Bill > S2701

This bill amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to expand and improve the Water Source Protection Program, which supports watershed health and restoration projects. The bill broadens the definition of eligible partners to include acequia associations, stormwater management entities, land-grant mercedes, and private water delivery authorities. It establishes new priorities for watershed protection projects, such as managing risks from drought, wildfire, and extreme weather, and supporting ecological restoration efforts. The legislation emphasizes partnering with communities, particularly those that have historically lacked resources, and requires that projects on adjacent non-federal lands only proceed with the express support and engagement of the landowner. The bill increases funding to $30 million annually from 2025 to 2034 and mandates that at least 10% of those funds be used for partner technical assistance and capacity-building. Additionally, the bill requires that management activities do not degrade watershed health and ensures that any projects do not conflict with existing state or federal water laws, interstate compacts, or treaty obligations. The legislation, named the "Headwaters Protection Act of 2025," aims to improve water infrastructure resilience and support collaborative watershed restoration efforts.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2701/all-info