Water Resources Development Act of 2006

The Water Resources Development Act of 2006 (H.R. 2864) authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out a wide range of projects aimed at improving the nation’s water infrastructure, including flood control, navigation, and environmental restoration. For citizens, the bill’s primary impact includes the construction of stronger levee systems and storm damage protections in coastal and riverine areas, as well as the maintenance of waterways essential for commercial shipping and recreational boating. Notably, the legislation includes significant provisions for restoring the Louisiana coastal ecosystem following the damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and it establishes a national program to inventory and inspect the safety of levees across the country. Additionally, the bill introduces new transparency measures, such as independent expert reviews for large-scale projects and a public online tracking system for wetland mitigation efforts.