Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

This bill reauthorizes the Cooperative Watershed Management Program, making several key amendments to its structure and funding. It expands the definition of eligible watershed groups to include Indian tribes and those with ancestral lands within the watershed , while also adding a criterion for eligibility based on significant need due to drought, wildfire, or other natural disaster. The legislation increases the maximum first-phase grant amount to $150,000 each year for a period of not less than 3 years . It also introduces a provision for the Secretary to issue a continuation of first-phase grants for up to two additional years, provided satisfactory performance. The bill broadens the scope of technical assistance available to include grant writing project management feasibility, design, preliminary environmental review, and engineering . Furthermore, it mandates continuous enrollment by requiring regular funding opportunities and allowing multiple application submissions per calendar year. Finally, the bill authorizes $40,000,000 annually for the program for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.