New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act
The New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act would create a nonregulatory, federal program within the Interior Department (via the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) to coordinate restoration and protection efforts across the New York–New Jersey Watershed. The program aims to improve water quality, habitat for fish and wildlife, public access and recreation, and community resilience to climate change. It would rely on and incorporate existing plans and programs in the region (such as Harbor & Estuary programs and river restoration plans) and would emphasize environmental justice by prioritizing communities most affected by environmental burdens. In parallel, the bill would establish a voluntary grant program to fund coordinated restoration activities, with flexible cost-sharing and technical assistance, and would support capacity-building among grantees. The act includes reporting requirements and a sunset date (October 1, 2031).
Key Points
- 1Establishes the New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Program (nonregulatory) to coordinate and implement restoration and protection activities across federal, state, tribal, local, and regional levels in the Watershed, including support for natural climate solutions and public recreation.
- 2Defines an inclusive set of “approved plans” (existing regional plans and programs such as HEP Action Agenda, Hudson River restoration plans, Mohawk River initiatives, etc.) that can guide program activities.
- 3Creates the New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Grant Program (voluntary) to provide competitive matching grants to governments, nonprofits, higher education, and other eligible entities for coordinated restoration projects, with criteria aligned to the watershed’s priorities.
- 4Sets cost-sharing rules: generally up to 50% federal share, with a higher (up to 90%, and possibly 100% in hardship cases) share for small, rural, or disadvantaged communities; non-federal share can be cash or in-kind contributions.
- 5Allows the Secretary to contract with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (or similar entity) to administer the grant program, including receiving and reinvesting funds and managing grant activities.
- 6Requires annual reports on implementation to Congress and prohibits federal ownership of land acquired under the act beyond transferring it to eligible entities.
- 7Authorizes $20 million per year for 2026–2031, with at least 75% of funds dedicated to the grant program and no more than 5% for administration; funds must supplement, not supplant, other agency activities.
- 8Sunset provision: the Act ceases to have force on October 1, 2031, unless renewed.