Congresswoman Kat Cammack Secures $50 Million in Water Infrastructure Authorizations and Horseshoe Beach Storm Protection Study in House-Passed WRDA

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) secured $50 million in new and expanded federal water and wastewater infrastructure authorizations for Columbia, Suwannee, Marion, and Gilchrist Counties, along with a coastal storm risk study for Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County, in the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (H.R. 9497), which passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 415 to 9.

The House-passed bill:

• Authorizes up to $39.3 million for water and wastewater infrastructure in Columbia and Suwannee Counties.
• More than doubles Marion County's existing authorization, from $10 million to $20.5 million, providing an additional $10.5 million in authorized capacity.
• Authorizes up to $200,000 for water and wastewater infrastructure, including stormwater management, in Gilchrist County.
• Directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study coastal storm risk management for the town of Horseshoe Beach, including shoreline damage prevention and mitigation.

“Our water and wastewater systems in North Central Florida carry the weight of decades of growth and back-to-back storms. Columbia, Suwannee, Marion, and Gilchrist Counties needed a federal partner. Securing these three priorities in the House-passed WRDA is an important step toward delivering the infrastructure these growing communities need,” said Congresswoman Kat Cammack. “Horseshoe Beach took a direct hit from Idalia and Helene, and this study is the first step toward advancing long-term coastal storm protection for the community. I fought to get these provisions in the bill, and I will keep pushing to get these priorities across the finish line.”

The infrastructure authorizations allow the Corps to partner with local governments on the design and construction of water supply, wastewater, and stormwater projects, with the federal government covering up to 75 percent of project costs. The Horseshoe Beach study is the required first step before a federal coastal protection project can be authorized for construction. Funding for the authorized projects would still need to be provided through the annual appropriations process.

WRDA 2026 also reauthorizes FEMA's High Hazard Potential Dam program, establishes a Corps office dedicated to technical assistance for rural communities, and reforms Corps project delivery to reduce delays and costs. Congress has enacted a WRDA every two years since 2014.

The bill now heads to the Senate, which advanced its own version through the Environment and Public Works Committee in July.