Legis Daily

Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-5823| House 
| Updated: 10/24/2025
Joe Neguse

Joe Neguse

Democratic Representative

Colorado

Cosponsors (1)
Celeste Maloy (Republican)

Agriculture Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2025," creates an Emergency Forest Watershed Program within the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to undertake emergency watershed protection measures on National Forest System land. These measures are designed to address runoff retardation, soil-erosion prevention, and flood mitigation caused by natural disasters or occurrences that threaten natural resources, water, life, or property downstream. The program allows the Secretary to enter into agreements with state and local governments, Indian Tribes, and water districts (sponsors) to carry out these vital protection efforts. Agreements must be executed expeditiously, with measures completed within two years of a disaster and potential monitoring for up to three years. Significantly, the bill waives matching requirements for payments to sponsors and limits their liability, except in cases of willful negligence or reckless conduct. Furthermore, the legislation streamlines environmental review by deeming these emergency measures as emergency response actions for NEPA compliance. This aims to expedite critical interventions to restore forest health and protect communities from immediate post-disaster risks.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7294
Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2024
Mar 25, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1114
Introduced in Senate
Oct 24, 2025
Introduced in House
Oct 24, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7294
    Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2024


  • March 25, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1114
    Introduced in Senate


  • October 24, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • October 24, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-5823| House 
| Updated: 10/24/2025
This bill, titled the "Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2025," creates an Emergency Forest Watershed Program within the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to undertake emergency watershed protection measures on National Forest System land. These measures are designed to address runoff retardation, soil-erosion prevention, and flood mitigation caused by natural disasters or occurrences that threaten natural resources, water, life, or property downstream. The program allows the Secretary to enter into agreements with state and local governments, Indian Tribes, and water districts (sponsors) to carry out these vital protection efforts. Agreements must be executed expeditiously, with measures completed within two years of a disaster and potential monitoring for up to three years. Significantly, the bill waives matching requirements for payments to sponsors and limits their liability, except in cases of willful negligence or reckless conduct. Furthermore, the legislation streamlines environmental review by deeming these emergency measures as emergency response actions for NEPA compliance. This aims to expedite critical interventions to restore forest health and protect communities from immediate post-disaster risks.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7294
Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2024
Mar 25, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1114
Introduced in Senate
Oct 24, 2025
Introduced in House
Oct 24, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7294
    Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2024


  • March 25, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1114
    Introduced in Senate


  • October 24, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • October 24, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Joe Neguse

Joe Neguse

Democratic Representative

Colorado

Cosponsors (1)
Celeste Maloy (Republican)

Agriculture Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted