Larsen’s Water Resources Bill Passes House

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02)’s Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA 2026) passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 415 to 9. The bipartisan, biennial bill protects Northwest Washington’s environment, supports Columbia River Treaty negotiations and authorizes critical investments in Northwest Washington ports, inland waterways, flood management systems and other water resources infrastructure. “Today’s House passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 is great news for ports, harbors and inland waterways in the Pacific Northwest and across the country,” said Rep. Larsen, who is the top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “From expanding funding opportunities to restore ecosystems on Spencer Island to authorizing a study to mitigate Nooksack River flooding, WRDA 2026 continues bipartisan efforts to improve water resources infrastructure, create good-paying jobs and protect communities from natural disasters. I look forward to working with the Senate to pass a final WRDA 2026 into law.” Since 2014, Congress has enacted a water resources development bill every two years to help improve the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation system, flood and storm risk management, aquatic ecosystems and other aspects of water resources infrastructure. WRDA 2024 passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and included many of Rep. Larsen’s local priorities, including funding environmental infrastructure assistance to Western Washington state communities and expanding the Tribal Partnership Program (TPP) to make it easier for the Army Corps of Engineers to partner with Northwest Tribes on projects. Washington State Wins in WRDA 2026 WRDA 2026 invests in Washington state priorities, including restoring the Puget Sound, addressing Nooksack River flooding and ensuring that critical Corps projects across the state can continue. Wins for Washington in WRDA 2026 include: Nooksack River Flooding: Authorizes a new feasibility study for flood risk reduction in the Nooksack River, which Whatcom County can use for long-term planning to address flooding concerns. Rep. Larsen has been working with local leaders to develop a plan to address Nooksack River flooding. Earlier this year, he advocated for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief funds to help communities recover from December 2025’s devastating floods, and he has championed FEMA flood mitigation grant funding so that local communities can prepare for future floods. Disaster Debris Removal: Reforms how the Corps writes emergency debris removal contracts after floods to minimize harmful impacts to property and wildlife, and directs the Secretary of the Corps to ensure protection of healthy vegetation, important habitats, and vulnerable wildlife when setting standard contract terms. This provision will protect local ecosystems while cleaning flood debris in the Skagit River and other local rivers from December 2025’s floods. Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters (PSAW): Increases the per project funding cap to $20 million, ensuring projects like Spencer Island restoration in Snohomish County continue to move forward. In 2018, Rep. Larsen successfully included an amendment in WRDA 2018 to increase the per project cap for PSAW to $10 million . Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP): Allows the Corps to cost-share the relocation of related infrastructure for PNSERP projects at Lilliwaup Estuary, Tahuya Estuary, Snow Creek and Salmon Creek and Nooksack Estuary. Rep. Larsen previously worked to authorize $451 million for PSNERP in WRDA 2016. The Puget Sound is the largest estuary by water volume in the United States. Rep. Larsen's bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the National Estuary Program through 2031 and protect estuaries around the country passed the House last December. Columbia River Treaty : Extends temporary authority for the United States to pay for pre-planned storage of water in Canada while United States and Canada continue to negotiate a new Columbia River Treaty. The United States’ current authority expires in 2027. The hydropower that the Columbia River Treaty provides benefits towns and cities across Northwest Washington, and Rep. Larsen has advocated for the Columbia River Treaty’s renewal for over a decade. Rep. Larsen supports efforts to negotiate a modern Columbia River treaty that manages flood risks and ensures a reliable clean energy supply, and he is working with local stakeholders to gather input ahead of negotiations. Preventing Invasive Aquatic Species: Clarifies that indirect costs incurred by non-federal partners remain eligible for credit or reimbursement under the Corps’ Watercraft Inspection authority, which funds state efforts to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species. Invasive golden, quagga and zebra mussels continue to expand their footprint in the Pacific Northwest. Early detection monitoring, watercraft inspection and decontamination and eradication efforts are critical to preventing further spread. Lower Columbia River Channel Maintenance: Clarifies that the cost of constructing a dredged material disposal facility for operation and maintenance of the Lower Willamette and Lower Columbia River is a federal responsibility that can be drawn from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF). These facilities are necessary for dredging operations to maintain the Columbia River waterway, which moves over $31 billion in cargo annually and supports 40,000 local jobs . Lower Columbia River Turning Basin: Authorizes the Chief’s Report for Lower Columbia Turning Basin improvements. Traffic has continued to grow in the Lower Columbia River, with an increase in larger vessels that need room to safely turn and park. These improvements will allow for the better positioning of vessels, increase opportunities to use nearby tug service and improve efficient movement of vessels transporting goods. HMTF Allocations for Donor and Energy Transfer Ports: Removes discretion for the Administration to ensure it fully utilizes a provision in WRDA 2020 requiring specific funding allocations from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to donor and energy transfer ports. The Ports of Seattle and Tacoma are donor ports. Office of Technical Assistance and Community Outreach : Creates an Office of Technical Assistance and Community Outreach within the Corps to help communities that may have difficulty navigating the Corps’ planning and construction processes. This office will serve as a one-stop-shop for directing communities to existing programs that assist with affordability concerns, address unique needs, and provide support for any stage of a Corps project. Corps Study Process : Requires the Corps and the non-federal sponsor to establish an agreed-to timeframe (with milestones) for studies, and to allow the non-federal sponsor to request time extensions based on project complexity and sponsor’s goals. For the legislative text of WRDA 2026, click here . For a summary of WRDA 2026, click here . ###