Sec. 304. WATERSHED CONDITION FRAMEWORK
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## SEC. 304 WATERSHED CONDITION FRAMEWORK **[**[16 U.S.C. 6543](/us/usc/t16/s6543)**]** ###
(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. # TITLE IV INSECT INFESTATIONS AND RELATED DISEASES
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Sec. 304
WATERSHED CONDITION FRAMEWORK
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