Bill > S1853

This bill, the Headwaters Protection Act of 2023, amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to reauthorize and improve the Water Source Protection Program. Key provisions include expanding eligible partners for the program (such as acequias, local water entities, and land-grant mercedes), requiring projects to protect and restore watershed health and water-related infrastructure, prioritizing projects that address drought, wildfire, and climate change risks, and increasing funding for the program and set-asides for partner participation and capacity building. The bill also requires the Forest Service to ensure management activities do not degrade watershed health. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen protections for national forest watersheds and adjacent lands that provide water resources.