II 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5118 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
AUGUST 2, 2022 
Received 
AN ACT 
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary 
of the Interior to prioritize the completion of the Conti-
nental Divide National Scenic Trail, and for other pur-
poses. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Wildfire Response and 
Drought Resiliency Act’’. 
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
The table of contents for this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title. 
Sec. 2. Table of contents. 
Sec. 3. Determination of budgetary effects. 
DIVISION A—WILDFIRE 
TITLE I—FEDERAL LANDS WORKFORCE 
Subtitle A—Federal Wildland Firefighters 
Sec. 101. Tim Hart Wildland Firefighter Pay Parity. 
Sec. 102. Waiver of premium pay limitations for certain employees engaged in 
emergency wildland fire suppression activities. 
Sec. 103. Direct hire authority. 
Subtitle B—Authorization of Appropriations for Forest Service Fire and Non- 
Fire Salaries and Expenses 
Sec. 111. In general. 
Subtitle C—Other Personnel 
Sec. 121. National Environmental Policy Act strike teams. 
Sec. 122. Community mitigation assistance teams. 
Sec. 123. Filling Forest Service recreation management staff vacancies. 
Sec. 124. Filling vacancies and increasing number of positions available in the 
Forest Service to address public safety and protection con-
cerns. 
TITLE II—WILDFIRE, ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION, COMMUNITY 
PREPAREDNESS, AND RECOVERY 
Subtitle A—10–Year National Wildfire Plan 
Sec. 201. Definitions. 
Sec. 202. Implementation of 10-year National Wildfire Plan. 
Sec. 203. Selection and implementation of landscape-scale forest restoration 
projects. 
Sec. 204. Youth and conservation corps assistance with projects under the 
Plan. 
Sec. 205. Prescribed fire training exchanges. 
Sec. 206. Ecosystem restoration grant fund through National Fish and Wildlife 
Foundation. 
Sec. 207. National community capacity and land stewardship grant program. 
Sec. 208. Protection of inventoried roadless areas. 
Sec. 209. Strategic wildland fire management planning for prescribed fire. 
Sec. 210. Long-Term Burned Area Recovery account. 
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Sec. 211. Report on 10-year National Wildfire Plan implementation. 
Sec. 212. Performance metrics tracking. 
Subtitle B—Tribal Biochar Promotion 
Sec. 221. Tribal and Alaska Native Biochar demonstration project. 
TITLE III—OTHER MATTERS 
Sec. 301. Requirements relating to certain fire suppression cost share agree-
ments. 
Sec. 302. Investment of certain funds into interest bearing obligations. 
Sec. 303. Study on crop losses. 
Sec. 304. Study on use of CH–47 Chinooks to respond to wildfires. 
DIVISION B—DROUGHT 
TITLE I—DROUGHT RESPONSE AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE 
Sec. 101. Advancing large-scale water recycling and reuse projects. 
Sec. 102. Salton Sea projects improvements. 
Sec. 103. Near-term actions to preserve Colorado River system. 
Sec. 104. WaterSMART access for Tribes. 
Sec. 105. Reclamation water settlements fund. 
Sec. 106. Bureau of Reclamation Tribal clean water assistance. 
Sec. 107. White Mountain Apache Tribe Rural Water System. 
Sec. 108. Desalination research authorization. 
Sec. 109. Water Resources Research Act amendments. 
Sec. 110. Saline Lake ecosystems in the Great Basin States Assessment and 
Monitoring Program. 
Sec. 111. Extension of authorizations related to fish recovery programs. 
Sec. 112. Reclamation climate change and water program. 
Sec. 113. Authorization of appropriations for the Las Vegas Wash program. 
Sec. 114. Terminal lakes assistance. 
Sec. 115. Expedited measures for drought response. 
Sec. 116. Water efficiency, conservation, and sustainability. 
Sec. 117. Shoring up electricity generation and reducing evaporation at Bureau 
of Reclamation facilities. 
TITLE II—FUTURE WESTERN WATER AND DROUGHT RESILIENCY 
Sec. 201. Short title. 
Sec. 202. Definitions. 
Subtitle A—Assistance for Projects With Fastest Construction Timelines 
Sec. 211. Water recycling and reuse projects. 
Sec. 212. Desalination project development. 
Sec. 213. Assistance for disadvantaged communities without adequate drinking 
water. 
Subtitle B—Improved Water Technology and Data 
Sec. 221. X-prize for water technology breakthroughs. 
Sec. 222. Water technology investment program established. 
Sec. 223. Federal priority streamgages. 
Subtitle C—Drought Response and Preparedness for Ecosystems 
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Sec. 231. Aquatic ecosystem restoration program. 
Sec. 232. Watershed health program. 
Sec. 233. Waterbird habitat creation program. 
Sec. 234. Support for refuge water deliveries. 
Sec. 235. Drought planning and preparedness for critically important fisheries. 
Sec. 236. Reauthorization of the Fisheries Restoration and Irrigation Mitiga-
tion Act of 2000. 
Sec. 237. Sustaining biodiversity during droughts. 
Sec. 238. Water resource education. 
TITLE III—OPEN ACCESS EVAPOTRANSPIRATION DATA 
Sec. 301. Short title. 
Sec. 302. Definitions. 
Sec. 303. Findings. 
Sec. 304. Open Access Evapotranspiration (OpenET) Data Program. 
Sec. 305. Report. 
Sec. 306. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE IV—COLORADO RIVER INDIAN TRIBES WATER RESILIENCY 
Sec. 401. Short title. 
Sec. 402. Findings. 
Sec. 403. Definitions. 
Sec. 404. Lease or exchange agreements. 
Sec. 405. Storage agreements. 
Sec. 406. Agreements for creation of water for the Colorado River System or 
for Storing Water in Lake Mead. 
Sec. 407. Secretarial approval; disapproval; agreements. 
Sec. 408. Responsibilities of the Secretary. 
Sec. 409. Agreement between the CRIT and the State. 
Sec. 410. Agreement between the CRIT, the State, and the Secretary. 
Sec. 411. No effect on the CRIT decreed allocation. 
Sec. 412. Allottee use of water. 
Sec. 413. Consideration paid to the CRIT. 
Sec. 414. Liability of the United States. 
Sec. 415. Application. 
Sec. 416. Rule of construction. 
TITLE V— HUALAPAI TRIBE WATER RIGHTS SETTLEMENT 
Sec. 501. Short title. 
Sec. 502. Purposes. 
Sec. 503. Definitions. 
Sec. 504. Ratification and execution of Hualapai Tribe water rights settlement 
agreement. 
Sec. 505. Water rights. 
Sec. 506. Hualapai Water Trust Fund Account; construction of Hualapai water 
project; funding. 
Sec. 507. Authorizations of appropriations. 
Sec. 508. Environmental compliance. 
Sec. 509. Waivers, releases, and retentions of claims. 
Sec. 510. Satisfaction of water rights and other benefits. 
Sec. 511. Land added to Hualapai Reservation. 
Sec. 512. Trust land. 
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Sec. 513. Reallocation of CAP NIA Priority Water; Firming; Water Delivery 
Contract; Colorado River Accounting. 
Sec. 514. Enforceability date. 
Sec. 515. Administration. 
TITLE VI—WATER DATA 
Sec. 601. Definitions. 
Sec. 602. National water data framework. 
Sec. 603. Water Data Council. 
Sec. 604. Advisory Committee on Water Information. 
Sec. 605. Water data grant program. 
Sec. 606. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE VII—NOGALES WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENT 
Sec. 701. Short title. 
Sec. 702. Amendments to the Act of July 27, 1953. 
Sec. 703. Nogales sanitation project. 
TITLE VIII—RIO GRANDE WATER SECURITY 
Sec. 801. Short title. 
Subtitle A—Rio Grande Water Security 
Sec. 811. Definitions. 
Sec. 812. Integrated water resources management plan for the Rio Grande 
Basin. 
Sec. 813. Rio Grande Basin Working Group. 
Sec. 814. Effect of subtitle. 
Subtitle B—Pueblo Irrigation 
Sec. 821. Reauthorization of Pueblo irrigation infrastructure grants. 
DIVISION C—OTHER FIRE, DROUGHT, AND EXTREME WEATHER 
PROGRAMS 
TITLE I—INFRASTRUCTURE, ENERGY, AND ASSISTANCE 
Sec. 101. Natural Disaster Grid Mitigation Map. 
Sec. 102. Interregional minimum transfer capability requirements. 
Sec. 103. Critical document fee waiver. 
Sec. 104. Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance. 
Sec. 105. Fire management assistance cost share. 
Sec. 106. Transitional sheltering assistance. 
Sec. 107. Grid resilience study. 
Sec. 108. Nonnative plant species removal grant program. 
Sec. 109. Centers of excellence for research on wildfire smoke. 
Sec. 110. Community smoke planning. 
Sec. 111. Disaster equity and fairness. 
Sec. 112. FEMA improvement, reform, and efficiency. 
Sec. 113. Fire investigations. 
Sec. 114. Critical infrastructure and microgrid program. 
Sec. 115. Advanced transmission technology study. 
Sec. 116. Rural Communities Drinking Water Resiliency. 
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TITLE II—NATIONAL DISASTER SAFETY BOARD ACT 
Sec. 201. Establishment and purpose. 
Sec. 202. General authority. 
Sec. 203. Recommendations and responses. 
Sec. 204. Reports and studies. 
Sec. 205. Appointment and organization. 
Sec. 206. Methodology. 
Sec. 207. Administrative. 
Sec. 208. Disclosure, availability, and use of information. 
Sec. 209. Training. 
Sec. 210. Funding. 
Sec. 211. Authority of the Inspector General. 
Sec. 212. Evaluation and audit of National Disaster Safety Board. 
Sec. 213. Definitions. 
TITLE III—NATIONAL WILDLAND FIRE RISK REDUCTION 
PROGRAM 
Sec. 301. Establishment of National Wildland Fire Risk Reduction Program. 
Sec. 302. Program activities. 
Sec. 303. Interagency Coordinating Committee on Wildland Fire Risk Reduc-
tion. 
Sec. 304. National Advisory Committee on Wildland Fire Risk Reduction. 
Sec. 305. Government Accountability Office review. 
Sec. 306. Responsibilities of Program agencies. 
Sec. 307. Budget activities. 
Sec. 308. Definitions. 
Sec. 309. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 310. Increase in allowable amount of physical disaster loan for mitigation. 
Sec. 311. Study on disaster spending; State disaster plan updates. 
TITLE IV—WILDFIRE GRID RESILIENCE ACT 
Sec. 401. Short title. 
Sec. 402. Resilience accelerator demonstration program. 
TITLE V—WILDFIRE INSURANCE COVERAGE STUDY 
Sec. 501. Short title. 
Sec. 502. National wildfire risk assessment. 
Sec. 503. GAO study regarding insurance for wildfire damage. 
TITLE VI—OTHER MATTERS 
Sec. 601. Extreme weather events. 
Sec. 602. Fire management assistance program policy. 
Sec. 603. Changes to public assistance policy guide. 
Sec. 604. Mitigation benefit-cost analysis. 
TITLE VII—COLLATERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DISASTER LOANS 
UNDER THE SMALL BUSINESS ACT 
Sec. 701. Collateral requirements for disaster loans under the Small Business 
Act. 
DIVISION D—ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 
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Sec. 101. Definitions. 
Sec. 102. Environmental justice community technical assistance grants. 
Sec. 103. White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council. 
Sec. 104. Federal agency actions to address environmental justice. 
Sec. 105. Training of employees of Federal agencies. 
Sec. 106. Environmental justice basic training program. 
Sec. 107. Environmental justice clearinghouse. 
Sec. 108. Public meetings. 
Sec. 109. National Environmental Justice Advisory Council. 
Sec. 110. Environmental justice grant programs. 
Sec. 111. Environmental justice community solid waste disposal technical as-
sistance grants. 
Sec. 112. Environmental justice community, State, and Tribal grant programs. 
Sec. 113. Protections for environmental justice communities against harmful 
Federal actions. 
Sec. 114. Prohibited discrimination. 
Sec. 115. Right of action. 
Sec. 116. Rights of recovery. 
Sec. 117. Public health risks associated with cumulative environmental 
stressors. 
Sec. 118. Climate justice grant program. 
Sec. 119. Environmental justice for communities overburdened by environ-
mental violations. 
SEC. 3. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS. 
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, 
shall be determined by reference to the latest statement 
titled ‘‘Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation’’ for this 
Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record 
by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, pro-
vided that such statement has been submitted prior to the 
vote on passage. 
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DIVISION A—WILDFIRE 
TITLE I—FEDERAL LANDS 
WORKFORCE 
Subtitle A—Federal Wildland 
Firefighters 
SEC. 101. TIM HART WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER PAY PARITY. 
(a) FEDERAL WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER PAY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act— 
(A) the minimum rate of basic pay for any 
Federal wildland firefighter position shall be 
not less than the rate of pay for step 3 of GS– 
6 of the General Schedule; and 
(B) any such position shall receive locality 
pay under section 5304 of title 5, United States 
Code, at the rate of ‘‘Rest of U.S.’’. 
(2) ANNUAL ADJUSTMENTS.—Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, beginning in the first pay 
period beginning on or after the date that the min-
imum rates of pay under paragraph (1) begin to 
apply, and annually thereafter, the basic rate of pay 
for each Federal wildland firefighter shall be in-
creased by not less than the percentage equal to the 
percent change in the Consumer Price Index (all 
items—United 
States 
city 
average), 
published 
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monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for De-
cember of the preceding year over such Consumer 
Price Index for the December of the year prior to 
the preceding year, adjusted to the nearest one-tenth 
of 1 percent. 
(3) COMPENSATION COMPARABLE TO NON-FED-
ERAL FIREFIGHTERS.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date the minimum rates of pay under paragraph 
(1) begin to apply, the Secretary of Agriculture and 
the Secretary of the Interior shall submit a report 
to Congress on whether pay, benefits, and bonuses 
provided to Federal wildland firefighters are com-
parable to the pay, benefits, and bonuses provided 
for non-Federal firefighters in the State or locality 
where Federal wildland firefighters are based. 
(4) HAZARDOUS
DUTY
PAY.—Each Federal 
wildland firefighter who is carrying out work com-
pleted during prescribed fire, parachuting, tree 
climbing over 20 feet, hazard tree removal, and 
other hazardous work as identified by the Secretary 
of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, shall be 
considered an employee in an occupational series 
covering positions for which the primary duties in-
volve the prevention, control, suppression, or man-
agement of wildland fires under section 5545(d) of 
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title 5, United States Code. The Director of the Of-
fice of Personnel Management may prescribe regula-
tions to carry out this paragraph. 
(5) MENTAL
HEALTH
LEAVE.—Each Federal 
wildland firefighter shall be entitled to 7 consecutive 
days of leave, without loss or reduction in pay, dur-
ing any calendar year. Leave provided under this 
paragraph shall not— 
(A) accumulate for use in succeeding 
years; and 
(B) be considered to be annual or vacation 
leave for purposes of section 5551 or 5552 of 
title 5, United States Code, or for any other 
purpose. 
