{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://crane.house.gov/2026/09/18/rep-crane-helps-secure-wins-for-rural-arizona-in-house-passed-water-resources-bill/", "Rep. Crane Helps Secure\u00a0Wins for Rural Arizona in House-Passed Water Resources Bill", "2026-09-18", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Elijah Crane", "C001132", "crane.house.gov", "crane", "https://crane.house.gov/media/", "scraper", "On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 415-9. Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) supported the legislation, which authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) projects to improve America\u2019s ports, harbors, inland waterways, flood and storm protection, and other infrastructure.\n\nCongress has passed a WRDA every two years since 2014. Each bill works in two stages. First, it authorizes a feasibility study for a proposed project. After the Corps completes that study and issues a favorable Chief\u2019s Report, the project is authorized for construction.\n\nCosts are typically split between the Corps and a non-federal sponsor, such as a city, county, or Tribal government. This year\u2019s bill authorizes 133 new feasibility studies for locally proposed projects, along with 14 construction-ready projects the Corps has already vetted and cleared.\n\nRep. Crane supported a new Arizona project authorization:\n\nDudleyville, Pinal County \u2013 new flood-control project authorization\n\nHe also helped secure funding eligibility for three Arizona flood-control projects under the bill\u2019s continuing-authority programs, which let the Corps act without a separate site-specific authorization:\n\nAk-Chin Levee, Pinal County\n\nLower Santa Cruz River, Pinal County\n\nMcCormick Wash, Gila County\n\nFurthermore, Rep. Crane helped secure four new environmental-infrastructure authorizations for Arizona communities, totaling $54 million:\n\nCottonwood, Yavapai County \u2013 $10 million\n\nGila County \u2013 $24 million\n\nGila River Indian Community, Maricopa and Pinal Counties \u2013 $10 million\n\nMaricopa, Pinal County \u2013 $10 million\n\nThe bill also raised the environmental-infrastructure authorization ceilings for two existing Arizona programs, clearing the way for larger federal investments as project costs rise:\n\nFlagstaff, Coconino County \u2013 increased from $5 million to $13.9 million\n\nWinslow, Navajo County \u2013 increased from $3 million to $9 million\n\nBeyond these authorizations, Rep. Crane pushed for expedited completion of several Arizona projects that were already authorized under prior WRDAs. These provisions don\u2019t create new authority, but they direct the Corps to move faster on work that\u2019s already on the books:\n\nLittle Colorado River, Navajo County\n\nRio de Flag, Flagstaff, Coconino County\n\nPima-Maricopa Irrigation Project, Maricopa and Pinal Counties\n\nCottonwood, Yavapai County\n\nHouse passage of H.R. 9497 comes the same week as a major water security conference in Arizona. The National Rural Water Association\u2019s WaterPro Conference brought the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Glen Smith and state directors from across the country to Phoenix.\n\nArizona State Director Lori Urban helped coordinate the visit, where attendees toured rural Arizona infrastructure projects, including the Superior Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Tri-Cities Regional Sanitary District. Through these engagements, personnel saw Arizona\u2019s successful federal partnerships firsthand, serving as a model for the rest of the country.\n\n\u201cThe Water Resources Development Act of 2026 authorizes significant investment for rural Arizona through flood mitigation projects, upgraded wastewater treatment systems, and infrastructure. This legislation reinforces Arizona\u2019s proactive approach to water management and successfully prioritizes often-overlooked communities. None of this would have been possible without the advocacy and dedication of our local and state partners who worked tirelessly to build momentum behind these projects. Through this team effort, the investments this must-pass bill puts on the books will have a meaningful impact on communities throughout rural Arizona,\u201d said Rep. Crane.\n\n\u201cAddressing McCormick Wash is critical to protecting residents, businesses, public infrastructure, and emergency access in the City of Globe from flooding while supporting the long-term safety and economic vitality of our community. Congressman Crane understands the importance of investing in resilient infrastructure, and his continued advocacy for the city is making a real difference. We appreciate his partnership and look forward to working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to move this project forward as quickly as possible,\u201d said Globe Mayor Al Gameros.\n\n\u201cThe City of Flagstaff extends its sincere gratitude to Congressman Crane for his leadership in securing key provisions within the Water Resources Development Act of 2026. By directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to adjust the cost framework for the Rio de Flag project, this legislation marks a major step forward for this long-awaited initiative. This provision underscores the vital need to safeguard our residents, local businesses, and essential infrastructure from future flood risks. We thank Congressman Crane for his steadfast commitment to Flagstaff and look forward to partnering with the Army Corps to deliver this critical community investment,\u201d said Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett.\n\n\u201cWe are grateful to Congressman Crane for his leadership in securing language in the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the Winslow Levee Project. This provision recognizes the importance of protecting our residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure from future flooding while helping move this long-awaited project forward. On behalf of the City of Winslow, I thank Congressman Crane for his continued commitment to our community and look forward to working with the Corps to deliver this critical investment,\u201d said Winslow Mayor Roberta \u201cBirdie\u201d Cano.\n\n\u201cI am grateful for Congressman Crane\u2019s leadership in securing authorization language in the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 for the Army Corps environmental infrastructure program specifically for Cottonwood. Congressman Crane recently visited the City and saw firsthand that we need significant upgrades to our water and waste water infrastructure to protect citizens and businesses alike. This provision is a positive step in protecting current and future Cottonwood residents. Again, I thank Congressman Crane for his continued commitment to our community and look forward to working with the Corps to deliver this critical investment,\u201d said Cottonwood Mayor Ann Shaw.", 1, "2026-09-19T09:11:33Z", "2026-09-19T09:12:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://crane.house.gov/2026/09/18/rep-crane-helps-secure-wins-for-rural-arizona-in-house-passed-water-resources-bill/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.45742017775774, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}