Sec. 304. Watershed Condition Framework

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Subtitle A of title III of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( Public Law 111–11 ; 123 Stat. 1126) is amended by inserting after section 3002, as added by section 303, 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 establishment and maintenance of the Watershed Condition Framework, 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 the appropriate 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. .

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Pub. L. 111-11
123 Stat. 1126

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Sec. 304

Watershed Condition Framework

Pub. L.Pub. L. 111-11

Stat.123 Stat. 1126

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