Deluzio Secures Water Infrastructure Wins for Western PA in Biennial Water Resources Bill
Deluzio successfully included provisions in the Water Resources Development Act that passed out of committee today
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17), a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, voted to pass H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (otherwise known as WRDA) out of committee. This biennial, bipartisan legislation successfully passed out of committee unanimously.
The WRDA bill is a comprehensive legislative package that authorizes language for conservation, water, and the development of water and water-related resources. It authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, to conduct studies, construct projects, and research activities that can improve rivers and harbors of the United States. Next, the bill heads to the House Floor for debate and vote.
“Rivers run through Western Pennsylvania and connect our region economically, geographically, and culturally,” said Congressman Deluzio. “I am proud that I was able to include some important provisions in the 2026 water resources bill that will support the waterways in our region, help direct more funding to our watershed, and support the people who work or play on or around our rivers.”
Specifically, the additions that Congressman Deluzio successfully advocated for in this year’s WRDA bill are:
Studying Recreation on the Allegheny River as a Focus of Future Funding Opportunities
This request authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to study the addition of recreation on the Allegheny River as a project purpose.
Adding recreation as a project purpose would allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Pittsburgh District to compete for recreation funding in the annual O&M budget and appropriations process.
Expand Army Corps of Engineers Collaborations Across Pennsylvania
The Army Corps has a funding account that allows the Corps to collaborate with states, tribes, or local governments on public health and environmental protection projects
Current authorization covers counties in Southwest and South Central Pennsylvania. This request would make modifications to the authorization to make all of Pennsylvania eligible for this fund.
This adjustment would open the account to a wider range of stakeholders for future projects.
Report on the Inherent Governmental Functions of the Army Corps Park Rangers
USACE Park Rangers provide continuity of operations to ensure federal authority is always on-site on Army Corps’ federal property to detect and report suspicious activity and respond to evolving threats.
The report would assess the inherent governmental role of these Park Rangers and their importance to the USACE.
Recognizing the Importance of Ohio River Basin
Language specifies the importance of the Ohio River and the Ohio River Basin for recreational, environmental, and navigation needs for the region.
The Ohio River connects Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, New York, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and South Carolina.
Require Reporting on Proposed Changes to USACE Geographic Boundaries
Some of the USACE regulatory boundaries are aligned to states, but elsewhere—including the division serving Western Pennsylvania—the boundaries try to map to the watershed.
A sudden change in the boundaries could impact ongoing projects and employees. In the case that boundaries are reconsidered, this amendment would require the Secretary of Transportation to make a comprehensive report ahead of modifying any of the geographic boundaries of an Army Corps division.
Separately from this bill, Congressman Deluzio successfully fought for funding to do much-needed upgrades to the Montgomery Locks and Dam system in Beaver County, PA. This is a major U.S. Army Corps project in Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District that powers the regional economy. Congressman Deluzio most recently secured more than $183 million to conduct the final upgrades on the century-old locks and dam system, without disrupting the flow of ships and goods. Here is a video on this important modernization project.
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