Headwaters Protection Act of 2025

Hozzl · 2025-03-12T08:07:14Z

Explore the details of House Bill 605 Headwaters Protection Act of 2025 currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on undefined. Stay informed on legislative developments.

3/12/2025, 8:07 AM

Summary of Bill HR 605

Bill 119 HR 605, also known as the Water Source Protection Program Improvement Act, aims to amend the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 in order to reauthorize and enhance the Water Source Protection Program. This program is designed to protect and preserve water sources in forests, ensuring clean and safe drinking water for communities across the United States.

The bill includes provisions to improve the effectiveness of the program by increasing funding for water source protection projects, enhancing collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies, and promoting the use of innovative technologies and practices to safeguard water quality. Additionally, the bill seeks to streamline the permitting process for water source protection projects and improve coordination between different levels of government.

Overall, the goal of Bill 119 HR 605 is to strengthen the Water Source Protection Program and ensure that vital water sources in forests are adequately protected for future generations. This legislation is crucial for maintaining the health and well-being of communities that rely on these water sources for their daily needs.

Congressional Summary of HR 605

Headwaters Protection Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 and expands the Water Source Protection Program (WSPP) under which the Forest Service carries out watershed protection and restoration projects on federal land. It also requires the Forest Service's Watershed Condition Framework for National Forest System land to ensure certain activities and authorizations do not result in long-term degradation of the health of a watershed.

The bill authorizes the WSPP to support projects on state, local, or private land that is adjacent to projects on National Forest System land, so long as (1) the adjacent land is within the same watershed as the project on federal land, and (2) the owner of the adjacent land supports the project.

Further, the bill expands the types of end water users that may participate in the program to include (1) an acequia association (an organization that manages traditional irrigation systems found in the Southwest); (2) a public entity that manages water infrastructure, such as stormwater or wastewater resources; (3) certain land grant entities in New Mexico called land-grant mercedes; and (4) a local, regional, or other private entity that has water delivery authority.

The bill requires projects under the program to (1) protect and restore watershed health, water supply and quality, a municipal or agricultural water supply system, and water-related infrastructure; (2) protect and restore forest health from insect infestation and disease or wildfire; or (3) advance any combination of those purposes.

Additionally, the bill reduces the cost share for nonfederal WSPP participants.

Current Status of Bill HR 605

Bill HR 605 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since January 22, 2025. Bill HR 605 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on January 22, 2025. Bill HR 605's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology. as of February 28, 2025