House Passes Major Water Resources Bill with Pappas Provisions

This month the House passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, which included provisions fought for by Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

“Strong water infrastructure means strong communities and a strong economy. That’s why I worked to secure robust commitments for New Hampshire in this year’s Water Resources Development Act,” said Congressman Pappas. "This will help New Hampshire address drinking water, wastewater, and other water infrastructure needs by Granite Staters in addition to creating good-paying jobs and strengthening our regional economy. I urge the Senate to pass it now so that we can ensure these federal dollars are delivered to the communities that need them.”

Specifically, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026: 

• Quadruples authorized funding for New Hampshire for Environmental Infrastructure projects to help address drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure needs, from $25 million in 2024 to $122.5 million in 2026.
  • This includes $15 million for the Springfield Water System Precinct in New London and $1.5 million for the Sullivan County Drinking Water Storage Project in Sullivan County. 
• Increases the authorization for the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams from $60 million annually to $80 million annually and reauthorizes the entirety of the National Dam Safety Program through 2031 which will help ensure funding opportunities for the nearly 200 high hazard classified dams throughout New Hampshire.
• Expands the types of assistance the Secretary can provide under the Floodplain Management Services Program to include supporting states’ development of integrated floodplain management programs and adding rural communities as a priority area for technical assistance. 
• Requires a report on impacts of commercial and industrial water supply users, such as data centers, on Water Resources Development Projects within one year of enactment.
• Requires a report on the condition of flood control structures including locks, levees, and dams along waterways to determine the structural importance and identify any necessary repairs to maintain future reliability of inland waterways.

Background:

The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Civil Works Program for projects to improve the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of our water resources infrastructure. WRDA-authorized projects of the Corps are locally-driven projects that deliver local, regional, and national benefits. These projects help strengthen the nation’s global competitiveness, grow the economy, move goods throughout the country and abroad, protect communities especially during severe storms, provide recreation opportunities for communities, and create jobs.