16 U.S. Code § 6542 - Water Source Protection Program

(a) Definitions

In this section:

(1) End water user

The term “end water user” means a non-Federal entity, including—

(A) a State;

(B) a political subdivision of a State;

(C) an Indian tribe;

(D) a utility;

(E) a municipal water system;

(F) an irrigation district;

(G) a nonprofit organization; and

(H) a corporation.

(2) Forest management activity

The term “forest management activity” means a project carried out by the Secretary on National Forest System land.

(3) Forest plan

The term “forest plan” means a land management plan prepared by the Forest Service for a unit of the National Forest System pursuant to section 1604 of this title.

(4) Non-Federal partner

The term “non-Federal partner” means an end water user with whom the Secretary has entered into a partnership agreement under subsection (c)(1).

(5) Program

The term “Program” means the Water Source Protection Program established under subsection (b).

(6) Secretary

The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.

(7) Water source management plan

The term “water source management plan” means the water source management plan developed under subsection (d)(1).

(b) Establishment

The Secretary shall establish and maintain a program, to be known as the “Water Source Protection Program”, to carry out watershed protection and restoration projects on National Forest System land.

(c) Water source investment partnerships

(1) In general

In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may enter into water source investment partnership agreements with end water users to protect and restore the condition of National Forest watersheds that provide water to the end water users.

(2) Form

A partnership agreement described in paragraph (1) may take the form of—

(A) a memorandum of understanding;

(B) a cost-share or collection agreement;

(C) a long-term funding matching commitment; or

(D) another appropriate instrument, as determined by the Secretary.

(d) Water source management plan

(1) In general

In carrying out the Program, the Secretary, in cooperation with the non-Federal partners and applicable State, local, and Tribal governments, may develop a water source management plan that describes the proposed implementation of watershed protection and restoration projects under the Program.

(2) Requirement

A water source management plan shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the forest plan applicable to the National Forest System land on which the watershed protection and restoration project is carried out.

(3) Environmental analysis

The Secretary may conduct a single environmental impact statement or similar analysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)—

(A) for each watershed protection and restoration project included in the water source management plan; or

(B) as part of the development of, or after the finalization of, the water source management plan.

(e) Forest management activities

(1) In general

To the extent that forest management activities are necessary to protect, maintain, or enhance water quality, and in accordance with paragraph (2), the Secretary shall carry out forest management activities as part of watershed protection and restoration projects carried out on National Forest System land, with the primary purpose of—

(A) protecting a municipal water supply system;

(B) restoring forest health from insect infestations and disease; or

(C) any combination of the purposes described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).

(2) Compliance

The Secretary shall carry out forest management activities under paragraph (1) in accordance with—

(A) this chapter;

(B) the applicable water source management plan;

(C) the applicable forest plan; and

(D) other applicable laws.

(f) Endangered Species Act of 1973

In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may use the Manual on Adaptive Management of the Department of the Interior, including any associated guidance, to comply with the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

(g) Funds and services

(1) In general

In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may accept and use funding, services, and other forms of investment and assistance from non-Federal partners to implement the water source management plan.

(2) Matching funds required

The Secretary shall require the contribution of funds or in-kind support from non-Federal partners to be in an amount that is at least equal to the amount of Federal funds.

(3) Manner of use

The Secretary may accept and use investments described in paragraph (1) directly or indirectly through the National Forest Foundation.

(4) Water source protection fund

(A) In general

Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary may establish a Water Source Protection Fund to match funds or in-kind support contributed by non-Federal partners under paragraph (1).

(B) Use of appropriated funds

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.

(C) Partnership agreements

The Secretary may make multiyear commitments, if necessary, to implement 1 or more partnership agreements under subsection (c).

(Pub. L. 108–148, title III, § 303, as added Pub. L. 115–334, title VIII, § 8404(a), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4841.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (d)(3), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§ 4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (e)(2)(A), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 108–148, Dec. 3, 2003, 117 Stat. 1887, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note below and Tables.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (f), is Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884, which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§ 1531 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1531 of this title and Tables.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 6542, Pub. L. 108–148, title III, § 303, Dec. 3, 2003, 117 Stat. 1905, provided for tribal watershed forestry assistance and the development of water quality and watershed forestry programs, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 113–79, title VIII, § 8005, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 913.