H.R. 10387119th CongressIntroduced Sep 15, 2026

To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to authorize the Secretary of the Army to carry out additional Great Lakes fishery and ecosystem restoration projects not eligible under current policy of the Department of the Army, and for other purposes.

IntroducedWater Resources DevelopmentSubstantive

Sponsor: Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9]
Committees: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (primary)
Last action: Oct 1, 2026

Bottom line

This bill establishes a $20 million federal spending cap per project for Great Lakes fishery and ecosystem restoration efforts under existing law.

What it actually does

This bill amends Section 506 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 by adding a new subsection (g) that imposes a federal spending cap on Great Lakes fishery and ecosystem restoration projects. Specifically, it mandates that the total federal amount expended for any single project carried out under this section shall not exceed $20,000,000.

Proponents argue

Supporters would argue that this bill promotes fiscal responsibility and ensures that federal funds for Great Lakes restoration are distributed across a wider array of projects rather than being concentrated on a few potentially very large ones. This cap could encourage more localized, cost-effective projects and ensure broader regional impact and greater accountability for federal spending.

Opponents contend

Opponents might contend that imposing a $20 million cap could hinder the ability to undertake comprehensive, large-scale restoration projects that are often necessary for significant ecological impact in complex Great Lakes ecosystems. They might argue that major projects often exceed this limit, potentially fragmenting efforts or making critical, integrated restoration unfeasible.

The bill text is extremely short and can be read in under a minute, making it highly accessible for public review and evaluation.

Section 1, amending Section 506 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000

Federal Spending Cap for Great Lakes Restoration Projects

prominently featuredstraightforward

This provision adds a new subsection (g) to Section 506 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000. It mandates that the total federal funds spent on any single Great Lakes fishery and ecosystem restoration project carried out under this section cannot exceed $20,000,000. This sets a hard limit on the federal contribution to individual projects, aiming to control costs and potentially influence the scale and number of projects undertaken.

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupU.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)ImpactOperational constraintMechanismDirect statutory limitation on project funding, requiring adjustments in project planning and execution for Great Lakes restoration.ScaleAffects all future projects under this section.

GroupState and local governments, environmental organizations, and communities in the Great Lakes regionImpactProject planning and funding strategy adjustmentMechanismMay necessitate breaking larger projects into smaller components, seeking alternative funding for projects exceeding the cap, or re-evaluating the feasibility of certain large-scale initiatives.ScalePotentially impacts the scope and scale of future restoration efforts across the region.

Supporters argue

Supporters argue this cap promotes fiscal prudence and ensures a wider distribution of federal funds across numerous smaller, impactful projects, rather than concentrating resources on a few potentially very expensive endeavors. It encourages efficiency and cost-effectiveness in restoration planning and execution.

Critics contend

Critics might argue that this cap could severely limit the ability to address large-scale, complex ecological challenges in the Great Lakes that often require investments exceeding $20 million. They contend it could lead to fragmented restoration efforts or leave critical, costly projects unfunded, ultimately compromising comprehensive environmental recovery.

Tradeoffs

The bill balances the desire for fiscal control and broad project distribution against the potential need for large-scale, comprehensive restoration efforts that may exceed the proposed funding cap. It creates a tension between maximizing the number of projects and maximizing the impact of individual projects.

About this analysis. AI-Generated from the official bill text and available committee reports. Gaps in available data are noted explicitly. Verify important details with the official Congress.gov record.