- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a proposed deauthorization list on May 21, 2026.
- Hundreds of inactive water projects across the country could lose federal authorization.
- Most Colorado River Basin projects on the list were never funded.
- The public has until August 19, 2026, to submit comments.
Saturday, May 23, 2026 — For decades, Congress approved thousands of water-related projects across the United States through the Water Resources Development Act, often called WRDA. Some involved flood control. Others focused on water supply, wastewater systems, ecosystem restoration, navigation, or drought-related infrastructure.
Many projects moved forward. Others remained little more than plans on paper.
On May 21, 2026, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a proposed list of projects that could now be formally removed from federal authorization. The move was announced by Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle
and published in the Federal Register.
According to the Corps, the review is required under Section 301 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, as amended by WRDA 2024. The law directs the agency to identify inactive projects that no longer appear viable because of a lack of funding, local support, or a purpose that is no longer considered relevant or feasible.
In simple terms, federal officials are trying to clear out old projects that have gone nowhere for years.
The Corps stated that projects eligible for proposed deauthorization generally fall into two categories. Either construction or planning never started before January 4, 2025, or work began at some point but no money was spent on planning, design, or construction during the current fiscal year or the previous ten fiscal years.
Many of the projects listed in western states were tied to wastewater systems, recycled water, flood control, conservation infrastructure, or ecosystem restoration. A large number were authorized years ago but never received federal funding.
The Corps emphasized that the projects are not officially canceled yet. The agency is accepting public comments for 90 days before preparing a final list for Congress. Even after the final list is submitted, Congress would still need to act to formally deauthorize the projects.
The public comment period remains open through August 19, 2026.
Below is a breakdown of proposed deauthorization projects located in Colorado River Basin states, organized by state. Information was drawn from the Corps’ proposed deauthorization list.
Arizona.
Marana, Arizona.
- Proposed Project: Wastewater treatment and distribution infrastructure.
- Description: Planned environmental infrastructure improvements tied to wastewater systems.
- Status/Reason: Never funded. Listed as inactive and potentially no longer viable.
Santa Cruz River, Paseo de las Iglesias.
- Proposed Project: Low-flow bank protection and ecosystem restoration.
- Description: Included flood control, recreation, cultural resources, and ecosystem restoration along the Santa Cruz River corridor.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Tanque Verde Creek, Pima County.
- Proposed Project: Environmental restoration.
- Description: Aquatic ecosystem restoration project.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Colonias Along the U.S.-Mexico Border (Arizona/Texas).
- Proposed Project: Wastewater treatment and distribution infrastructure.
- Description: Infrastructure improvements for border communities.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
California.
Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency.
- Proposed Project: Water reclamation and distribution infrastructure.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Brawley Colonia, Imperial County.
- Proposed Project: Water quality infrastructure improvements.
- Description: Intended to improve water quality in the Brawley Colonia Water District.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Imperial County / Calexico / New River Area.
- Proposed Project: Wastewater disinfection and polishing system.
- Description: Designed to improve water quality near the southern New River.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
New River, California.
- Proposed Project: Wastewater infrastructure improvements.
- Description: Water quality improvement infrastructure.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Lancaster, California.
- Proposed Project: Water facilities for the Fox Field Industrial Corridor.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
North Valley Regional Water Infrastructure, Lancaster.
- Proposed Project: Water and wastewater infrastructure.
- Status/Reason: Last federal funding activity occurred in Fiscal Year 2014.
Perris, California.
- Proposed Project: Flood control project by non-federal interests.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Sweetwater Reservoir, San Diego County.
- Proposed Project: Water quality improvement and invasive species removal.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Colorado.
Arkansas Valley Conduit.
- Proposed Project: Environmental infrastructure for the Arkansas Valley Conduit.
- Status/Reason: Never funded under this authorization entry.
Boulder County.
- Proposed Project: Water supply infrastructure.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Denver County Reach, South Platte River.
- Proposed Project: Environmental restoration of the South Platte River.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Montezuma and La Plata Counties.
- Proposed Project: Water and wastewater infrastructure for the Ute Mountain Project.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Pueblo and Otero Counties.
- Proposed Project: Water transmission infrastructure.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Nevada.
Clark County.
- Proposed Project: Wastewater infrastructure assistance.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Clean Water Coalition, Nevada.
- Proposed Project: Systems conveyance and operations program.
- Description: Regional infrastructure project involving Clark County, Henderson, Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Glendale Dam Diversion Structure.
- Proposed Project: Water system improvements for Truckee Meadows Water Authority.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Henderson, Nevada.
- Proposed Project: Wastewater infrastructure.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Indian Springs, Nevada.
- Proposed Project: Wastewater infrastructure.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Reno, Nevada.
- Proposed Project: Highland Canal Mogul Bypass water conservation project.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Washoe County.
- Proposed Project: Huffaker Hills Reservoir conservation project.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
New Mexico.
Alamogordo, New Mexico.
- Proposed Project: Flood detention basin.
- Description: Intended to reduce flood risks in Alamogordo.
- Status/Reason: Never funded.
Utah.
No Utah-specific projects appeared in the portions of the proposed deauthorization list reviewed from the federal document provided.
Wyoming.
No Wyoming-specific projects appeared in the portions of the proposed deauthorization list reviewed from the federal document provided.
