Gila Herald Staff Reports
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ06) celebrated the bipartisan passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 in the House on Monday, highlighting key provisions designed to strengthen water infrastructure, flood management, and drought resilience across Southern Arizona.
The broad water infrastructure package (H.R. 9497) passed the House in an overwhelmingly bipartisan 415-9 vote.
Reauthorized by Congress typically every two years, WRDA authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to launch new water projects and update guidelines for existing programs. While the legislation does not directly appropriate funds, it makes designated projects eligible to receive future federal funding.
“Southern Arizona leads the way in water conservation, and I’m fighting every day to make sure we stay ahead,” Ciscomani said in a statement following the vote. “This bill is a direct result of listening to our communities, turning Arizona priorities into action, and getting things done. I fought hard to secure crucial provisions that will strengthen the infrastructure families rely on in our district, safeguard Pinal County from devastating floods, invest in Tucson’s water future, and deliver resources for rural communities.”
Infrastructure and Regional Provisions
Among the key measures Ciscomani secured in the House-passed bill are several environmental infrastructure authorizations for Southern Arizona communities:
- Western Rural Water: $23.125 million authorized to modernize drought-strained systems, improve agricultural irrigation efficiency, and ensure water security for rural families.
- Tucson: $23.125 million authorized to ease infrastructure strain from commercial growth and support municipal water services.
- Pima County: $7 million authorized for a new authority to replace a water conveyance system servicing Tucson Mountain Park and provide bank protection along Lee Moore Wash.
- Dudleyville Flood Study: Authorization for a new U.S. Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study focusing on flood risk management along the Welton Wash corridor in Dudleyville.
Pinal County Supervisor Stephen Miller praised the inclusion of the Dudleyville study, noting that heavy storm events frequently flood local roads along Welton Wash, leaving them impassable and creating safety risks for residents.
The bill also establishes a new Office of Water Supply, Water Conservation, and Drought Resiliency within the Corps Directorate of Civil Works, directs the development of wildfire contingency strategies for water projects, and funds research into natural infrastructure for dryland streams in arid regions.
Following passage in the House, the measure now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.
