Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Appropriations Committee, Natural Resources Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill establishes the Urban Waters Federal Partnership Program , to be administered by a partnership of multiple federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, and Department of Agriculture. Its primary purpose is to reconnect urban communities, particularly those that are overburdened or economically distressed, with their associated waterways by enhancing coordination among Federal agencies. The program is authorized to jointly support and execute its goals within designated Urban Waters partnership locations and other urban and suburban communities. To oversee the program, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is required to establish and chair an Urban Waters Federal Partnership Steering Committee , with the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture serving as vice-chairs. This committee, comprising senior officials from participating member agencies, will provide general guidance, identify annual priority issues, and communicate funding opportunities. Member agencies are permitted to provide interagency financing and directly transfer funds to support the committee's activities. The Administrator and Secretaries must maintain active partnership programs at existing and new Urban Waters partnership locations. This involves providing technical assistance , project funding, and support for Urban Waters ambassadors who coordinate local efforts. Member agencies are authorized to encourage, cooperate with, and offer financial assistance to eligible entities for projects that improve habitat, water quality, recreation, community resiliency, and engagement with water resources. The bill also mandates the maintenance of an Urban Waters Learning Network to facilitate information sharing, resource exchange, and community-based capacity building among partnership locations and interested communities. Progress on local workplans must be regularly shared with the program. For the program's implementation, the bill authorizes an appropriation of $10,000,000 annually to the Administrator for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. These funds can be used in conjunction with resources from other member agencies and non-Federal entities participating in the program. Annual reports detailing fund use and workplan progress are required for submission to Congress.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Environmental Protection
Urban Waters Federal Partnership Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-2401| House
| Updated: 3/27/2025
This bill establishes the Urban Waters Federal Partnership Program , to be administered by a partnership of multiple federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, and Department of Agriculture. Its primary purpose is to reconnect urban communities, particularly those that are overburdened or economically distressed, with their associated waterways by enhancing coordination among Federal agencies. The program is authorized to jointly support and execute its goals within designated Urban Waters partnership locations and other urban and suburban communities. To oversee the program, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is required to establish and chair an Urban Waters Federal Partnership Steering Committee , with the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture serving as vice-chairs. This committee, comprising senior officials from participating member agencies, will provide general guidance, identify annual priority issues, and communicate funding opportunities. Member agencies are permitted to provide interagency financing and directly transfer funds to support the committee's activities. The Administrator and Secretaries must maintain active partnership programs at existing and new Urban Waters partnership locations. This involves providing technical assistance , project funding, and support for Urban Waters ambassadors who coordinate local efforts. Member agencies are authorized to encourage, cooperate with, and offer financial assistance to eligible entities for projects that improve habitat, water quality, recreation, community resiliency, and engagement with water resources. The bill also mandates the maintenance of an Urban Waters Learning Network to facilitate information sharing, resource exchange, and community-based capacity building among partnership locations and interested communities. Progress on local workplans must be regularly shared with the program. For the program's implementation, the bill authorizes an appropriation of $10,000,000 annually to the Administrator for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. These funds can be used in conjunction with resources from other member agencies and non-Federal entities participating in the program. Annual reports detailing fund use and workplan progress are required for submission to Congress.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.