S 1114119th CongressIn Committee

Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2025

Introduced: Mar 25, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2025 would authorize the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, to carry out emergency watershed protection measures on National Forest System land in response to natural disasters or other sudden natural events. The program, labeled the Emergency Forest Watershed Program, would be implemented in partnership with eligible sponsors (states/local governments, Indian Tribes, or water districts/utilities). It creates a framework for rapid planning, funding, and execution of measures aimed at reducing runoff, soil erosion, and floods while maintaining or restoring forest health. The bill also reorganizes and clarifies related authorities under the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978, adjusts funding and payment mechanisms, waives matching requirements, and provides liability and risk protections for sponsors. It designates emergency actions as emergency response activities under NEPA and coordinates these efforts with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Overall, the bill aims to speed relief and protection of watershed resources downstream of National Forest lands after disasters, while shifting certain responsibilities and protections to local or regional sponsors.

Key Points

1Establishes the Emergency Forest Watershed Program to authorize emergency watershed protection measures on National Forest System land in response to natural disasters or sudden natural events.
2Enables the Secretary to enter into agreements with sponsors (states/local governments, Indian Tribes, or water-related districts/utilities) and to provide payments to sponsors to carry out the measures; requires completion within 2 years after the triggering disaster and allows sponsor monitoring/maintenance for up to 3 years if needed to prevent unacceptable risk.
3Financial terms include the waiver of matching requirements, allowance for partial payments during work, and a final payment within 30 days after project completion.
4Provides liability and risk protections for sponsors: generally not liable to indemnify the United States or be liable for damages from carrying out measures, with a savings clause allowing liability for willful, wanton negligence or reckless conduct.
5Includes coordination and regulatory enhancements: requires coordination with the NRCS, treats emergency actions as emergency response under NEPA, and reorganizes several provisions of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (including moving and renaming sections related to water conservation, regulations, and cost-sharing).

Impact Areas

Primary affected groups/areas: National Forest System lands and resources, downstream water users (who rely on watershed protection), and the sponsor entities (state/local governments, Indian Tribes, water districts/conservation districts) that partner with the federal government to implement the projects.Secondary affected groups/areas: Rural and local economies dependent on watershed resilience and water quality; the Forest Service and NRCS for program administration; downstream municipalities and water utilities that could benefit from improved watershed protection.Additional impacts: Potentially faster disaster response and watershed restoration timelines; altered funding flows with reduced federal matching requirements; clarified liability protections for sponsors; enhanced coordination between federal agencies and local or regional entities; regulatory changes that reorganize related provisions and adjust cost-sharing mechanics.The bill defines “emergency watershed protection measures” as actions necessary to address runoff retardation, soil erosion, and flood mitigation caused by a natural disaster or other natural occurrence that creates sudden impairment and downstream risk, while aiming to maintain or restore forest health.NEPA is addressed by deeming these measures as emergency response actions, which could streamline environmental review compared with ordinary projects.The exact funding levels would depend on future appropriations, as the bill authorizes the program and payments but does not specify appropriations beyond the mechanism for payments and timelines.

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