WRDAs provide members of Congress the opportunity every two years to authorize US Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works (Corps) projects to improve the nation’s ports and harbors, the inland waterway navigation network, flood and storm protection, and other water resources infrastructure. WRDA-authorized projects of the Corps are locally driven projects that deliver regional and national benefits. These projects have national, regional, and local significance and help strengthen the nation’s global competitiveness, grow the economy, move goods throughout the country and abroad, protect communities, and create jobs.

The most recent WRDA, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, was signed into law on January 4, 2025. Congress has enacted a bipartisan WRDA every two years since 2014, making the upcoming bill the seventh consecutive bipartisan WRDA.

These projects originate at the local level and go through a rigorous vetting process before they may be considered for inclusion in a WRDA. WRDAs allow Congress to have direct involvement in what projects the Corps studies and, ultimately, constructs. This legislation also provides Congress the opportunity to address program and policy reforms within the civil works program to help projects get built safely and efficiently, and in a more cost-effective way.

WRDA projects typically require two separate authorizations from Congress: (1) the authority to study the feasibility of a project, followed by (2) the authority to construct, operate, and/or maintain the project. Completed feasibility studies are submitted to Congress in the form of a Chief’s Report from the US Army Corps of Engineers Chief of Engineers. If the results and recommendations contained in the Chief’s Report are favorable, a construction authorization for the project can be included in a future WRDA. The costs for feasibility studies and construction are generally split between a non-federal sponsor and the Corps.