Sec. 4. Watershed Condition Framework
394 words·~2 min read·
/bill/113/s/2916/is/section-4A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Subtitle A of title III of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (as amended by section 2) is amended by adding at the end the following: The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service (referred to in this section as the Secretary ), shall establish and maintain a Watershed Condition Framework within the National Forest System west of the 100th Meridian— to evaluate and classify the condition of watersheds, taking into consideration— water quality and quantity; aquatic habitat and biota; riparian and wetland vegetation; the presence of roads and trails; soil type and condition; groundwater-dependent ecosystems; relevant terrestrial indicators, such as fire regime, risk of catastrophic fire, forest and rangeland vegetation, invasive species, and insects and disease; and other significant factors, as determined by the Secretary; to identify for 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— wildfire behavior; flood risk; fish and wildlife; drinking water supplies; irrigation water supplies; forest-dependent communities; and other significant impacts, as determined by the Secretary; to develop a watershed restoration action plan for each priority watershed that— takes into account existing restoration activities being implemented in the watershed; and includes, at a minimum— the major stressors responsible for the impaired condition of the watershed; a set of essential projects that, once completed, will address the identified stressors and improve watershed conditions; a proposed implementation schedule; potential partners and funding sources; and a monitoring and evaluation program; to prioritize restoration activities for each watershed restoration action plan; to implement each watershed restoration action plan; and to monitor the effectiveness of restoration actions and indicators of watershed health.
Throughout the process described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall— coordinate with interested non-Federal landowners and with State, tribal, and local governments within the relevant watershed; and provide for an active and ongoing public engagement process. Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), the Secretary may identify a watershed as a priority for rehabilitation in the Watershed Condition Framework without using the process described in subsection (a), if a Forest Supervisor determines that— a wildfire has significantly diminished the condition of the watershed; and the emergency stabilization activities of the Burned Area Emergency Response Team are insufficient to return the watershed to proper function. .