Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2025
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
This bill, the Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2025, allows the Secretary of Agriculture to use funds from the Agricultural Credit Act to quickly address damage to forests and watersheds caused by natural disasters. It establishes an ‘Emergency Forest Watershed Program’ that enables the Secretary, in partnership with state, local, tribal, or water district sponsors, to implement measures like erosion control and flood mitigation on National Forest System land. The program prioritizes rapid action and provides flexibility in funding and timelines for completing these projects.
Key provisions
- Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to use funds to implement emergency watershed protection measures on National Forest System land.
- Defines ‘emergency watershed protection measures’ as actions to address runoff, erosion, and flood mitigation due to natural disasters.
- Establishes a partnership between the Secretary and state/local/tribal/water district sponsors for implementing these measures.
- Sets a 2-year timeline for completing projects after a natural disaster, with potential for up to 3 years for maintenance.
- Waives matching requirements for funds provided to sponsors.
- Protects sponsors from liability for damages resulting from the measures, except in cases of willful or wanton negligence.
- Requires sponsors to assume the risk of costs and liabilities associated with the work.
- Directs the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service to coordinate with the Forest Service regarding funding.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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3 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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