Posted on February 23, 2026
The Dredging Contractors of America has received new information from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASA-CW) regarding upcoming administrative reforms and congressional activity related to the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA 2026). The Office is serious about its initiative for “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork”.
DCA leadership recently met in the Pentagon with the Honorable Adam R. Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. This past week DCA spoke with senior staff in the ASA-CW’s office, which is preparing to roll out a 27–30 point administrative action plan aimed at improving efficiency across the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works program. The approach prioritizes administrative solutions over legislative changes that can take years to move through Congress.
According to the ASA-CW office, the plan will focus on several areas of direct relevance to the dredging industry, including but not limited to:
- Expansion of dredge windows using modern science
- Reduction of regulatory burdens
- Accelerating feasibility studies through increased use of third-party contracting, including non-federal sponsor control and engineering firm contracting models similar to those used by FERC
- Elevating more contracting oversight and decision-making to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters
“What we are hearing from the Assistant Secretary’s office is a serious effort to improve the delivery of Civil Works projects through administrative action rather than solely waiting on lengthy legislative fixes. Expanding dredge windows, reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers, and accelerating feasibility studies are all priorities the dredging industry has been advocating for. These reforms have the potential to improve project delivery, strengthen navigation infrastructure, and better support economic and national security objectives,” said William P. Doyle, CEO of the Dredging Contractors of America.
Additional details are expected in a formal statement from the ASA-CW’s office.
In parallel, Congress will hold two major hearings this week examining WRDA 2026 and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers priorities. The Honorable Adam R. Telle and Lieutenant General William H. Graham Jr., Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will testify before both committees.
- Tuesday, February 24 at 10:00 AM ET
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
Hearing: “Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2026 – Administration Priorities” - Wednesday, February 25 at 10:00 AM ET
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Hearing: “Hearing to Examine the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Projects, Programs, and Priorities”
DCA will continue to monitor developments closely and will provide additional updates once the ASA-CW office releases its formal statement.
