Sec. 81233. Competitive grant program for the funding of watershed health projects
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Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act and in accordance with this section, the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of relevant agencies, shall establish a competitive grant program to award grants to an eligible entity for habitat restoration projects that improve watershed health in a Reclamation State and accomplish one or more of the following benefits: Ecosystem benefits. Restoration of native species beyond existing or planned measures necessary to meet State or Federal laws for species recovery.
Protection against invasive species. Restoration of aspects of the natural ecosystem. Enhancement of commercial and recreational fishing. Enhancement of river-based recreation such as kayaking, canoeing, and rafting. Mitigate against the impacts of climate change to fish and wildlife habitats. In awarding a grant under subsection (a), the Secretary— shall give priority to a project that achieves more than one of the benefits listed in subsection (a); and may not provide a grant for a project that is for the purpose of meeting existing environmental mitigation or compliance obligations under State or Federal law.
A project awarded a grant under subsection
(a)shall comply with all applicable Federal and State laws. In this section, the term eligible entity means a State, Indian Tribe, nonprofit conservation organization operating in a Reclamation State, irrigation district, water district, or other organization with water or power delivery authority. Before the establishment of the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— provide notice of and, for a period of not less than 90 days, an opportunity for public comment on, any draft or proposed version of the program requirements in accordance with this section; and consider public comments received in developing the final program requirements. Not later than October 1, 2022, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report summarizing the environmental performance of activities that are receiving, or have received, assistance under the program authorized by this section. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $150,000,000 for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2026, to remain available until expended.