Bill > S1780

This bill, the Restoring America's Watersheds Act of 2015, aims to improve the health of watersheds on National Forest System lands by amending the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. It establishes a Water Source Protection Program, allowing the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, to partner with various entities like states, tribes, utilities, and non-profit organizations to protect and restore watersheds that supply water to these partners. These partnerships can take various forms, and the program may involve creating water source management plans that can prioritize firewood gathering and streamline environmental reviews, including environmental impact statements and compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The bill also introduces a Watershed Condition Framework to evaluate and classify watershed health, identify priority watersheds for restoration, and develop detailed restoration action plans. Furthermore, it modifies the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program by requiring prequalification of contractors to ensure they have the financial and operational capacity to complete restoration activities and reauthorizes funding for this program.