Bill Summary
The "Community Water Project Acceleration Act" is legislation aimed at expediting the approval process for certain water resources development projects by designating them as categorically excluded from the requirements for environmental assessments or impact statements, as mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Key provisions of the Act include:
1. **Categorical Exclusions**: Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary of the Army must designate specific water projects that meet certain criteria as exempt from NEPA requirements. These criteria include projects carried out under specific federal programs (like continuing authority or environmental infrastructure assistance programs) and projects where the construction is managed by a non-federal sponsor.
2. **Cost Limitations**: The projects eligible for categorical exclusion must either have a federal cost share of less than $6 million or a federal cost share of less than 15% with a total project cost not exceeding $35 million.
3. **Regulatory Framework**: Additionally, the Secretary of the Army is required to establish regulations to implement these exclusions within 150 days after the Act's enactment.
Overall, this legislation aims to streamline the process for funding and initiating community water projects, potentially accelerating their development and implementation.
Possible Impacts
The "Community Water Project Acceleration Act" could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Faster Access to Water Resources Projects**: By categorically excluding certain water resource projects from the lengthy environmental assessments typically required, this legislation could lead to quicker approval and implementation of necessary water infrastructure projects. Communities, especially those in underserved areas, may benefit from improved access to clean water and better irrigation systems more rapidly than under previous regulations.
2. **Reduced Costs for Local Governments**: With the federal government spending less than $6 million or a smaller percentage of larger projects, local governments or non-federal sponsors may find it more feasible to pursue important water projects without the burden of extensive federal environmental review processes. This could alleviate financial pressures on local budgets and allow for the reallocation of funds to other critical community services.
3. **Environmental Concerns and Community Health Risks**: While the expedited process could lead to faster project completion, it may also raise concerns about environmental impacts. Bypassing thorough environmental assessments could lead to unforeseen negative consequences, such as pollution or habitat destruction, which might affect local communities' health and well-being. Residents may become concerned about the adequacy of environmental protections associated with these expedited projects.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4120 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4120
To designate certain categorical exclusions for water resources
development projects, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 17, 2026
Mr. Kelly (for himself and Ms. Lummis) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To designate certain categorical exclusions for water resources
development projects, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Community Water Project Acceleration
Act''.
SEC. 2. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall designate as an
action categorically excluded from the requirements relating to
environmental assessments or environmental impact statements under the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) any
water resources development project--
(1) carried out under--
(A) a continuing authority program (as defined in
section 7001(c)(1)(D) of the Water Resources Reform and
Development Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 2282d(c)(1)(D))); or
(B) an environmental infrastructure assistance
program;
(2) for which the construction work will be performed by
the non-Federal sponsor; and
(3)(A) the Federal share of the cost of which is less than
$6,000,000; or
(B) the Federal share of the cost of which is less than 15
percent and the total project cost of which is not more than
$35,000,000.
(b) Regulations.--Not later than 150 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall promulgate
regulations to carry out subsection (a).
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