Proposed Federal Water Infrastructure and Research Amendments

The Frame

What this does

This legislation directs the Department of the Interior to conduct feasibility studies and authorizes new funding levels for water infrastructure and forecasting programs, which will determine the scope and federal support for regional water projects through 2031.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System, Inc.

The entity is designated as the non-Federal partner for the Dakota Mainstem feasibility study.

Western Dakota Regional Water System, Inc.

The entity is designated as the non-Federal partner for the Western South Dakota feasibility study.

Colorado River Storage Project power contractors

These contractors must be consulted regarding the Glen Canyon Dam feasibility study and funding sources.

Indian Tribes

Tribes are now explicitly included in the Cooperative Watershed Management Program and may qualify for grants based on ancestral land status.

What changed

Last recorded activity June 24, 2026.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for 2027 proposes several new water-related studies, program expansions, and reporting requirements. It includes feasibility studies for water supply projects in the Dakotas, updates to snow monitoring and water forecasting programs, and increased funding for watershed management and water recycling grants.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What projects are being studied for feasibility?

The amendment mandates feasibility studies for the Dakota Mainstem Water Supply Project, the Western South Dakota Water Supply Project, and infrastructure upgrades at the Glen Canyon Dam.

How much funding is available for the Cooperative Watershed Management Program?

The amendment authorizes $40,000,000 per year for s 2027 through 2031.

What is the new reporting requirement for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission?

The Commission must submit an annual report to Congress detailing the status of pending license applications for new, subsequent, and original licenses.

Why It Matters

This legislation directs the Department of the Interior to conduct feasibility studies and authorizes new funding levels for water infrastructure and forecasting programs, which will determine the scope and federal support for regional water projects through 2031.

News Coverage

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Related Legislation

congressional_record

Senate Scheduling Update for S. 4784

The Senate has agreed to delay the vote on a cloture motion for S. 4784 until after the confirmation vote for the Schwartz nomination. This procedural

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift100% confidence

Expansion of Watershed Grant Eligibility

The amendment expands the Cooperative Watershed Management Program to explicitly include Indian tribes and projects demonstrating need due to drought or wildfire.

Indian Tribes

Connected Entities

organizationFederal Energy Regulatory Commission“Required to submit annual licensing status reports.”Map →

personMs. Cortez Masto“Senator who co-sponsored the amendment.”Map →

organizationDakota Mainstem Regional Water System, Inc.“Non-profit entity for the Dakota Mainstem project.”Map →

organizationDepartment of Energy“Consulted on Glen Canyon Dam study.”Map →

personSecretary of the Interior“Responsible for conducting feasibility studies and managing water programs.”Map →

organizationWestern Dakota Regional Water System, Inc.“Non-profit entity for the Western South Dakota project.”Map →

personMr. Rounds“Senator who submitted the amendment.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance85
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy20
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level