(b) PAY PARITY FOR FEDERAL STRUCTURAL FIRE-
FIGHTERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, any pay, benefits, 
and bonuses provided to any Federal structural fire-
fighter shall be comparable with the pay, benefits, 
and bonuses provided for Federal wildland fire-
fighters. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date the minimum rates of pay under subsection 
(a)(1) begin to apply, the Director of the Office of 
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Personnel Management shall submit a report to 
Congress on whether pay for such Federal structural 
firefighters is competitive with Federal wildland fire-
fighters 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
(1) the term ‘‘Federal structural firefighter’’— 
(A) has the meaning given the term ‘‘fire-
fighter’’ in section 8401 of chapter 84 of title 
5, United States Code; and 
(B) does not include any Federal wildland 
firefighter; and 
(2) the term ‘‘Federal wildland firefighter’’ 
means any individual occupying a position within the 
Wildland Fire Management Series, 0456 established 
by the Office of Personnel Management pursuant to 
section 40803(d) of the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58), or any subse-
quent series. 
SEC. 102. WAIVER OF PREMIUM PAY LIMITATIONS FOR 
CERTAIN EMPLOYEES ENGAGED IN EMER-
GENCY WILDLAND FIRE SUPPRESSION AC-
TIVITIES. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the 
‘‘Wildland Firefighter Fair Pay Act’’. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) COVERED EMPLOYEE.—The term ‘‘covered 
employee’’ means an employee of the Department of 
Agriculture, the Department of the Interior, or the 
Department of Commerce. 
(2) COVERED
SERVICES.—The term ‘‘covered 
services’’ means services performed by a covered em-
ployee that are determined by the Secretary con-
cerned to be primarily relating to emergency 
wildland fire suppression activities. 
(3) PREMIUM PAY.—The term ‘‘premium pay’’ 
means the premium pay paid under the provisions of 
law described in section 5547(a) of title 5, United 
States Code. 
(4) SECRETARY CONCERNED.—The term ‘‘Sec-
retary concerned’’ means— 
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with re-
spect to an employee of the Department of Ag-
riculture; 
(B) the Secretary of the Interior, with re-
spect to an employee of the Department of the 
Interior; and 
(C) the Secretary of Commerce, with re-
spect to an employee of the Department of 
Commerce. 
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(c) WAIVER
OF PREMIUM PAY PERIOD LIMITA-
TION.—Any premium pay for covered services shall be dis-
regarded in calculating the aggregate of the basic pay and 
premium pay for the applicable covered employee for pur-
poses of a pay period limitation under section 5547(a) of 
title 5, United States Code, or under any other provision 
of law. 
(d) WAIVER
OF ANNUAL PREMIUM PAY LIMITA-
TION.—Any premium pay for covered services shall be dis-
regarded in calculating any annual limitation on the 
amount of overtime pay payable in a calendar year or fis-
cal year under section 5547(b) of title 5, United States 
Code. 
(e) PAY LIMITATION.—A covered employee may not 
be paid premium pay if, or to the extent that, the aggre-
gate amount of the basic pay and premium pay (including 
premium pay for covered services) of the covered employee 
for a calendar year would exceed the rate of basic pay pay-
able for a position at level II of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5313 of title 5, United States Code, as in 
effect at the end of that calendar year. 
(f) TREATMENT OF ADDITIONAL PREMIUM PAY.—If 
the application of this section results in the payment of 
additional premium pay to a covered employee of a type 
that is normally creditable as basic pay for retirement or 
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any other purpose, that additional premium pay shall not 
be— 
(1) considered to be basic pay of the covered 
employee for any purpose; or 
(2) used in computing a lump-sum payment to 
the covered employee for accumulated and accrued 
annual leave under section 5551 or 5552 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(g) OVERTIME RATES.—Section 5542(a)(5) of title 5, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘the United 
States Forest Service in’’. 
SEC. 103. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the 
‘‘Conservation Jobs Act of 2022’’. 
(b) DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY.—Section 147(d) of 
the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
3197(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), the Secretary of Agriculture may ap-
point, without regard to the provisions of sub-
chapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States 
Code (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of 
such title), covered graduates directly to any 
position with the Forest Service for which the 
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candidate meets Office of Personnel Manage-
ment qualification standards. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATIONS.—The Secretary may 
not appoint under subparagraph (A)— 
‘‘(i) during fiscal year 2023, more 
than 10 covered job corps graduates; 
‘‘(ii) during fiscal year 2024, more 
than 20 covered job corps graduates; 
‘‘(iii) during fiscal year 2025, more 
than 30 covered job corps graduates; and 
‘‘(iv) during fiscal year 2026 and each 
fiscal year thereafter, more than 50 cov-
ered job corps graduates. 
‘‘(C) COVERED JOB CORPS GRADUATE DE-
FINED.—In this paragraph, the term ‘covered 
graduate’ means a graduate of a Civilian Con-
servation Center who successfully completed a 
training program, including in administration, 
human resources, business, or quality assur-
ance, that was focused on forestry, wildland 
firefighting, or another topic relating to the 
mission of the Forest Service.’’. 
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Subtitle B—Authorization of Ap-
propriations for Forest Service 
Fire and Non-Fire Salaries and 
Expenses 
SEC. 111. IN GENERAL. 
There is authorized to be appropriated— 
(1) for salaries and expenses of fire-related em-
ployees of the Forest Service to carry out wildfire 
preparedness under the wildland fire management 
program authorized pursuant to the Organic Admin-
istration 
Act 
of 
1897 
(16 
U.S.C. 
551), 
$1,615,600,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal 
year thereafter; and 
(2) for salaries and expenses of National Forest 
System employees not described in paragraph (1) to 
carry out activities for the stewardship and manage-
ment 
of 
the 
National 
Forest 
System, 
$2,353,400,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal 
year thereafter. 
Subtitle C—Other Personnel 
SEC. 121. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT STRIKE 
TEAMS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall, for each region of the Forest Service, 
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establish and maintain at least one NEPA strike team per 
region. 
(b) PRIORITY ASSIGNMENTS.—The Secretary of Ag-
riculture shall give priority assignments to NEPA strike 
teams established under subsection (a) that serve— 
(1) areas of the National Forest System with a 
high or very high risk of wildfire; and 
(2) at-risk communities with a significant num-
ber or percentage of homes exposed to wildfire. 
(c) COMPOSITION OF STRIKE TEAMS.—Strike teams 
established under subsection (a) shall, to the maximum 
extent practicable, consist of interdisciplinary members 
who have demonstrated success in the efficient and effec-
tive completion of all stages of compliance with the Na-
tional Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
SEC. 122. COMMUNITY MITIGATION ASSISTANCE TEAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agri-
culture shall, for each region of the Forest Service, estab-
lish and maintain at least one community mitigation as-
sistance team. 
(b) PRIORITY ASSIGNMENTS.—The Secretary of Ag-
riculture shall give priority assignments to community 
mitigation assistance teams established under subsection 
(a) that serve at-risk communities with a significant num-
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ber or percentage of homes exposed to a high or very high 
risk of wildfire. 
(c) ASSESSMENTS.—With respect to a community 
mitigation assistance team established under subsection 
(a), the Secretary of Agriculture may— 
(1) at the request of a State or political subdivi-
sion, assign such a team to provide pre-fire assess-
ments; and 
(2) assign such a team to an area or commu-
nity to provide post-fire assessments. 
SEC. 123. FILLING FOREST SERVICE RECREATION MANAGE-
MENT STAFF VACANCIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture, act-
ing through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall fill va-
cancies in Forest Service recreation management and 
planning staff, including recreation technicians, recreation 
officers, and natural resource managers. 
(b) PRIORITY.—The Secretary shall prioritize filling 
vacancies under subsection (a) in units of the National 
Forest System that— 
(1) are at high or very high risk of wildfires; 
and 
(2) are located in areas of substantial public 
use. 
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(c) TRAINING
AND CERTIFICATION
AS
A FOREST 
PROTECTION OFFICER.—The Secretary may provide the 
opportunity for any individual who fills a vacancy pursu-
ant to subsection (a) to receive training and certification 
as a Forest Protection Officer. 
SEC. 124. FILLING VACANCIES AND INCREASING NUMBER 
OF POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN THE FOREST 
SERVICE TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY AND 
PROTECTION CONCERNS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture, act-
ing through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall— 
(1) fill vacancies in the Forest Service in roles 
that primarily address public safety and protection; 
(2) assess the number of positions necessary to 
promote public safety and protect resources from 
unauthorized use; and 
(3) seek to increase the number of positions 
available, as described in paragraph (2), as appro-
priate. 
(b) PRIORITY.—The Secretary shall prioritize filling 
vacancies and increasing the number of positions under 
subsection (a) in units of the National Forest System 
that— 
(1) are at high or very high risk of wildfires; 
and 
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(2) are located in areas of substantial public 
use. 
TITLE 
II—WILDFIRE, 
ECO-
SYSTEM PROTECTION, COM-
MUNITY PREPAREDNESS, AND 
RECOVERY 
Subtitle A—10–Year National 
Wildfire Plan 
SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) PLAN.—The term ‘‘Plan’’ means the plan 
required under section 202(a). 
(2) SECRETARIES.—The term ‘‘Secretaries’’ 
means the Secretary of Agriculture and the Sec-
retary of the Interior. 
(3) SECRETARY CONCERNED.—The term ‘‘Sec-
retary concerned’’ means— 
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with re-
spect to National Forest System lands; and 
(B) the Secretary of the Interior, with re-
spect to public lands. 
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SEC. 202. IMPLEMENTATION OF 10-YEAR NATIONAL WILD-
FIRE PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture 
shall, in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior, 
implement a 10-year National Wildfire Plan that— 
(1) includes— 
(A) hazardous fuels and prescribed fire ac-
tivities to address wildfire risk; 
(B) vegetation, watershed, wildlife and 
fisheries habitat management to maintain habi-
tat and improve ecological conditions, includ-
ing— 
(i) protecting mature and old-growth 
trees and forests; 
(ii) maintaining habitat in a way that 
advances at-risk species recovery and con-
servation; and 
(iii) completing consultations required 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); 
(C) management of recreation, heritage, 
and wilderness programs; 
(D) activities under the Joint Fire Science 
Program to address wildfire risk; 
(E) the activities required under this sub-
title; 
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(2) in accordance with section 203, prioritizes 
carrying out landscape-scale restoration projects. 
(b) COORDINATION.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary of Agri-
culture, in coordination with the Secretary of Interior, 
shall— 
(1) utilize cooperative forestry authorities and 
agreements, including but not limited to the Cooper-
ative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 
2101 et seq.); 
(2) solicit proposals from States, counties, and 
Tribes to address water quantity and quality con-
cerns; 
(3) solicit proposals from States, counties, and 
Tribes for hazardous fuels treatments; 
(4) consider the long-term State-wide assess-
ments and forest resource strategies established in 
section 2A the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act 
of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101a); and 
(5) provide priority to collaboratively developed 
projects. 
(c) FUNDING.— 
(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(A) HAZARDOUS FUELS AND PRESCRIBED 
FIRE.—There is authorized to be appropriated 
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to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out 
hazardous fuels and prescribed fire activities 
under subsection (a)(1)(A), $500,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2023 through 2032. 
(B) VEGETATION, WATERSHED, WILDLIFE, 
AND FISHERIES MANAGEMENT.—There is au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Agriculture to carry out vegetation, watershed, 
wildlife and fisheries management activities 
under subsection (a)(1)(B), $500,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2023 through 2032. 
(C) RECREATION, 
HERITAGE, 
WILDER-
NESS.—There is authorized to be appropriated 
to the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out 
recreation, heritage, and wilderness programs 
under subsection (a)(1)(C), $500,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2023 through 2032. 
(D) JOINT
FIRE
SCIENCE
PROGRAM.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out wildfire risk reduction and research activi-
ties of the Joint Fire Science Program pursu-
ant to the Plan, $20,000,000, for each of fiscal 
years 2023 through 2032, of which— 
(i) $10,000,000 shall be made avail-
able to the Secretary of Agriculture; and 
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(ii) $10,000,000 shall be made avail-
able to the Secretary of the Interior. 
(2) HAZARDOUS FUELS.— 
(A) PERMISSIVE
USE.—Of the amounts 
made available pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) 
for a fiscal year, up to 10 percent may be used 
to cover a portion of wildland firefighter sala-
ries, so long as the positions to which such sala-
ries apply are full-time and cover projects and 
activities to reduce wildfire risk. 
(B) LIMITATION.—The amounts made 
available pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) may not 
be used to cover any portion of wildland fire-
fighter salaries if the activities to reduce wild-
fire risk are considered wildfire suppression ac-
tivities. 
SEC. 203. SELECTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF LAND-
SCAPE-SCALE 
FOREST 
RESTORATION 
PROJECTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the Plan, the Sec-
retary of Agriculture shall select, in accordance with this 
section, landscape-scale forest restoration projects— 
(1) to implement on National Forest System 
land; and 
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(2) if applicable, to implement on land adjoin-
ing National Forest System land, in coordination 
with other Federal and non-Federal entities. 
(b) INITIAL PHASE.—During the 5-year period begin-
ning on the date of enactment of this Act, subject to the 
availability of appropriations, the Secretary of Agriculture 
shall select not more than 20 landscape-scale forest res-
toration projects under subsection (a). 
(c) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), to 
be eligible for selection and implementation under 
subsection (a), a landscape-scale forest restoration 
project shall satisfy the following requirements: 
(A) The purposes and needs for the project 
shall be— 
(i) to restore the ecological integrity 
and ecological resilience of terrestrial and 
aquatic areas that have departed from ref-
erence conditions within the forest land-
scape; 
(ii) to restore appropriate natural fire 
regimes, including by reducing fuel loads 
in areas that have departed from reference 
conditions, taking into account the current 
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and projected impacts of climate change; 
and 
(iii) to conduct wildfire risk reduction 
activities within the wildland-urban inter-
face to the extent that the project includes 
lands within the wildland-urban interface. 
(B) The project shall be developed and 
supported by a collaborative group that— 
(i) includes multiple interested per-
sons representing diverse interests; 
(ii) is transparent and inclusive; and 
(iii) has sufficient expertise, capacity, 
and scientific support to effectively plan, 
implement, and monitor landscape-level, 
ecologically based forest restoration activi-
ties. 
