APWA Sends Letter of Support for Water Resources Development Act of 2026

June 30, 2026

Chairman Sam Graves, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
1135 Longworth House Office Building
Washington DC 20515

Ranking Member Rick Larsen, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
2163 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington DC 20515

Dear Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen,

The American Public Works Association (APWA) represents 32,000 public works professionals across North America who serve in both the public and private sectors providing expertise at the local, state and federal government levels. Working in the public interest, our members plan, design, build, operate, and maintain, America’s vast infrastructure network that is so fundamental to our economy, environment, public health, and safety. This includes water infrastructure such as ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, and water supply, wastewater treatment, stormwater, drainage and flood control systems.

APWA would like to express our appreciation for your commitment to evolving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) processes and our support for the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, including provisions that:

• Protect passive receivers during removal or remediation of contaminated sediment from dredging.
• Modernize the project application process by creating an electronic portal that can be used to submit and track permit applications and ensuring it is compatible with e-NEPA.
• Further codify the part of non-Federal entities, such as public works departments, in the project process and ensure they are at the table during project discussions.
• Reaffirm that nonstructural approaches to water resources and comprehensive flood risk management are apart of USACE’s mission.
• Support the long-term growth of the water workforce.

Every day, public works professionals work diligently to protect and maintain the critical infrastructure that is so essential to protecting our health and quality of life. APWA looks forward to continuing to work with you and your staff on this legislation to help public works professionals meet our water infrastructure challenges. If you have
questions or comments regarding this letter or APWA’s water priorities, please contact APWA Government Affairs Manager Leah Harnish at lharnish@apwa.org or 202-218-6727.

Sincerely,
Vic Bianes Scott D. Grayson, CAE
APWA President Chief Executive Officer