16 U.S.C. § 6543

Current through P.L. 118-107 (published on www.congress.gov on 11/21/2024)
Section 6543 - Watershed Condition Framework
(a) In general

The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service (referred to in this section as the "Secretary"), may establish and maintain a Watershed Condition Framework for National Forest System land-

(1) to evaluate and classify the condition of watersheds, taking into consideration-
(A) water quality and quantity;
(B) aquatic habitat and biota;
(C) riparian and wetland vegetation;
(D) the presence of roads and trails;
(E) soil type and condition;
(F) groundwater-dependent ecosystems;
(G) relevant terrestrial indicators, such as fire regime, risk of catastrophic fire, forest and rangeland vegetation, invasive species, and insects and disease; and
(H) other significant factors, as determined by the Secretary;
(2) to identify for protection and restoration up to 5 priority watersheds in each National Forest, and up to 2 priority watersheds in each national grassland, taking into consideration the impact of the condition of the watershed condition on-
(A) wildfire behavior;
(B) flood risk;
(C) fish and wildlife;
(D) drinking water supplies;
(E) irrigation water supplies;
(F) forest-dependent communities; and
(G) other significant impacts, as determined by the Secretary;
(3) to develop a watershed protection and restoration action plan for each priority watershed that-
(A) takes into account existing restoration activities being implemented in the watershed; and
(B) includes, at a minimum-
(i) the major stressors responsible for the impaired condition of the watershed;
(ii) a set of essential projects that, once completed, will address the identified stressors and improve watershed conditions;
(iii) a proposed implementation schedule;
(iv) potential partners and funding sources; and
(v) a monitoring and evaluation program;
(4) to prioritize protection and restoration activities for each watershed restoration action plan;
(5) to implement each watershed protection and restoration action plan; and
(6) to monitor the effectiveness of protection and restoration actions and indicators of watershed health.
(b) Coordination

In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall-

(1) coordinate with interested non-Federal landowners and State, Tribal, and local governments within the relevant watershed; and
(2) provide for an active and ongoing public engagement process.
(c) Emergency designation

Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subsection (a), the Secretary may identify a watershed as a priority for rehabilitation in the Watershed Condition Framework without using the process described in that subsection if a Forest Supervisor determines that-

(1) a wildfire has significantly diminished the condition of the watershed; and
(2) the emergency stabilization activities of the Burned Area Emergency Response Team are insufficient to return the watershed to proper function.

16 U.S.C. § 6543

Pub. L. 108-148, title III, §304, as added Pub. L. 115-334, title VIII, §8405(a), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4843.