Bill > S3140

This bill modifies several existing agricultural and watershed protection programs to enhance flood resilience and infrastructure protection. Under the Emergency Watershed Program, the Secretary of Agriculture will now have the authority to undertake restoration measures that provide a higher level of protection beyond immediate watershed impairments, focusing on long-term watershed health and preventing repetitive damage. For rehabilitation of aging structural measures, the bill changes federal funding assistance rules, allowing up to 65% federal funding for rehabilitation projects, with the potential to increase to 90% for projects in limited resource areas. The bill also expands the purposes of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program to explicitly include addressing natural resource concerns at a regional or watershed scale, such as soil and water conservation, flood and drought mitigation, wildlife conservation, and protection of agricultural lands. These modifications aim to improve infrastructure resilience, environmental protection, and community preparedness against natural disasters, particularly flooding.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3140/all-info