§ 6543 - Watershed Condition Framework

CHAPTER 84— HEALTHY FOREST RESTORATION › SUBCHAPTER III— WATERSHED FORESTRY ASSISTANCE

(a) 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—

(a)(1) to evaluate and classify the condition of watersheds, taking into consideration—

(a)(1)(A) water quality and quantity;

(a)(1)(B) aquatic habitat and biota;

(a)(1)(C) riparian and wetland vegetation;

(a)(1)(D) the presence of roads and trails;

(a)(1)(E) soil type and condition;

(a)(1)(F) groundwater-dependent ecosystems;

(a)(1)(G) relevant terrestrial indicators, such as fire regime, risk of catastrophic fire, forest and rangeland vegetation, invasive species, and insects and disease; and

(a)(1)(H) other significant factors, as determined by the Secretary;

(a)(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)(2)(A) wildfire behavior;

(a)(2)(B) flood risk;

(a)(2)(C) fish and wildlife;

(a)(2)(D) drinking water supplies;

(a)(2)(E) irrigation water supplies;

(a)(2)(F) forest-dependent communities; and

(a)(2)(G) other significant impacts, as determined by the Secretary;

(a)(3) to develop a watershed protection and restoration action plan for each priority watershed that—

(a)(3)(A) takes into account existing restoration activities being implemented in the watershed; and

(a)(3)(B) includes, at a minimum—

(a)(3)(B)(i) the major stressors responsible for the impaired condition of the watershed;

(a)(3)(B)(ii) a set of essential projects that, once completed, will address the identified stressors and improve watershed conditions;

(a)(3)(B)(iii) a proposed implementation schedule;

(a)(3)(B)(iv) potential partners and funding sources; and

(a)(3)(B)(v) a monitoring and evaluation program;

(a)(4) to prioritize protection and restoration activities for each watershed restoration action plan;

(a)(5) to implement each watershed protection and restoration action plan; and

(a)(6) to monitor the effectiveness of protection and restoration actions and indicators of watershed health.

(b) In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

(b)(1) coordinate with interested non-Federal landowners and State, Tribal, and local governments within the relevant watershed; and

(b)(2) provide for an active and ongoing public engagement process.

(c) 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—

(c)(1) a wildfire has significantly diminished the condition of the watershed; and

(c)(2) the emergency stabilization activities of the Burned Area Emergency Response Team are insufficient to return the watershed to proper function.