Restoring America's Watersheds Act of 2015

To amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to promote watershed health, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Restoring America’s Watersheds Act of 2015 2. Water Source Protection Program Subtitle A of title III of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( Public Law 111–11 3002. Water Source Protection Program (a) In general The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service (referred to in this section as the Secretary Program (b) Water source investment partnerships (1) In general In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may enter into water source investment partnerships with end water users (including States, political subdivisions, Indian tribes, utilities, municipal water systems, irrigation districts, nonprofit organizations, and corporations) to protect and restore the condition of National Forest watersheds that provide water to the non-Federal partners. (2) Form A partnership described in paragraph (1) may take the form of memoranda of understanding, cost-share or collection agreements, long-term match funding commitments, or other appropriate instruments. (c) Water source management plan (1) In general In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may produce a water source management plan in cooperation with the water source investment partnership participants and State, local, and tribal governments. (2) Firewood A water source management plan may give priority to projects that facilitate the gathering of firewood for personal use pursuant to section 223.5 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (3) Environmental analysis The Secretary may conduct— (A) a single environmental impact statement or similar analysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. (B) a statement or analysis described in subparagraph (A) as part of the development of the water source management plan or after the finalization of the plan. (4) Endangered Species Act In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may use the Manual on Adaptive Management of the Department of the Interior, including any associated guidance, for purposes of fulfilling any requirements under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. (5) Funds and services (A) In general In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may accept and use funding, services, and other forms of investment and assistance from water source investment partnership participants to implement the water source management plan. (B) Manner of use The Secretary may accept and use investments described in subparagraph (A) directly or indirectly through the National Forest Foundation. (C) Water Source Protection Fund (i) 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 water source investment partnership participants under subparagraph (A). (ii) Use of appropriated funds The Secretary may use funds appropriated to carry out this subparagraph to make multiyear commitments, if necessary, to implement 1 or more water source investment partnership agreements. . 3. Watershed Condition Framework Subtitle A of title III of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (as amended by section 2) is amended by adding at the end the following: 3003. Watershed Condition Framework (a) In general The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service (referred to in this section as the Secretary (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 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 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 restoration activities for each watershed restoration action plan; (5) to implement each watershed restoration action plan; and (6) to monitor the effectiveness of restoration actions and indicators of watershed health. (b) Coordination Throughout the process described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1) coordinate with interested non-Federal landowners and with State, tribal, and local governments within the relevant watershed; and (2) provide for an active and ongoing public engagement process. (c) Emergency designation Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), the Secretary may identify a watershed as a priority for rehabilitation in the Watershed Condition Framework without using the process described in subsection (a), 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. . 4. Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (a) Selection process Section 4003(f)(4) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( 16 U.S.C. 7303(f)(4) (C) Prequalification (i) In general Before awarding a contract funded by the Fund, the Secretary shall determine whether the contractor has the ability to complete the proposed restoration activities, including— (I) the financial ability to raise the funds necessary for the proposed restoration activities; and (II) sufficient capacity to perform the type and scope of the proposed restoration activities. (ii) Criteria If the Department does not have sufficient expertise to develop and evaluate criteria to make a determination under clause (i), the Secretary shall seek the assistance of other agencies or third-party consultants for purposes of developing and evaluating the criteria. . (b) Reauthorization of collaborative forest landscape restoration fund Section 4003(f)(6) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( 16 U.S.C. 7303(f)(6) 2019, to remain available until expended 2014, and $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2024, to remain available until expended

Summary: Restoring America's Watersheds Act of 2015 Directs the Forest Service to establish a Water Source Protection Program for National Forest System land derived from the public domain. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into water source investment partnerships with specified end water users to protect and restore the condition of National Forest watersheds that provide water to non-federal partners. Authorizes USDA to produce a water source management plan.Directs the Forest Service to establish a Watershed Condition Framework for System land derived from the public domain to: evaluate and classify the condition of watersheds, identify for restoration up to five priority watersheds in each National Forest and up to two priority watersheds in each national grassland, develop a watershed restoration action plan for each priority watershed, prioritize restoration activities for each watershed restoration action plan, implement each watershed restoration action plan, and monitor the effectiveness of restoration actions and indicators of watershed health. Requires USDA, before awarding a contract funded by the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund, to determine whether the contractor has the ability to complete the proposed restoration activities, including: the financial ability to raise the funds necessary, and sufficient capacity to perform the type and scope of those activities. Reauthorizes the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund for each of FY2016-FY2024.