(C) The project shall be based on a land-
scape assessment that shall— 
(i) cover a landscape of— 
(I) except as provided in sub-
clauses (II) and (III), not less than 
100,000 acres; 
(II) in such limited cases as the 
Secretary of Agriculture determines to 
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be appropriate, not less than 80,000 
acres if— 
(aa) the assessment is com-
pleted or substantially completed 
as of the date of enactment of 
this Act; and 
(bb) in the determination of 
the Secretary of Agriculture, as-
sessing a larger area is not nec-
essary to restore the integrity, re-
silience, and fire regimes of the 
landscape; or 
(III) not less than 50,000 acres 
in the case of a project that is carried 
out east of the 100th meridian; 
(ii) evaluate ecological integrity and 
determine reference conditions for the 
landscape; 
(iii) identify terrestrial and aquatic 
areas within the landscape that have de-
parted from reference conditions; 
(iv) identify criteria to determine ap-
propriate restoration treatments within de-
graded areas of the landscape to achieve 
reference conditions, including manage-
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ment prescriptions and necessary mitiga-
tion measures to protect at-risk species; 
(v) be based on the best available sci-
entific information and data, including, 
where applicable, high-resolution imagery, 
LiDAR, and similar technologies and infor-
mation, and involve direct engagement by 
scientists; and 
(vi) identify priority restoration strat-
egies for terrestrial and aquatic areas, in-
cluding prescribed fire and wildfires man-
aged for multiple resource benefits, which 
shall focus on— 
(I) areas that are the most de-
parted from reference conditions; and 
(II) areas that would benefit the 
most from reducing the risk of 
uncharacteristic 
wildfire, 
especially 
with respect to nearby communities, 
taking into account other completed, 
ongoing, 
planned 
fuels-reduction 
projects, and the effects of recent 
wildfires. 
(D) Restoration treatments under the 
project— 
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(i) shall emphasize the reintroduction 
of characteristic fire, based on forest ecol-
ogy and reference conditions, through the 
use of prescribed fire, wildfire, or both; 
(ii) that involve any proposed mechan-
ical treatments shall be designed to pro-
mote— 
(I) the restoration of reference 
conditions in areas that lack ecological 
integrity, with a focus on the reduc-
tion of surface and ladder fuels; and 
(II) the establishment of condi-
tions that will facilitate prescribed fire 
or managed wildfire; 
(iii) shall— 
(I) fully maintain or contribute 
to the restoration of reference old for-
est conditions, taking into account the 
current and projected impacts of cli-
mate change; and 
(II) protect or increase the num-
ber and distribution of large old trees, 
consistent with reference conditions, 
excepting any de minimis losses of 
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large old trees from prescribed fire or 
hazardous tree removal; and 
(iv) that involve prescribed fire shall 
provide advance notification, in accordance 
with notification procedures developed by 
the Secretary of Agriculture, to the owner 
or operator of critical infrastructure, such 
as a power line right-of-way, of any pre-
scribed fire treatments within close prox-
imity to the infrastructure. 
(E) The project shall be consistent with all 
applicable environmental laws, including— 
(i) the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); 
(ii) the Endangered Species Act of 
1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and 
(iii) the Forest and Rangeland Renew-
able Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 
U.S.C. 1600 et seq.). 
(F) The project shall be consistent with 
section 208. 
(G) The project shall require multiparty 
monitoring, including opportunities for public 
engagement, and an adaptive management ap-
proach that— 
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(i) conditions the future implementa-
tion of the project on the satisfactory com-
pletion of— 
(I) priority restoration actions; 
and 
(II) required monitoring after im-
plementation; 
(ii) validates conditions projected to 
occur in the environmental analysis for the 
project; and 
(iii) requires modifications to the 
project if monitoring reveals impacts be-
yond the anticipated impacts of the 
project. 
(H)(i) No new permanent road may be 
built as part of the project. 
(ii) Any new temporary roads needed to 
implement the project shall be decommissioned 
not later than 3 years after completion of the 
project. 
(I) The project shall use an efficient ap-
proach to landscape-scale analysis and decision-
making that is consistent with the National En-
vironmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.), which may include— 
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(i) the preparation of a single environ-
mental impact statement or environmental 
assessment, as applicable, for the entire 
project, incorporating the landscape assess-
ment described in subparagraph (C); 
(ii) the use of, as applicable— 
(I) multiple records of decision to 
implement a single environmental im-
pact statement; or 
(II) multiple decision notices to 
implement a single environmental as-
sessment; 
(iii) 
the 
preparation 
of 
a 
pro-
grammatic environmental impact state-
ment or environmental assessment, as ap-
plicable, for the entire project, incor-
porating the landscape assessment de-
scribed in subparagraph (C), followed by 
focused, concise, and site-specific— 
(I) environmental assessments; or 
(II) categorical exclusions con-
sistent with the National Environ-
mental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.); or 
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(iv) the use of the landscape assess-
ment described in subparagraph (C), 
through incorporation by reference and 
similar approaches, to support focused, 
concise, and site-specific— 
(I) environmental assessments; or 
(II) categorical exclusions con-
sistent with the National Environ-
mental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.). 
(2) EXCEPTION.—If the Secretary of Agri-
culture determines that there are an insufficient 
number of projects that fully comply with the re-
quirements described in paragraph (1) to implement 
based on all available funding, then the Secretary of 
Agriculture may, during the 2-year period beginning 
on the date of enactment of this Act, select under 
subsection (a) not more than a total of 5 landscape- 
scale forest restoration projects to implement that 
do not fully comply with those requirements if the 
projects— 
(A) fully comply with the requirements de-
scribed in subparagraphs (B), (D), (E), (F), 
(G), (H), and (I) of that paragraph; 
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(B) in the determination of the Secretary 
of Agriculture, have purposes and needs that 
are consistent with the purposes and needs de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) of that paragraph; 
and 
(C) are supported by landscape assess-
ments that are substantially (if not completely) 
consistent with the requirements described in 
subparagraph (C) of that paragraph, subject to 
the condition that the applicable landscape as-
sessments fully comply with the requirements 
described in clauses (i) and (v) of that subpara-
graph. 
(d) EVALUATION OF ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In determining which land-
scape-scale forest restoration projects to select under 
subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture shall 
consider— 
(A) the criteria described in paragraph (2); 
(B) the extent to which the project utilizes 
the approaches to project implementation de-
scribed in paragraph (3); and 
(C) the recommendations of the advisory 
panel established under subsection (e). 
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(2) CRITERIA.—The criteria referred to in 
paragraph (1)(A) are— 
(A) the demonstrated need, based on the 
best available science, to restore ecological in-
tegrity to degraded or departed areas within the 
landscape covered by the project, taking into 
account the current and projected impacts of 
climate change; 
(B)(i) the importance of watersheds in the 
area covered by the project for downstream 
waters supply; and 
(ii) the opportunity to improve the ec-
ological integrity and ecological conditions 
of those watersheds and reduce risks to 
water resources through landscape-scale 
forest restoration; 
(C)(i) the potential extent of cost sharing 
for the development and implementation of the 
project from diverse sources, such as State or 
local governments, water or electric utilities, 
carbon credits, or private entities; and 
(ii) the proportion of the non-Federal 
cost share that is in the form of cash con-
tributions; 
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(D) whether the area covered by the 
project has high-resolution, remote-sensing data 
and other information available that enables a 
landscape assessment and a robust analysis and 
disclosure of the effects and outcomes of imple-
menting restoration activities; 
(E) whether the project is using, or will 
use, innovative approaches to completing re-
source surveys that are less costly and less 
time-consuming than usual practices while pro-
viding the information necessary for project de-
sign and analysis; 
(F) whether the project will reduce the 
number of miles of permanent roads on Na-
tional Forest System land that are not nec-
essary for resource management or recreational 
access; 
(G) whether the project will assess or 
quantify the ecosystem service benefits of forest 
restoration within the landscape covered by the 
project, such as water, carbon, biodiversity, fire 
risk reduction, public health, and community 
safety; 
(H) whether the project has the potential 
to support new or existing wood processing in-
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frastructure that can make economic use of the 
byproducts of forest restoration; 
(I) whether the project has the potential to 
support local employment and investment op-
portunities, particularly in economically dis-
advantaged communities; 
(J) the scale of the landscape assessment 
for the project, with a preference for projects 
for which the landscape assessment covers a 
larger area; and 
(K) whether the project— 
(i) strives to restore ecological integ-
rity and ecological conditions within areas 
across land ownerships, including State 
and private land; and 
(ii) 
will 
reduce 
the 
risk 
of 
uncharacteristic wildfire, and, to the extent 
practicable, restore ecological integrity, 
within the wildland-urban interface. 
(3) COLLABORATION.—The Secretary of Agri-
culture may coordinate with Federal, State, local, 
and Tribal agencies with respect to selection and im-
plementation under subsection (a), a landscape-scale 
forest restoration project. 
(e) ADVISORY PANEL.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture 
shall establish and maintain an advisory panel com-
posed of not more than 15 members to evaluate, and 
provide recommendations on— 
(A) each landscape-scale forest restoration 
project that the Secretary of Agriculture is re-
viewing for potential selection under subsection 
(a); and 
(B) proposals for planning and developing 
landscape-scale forest restoration projects. 
(2) REPRESENTATION.—The Secretary of Agri-
culture shall ensure that the membership of the ad-
visory panel established under paragraph (1) is fair-
ly balanced in terms of the points of view rep-
resented and the functions to be performed by the 
advisory panel. 
(3) INCLUSION.—The advisory panel estab-
lished under paragraph (1) shall include experts in 
ecological forest restoration, fire ecology, fire man-
agement, rural economic and workforce development, 
strategies for ecological adaptation to climate 
change, fish and wildlife ecology, and woody biomass 
and small-diameter tree utilization. 
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(4) EXEMPTION.—The advisory panel estab-
lished under paragraph (1) shall be exempt from the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). 
SEC. 204. YOUTH AND CONSERVATION CORPS ASSISTANCE 
WITH PROJECTS UNDER THE PLAN. 
In carrying out projects under the Plan, the Secre-
taries shall, to the maximum extent practicable— 
(1) identify appropriate projects to be carried 
out by, and enter into cooperative agreements to 
carry out such projects with— 
(A) qualified youth or conservation corps 
(as defined in section 203 of the Public Lands 
Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1722)); or 
(B) nonprofit wilderness and trails stew-
ardship organizations, including— 
(i) the Corps Network; 
(ii) the National Wilderness Steward-
ship Alliance; 
(iii) American Trails; and 
(iv) other public lands stewardship or-
ganizations, as appropriate; and 
(2) waive any matching funds requirements, in-
cluding under section 212(a)(1) of the Public Lands 
Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1729(a)(1)). 
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SEC. 205. PRESCRIBED FIRE TRAINING EXCHANGES. 
(a) WESTERN PRESCRIBED FIRE CENTERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the Plan, 
the Secretaries shall establish 1 or more centers to 
train individuals in prescribed fire methods and 
other methods relevant to the mitigation of wildfire 
risk (referred to in this subsection as a ‘‘center’’). 
(2) HOST INSTITUTIONS.—The 1 or more cen-
ters shall be— 
(A) located at 1 or more institutions of 
higher education; or 
(B) developed in collaboration with 1 or 
more institutions of higher education. 
(3) GOALS.—The 1 or more centers shall ad-
vance the following goals: 
(A) Training individuals and conducting 
research on prescribed fire methods and other 
restoration methods relevant to the mitigation 
of wildfire risk. 
(B) Developing and advancing interdiscipli-
nary science relating to wildfire, including social 
science and human dimensions of wildfire. 
(C) Conducting ongoing and forward-look-
ing needs assessments among stakeholders, in-
cluding Federal and State agencies and Indian 
Tribes, to determine common need require-
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ments and emerging challenges to reduce wild-
fire risk and adapt communities to increased 
risk from wildfire, including the following haz-
ard-related focus areas: 
(i) Increasing disaster resilience. 
(ii) Mitigation and management meth-
ods. 
(iii) Air quality. 
(iv) Firestorm weather forecasting 
and burn-area debris flow forecasting, in-
cluding empirical and modeling research. 
(D) Collaborating with Federal wildfire sci-
entists at the Forest Service, the Department of 
the Interior, and other related Federal agencies. 
(E) Identifying, through a detailed engage-
ment process targeting defined end-users, the 
requirements and delivery mechanisms for prod-
ucts and services that are practical and will 
have an impact on mitigating wildfire risk. 
(F) Promoting technology transfer with 
pathways for dissemination, implementation, 
and application of research results on the 
ground, using and enhancing previous research. 
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(G) Ensuring the connectivity and inter-
operability of distributed services to maximize 
synergies and benefits across services. 
(H) Developing open digital infrastructure 
to make research data, science, and models 
open for all sectors to use. 
(I) Collaborating with prescribed fire and 
wildfire science programs, including the Joint 
Fire Science Program, Fire Science Exchange 
Networks, and State and Regional Prescribed 
Fire Associations. 
(J) Advancing best practices and training 
for safely pursuing, conducting, and controlling 
prescribed fires. 
(K) Creating processes to facilitate public 
comment prior to prescribed fire implementa-
tion. 
(4) LOCATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The 1 or more centers 
shall be located in any State the entirety of 
which is located west of the 100th meridian. 
(B) 
CONSULTATION.—The 
Secretaries 
shall consult with the Joint Fire Science Pro-
gram to solicit and evaluate proposals for the 
location of the 1 or more centers. 
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(C) SELECTION.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, based 
on the consultation under subparagraph (B), 
the Secretaries shall select a location for the 1 
or more centers. 
(b) ADDITIONAL TRAINING CENTERS.—Subject to 
the availability of appropriations, not later than Sep-
tember 30, 2023, the Secretary of the Interior, in coopera-
tion with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall— 
(1) establish and operate a prescribed fire 
training center in a western State; 
(2) continue to operate a prescribed fire train-
ing center in an eastern State; 
(3) establish a virtual prescribed fire training 
center; and 
(4) establish and maintain a Strategic Wildfire 
Management Training Center. 
SEC. 
206. 
ECOSYSTEM 
RESTORATION 
GRANT 
FUND 
THROUGH NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE 
FOUNDATION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall 
enter into a cooperative agreement with the Foundation 
to establish the Community Resilience and Restoration 
Fund at the Foundation to— 
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(1) improve community safety in the face of cli-
mactic extremes through conservation and protection 
of restoration and resilience lands; 
(2) to protect, conserve, and restore restoration 
and resilience lands in order to help communities re-
spond and adapt to natural threats, including wild-
fire, drought, extreme heat, and other threats posed 
or exacerbated by the impacts of global climate; 
(3) to build the resilience of restoration and re-
silience lands to adapt to, recover from, and with-
stand natural threats, including wildfire, drought, 
extreme heat, and other threats posed or exacer-
bated by the impacts of global climate change; 
(4) to protect and enhance the biodiversity of 
wildlife populations, with special consideration to the 
recovery and conservation of at-risk species, across 
restoration and resilience lands; 
(5) to support the health of restoration and re-
silience lands for the benefit of present and future 
generations; 
(6) to foster innovative, nature-based solutions 
that help meet the goals of this section; and 
(7) to enhance the nation’s natural carbon se-
questration 
capabilities 
and 
help 
communities 
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strengthen natural carbon sequestration capacity 
where applicable. 
(b) MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND.—The Foundation 
shall manage the Fund— 
(1) pursuant to the National Fish and Wildlife 
Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3701 et 
seq.); and 
(2) in such a manner that, to the greatest ex-
tent practicable and consistent with the purposes for 
which the Fund is established— 
(A) ensures that amounts made available 
through the Fund are accessible to historically 
underserved communities, including Tribal com-
munities, communities of color, and rural com-
munities; and 
(B) avoids project selection and funding 
overlap with those projects and activities that 
could otherwise receive funding under— 
(i) the National Oceans and Coastal 
Security Fund, established under the Na-
tional Oceans and Coastal Security Act (16 
U.S.C. 7501); or 
(ii) other coastal management focused 
programs. 
(c) COMPETITIVE GRANTS.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—To the extent amounts are 
available in the Fund, the Foundation shall award 
grants to eligible entities through a competitive 
grant process in accordance with procedures estab-
lished pursuant to the National Fish and Wildlife 
Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3701 et 
seq.) to carry out eligible projects and activities, in-
cluding planning eligible projects and activities. 
(2) PROPOSALS.—The Foundation, in coordina-
tion with the Secretary, shall establish requirements 
for proposals for competitive grants under this sec-
tion. 
(d) USE OF AMOUNTS IN THE FUND.— 
(1) PLANNING.—Not less than 8 percent of 
amounts appropriated annually to the Fund may be 
used to plan eligible projects and activities, including 
capacity building. 
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.— 
(A) Not more than 4 percent of amounts 
appropriated annually to the Fund may be used 
by the Foundation for administrative expenses 
of the Fund or administration of competitive 
grants offered under the Fund. 
(B) Not more than 4 percent of the 
amounts appropriated annually to the Fund 
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may be used by the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service for administrative expenses. 
(3) PRIORITY.—Not less than $10,000,000 of 
the amounts appropriated annually to the Fund 
shall be awarded annually to support eligible 
projects and activities for Indian Tribes. 
(4) COORDINATION.—The Secretary and Foun-
dation shall ensure, to the greatest extent prac-
ticable and through meaningful consultation, that 
input from Indian Tribes, including traditional eco-
logical knowledge, is incorporated in the planning 
and execution of eligible projects and activities. 
(e) REPORTS.— 
(1) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Beginning at the end 
the first full fiscal year after the date of enactment 
of this section, and not later than 60 days after the 
end of each fiscal year in which amounts are depos-
ited into the Fund, the Foundation shall submit to 
the Secretary a report on the operation of the Fund 
including— 
(A) an accounting of expenditures made 
under the Fund, including leverage and match 
as applicable; 
(B) an accounting of any grants made 
under the Fund, including a list of recipients 
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and a brief description of each project and its 
purposes and goals; and 
(C) measures and metrics to track benefits 
created by grants administered under the Fund, 
including enhanced biodiversity, water quality, 
natural carbon sequestration, and resilience. 
(2) 5–YEAR REPORTS.—Not later than 90 days 
after the end of the fifth full fiscal year after the 
date of enactment of this section, and not later than 
90 days after the end every fifth fiscal year there-
after, the Foundation shall submit to the Secretary 
a report containing— 
(A) a description of any socioeconomic, 
biodiversity, community resilience, or climate 
resilience or mitigation (including natural car-
bon 
sequestration), 
impacts 
generated 
by 
projects funded by grants awarded by the 
Fund, including measures and metrics illus-
trating these impacts; 
(B) a description of land health benefits 
derived from projects funded by grants awarded 
by the Fund, including an accounting of— 
(i) lands treated for invasive species; 
(ii) lands treated for wildfire threat 
reduction, including those treated with 
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controlled burning or other natural fire- 
management techniques; and 
(iii) lands restored either from wildfire 
or other forms or degradation, including 
over-grazing and sedimentation; 
(C) key findings for Congress, including 
any recommended changes to the authorization 
or purposes of the Fund; 
(D) best practices for other Federal agen-
cies in the administration of funds intended for 
land and habitat restoration; 
(E) information on the use and outcome of 
funds specifically set aside for planning and ca-
pacity building pursuant to subsection (d)(1); 
and 
(F) any other information that the Foun-
dation considers relevant. 
(3) SUBMISSION OF REPORTS TO CONGRESS.— 
Not later than 10 days after receiving a report 
under this section, the Secretary shall submit the re-
port to the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on En-
vironment and Public Works of the Senate. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Fund 
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$100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2032 
to carry out this section. 
(g) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section: 
(1) The term ‘‘eligible entity’’ means a Federal 
agency, State, the District of Columbia, a territory 
of the United States, a unit of local government, an 
Indian Tribe, a non-profit organization, or an ac-
credited institution of higher education. 
(2) The term ‘‘eligible projects and activities’’ 
means projects and activities carried out by an eligi-
ble entity on public lands, Tribal lands, or private 
land, or any combination thereof, to further the pur-
poses for which the Fund is established, including 
planning and capacity building and projects and ac-
tivities carried out in coordination with Federal, 
State, or Tribal departments or agencies, or any de-
partment or agency of a subdivision of a State. 
(3) The term ‘‘Foundation’’ means the National 
Fish and Wildlife Foundation established under the 
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establish-
ment Act (16 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.). 
(4) The term ‘‘Fund’’ means the Community 
Resilience and Restoration Fund established under 
subsection (a). 
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(5) The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ means the gov-
erning body of any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, 
band, nation, pueblo, village, community, component 
band, or component reservation individually identi-
fied (including parenthetically) on the list published 
by the Secretary under section 104 of the Federally 
Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 
U.S.C. 5131). 
(6) The term ‘‘restoration and resilience lands’’ 
means fish, wildlife, and plant habitats, and other 
important natural areas in the United States, on 
public lands, private land (after obtaining proper 
consent from the landowner), or land of Indian 
Tribes, including grasslands, shrublands, prairies, 
chapparral lands, forest lands, deserts, and riparian 
or wetland areas within or adjacent to these eco-
systems. 
(7) The term ‘‘public lands’’ means lands 
owned or controlled by the United States. 
(8) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 
(9) The term ‘‘State’’ means a State of the 
United States, the District of Columbia, any Indian 
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Tribe, and any commonwealth, territory, or posses-
sion of the United States. 
SEC. 207. NATIONAL COMMUNITY CAPACITY AND LAND 
STEWARDSHIP GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COMMUNITY
CAPACITY.—The term ‘‘com-
munity capacity’’ means the ability of an eligible en-
tity to carry out or assist in a land stewardship ac-
tivity. 
(2) DISADVANTAGED
COMMUNITY.—The term 
‘‘disadvantaged community’’ means— 
(A) a low-income community (as defined in 
section 45D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986); and 
(B) a community that includes a signifi-
cant population that has been systematically de-
nied a full opportunity to participate in aspects 
of economic, social, and civic life based on a 
particular characteristic, such as Black, Latino, 
Indigenous, and Native American persons, 
Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and other 
persons of color. 
(3) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means any the following entities that is located 
in or represents a disadvantaged community: 
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(A) An organization described in section 
501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) 
of that Code. 
(B) A collaborative group fiscally spon-
sored by an organization described in subpara-
graph (A). 
(C) A unit of local government. 
(D) An Indian Tribe. 
(E) A special district government, as de-
fined by the Director of the Bureau of the Cen-
sus. 
(4) ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY.—The term ‘‘eco-
logical integrity’’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 219.19 of title 36, Code of Federal Regula-
tions (as in effect on the date of enactment of this 
Act). 
(5) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
(6) LAND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITY.—The term 
‘‘land stewardship activity’’ means any of the fol-
lowing activities, as applied to a qualifying project: 
(A) Planning. 
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(B) Collaboration and building community 
support. 
(C) Implementation on land other than 
National Forest System land. 
(D) Monitoring, including multiparty moni-
toring, and adaptive management. 
(7) QUALIFYING PROJECT.—The term ‘‘quali-
fying project’’ means any of the following activities 
that takes place at least in substantial part on Na-
tional Forest System land or national grasslands: 
(A) Restoration of the ecological integrity 
of a forest, meadow, grassland, prairie, or other 
habitat. 
(B) Tribal management for aligned cul-
tural and ecological values. 
(C) Enhancing community wildfire resil-
ience in the wildland-urban interface. 
(D) Increasing equitable access to environ-
mental education and volunteerism opportuni-
ties. 
(8) RESTORATION.—The term ‘‘restoration’’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 219.19 of 
title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on 
the date of enactment of this Act). 
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(9) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 
Chief of the Forest Service. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to sup-
port increasing community capacity, partnerships, and col-
laborations within and involving disadvantaged commu-
nities for land stewardship activities and restoration of ec-
ological integrity on— 
(1) National Forest System land; 
(2) national grasslands; and 
(3) adjacent private, State, and trust land asso-
ciated with the health and resilience of land de-
scribed in paragraphs (1) and (2). 
(c) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may issue 
grants to eligible entities for increasing community 
capacity for land stewardship activities and related 
activities based on the criteria described in sub-
section (d). 
(2) FEDERAL COST-SHARE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
fund up to 100 percent of the cost of land stew-
ardship activities and related activities carried 
out using a grant issued under paragraph (1). 
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(B) MATCHING
ELIGIBILITY.—A grant 
issued under this section may be considered a 
non-Federal matching contribution from the eli-
gible entity that received the grant towards 
other sources of Federal funding. 
(3) DURATION.—The Secretary may issue a 
grant under paragraph (1) for a period of 1 or more 
years. 
(4) MAXIMUM GRANT AMOUNT.—The amount of 
a grant issued under paragraph (1) shall be not 
more than $50,000 per year. 
(5) APPLICABLE
LAWS.—The Secretary shall 
administer grants under paragraph (1) in accord-
ance with all applicable Federal and State laws. 
(d) CRITERIA FOR AWARDING GRANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), 
the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities 
under subsection (c)(1) on a competitive basis in ac-
cordance with the following criteria: 
(A) The extent to which the proposed land 
stewardship activities benefit units of the Na-
tional Forest System and national grasslands 
over the short and long term. 
(B) The extent to which valuable ecologi-
cal, economic, and social benefits to disadvan-
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taged communities, including job creation and 
business development or retention, are likely to 
result from the scope of the land stewardship 
activities. 
(C) The extent to which the grant would 
benefit disadvantaged communities that have 
historically received less investment in collabo-
rative capacity. 
(D) The extent to which the proposal 
brings together diverse interests through plan-
ning, collaboration, implementation, or moni-
toring of land stewardship activities to benefit 
units of the National Forest System or national 
grasslands. 
(E) The extent to which the grant funds 
appear to be critical for the success of the eligi-
ble entity and the identified land stewardship 
activities. 
(F) The extent to which the budget for the 
land stewardship activities is reasonable given 
the anticipated outcomes. 
(2) SET-ASIDE FOR INDIAN TRIBES.—The Sec-
retary shall allocate not less than 10 percent of the 
funding awarded under this section to Indian Tribes 
or eligible entities representing Indian Tribes. 
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(e) ANNUAL REVIEWS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish 
and maintain an advisory panel composed of not 
more than 15 members to provide feedback each 
year to the Chief of the Forest Service on the extent 
to which the implementation of this section is ful-
filling the purpose described in subsection (b). 
(2) INCLUSIONS.—The advisory panel estab-
lished under paragraph (1) shall include representa-
tion from a diversity of public land stakeholders 
from across interest groups, including— 
(A) not fewer than 8 members rep-
resenting the interests of a diversity of dis-
advantaged communities; and 
(B) not fewer than 2 members rep-
resenting not fewer than 2 Indian Tribes. 
(3) EXEMPTION.—The advisory panel estab-
lished under paragraph (1) shall be exempt from the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). 
(f) REPORT EVALUATING PROGRAM IMPLEMENTA-
TION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 4 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, the 
Committee on Natural Resources, and the Com-
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mittee on Appropriations of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry, the Committee on Energy and Nat-
ural Resources, and the Committee on Appropria-
tions of the Senate a report evaluating the imple-
mentation of this section, including— 
(A) a list of the eligible entities and land 
stewardship activities selected for funding under 
this section and the accomplishments of those 
activities; and 
(B) an evaluation of the extent to which 
the implementation of this section is fulfilling 
the purpose described in subsection (b). 
(2) CONSULTATION; CONTRACTING.—In pre-
paring the report under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary— 
(A) shall consult with the advisory panel 
established under subsection (e)(1); and 
(B) may contract with a third party to 
complete an evaluation of the implementation of 
this section to inform the report. 
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this sec-
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tion $50,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2023 
through 2032. 
(2) DISTRIBUTION.—The Secretary shall, to the 
maximum extent practicable, distribute amounts 
made available under paragraph (1) in a geographi-
cally equitable manner. 
(3) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Not more than 
10 percent of any amounts made available to carry 
out this section may be used for administrative man-
agement and program oversight. 
SEC. 
208. 
PROTECTION 
OF 
INVENTORIED 
ROADLESS 
AREAS. 
The Secretary of Agriculture shall not authorize road 
construction, road reconstruction, or the cutting, sale, or 
removal of timber on National Forest System lands sub-
ject to the Roadless Area Conservation Rule as published 
on January 12, 2001 (66 Fed. Reg. 3243) except as pro-
vided in— 
(1) subpart B of part 294 of title 36, Code of 
Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 12, 
2001); 
(2) subpart C of part 294 of title 36, Code of 
Federal Regulations (as in effect on October 16, 
2008 for Idaho); and 
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(3) subpart D of part 294 of title 36, Code of 
Federal Regulations (as provided for Colorado on 
July 3, 2012 and December 19, 2016). 
SEC. 209. STRATEGIC WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN-
NING FOR PRESCRIBED FIRE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than September 30, 
2024, the Secretary concerned shall, in accordance with 
this section, establish a spatial fire management plan for 
any prescribed fire. 
(b) USE OF EXISTING INFORMATION.—To comply 
with this section, the Secretary concerned may use a fire 
management plan in existence on the date of enactment 
of this Act, and information from the Wildland Fire Deci-
sion Support System and the Interagency Fuels Treat-
ment Decision Support System. 
(c) UPDATES.—To be valid, a spatial fire manage-
ment plan established under this section shall not be in 
use for longer than the 10-year period beginning on the 
date on which the plan is established. 
(d) CONTENTS.—For each spatial fire management 
plan established under this section, the Secretary con-
cerned shall— 
(1) base the plans on a landscape-scale risk as-
sessment that includes— 
(A) risks to firefighters; 
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(B) risks to communities; 
(C) risks to highly valuable resources; and 
(D) other relevant considerations deter-
mined by the Secretary concerned; 
(2) include direction, represented in spatial 
form, from land management plans and resource 
management plans; 
(3) in coordination with States, delineate poten-
tial operational delineations that— 
(A) identify potential prescribed fire or 
wildfire control locations; and 
(B) specify the places in which firefighters 
will not be sent because of the presence of un-
acceptable risk, including areas determined by 
the Secretary concerned as— 
(i) exceeding a certain slope; 
(ii) containing too high of a volume of 
hazardous fuels, under certain weather 
conditions; or 
(iii) containing other known hazards; 
(4) include a determination of average severe 
fire weather for the plan area; 
(5) include prefire planning provisions; 
(6) include a plan for emergency wildfire sup-
pression activities; and 
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(7) include, at a minimum, any other require-
ment determined to be necessary by the Secretary 
concerned. 
(e) CONSISTENCY WITH MANAGEMENT PLANS.—The 
spatial fire management plans established under this sec-
tion shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be con-
sistent with the fire management objectives and land man-
agement objectives in the applicable land management 
plan or resource management plan. 
(f) REVISIONS TO LAND MANAGEMENT PLANS AND 
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANS.—A revision to a land 
management plan or resource management plan shall con-
sider fire ecology and fire management in a manner that 
facilitates the issuance of direction for an incident re-
sponse. 
SEC. 210. LONG-TERM BURNED AREA RECOVERY ACCOUNT. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCOUNT.—There is estab-
lished in the Treasury of the United States the Long- 
Term Burned Area Recovery account for the Department 
of Agriculture. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2023 and 
each fiscal year thereafter for the account established by 
subsection (a) such sums as are necessary to carry out 
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the activities described in subsection (d), not to exceed 
$100,000,000. 
(c) ANNUAL REQUESTS.—For fiscal year 2023 and 
each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary of Agriculture 
shall submit to Congress and in accordance with sub-
section (b), a request for amounts necessary to carry out 
the activities described in subsection (d). 
(d) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary of Ag-
riculture shall use amounts in the account established by 
subsection (a) for recovery projects— 
(1) that begin not earlier than 1 year after the 
date on which the wildfire was contained; 
(2) that are— 
(A) scheduled to be completed not later 
than 3 years after the date on which the wild-
fire was contained; and 
(B) located at sites impacted by wildfire on 
non-Federal or Federal land; and 
(3) that restore the functions of an ecosystem 
or protect life or property. 
(e) PRIORITIZATION OF FUNDING.—The Secretary of 
Agriculture shall prioritize, on a nationwide basis, projects 
for which funding requests are submitted under this sec-
tion, based on— 
(1) downstream effects on water resources; and 
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(2) public safety. 
SEC. 211. REPORT ON 10-YEAR NATIONAL WILDFIRE PLAN 
IMPLEMENTATION. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Inspector General 
of the Department of Agriculture shall submit to Congress 
a report on the progress made in the prior year towards 
completing the goals established under the Plan that in-
cludes— 
(1) the amount of funding appropriated to 
carry out the Plan pursuant to the provisions of this 
subtitle with respect to the prior fiscal year; and 
(2) recommendations to improve implementa-
tion of the Plan. 
SEC. 212. PERFORMANCE METRICS TRACKING. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Agri-
culture shall submit to Congress an assessment with re-
spect to the prior year of the following: 
(1) The acres effectively treated by the Depart-
ment of Agriculture on National Forest System 
lands to reduce wildfire risk or improve habitat con-
dition— 
(A) within the wildland urban interface; 
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(B) within backcountry areas (including 
roadless and wilderness); 
(C) within a priority watershed area; 
(D) within an identified wildlife corridor; 
and 
(E) for which prescribed fire or wildfire 
achieved an ecosystem management goal. 
(2) Watershed assessment of the National For-
est System, including if watershed conditions have 
degraded, improved, or been maintained. 
(3) Carbon emissions and sequestration from 
National Forest System lands. 
Subtitle B—Tribal Biochar 
Promotion 
SEC. 221. TRIBAL AND ALASKA NATIVE BIOCHAR DEM-
ONSTRATION PROJECT. 
The Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 (25 U.S.C. 
3115a et seq.) is amended as follows: 
(1) In section 2— 
(A) by striking subsection (a); 
(B) 
by 
redesignating 
subsections 
(b) 
through (g) as subsections (a) through (f), re-
spectively; 
(C) by striking ‘‘subsection (b)’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)’’; and 
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(D) by striking ‘‘subsection (c)’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘subsection (b)’’. 
(2) By adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 3. TRIBAL AND ALASKA NATIVE BIOCHAR DEM-
ONSTRATION PROJECT. 
‘‘(a) STEWARDSHIP CONTRACTS OR SIMILAR AGREE-
MENTS.—For each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030, the 
Secretary shall enter into stewardship contracts or similar 
agreements (excluding direct service contracts) with In-
dian Tribes or Tribal organizations to carry out dem-
onstration projects to support the development and com-
mercialization of biochar on Indian forest land or range-
land and in nearby communities by providing reliable sup-
plies of feedstock from Federal land. 
‘‘(b) DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.—In each fiscal 
year for which demonstration projects are authorized 
under this section, not less than 4 new demonstration 
projects that meet the eligibility criteria described in sub-
section (c) shall be carried out under contracts or agree-
ments described in subsection (a). 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.—To be eligible to enter 
into a contract or agreement under this section, an Indian 
Tribe shall submit to the Secretary an application that 
includes— 
‘‘(1) a description of— 
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‘‘(A) the Indian forest land or rangeland 
under the jurisdiction of the Indian Tribe; and 
‘‘(B) the demonstration project proposed 
to be carried out by the Indian Tribe; and 
‘‘(2) such other information as the Secretary 
may require. 
‘‘(d) SELECTION.—In evaluating the applications 
submitted under subsection (c), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) take into consideration whether a proposed 
project— 
‘‘(A) creates new jobs and enhances the 
economic development of the Indian Tribe; 
‘‘(B) demonstrates new and innovative 
uses of biochar, viable markets for cost effective 
biochar-based products, or ecosystem services of 
biochar; 
‘‘(C) improves the forest health or water-
sheds of Federal land or Indian forest land or 
rangeland; 
‘‘(D) demonstrates new investments in 
biochar infrastructure or otherwise promotes 
the development and commercialization of 
biochar; 
‘‘(E) is located in an area with— 
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‘‘(i) nearby lands identified as having 
a high, very high, or extreme risk of wild-
fire; 
‘‘(ii) availability of sufficient quan-
tities of feedstock; or 
‘‘(iii) a high level of demand for 
biochar or other commercial byproducts of 
biochar; or 
‘‘(F) any combination of purposes specified 
in subparagraphs (A) through (E); and 
‘‘(2) exclude from consideration any merchant-
able logs that have been identified by the Secretary 
for commercial sale. 
‘‘(e) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) ensure that the criteria described in sub-
section (c) are publicly available by not later than 
120 days after the date of the enactment of this sec-
tion; and 
‘‘(2) to the maximum extent practicable, consult 
with Indian Tribes and appropriate intertribal orga-
nizations likely to be affected in developing the ap-
plication and otherwise carrying out this section. 
‘‘(f) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of the enactment of this section and every year thereafter, 
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the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that de-
scribes, with respect to the reporting period— 
‘‘(1) each individual Tribal application received 
under this section; and 
‘‘(2) each contract and agreement entered into 
pursuant to this section. 
‘‘(g) INCORPORATION OF MANAGEMENT PLANS.—To 
the maximum extent practicable, on receipt of a request 
from an Indian Tribe, the Secretary shall incorporate into 
a contract or agreement with that Indian Tribe entered 
into pursuant to this section, management plans (includ-
ing forest management and integrated resource manage-
ment plans and Indian Trust Asset Management Plans) 
in effect on the Indian forest land or rangeland of that 
Indian Tribe. 
‘‘(h) TERM.—A contract or agreement entered into 
under this section— 
‘‘(1) shall be for a term of not more than 10 
years; and 
‘‘(2) may be renewed in accordance with this 
section for not more than an additional 10 years. 
‘‘SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this Act: 
‘‘(1) BIOCHAR.—The term ‘biochar’ means car-
bonized biomass produced by converting feedstock 
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through reductive thermal processing for non-fuel 
uses. 
‘‘(2) FEDERAL LAND.—The term ‘Federal land’ 
means— 
‘‘(A) land of the National Forest System 
(as defined in section 11(a) of the Forest and 
Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act 
of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)) administered by 
the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 
Chief of the Forest Service; and 
‘‘(B) public lands (as defined in section 
103 of the Federal Land Policy and Manage-
ment Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702)), the sur-
face of which is administered by the Secretary 
of the Interior, acting through the Director of 
the Bureau of Land Management. 
‘‘(3) FEEDSTOCK.—The term ‘feedstock’ means 
excess biomass in the form of plant matter or mate-
rials that serves as the raw material for the produc-
tion of biochar. 
‘‘(4) INDIAN FOREST LAND OR RANGELAND..— 
The term ‘Indian forest land or rangeland’ means 
land that— 
‘‘(A) is held in trust by, or with a restric-
tion against alienation by, the United States for 
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an Indian Tribe or a member of an Indian 
Tribe; and 
‘‘(B)(i)(I) is Indian forest land (as defined 
in section 304 of the National Indian Forest 
Resources Management Act (25 U.S.C. 3103)); 
or 
‘‘(II) has a cover of grasses, brush, or any 
similar vegetation; or 
‘‘(ii) formerly had a forest cover or vegeta-
tive cover that is capable of restoration. 
‘‘(5) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian Tribe’ 
has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
‘‘(6) 
SECRETARY.—The 
term 
‘Secretary’ 
means— 
‘‘(A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with re-
spect to land under the jurisdiction of the For-
est Service; and 
‘‘(B) the Secretary of the Interior, with re-
spect to land under the jurisdiction of the Bu-
reau of Land Management. 
‘‘(7) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘Tribal 
organization’ has the meaning given that term in 
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section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Edu-
cation Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).’’. 
TITLE III—OTHER MATTERS 
SEC. 301. REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO CERTAIN FIRE 
SUPPRESSION COST SHARE AGREEMENTS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF
STANDARD
OPERATING 
PROCEDURES.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this section, the covered Secretaries 
shall— 
(1) establish standard operating procedures re-
lating to fire suppression cost share agreements es-
tablished under the Act of May 27, 1955 (42 U.S.C. 
1856a) (commonly known as the ‘‘Reciprocal Fire 
Protection Act’’); and 
(2) with respect to each fire suppression cost 
share agreement in operation on such date— 
(A) review each such agreement; and 
(B) modify each agreement as necessary to 
comply with the standard operating procedures 
required under paragraph (1). 
(b) ALIGNMENT OF FIRE SUPPRESSION COST SHARE 
AGREEMENTS WITH COOPERATIVE FIRE PROTECTION 
AGREEMENTS.—The standard operating procedures re-
quired under subsection (a)(1) shall include a requirement 
that each fire suppression cost share agreement be aligned 
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with each of the cooperative fire protection agreements ap-
plicable to the entity subject to such fire suppression cost 
share agreement. 
(c) SECOND-LEVEL REVIEW.—The standard oper-
ating procedures required under subsection (a)(1) shall in-
clude— 
(1) a requirement that the covered Secretaries, 
to the maximum extent practicable, complete re-
views, including second-level reviews of a fire sup-
pression cost share agreement, as soon as prac-
ticable after a wildfire relating to the area covered 
by such fire suppression cost share agreement is 
contained; and 
(2) a requirement that in completing such re-
views, the covered Secretaries consults with State 
and local fire suppression organizations. 
(d) COVERED SECRETARIES DEFINED.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘covered Secretaries’’ means— 
(1) the Secretary of Agriculture; 
(2) the Secretary of the Interior; 
(3) the Secretary of Homeland Security; and 
(4) the Secretary of Defense. 
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SEC. 302. INVESTMENT OF CERTAIN FUNDS INTO INTEREST 
BEARING OBLIGATIONS. 
Section 7 of the Act of June 20, 1958 (16 U.S.C. 
579c), is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘of any improvement, protec-
tion, or rehabilitation’’ and inserting ‘‘of any assess-
ment, improvement, protection, restoration, or reha-
bilitation’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘Provided, That’’ and all that 
follows through the period at the end and inserting: 
‘‘Provided, That any monies covered into the Treas-
ury under this section, including all monies that 
were previously collected by the United States in a 
forfeiture, judgment, compromise, or settlement, 
shall be invested by the Secretary of the Treasury in 
interest bearing obligations of the United States to 
the extent the amounts are not, in the judgment of 
the Secretary of the Treasury, required to meet cur-
rent withdrawals: Provided further, That any inter-
est earned on the amounts, including any interest 
earned by investment, is hereby appropriated and 
made available until expended to cover the costs to 
the United States specified in this section: Provided 
further, That, for fiscal year 2021 and thereafter, 
the Secretary shall include in the budget materials 
submitted to Congress in support of the President’s 
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annual budget request (submitted to Congress pur-
suant to section 1105 of title 31, United States 
Code) for each fiscal year the proposed use of such 
amounts with respect to the Forest Service: Pro-
vided further, That any portion of the monies re-
ceived or earned under this section in excess of the 
amount expended in performing the work neces-
sitated by the action which led to their receipt may 
be used to cover the other work specified in this sec-
tion.’’. 
SEC. 303. STUDY ON CROP LOSSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agri-
culture shall submit to the agricultural committees a re-
port that includes— 
(1) as of the date of the report, an estimate 
of— 
(A) agricultural losses due to adverse 
weather events that have occurred in calendar 
year 2022; 
(B) Emergency Relief Program funds 
spent for 2020 and 2021 losses; 
(C) Emergency Livestock Relief Program 
funds spent for 2021 losses; 
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(D) the number of new producers that 
have purchased Federal crop insurance or cov-
erage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster As-
sistance Program under section 196 of the Fed-
eral Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act 
of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) (including an overview 
of the coverage levels purchased) as a result of 
receiving assistance through— 
(i) the Wildfire and Hurricane Indem-
nity Program (WHIP) for losses in 2017; 
and 
(ii) the Wildfire and Hurricane In-
demnity Program Plus (WHIP+) for 
losses in 2018 and 2019; and 
(E) the number of producers who— 
(i) newly purchased Federal crop in-
surance or coverage under the Noninsured 
Crop Disaster Assistance Program under 
section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Im-
provement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 
U.S.C. 7333) as a result of receiving as-
sistance through— 
(I) the Wildfire and Hurricane 
Indemnity 
Program 
(WHIP) 
for 
losses in 2017; and 
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(II) the Wildfire and Hurricane 
Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) 
for losses in 2018; and 
(ii) continued purchasing such insur-
ance or coverage after the two-year re-
quirement applicable to such producers; 
and 
(2) with respect to calendar year 2022, the pro-
jected agricultural losses due to adverse weather 
events in calendar year 2022. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AGRICULTURAL
COMMITTEES.—The term 
‘‘agricultural committees’’ means the Committee on 
Agriculture of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
of the Senate, and the subcommittees on Agri-
culture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Admin-
istration, and Related Agencies of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Senate. 
(2) AGRICULTURAL LOSSES.—The term ‘‘agri-
cultural losses’’ means the losses described under the 
heading ‘‘Department of Agriculture—Agricultural 
Programs—Processing, Research and Marketing— 
Office of the Secretary’’ in the Extending Govern-
ment Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance 
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Act (Public Law 117–43) with respect to calendar 
year 2022. 
SEC. 304. STUDY ON USE OF CH–47 CHINOOKS TO RESPOND 
TO WILDFIRES. 
Not later 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the 
Interior, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
jointly submit to Congress a report— 
(1) on the feasibility and effectiveness of using 
CH–47 Chinooks with firefighting modifications 
to— 
(A) respond to wildfires; and 
(B) perform search and rescue activities; 
and 
(2) that identifies the governmental organiza-
tions (including Federal, State, and local govern-
ment organizations) that would be most effective 
with respect to using the aircraft described in para-
graph (1) to carry out the activities specified in that 
paragraph. 
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DIVISION B—DROUGHT 
TITLE I—DROUGHT RESPONSE 
AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE 
SEC. 101. ADVANCING LARGE-SCALE WATER RECYCLING 
AND REUSE PROJECTS. 
(a) ELIGIBLE PROJECT.—Section 40905(c)(4) of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (43 U.S.C. 
3205(c)(4)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(4) is— 
‘‘(A) constructed, operated, and main-
tained by an eligible entity; or 
‘‘(B) owned by an eligible entity; and’’. 
(b) REMOVAL OF TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY; AD-
DITIONAL AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Sec-
tion 40905(k) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs 
Act (43 U.S.C. 3205(k)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(k) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In ad-
dition to the amounts made available under section 
40901(4)(B) to carry out this section, there is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary $700,000,000 to carry 
out this section, to remain available until expended.’’. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by this 
section shall apply to amounts appropriated on or after 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
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SEC. 102. SALTON SEA PROJECTS IMPROVEMENTS. 
Section 1101 of the Reclamation Projects Authoriza-
tion and Adjustment Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–575) 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) 
as subsections (c) through (e), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) ADDITIONAL PROJECT AUTHORITIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting 
through the Bureau of Reclamation, may provide 
grants and enter into contracts and cooperative 
agreements to carry out projects located in the area 
of the Salton Sea in Southern California to improve 
air quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreational op-
portunities, and water quality, in partnership with— 
‘‘(A) State, Tribal, and local governments; 
‘‘(B) water districts; 
‘‘(C) joint powers authorities, including the 
Salton Sea Authority; 
‘‘(D) nonprofit organizations; and 
‘‘(E) institutions of higher education. 
‘‘(2) INCLUDED ACTIVITIES.—The projects de-
scribed in paragraph (1) may include— 
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‘‘(A) construction, operation, maintenance, 
permitting, and design activities required for 
such projects; and 
‘‘(B) dust suppression projects.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (e), as so redesignated, by 
striking 
‘‘$13,000,000’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘$250,000,000’’. 
SEC. 103. NEAR-TERM ACTIONS TO PRESERVE COLORADO 
RIVER SYSTEM. 
In addition to the amounts otherwise available and 
consistent with contractual arrangements and applicable 
State and Federal law, there is authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary of the Interior $500,000,000, for 
the period of fiscal years 2023 through 2026, to use avail-
able legal authorities to reduce the near-term likelihood 
of Lake Mead and Lake Powell declining to critically low 
water elevations. 
SEC. 104. WATERSMART ACCESS FOR TRIBES. 
Section 9504(a)(3)(E)(i) of the Omnibus Public 
Land 
Management 
Act 
of 
2009 
(42 
U.S.C. 
10364(a)(3)(E)(i)) is amended— 
(1) in subclause (I), by striking ‘‘subclause 
(II)’’ and inserting ‘‘subclauses (II) and (III)’’; and 
(2) after subclause (II), by inserting the fol-
lowing: 
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‘‘(III) WAIVER; 
REDUCTION.— 
With respect to a grant or other 
agreement entered into under para-
graph (1) between the Secretary and 
an Indian tribe, the Secretary may re-
duce or waive the non-Federal share 
(and increase the Federal share ac-
cordingly) of the cost of any infra-
structure improvement or activity that 
is the subject of that grant or other 
agreement if the Secretary determines 
that meeting the cost-share require-
ment presents a financial hardship for 
the Indian tribe.’’. 
SEC. 105. RECLAMATION WATER SETTLEMENTS FUND. 
Section 10501 of the Omnibus Public Land Manage-
ment Act of 2009 (43 U.S.C. 407) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ‘‘and for 
fiscal year 2033 and each fiscal year thereafter’’ 
after ‘‘For each of fiscal years 2020 through 2029’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘for 
each of fiscal years 2020 through 2034’’ and 
inserting ‘‘for fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal 
year thereafter’’; and 
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(B) in paragraph (3)(C), by striking ‘‘for 
any authorized use’’ and all that follows 
through the period at the end and inserting 
‘‘for any use authorized under paragraph (2).’’; 
and 
(3) by striking subsection (f). 
SEC. 106. BUREAU OF RECLAMATION TRIBAL CLEAN 
WATER ASSISTANCE. 
(a) RURAL WATER SUPPLY PROGRAM REAUTHOR-
IZATION.— 
(1) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
Section 109(a) of the Rural Water Supply Act of 
2006 (43 U.S.C. 2408(a)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2016’’ and inserting ‘‘2032’’. 
(2) TERMINATION
OF
AUTHORITY.—Section 
110 of the Rural Water Supply Act of 2006 (43 
U.S.C. 2409) is amended by striking ‘‘2016’’ and in-
serting ‘‘2032’’. 
(b) BUREAU OF RECLAMATION RURAL WATER SUP-
PLY PROGRAM.— 
(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) INDIAN
TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian 
Tribe’’ has the meaning given the term in sec-
tion 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
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(B) 
RECLAMATION
STATE.—The 
term 
‘‘Reclamation State’’ means a State described 
in the first section of the Act of June 17, 1902 
(43 U.S.C. 391; 32 Stat. 388, ch. 1093). 
(C) REPORT.—The term ‘‘Report’’ means 
the most recent annual report required to be 
submitted by the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services to the President under section 
302(g) of the Indian Health Care Improvement 
Act (25 U.S.C. 1632(g)). 
(D) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ 
means the Secretary of the Interior, acting 
through the Commissioner of Reclamation. 
(E) TRIBAL
LAND.—The term ‘‘Tribal 
land’’ means— 
(i) land located within the boundaries 
of— 
(I) an Indian reservation, pueblo, 
or rancheria; or 
(II) a former reservation within 
Oklahoma; 
(ii) land not located within the bound-
aries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or 
rancheria, title to which is held— 
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(I) in trust by the United States 
for the benefit of an Indian Tribe or 
an individual Indian; 
(II) by an Indian Tribe or an in-
dividual Indian, subject to restriction 
against alienation under laws of the 
United States; or 
(III) by a dependent Indian com-
munity; 
(iii) land located within a region es-
tablished pursuant to section 7(a) of the 
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 
U.S.C. 1606(a)); 
(iv) Hawaiian Home Lands (as de-
fined in section 801 of the Native Amer-
ican Housing Assistance and Self-Deter-
mination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4221)); 
or 
(v) an area or community designated 
by the Assistant Secretary of Indian Af-
fairs of the Department of the Interior 
that is near, adjacent, or contiguous to an 
Indian reservation where financial assist-
ance and social service programs are pro-
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vided to Indians because of their status as 
Indians. 
(2) COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM FOR TRIBAL 
CLEAN WATER ACCESS PROJECTS.— 
(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—In accordance with 
section 103 of the Rural Water Supply Act of 
2006 (43 U.S.C. 2402), the Secretary shall es-
tablish a competitive grant program under 
which an Indian Tribe shall be eligible to apply 
for a grant from the Secretary in an amount 
not to exceed 100 percent of the cost of plan-
ning, design, and construction of a project de-
termined by the Secretary to be eligible for 
funding under subparagraph (B). 
(B) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible for a 
grant under subparagraph (A), a project 
shall— 
(i) be carried out in a Reclamation 
State; and 
(ii) as determined by the Secretary— 
(I) provide, increase, or enhance 
access to safe drinking water for com-
munities and households on Tribal 
land; or 
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(II) address public health and 
safety concerns associated with access 
to safe drinking water. 
(C) PRIORITY.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—In awarding grants 
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary, in 
consultation with the Director of the In-
dian Health Service, shall give priority to 
projects that meet one or more of the fol-
lowing criteria: 
(I) Provides potable water sup-
plies to communities or households on 
Tribal land that do not have access to 
running water as of the date of the 
project application. 
(II) Addresses an urgent and 
compelling public health or safety con-
cern relating to access to safe drink-
ing water for residents on Tribal land. 
(III) Addresses needs identified 
in the Report. 
(IV) Closer to being completed, 
or farther along in planning, design, 
or construction, as compared to other 
projects being considered for funding. 
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(V) Takes advantage of the expe-
rience and technical expertise of the 
Bureau of Reclamation in the plan-
ning, design, and construction of rural 
water projects, particularly with re-
spect to a project that takes advan-
tage of economies of scale. 
(VI) Takes advantage of local or 
regional partnerships that complement 
related efforts by Tribal, State, or 
Federal agencies to enhance access to 
drinking water or water sanitation 
services on Tribal land. 
(VII) Leverages the resources or 
capabilities of other Tribal, State, or 
Federal agencies to accelerate plan-
ning, design, and construction. 
(VIII) Provides multiple benefits, 
including— 
(aa) improved water supply 
reliability; 
(bb) public health improve-
ments; 
(cc) ecosystem benefits; 
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(dd) groundwater manage-
ment and enhancements; and 
(ee) water quality improve-
ments. 
(ii) CONSULTATION.—In prioritizing 
projects for funding under clause (i), the 
Secretary— 
(I) shall consult with the Direc-
tor of the Indian Health Service; and 
(II) may coordinate funding of 
projects under this paragraph with 
the Director of the Indian Health 
Service, the Administrator of the En-
vironmental Protection Agency, the 
Secretary of Agriculture, and the head 
of any other Federal agency in any 
manner that the Secretary determines 
would— 
(aa) accelerate project plan-
ning, design, or construction; or 
(bb) otherwise take advan-
tage of the capabilities of, and 
resources 
potentially 
available 
from, other Federal sources. 
(3) FUNDING.— 
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(A) IN GENERAL.—In addition to amounts 
otherwise available, there is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary $1,000,000,000 
to carry out this subsection, to remain available 
until expended. 
(B) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES; USE OF 
FUNDS.—Of the amounts authorized to be ap-
propriated under subparagraph (A), not more 
than 2 percent is authorized to be appropriated 
for— 
(i) the administration of the rural 
water supply program established under 
section 103 of the Rural Water Supply Act 
of 2006 (43 U.S.C. 2402); and 
(ii) related management and staffing 
expenses. 
(c) FUNDING
FOR
NATIVE
AMERICAN
AFFAIRS 
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OF THE BUREAU OF 
RECLAMATION.—In addition to amounts otherwise avail-
able, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary $90,000,000 for use, in accordance with section 
201 of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations 
Act, 2003 (43 U.S.C. 373d), for the Native American Af-
fairs Technical Assistance Program of the Bureau of Rec-
lamation, to remain available until expended. 
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SEC. 107. WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE TRIBE RURAL WATER 
SYSTEM. 
(a) CONVEYANCE
OF TITLE
TO TRIBE.—Section 
307(d)(2)(E) of the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water 
Rights Quantification Act of 2010 (title III of Public Law 
111–291; 124 Stat. 3082; 132 Stat. 1626) is amended, 
in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ‘‘water sys-
tem—’’ and all that follows through the period at the end 
of clause (ii)(II), and inserting ‘‘water system is substan-
tially complete, as determined by the Secretary in accord-
ance with subsection (k).’’. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR DETERMINATION OF SUB-
STANTIAL COMPLETION OF THE WMAT RURAL WATER 
SYSTEM.—Section 307 of the White Mountain Apache 
Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 (title III 
of Public Law 111–291; 124 Stat. 3080; 132 Stat. 1626) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(k) REQUIREMENTS FOR DETERMINATION OF SUB-
STANTIAL COMPLETION OF THE WMAT RURAL WATER 
SYSTEM.—The WMAT rural water system shall be deter-
mined to be substantially complete if— 
‘‘(1) the infrastructure constructed is capable of 
storing, diverting, treating, transmitting, and dis-
tributing a supply of water as set forth in the final 
project design described in subsection (c); or 
‘‘(2) the Secretary— 
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‘‘(A) expended all of the available funding 
provided to construct the WMAT rural water 
system; and 
‘‘(B) despite diligent efforts, cannot com-
plete construction as described in the final 
project design described in subsection (c) due 
solely to the lack of additional authorized fund-
ing.’’. 
(c) ENFORCEABILITY DATE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 309(d) of the White 
Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification 
Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–291; 124 Stat. 3088; 
133 Stat. 2669) is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs 
(D) through (G) as subparagraphs (E) 
through (H), respectively; and 
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph 
(C) the following: 
‘‘(D) such amount, up to the amount made 
available under section 312(e)(2), as the Sec-
retary determines to be necessary to construct 
the WMAT rural water system that is capable 
of storing, diverting, treating, transmitting, and 
distributing a supply of water as set forth in 
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the final project design described in section 
307(c) has been deposited in the WMAT Cost 
Overrun Subaccount;’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘2023’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘2025’’. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
3(b)(2) of the White Mountain Apache Tribe Rural 
Water System Loan Authorization Act (Public Law 
110–390; 122 Stat. 4191; 124 Stat. 3092; 133 Stat. 
2669) is amended by striking ‘‘beginning on’’ and all 
that follows through the period at the end and in-
serting ‘‘beginning on May 1, 2025.’’. 
(d) REQUIREMENT.—Section 310(b) of the White 
Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act 
of 2010 (title III of Public Law 111–291; 124 Stat. 3090) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) EXPENDITURES.—If, before the enforce-
ability date under section 309(d), Federal funds are 
expended to carry out activities identified in sub-
paragraphs (A) or (C) of paragraph (2) in excess of 
the amounts provided pursuant to the White Moun-
tain Apache Tribe Rural Water System Loan Au-
thorization Act (Public Law 110–390; 122 Stat. 
4191), such expenditures shall be accounted for as 
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White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Settle-
ment Subaccount funds.’’. 
(e) COST INDEXING.—Section 312(c) of the White 
Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act 
of 2010 (title III of Public Law 111–291; 124 Stat. 3095) 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) COST INDEXING.— 
‘‘(1) WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE TRIBE WATER 
RIGHTS
SETTLEMENT
SUBACCOUNT.—All amounts 
made available under subsection (a) shall be ad-
justed as necessary to reflect the changes made since 
October 1, 2007, with respect to the construction 
cost indices applicable to the types of construction 
involved in the construction of the WMAT rural 
water system and the maintenance of the WMAT 
rural water system. 
‘‘(2) WMAT SETTLEMENT FUND.—All amounts 
made available under subsection (b)(2) shall be ad-
justed annually to reflect the changes made since 
October 1, 2007, with respect to the construction 
cost indices applicable to the types of construction 
involved in the construction of the WMAT rural 
water system and the maintenance of the WMAT 
rural water system. 
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‘‘(3) 
WMAT 
MAINTENANCE
FUND.—All 
amounts made available under subsection (b)(3) 
shall be adjusted on deposit to reflect the changes 
made since October 1, 2007, with respect to the 
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers 
West Urban 50,000 to 1,500,000 published by the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics. 
‘‘(4) WMAT COST OVERRUN SUBACCOUNT.—Of 
the amounts made available under subsection 
(e)(2)— 
‘‘(A) $35,000,000 shall be adjusted as nec-
essary to reflect the changes made since Octo-
ber 1, 2007, with respect to the construction 
cost indices applicable to the types of construc-
tion involved in the construction of the WMAT 
rural water system and the maintenance of the 
WMAT rural water system; and 
‘‘(B) additional funds, in excess of the 
amount referred to in subparagraph (A), shall 
be adjusted as necessary to reflect the changes 
made since April 1, 2021, with respect to the 
construction cost indices applicable to the types 
of construction involved in the construction of 
the WMAT rural water system and the mainte-
nance of the WMAT rural water system. 
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‘‘(5) CONSTRUCTION
COSTS
ADJUSTMENT.— 
The amounts made available under subsections (a), 
(b)(2), and (e)(2), shall be adjusted to address con-
struction cost changes necessary to account for un-
foreseen market volatility that may not otherwise be 
captured by engineering cost indices as determined 
by the Secretary, including repricing applicable to 
the types of construction and current industry 
standards involved.’’. 
(f) FUNDING.—Section 312(e)(2)(B) of the White 
Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act 
of 2010 (title III of Public Law 111–291; 124 Stat. 3095) 
is amended by striking ‘‘$11,000,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$541,000,000’’. 
(g) RETURN TO TREASURY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 312(e)(4)(B) of the 
White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quan-
tification Act of 2010 (Public Law 111–291; 124 
Stat. 3096) is amended, in the matter preceding 
clause (i), by striking ‘‘shall be’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘subsection (b)(2)(C)’’ and inserting ‘‘shall 
be returned to the general fund of the Treasury’’. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
312(b)(2) of the White Mountain Apache Tribe 
Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010 (Public 
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Law 111–291; 124 Stat. 3093; 132 Stat. 1626) is 
amended by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(B) TRANSFERS TO FUND.—There is au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for 
deposit 
in 
the 
WMAT 
Settlement 
Fund 
$78,500,000.’’. 
(h) PROHIBITION.—Section 312(e) of the White 
Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act 
of 2010 (title III of Public Law 111–291; 124 Stat. 3096) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) PROHIBITION.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, any amounts made available under 
paragraph (2)(B) shall not be made available from 
the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion 
Fund established by section 70101 of the Infrastruc-
ture Investment and Jobs Act (25 U.S.C. 149) or 
the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund estab-
lished by section 10501(a) of the Omnibus Public 
Land Management Act of 2009 (43 U.S.C. 407(a)) 
until 2034.’’. 
SEC. 108. DESALINATION RESEARCH AUTHORIZATION. 
The Water Desalination Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 
10301 note; Public Law 104–298) is amended— 
(1) in section 3(e)— 
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(A) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘and’’; 
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) to minimize the impacts of seawater desali-
nation on aquatic life and coastal ecosystems, includ-
ing technologies to monitor and reduce those im-
pacts.’’; and 
(2) in section 8(a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘$5,000,000 per year for 
fiscal years 1997 through 2021’’ and inserting 
‘‘$20,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2023 
through 2027’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘$1,000,000’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘$15,000,000’’. 
SEC. 109. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT AMEND-
MENTS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
104(f)(1) of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 
(42 U.S.C. 10303(f)(1)) is amended by striking 
‘‘$12,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2025’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$14,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 
through 2032’’. 
(b) ADDITIONAL
APPROPRIATIONS
WHERE
RE-
SEARCH FOCUSED ON WATER PROBLEMS OF INTERSTATE 
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appropriated for the Water Resources Research Act 
program.’’. 
SEC. 110. SALINE LAKE ECOSYSTEMS IN THE GREAT BASIN 
STATES ASSESSMENT AND MONITORING PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘Program’’ means 
the Saline Lake Ecosystems in the Great Basin 
States Assessment and Monitoring Program estab-
lished under subsection (b). 
(2) COORDINATING ENTITIES.—The term ‘‘co-
ordinating entities’’ includes— 
(A) Federal, State, Tribal, and local agen-
cies; 
(B) institutions of higher education; 
(C) nonprofit organizations; and 
(D) local stakeholders. 
(3) SALINE LAKE ECOSYSTEMS.—The term ‘‘sa-
line lake ecosystems’’ means the ecosystems associ-
ated with the following lakes: 
(A) Lake Abert in Oregon. 
(B) Eagle Lake in California. 
(C) Franklin Lake in Nevada. 
(D) Goose Lake in California and Oregon. 
(E) Great Salt Lake in Utah. 
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(F) Harney Lake in Oregon. 
(G) Honey Lake in California. 
(H) Lahontan Valley wetlands, including 
Carson Lake, Carson Sink, and Stillwater 
Marsh in Nevada. 
(I) Malheur Lake in Oregon. 
(J) Mono Lake in California. 
(K) Owens Lake in California. 
(L) Pyramid Lake in Nevada. 
(M) Ruby Lake in Nevada. 
(N) Sevier Lake in Utah. 
(O) Silver Lake in Oregon. 
(P) Summer Lake in Oregon. 
(Q) Walker Lake in Nevada. 
(R) Warner Lake in Oregon. 
(S) Winnemucca Lake in Nevada. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Di-
rector of the United States Geological Survey. 
(5) WORK AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.—The 
term ‘‘work and implementation plan’’ means the 
multiyear work and implementation plan established 
under subsection (c)(1). 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish 
a program to be known as the ‘‘Saline Lake Ecosystems 
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in the Great Basin States Assessment and Monitoring 
Program’’ to— 
(1) assess and monitor the hydrology of saline 
lake ecosystems and the migratory birds and other 
wildlife that depend on saline lake ecosystems; and 
(2) inform and support coordinated manage-
ment and conservation actions to benefit saline lake 
ecosystems, migratory birds, and other wildlife. 
(c) WORK AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In carrying out the Pro-
gram, the Secretary, in coordination with the Direc-
tor of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
and coordinating entities, shall establish a multiyear 
work and implementation plan to assess, monitor, 
and conserve saline lake ecosystems and migratory 
birds and other wildlife that depend on saline lake 
ecosystems. 
(2) INCLUSIONS.—The work and implementa-
tion plan shall include— 
(A) a synthesis of available information, 
literature, and data, and an assessment of sci-
entific and informational needs, relating to sa-
line lake ecosystems with respect to— 
(i) water quantity, water quality, 
water use, and water demand; 
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(ii) migratory bird and other wildlife 
populations, habitats, and ecology; 
(iii) annual lifecycle needs of migra-
tory birds; and 
(iv) environmental changes and other 
stressors, including climatic stressors; 
(B) a description of how the work and im-
plementation plan will address the scientific and 
informational needs described in subparagraph 
(A), including monitoring activities, data infra-
structure needs, and development of tools nec-
essary to implement the Program; 
(C) recommendations and a cost assess-
ment for the work and implementation plan; 
and 
(D) other matters, as determined necessary 
by the Secretary. 
(3) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall submit to Congress a report describing the 
work and implementation plan. 
(d) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary shall imple-
ment the Program based on the information, findings, and 
recommendations contained in the work and implementa-
tion plan. 
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(e) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS AND GRANTS.—The 
Secretary may use funds made available pursuant to sub-
section (g) to enter into cooperative funding agreements 
with, or provide grants to, coordinating entities for the 
purposes of— 
(1) participating in developing, or providing in-
formation to inform the development of, the work 
and implementation plan; 
(2) carrying out assessments and monitoring of 
water quality, quantity, use, and demand under the 
Program; and 
(3) carrying out ecological, biological, and avian 
assessments and monitoring under the Program. 
(f) EFFECT.—The work and implementation plan 
shall not affect— 
(1) any interstate water compacts in existence 
on the date of the enactment of this Act, including 
full development of any apportionment made in ac-
cordance with those compacts; 
(2) valid and existing water rights in any State 
located wholly or partially within the Great Basin; 
(3) water rights held by the United States in 
the Great Basin; or 
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(4) the management and operation of Bear 
Lake or Stewart Dam, including the storage, man-
agement, and release of water. 
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $5,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to carry out 
the Program. 
(h) PRIORITY.—In carrying out the Program, the 
Secretary shall give priority to the following saline lake 
ecosystems: 
(1) Lake Abert in Oregon. 
(2) Great Salt Lake in Utah. 
(3) Lahontan Valley Wetlands, including Car-
son Sink, Carson Lake, and Stillwater Marsh in Ne-
vada. 
(4) Ruby Lake in Nevada. 
(5) Walker Lake in Nevada. 
(6) Mono Lake in California. 
(7) Owens Lake in California. 
(8) Summer Lake in Oregon. 
SEC. 111. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATIONS RELATED TO 
FISH RECOVERY PROGRAMS. 
Section 3 of Public Law 106–392 (114 Stat. 1603) 
is amended— 
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(1) by striking ‘‘2023’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘2024’’; 
(2) 
in 
subsection 
(b)(1), 
by 
striking 
‘‘$179,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$184,000,000’’; 
(3) 
in 
subsection 
(b)(2), 
by 
striking 
‘‘$30,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$25,000,000’’; 
(4) in subsection (h), by striking ‘‘, at least 1 
year prior to such expiration,’’; and 
(5) in subsection (j), by striking ‘‘2021’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘2022’’. 
SEC. 112. RECLAMATION CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER 
PROGRAM. 
Section 9503(f) of the Omnibus Public Land Man-
agement Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 10363(f)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2023’’ and inserting ‘‘2033’’. 
SEC. 113. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE 
LAS VEGAS WASH PROGRAM. 
Section 529(b)(3) of the Water Resources Develop-
ment Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 2658; 119 Stat. 2255; 125 
Stat. 865) is amended by striking ‘‘$30,000,000’’ and in-
serting ‘‘$55,000,000’’. 
SEC. 114. TERMINAL LAKES ASSISTANCE. 
Section 2507(f) of the Farm Security and Rural In-
vestment Act of 2002 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–6(f)) is amend-
ed by striking ‘‘2023’’ and inserting ‘‘2025’’. 
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SEC. 115. EXPEDITED MEASURES FOR DROUGHT RE-
SPONSE. 
(a) EXPEDITED PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION.—Sec-
tion 40905(h) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs 
Act (43 U.S.C. 3205(h); 135 Stat. 1124) is amended by 
striking ‘‘Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act’’ and inserting ‘‘Not later than August 
31, 2022’’. 
(b) 
ESTABLISHMENT
OF
PROGRAM.—Section 
40907(b) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 
(43 U.S.C. 3207(b); 135 Stat. 1125) is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act’’ and inserting ‘‘Not later than August 31, 
2022’’. 
SEC. 116. WATER EFFICIENCY, CONSERVATION, AND SUS-
TAINABILITY. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency. 
(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means any of the following: 
(A) A State, local, or Tribal government, 
or any special-purpose unit of such a govern-
ment (including a municipal water authority). 
(B) A public water system. 
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HR 5118 RDS
(C) A nonprofit organization. 
(3) ENERGY STAR PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘En-
ergy Star program’’ means the Energy Star program 
established by section 324A of the Energy Policy 
and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6294a). 
(4) 
LOW-INCOME
HOUSEHOLD.—The 
term 
‘‘low-income household’’ means a household that 
meets the income qualifications established under— 
(A) section 2605(b)(2) of the Low-Income 
Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 
U.S.C. 8624(b)(2)); or 
(B) the Low-Income Household Drinking 
Water and Wastewater Emergency Assistance 
Program authorized by section 533 of division 
H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 
(Public Law 116–260; 134 Stat. 1627). 
(5) PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘public 
water system’’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 
U.S.C. 300f). 
(6) 
WATER
EFFICIENCY
INCENTIVE
PRO-
GRAM.—The term ‘‘water efficiency incentive pro-
gram’’ means a program for providing incentives, in-
cluding direct installation services, to residential, 
commercial, or industrial customers of a public 
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water system for the purchase, lease, installation, 
use, or implementation, as applicable, of water-effi-
cient upgrades. 
(7) WATER-EFFICIENT UPGRADE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘water-effi-
cient upgrade’’ means a product, landscape, 
label, process, or service for a residential, com-
mercial, or industrial building, or the landscape 
of such a building, that is— 
(i) rated for water efficiency and per-
formance under the WaterSense program 
or the Energy Star program; or 
(ii) otherwise determined by the Ad-
ministrator to improve water-use efficiency. 
(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘water-effi-
cient upgrade’’ includes— 
(i) a faucet; 
(ii) a showerhead; 
(iii) a dishwasher; 
(iv) a toilet; 
(v) a clothes washer; 
(vi) an irrigation product or service; 
(vii) advanced metering infrastruc-
ture; 
(viii) a flow monitoring device; 
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(ix) a landscaping or gardening prod-
uct, including moisture control or water- 
enhancing technology; 
(x) xeriscaping, turf removal, or an-
other landscape conversion that reduces 
water use (except for the installation of ar-
tificial turf); and 
(xi) any other product, landscape, 
process, or service— 
(I) certified pursuant to the 
WaterSense program; or 
(II) otherwise determined by the 
Administrator to reduce water use or 
water loss, including products rated 
for water efficiency and performance 
under the Energy Star program. 
(8) WATER
LOSS
CONTROL
PROGRAM.—The 
term ‘‘water loss control program’’ means a program 
to identify and quantify water uses and losses, im-
plement controls to reduce or eliminate losses and 
leaks, and evaluate the effectiveness of such controls. 
(9) 
WATERSENSE
PROGRAM.—The 
term 
‘‘WaterSense program’’ means the program estab-
lished by section 324B of the Energy Policy and 
Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6294b). 
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(b) WATER EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION GRANT 
PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish a program to award grants to eligible entities 
that have established water efficiency incentive pro-
grams to carry out those water efficiency incentive 
programs (referred to in this subsection as the 
‘‘grant program’’). 
(2) DISTRIBUTION.—In carrying out the grant 
program, the Administrator shall award not less 
than 50 percent of the amounts made available to 
carry out this subsection in each fiscal year to eligi-
ble entities that service an area that— 
(A) has been designated as D2 (severe 
drought) or greater according to the United 
States Drought Monitor for a minimum of 4 
weeks during any of the 3 years preceding the 
date of the grant award; or 
(B) is within a county for which a drought 
emergency has been declared by the applicable 
Governor at any time during the 3-year period 
preceding the date of the grant award. 
(3) GRANT AMOUNT.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), a grant awarded under the grant 
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program shall be in an amount that is not less 
than $250,000. 
(B) SMALL PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS.—The 
Administrator may award a grant in an amount 
that is less than $250,000 if the grant is 
awarded to, or for the benefit of, a public water 
system that serves fewer than 10,000 cus-
tomers. 
(4) USE OF FUNDS.—An eligible entity receiv-
ing a grant under the grant program shall— 
(A) use grant funds to carry out a water 
efficiency incentive program for customers of a 
public water system; or 
(B) provide grant funds to another eligible 
entity to carry out a water efficiency incentive 
program described in subparagraph (A). 
