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16 U.S. Code § 6543 - Watershed Condition Framework

U.S. Code

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(a) In generalThe 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) CoordinationIn 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 designationNotwithstanding 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.

(Pub. L. 108–148, title III, § 304, as added Pub. L. 115–334, title VIII, § 8405(a), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4843.)