Bill · S. 4120· Senate(119-S-4120)
Community Water Project Acceleration Act
- Introduced
- 3/17/2026
- Last activity
- 3/17/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Mark Kelly
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the Community Water Project Acceleration Act, aims to designate certain categorical exclusions for water resources development projects. Under this Act, the Secretary of the Army would exclude certain projects from the requirements for environmental assessments or environmental impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. These projects must be carried out under a continuing authority program or an environmental infrastructure assistance program. Additionally, the construction work must be performed by a non-Federal sponsor. The bill also sets specific cost thresholds for the Federal share of these projects to qualify for the exclusion.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would farmers be better off under this?+4
Water resources development projects are often vital for agricultural operations and rural farming communities.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+4
The bill accelerates water infrastructure projects that are frequently targeted toward rural area needs.
Does this invest in rural communities?+4
The bill facilitates faster implementation of water resources development projects which often benefit rural infrastructure.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-5
The bill reduces environmental oversight by allowing certain projects to bypass environmental assessments or impact statements required by NEPA.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Acceleration of Water Projects: By designating certain actions as categorically excluded from environmental assessments or impact statements, projects may move forward more quickly (Section 2(a)).
-
Financial Thresholds for Small Projects: The bill provides a pathway for projects where the Federal share is less than $6,000,000, or where the Federal share is less than 15 percent and the total project cost is not more than $35,000,000 (Section 2(a)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reduced Environmental Oversight: The bill would allow certain water resources development projects to be excluded from the requirements relating to environmental assessments or environmental impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Section 2(a)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Business Owners+2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+4Improves Environmental Protections-5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+1
- 3/17/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming