac River for drinking water. If the river were contaminated by a chemical spill, major infrastructure failure, or other emergency, there is only a limited amount of stored treated water available. The Army Corps has noted that some systems have only 24 to 48 hours of supply if the Potomac became unusable. This study will evaluate long-term and large-scale secondary water supply options in the Potomac River Basin, primarily for Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and DC.

Assateague Island Shoreline Restoration

• Assateague Island has been eroding at an accelerated rate and is extremely vulnerable to breaching. This bill authorizes a study to extend federal participation in the shoreline restoration project.

Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery Program Authorization Increase

• The Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery Program focuses on the restoration and rehabilitation of reef habitat to provide for self-sustaining native oyster populations and associated fish and wildlife habitat within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The program is roughly $38M away from its authorized cap of $120M. The bill increases authorized funds for the oyster recovery program from $120,000,000 to $150,000,000, allowing for critical oyster recovery work to continue.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Re-Watering Cost Share Adjustment

• Under previous WRDA authorities, the federal government is responsible for 65 percent of project costs, and the City of Cumberland is responsible for 35 percent of the project costs. This high cost ratio is overly burdensome for Cumberland's budget, and work is currently halted for the project. The cost share for the C&O re-watering project is adjusted from 65-35 to 90-10, allowing the Corps and Cumberland to begin to move forward with the project. The project will restore and rewater the historic C&O Canal terminus, supporting downtown revitalization, tourism, and economic development while complementing Cumberland's broader flood risk management efforts.

Mussel Restoration Authorization

• Adds mussels to the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery Program, allowing Maryland to continue its mussel restoration work.

"As Ranking Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, I am so proud of this bipartisan effort and the commitment we've had to advancing this critical legislation. I'm especially proud to have fought for provisions that deliver real results for Maryland-from increasing the federal cost share for the Cumberland flood risk management project to extending federal participation in the Assateague Island Shoreline Restoration and authorizing a funding increase for the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery Program. We're working together to modernize our infrastructure, protect our habitats, accomplish our environmental goals, and support communities across the country and Maryland. That is worth celebrating," said Senator Alsobrooks.

"The Army Corps of Engineers conducts essential work to modernize water resources infrastructure, manage risk from floods and coastal storms, and improve navigation along our waterways and at Ports. This work protects lives and property, and bolsters our economy. As Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I am proud to have led this bipartisan effort in crafting WRDA 2026, which will provide the Army Corps with the resources it needs to continue its critical work nationwide. WRDA 2026 will also help provide West Virginia with vital funds to address our water infrastructure needs. This bill includes key wins for West Virginia and all fifty states. I hope to see it move forward with strong bipartisan support during Wednesday's business meeting," said Chairman Capito.

"Our markup to advance this significant package of legislation demonstrates a bipartisan commitment to maintaining and upgrading the nation's water infrastructure. The Ocean State stands to benefit much from this bill, which supports investments in safe drinking water and wastewater systems as well as flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, and navigation," said Ranking Member Whitehouse.

"Under both Republican and Democrat leadership, members of the Environment and Public Works Committee have worked together to pass a bipartisan Water Resources Development Act every two years through regular order. This year's WRDA is a testament to the continued cooperation of the committee, especially the leadership of Chairman Capito and Ranking Member Whitehouse. The bill delivers wins for communities across North Dakota and the nation by authorizing critical water infrastructure programs, advancing efforts to streamline project delivery, and pursuing key regulatory reforms. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this done," said Senator Cramer.

"Our bipartisan legislation will provide critical resources to address water supply, conservation and development, advance resilient water infrastructure, and deliver clean drinking water to millions of Americans. In California, these investments will lower rising water bills, provide necessary flood protection, and modernize aging infrastructure to ensure reliable access to safe drinking water," said Senator Schiff.

The bill text is available here.

A section-by-section overview of the bill is available here.

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