(5) MINIMUM REQUIREMENT.—An eligible enti-
ty receiving a grant under the grant program shall 
use not less than 40 percent of the amount of the 
grant to provide water-efficient upgrades to low-in-
come households. 
(6) COST SHARE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), the Federal share of the cost of car-
rying out a water efficiency incentive program 
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using a grant awarded under the grant program 
shall not exceed 80 percent. 
(B) WAIVER.—The Administrator may in-
crease the Federal share under subparagraph 
(A) to 100 percent if the Administrator deter-
mines that an eligible entity is unable to pay, 
or would experience significant financial hard-
ship if required to pay, the non-Federal share. 
(7) SUPPLEMENT, NOT
SUPPLANT.—Amounts 
provided under a grant under the grant program 
shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other 
Federal, State, local, or Tribal funds made available 
to carry out water efficiency incentive programs. 
(8) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this subsection 
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 
through 2028. 
(B) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS.—Of 
the 
amounts authorized to be appropriated under 
subparagraph (A) each fiscal year, not more 
than 4 percent is authorized to pay the admin-
istrative costs of the Administrator. 
(c) SUSTAINABLE WATER LOSS CONTROL PRO-
GRAM.— 
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(1) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND GRANT PRO-
GRAM.—The Administrator shall establish and carry 
out a program (referred to in this subsection as the 
‘‘program’’)— 
(A) to make grants and provide technical 
assistance to eligible entities to perform annual 
audits of public water systems that are— 
(i) conducted in accordance with the 
procedures contained in the manual pub-
lished by the American Water Works Asso-
ciation entitled ‘‘M36 Water Audits and 
Loss Control Programs, Fourth Edition’’ 
(or any successor manual determined ap-
propriate by the Administrator); and 
(ii) validated under such criteria as 
may be specified by the Administrator; and 
(B) to make grants and provide technical 
assistance to eligible entities— 
(i) to implement controls to address 
real water losses, apparent water losses, or 
a combination of real and apparent water 
losses that are identified in an audit con-
ducted and validated in accordance with 
the procedures and criteria described in 
subparagraph (A); and 
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(ii) to help public water systems that 
have conducted and validated such an 
audit establish water loss control pro-
grams. 
(2) CRITERIA.—In selecting eligible entities to 
receive grants and technical assistance under the 
program, the Administrator shall consider— 
(A) whether the public water system that 
would be served by the grants or technical as-
sistance serves a disadvantaged community (as 
defined in section 1452(d)(3) of the Safe 
Drinking 
Water 
Act 
(42 
U.S.C. 
300j– 
12(d)(3))); and 
(B) the ability of the public water system 
that would be served by the grants or technical 
assistance, on completion of an audit conducted 
and validated in accordance with the procedures 
and criteria described in paragraph (1)(A)— 
(i) to successfully sustain a water loss 
control program; and 
(ii) to demonstrate that the water loss 
control program will reduce real water 
losses, apparent water losses, or a com-
bination of real and apparent water losses 
from the public water system. 
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(3) ANNUAL WATER SAVINGS.—The Adminis-
trator shall— 
(A) annually compile, by Environmental 
Protection Agency region, information on the 
amount of water savings achieved pursuant to 
this subsection; and 
(B) publish on the website of the Adminis-
trator the information compiled under subpara-
graph (A). 
(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this subsection 
$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 
through 2028, of which— 
(i) $20,000,000 each fiscal year is au-
thorized to be appropriated to carry out 
paragraph (1)(A); and 
(ii) $20,000,000 each fiscal year is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
paragraph (1)(B). 
(B) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS.—Of 
the 
amounts authorized to be appropriated under 
subparagraph (A) for grants under the program 
each fiscal year, not more than 4 percent is au-
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thorized to be appropriated for the administra-
tive costs of making such grants. 
SEC. 117. SHORING UP ELECTRICITY GENERATION AND RE-
DUCING EVAPORATION AT BUREAU OF REC-
LAMATION FACILITIES. 
(a) ASSESSMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Inte-
rior shall conduct, in consultation with the Secretary 
of Energy, an assessment of opportunities to install 
and maintain photovoltaic solar panels (including 
floating solar panels) at Bureau of Reclamation fa-
cilities. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The assessment conducted 
under paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) include a description of the economic, 
environmental, and technical feasibility of in-
stalling and maintaining, or contracting with 
third parties to install and maintain, photo-
voltaic solar panels at Bureau of Reclamation 
facilities; 
(B) identify Bureau of Reclamation facili-
ties with a high potential for the installation 
and maintenance of photovoltaic solar panels 
and whether such installation and maintenance 
would require additional authorization; 
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HR 5118 RDS
(C) account for potential impacts of photo-
voltaic solar panels at Bureau of Reclamation 
facilities and the authorized purposes of such 
facilities, including potential impacts related to 
evaporation suppression, energy yield, dam safe-
ty, recreation, water quality, and fish and wild-
life; 
(D) account for potential damage to float-
ing photovoltaic solar panels from weather, 
water level fluctuations, recreational co-use and 
other project uses; and 
(E) account for the availability of electric 
grid 
infrastructure, 
including 
underutilized 
transmission infrastructure. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress, and make publicly available (including 
on a publicly available website), a report containing the 
results of the assessment conducted under subsection (a). 
TITLE 
II—FUTURE 
WESTERN 
WATER AND DROUGHT RESIL-
IENCY 
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Furthering Underuti-
lized Technologies and Unleashing Responsible Expendi-
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HR 5118 RDS
tures for Western Water and Drought Resiliency Act’’ or 
the ‘‘FUTURE Western Water and Drought Resiliency 
Act’’. 
SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) RELEVANT COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.— 
The term ‘‘relevant committees of Congress’’ 
means— 
(A) the Committee on Natural Resources 
of the House of Representatives; and 
(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate. 
(2) RECLAMATION
STATE.—The term ‘‘Rec-
lamation State’’ means a State or territory described 
in the first section of the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 
Stat. 388, chapter 1093; 43 U.S.C. 391). 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior, unless otherwise de-
fined in a particular provision. 
(4) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
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Subtitle A—Assistance for Projects 
With 
Fastest 
Construction 
Timelines 
SEC. 211. WATER RECYCLING AND REUSE PROJECTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the 
‘‘Water Recycling Investment and Improvement Act’’. 
(b) FUNDING PRIORITY.—Section 1602(f) of the 
Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Fa-
cilities Act (title XVI of Public Law 102–575; 43 U.S.C. 
390h et seq.) is amended by striking paragraphs (2) and 
(3) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY.—When funding projects under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give funding pri-
ority to projects that meet one or more of the fol-
lowing criteria: 
‘‘(A) Projects that are likely to provide a 
more reliable water supply for States and local 
governments. 
‘‘(B) Projects that are likely to increase 
the water management flexibility and reduce 
impacts 
on 
environmental 
resources 
from 
projects operated by Federal and State agen-
cies. 
‘‘(C) Projects that are regional in nature. 
‘‘(D) Projects with multiple stakeholders. 
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HR 5118 RDS
‘‘(E) Projects that provide multiple bene-
fits, including water supply reliability, eco-sys-
tem benefits, groundwater management and en-
hancements, and water quality improvements.’’. 
(c) LIMITATION ON FUNDING.—Section 1631(d) of 
the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and 
Facilities Act (43 U.S.C. 390h–13(d)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘$20,000,000 (October 1996 prices)’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘$50,000,000 (July 2022 prices)’’. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In addi-
tion to amounts otherwise available, there is authorized 
to be appropriated $600,000,000 to remain available until 
expended for water recycling and reuse projects authorized 
in accordance with the Reclamation Wastewater and 
Groundwater Study and Facilities Act (43 U.S.C. 390h 
et seq.) that are— 
(1) authorized or approved for construction 
funding by an Act of Congress; or 
(2) selected for funding under the competitive 
grant program authorized under section 1602(f) of 
the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater 
Study and Facilities Act (43 U.S.C. 390h(f)), with 
funding under this section to be provided in accord-
ance with that section, notwithstanding section 4013 
of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the 
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HR 5118 RDS
Nation Act (43 U.S.C. 390b note; Public Law 114– 
322), except that section 1602(g)(2) of the Reclama-
tion Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facili-
ties Act (43 U.S.C. 390h(g)(2)) shall not apply to 
amounts made available under this section. 
SEC. 212. DESALINATION PROJECT DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the 
‘‘Desalination Development Act’’. 
(b) DESALINATION PROJECTS AUTHORIZATION.— 
Section 4(a) of the Water Desalination Act of 1996 (42 
U.S.C. 10301 note; Public Law 104–298) is amended by 
striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) PROJECTS.— 
‘‘(A) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE DESALINA-
TION PROJECT.—In this paragraph, the term 
‘eligible desalination project’ means any project 
located in a Reclamation State that— 
‘‘(i) involves an ocean or brackish 
water desalination facility— 
‘‘(I) constructed, operated, and 
maintained by a State, Indian Tribe, 
irrigation district, water district, or 
other organization with water or 
power delivery authority; or 
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‘‘(II) sponsored or funded by any 
State, department of a State, subdivi-
sion of a State, or public agency orga-
nized pursuant to State law, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(aa) direct sponsorship or 
funding; or 
‘‘(bb) indirect sponsorship or 
funding, such as by paying for 
the water provided by the facility; 
‘‘(ii) provides a Federal benefit in ac-
cordance with the reclamation laws; and 
‘‘(iii) is consistent with all applicable 
State and Federal resource protection 
laws, including the protection of marine 
protected areas. 
‘‘(B) DEFINITION OF DESIGNATED DESALI-
NATION
PROJECT.—The term ‘designated de-
salination project’ means an eligible desalina-
tion project that— 
‘‘(i) is an ocean desalination project 
that uses a subsurface intake; 
‘‘(ii) has a total estimated cost of 
$80,000,000 or less; and 
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‘‘(iii) is designed to serve a commu-
nity or group of communities that collec-
tively import more than 75 percent of their 
water supplies. 
‘‘(C) COST-SHARING REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the re-
quirements of this paragraph, the Federal 
share of an eligible desalination project 
carried out under this subsection shall 
be— 
‘‘(I) not more than 25 percent of 
the total cost of the eligible desalina-
tion project; or 
‘‘(II) in the case of a designated 
desalination project, the applicable 
percentage determined in accordance 
with clause (ii). 
‘‘(ii) COST-SHARING
REQUIREMENT 
FOR CONSTRUCTION COSTS.—In the case 
of a designated desalination project carried 
out under this subsection, the Federal 
share of the cost of construction of the 
designated desalination project shall not 
exceed the greater of— 
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‘‘(I) 35 percent of the total cost 
of construction, up to a Federal cost 
of $20,000,000; or 
‘‘(II) 25 percent of the total cost 
of construction. 
‘‘(D) STATE ROLE.—The Secretary shall 
not participate in an eligible desalination 
project under this paragraph unless— 
‘‘(i)(I) the eligible desalination project 
is included in a State-approved plan; or 
‘‘(II) the participation has been re-
quested by the Governor of the State in 
which the eligible desalination project is lo-
cated; and 
‘‘(ii) the State or local sponsor of the 
eligible desalination project determines, 
and the Secretary concurs, that— 
‘‘(I) 
the 
eligible 
desalination 
project— 
‘‘(aa) is technically and fi-
nancially feasible; 
‘‘(bb) provides a Federal 
benefit in accordance with the 
reclamation laws; and 
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HR 5118 RDS
‘‘(cc) is consistent with ap-
plicable State laws, State regula-
tions, State coastal zone manage-
ment plans, and other State 
plans such as California’s Water 
Quality Control Plan for the 
Ocean Waters in California; 
‘‘(II) sufficient non-Federal fund-
ing is available to complete the eligible 
desalination project; and 
‘‘(III) the eligible desalination 
project sponsors are financially sol-
vent; and 
‘‘(iii) the Secretary submits to Con-
gress a written notification of the deter-
minations under clause (ii) by not later 
than 30 days after the date of the deter-
minations. 
‘‘(E) ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.—In partici-
pating in an eligible desalination project under 
this paragraph, the Secretary shall comply with 
all applicable environmental laws, including the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and State laws imple-
menting the Coastal Zone Management Act. 
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HR 5118 RDS
‘‘(F) INFORMATION.—In participating in 
an eligible desalination project under this sub-
section, the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) may rely on reports prepared by 
the sponsor of the eligible desalination 
project, including feasibility or equivalent 
studies, environmental analyses, and other 
pertinent reports and analyses; but 
‘‘(ii) shall retain responsibility for 
making the independent determinations de-
scribed in subparagraph (D). 
‘‘(G) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this paragraph 
$260,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 
2023 through 2027. 
‘‘(ii) CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL INI-
TIALLY REQUIRED.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—Each initial 
award under this paragraph for de-
sign and study or for construction of 
an eligible desalination project shall 
be approved by an Act of Congress. 
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HR 5118 RDS
‘‘(II) 
RECLAMATION
REC-
OMMENDATIONS.—The Commissioner 
of Reclamation shall submit rec-
ommendations regarding the initial 
award of preconstruction and con-
struction funding for consideration 
under subclause (I) to— 
‘‘(aa) the Committee on Ap-
propriations of the Senate; 
‘‘(bb) the Committee on En-
ergy and Natural Resources of 
the Senate; 
‘‘(cc) the Committee on Ap-
propriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives; and 
‘‘(dd) the Committee on 
Natural Resources of the House 
of Representatives. 
‘‘(iii) 
SUBSEQUENT
FUNDING 
AWARDS.—After approval by Congress of 
an initial award of preconstruction or con-
struction funding for an eligible desalina-
tion project under clause (ii), the Commis-
sioner of Reclamation may award addi-
tional 
preconstruction 
or 
construction 
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HR 5118 RDS
funding, respectively, for the eligible desali-
nation project without further congres-
sional approval.’’. 
(c) PRIORITIZATION FOR PROJECTS.—Section 4 of 
the Water Desalination Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 10301 
note; Public Law 104–298) is amended by striking sub-
section (c) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) PRIORITIZATION.—In carrying out demonstra-
tion and development activities under this section, the Sec-
retary and the Commissioner of Reclamation shall each 
prioritize projects— 
‘‘(1) for the benefit of drought-stricken States 
and communities; 
‘‘(2) for the benefit of States that have author-
ized funding for research and development of desali-
nation technologies and projects; 
‘‘(3) that demonstrably reduce a reliance on im-
ported water supplies that have an impact on species 
listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); 
‘‘(4) that, in a measurable and verifiable man-
ner, reduce a reliance on imported water supplies 
from imperiled ecosystems such as the Sacramento- 
San Joaquin River Delta; 
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‘‘(5) that demonstrably leverage the experience 
of international partners with considerable expertise 
in desalination, such as the State of Israel; 
‘‘(6) that maximize use of renewable energy to 
power desalination facilities; 
‘‘(7) that maximize energy efficiency so that the 
lifecycle energy demands of desalination are mini-
mized; 
‘‘(8) located in regions that have employed 
strategies to increase water conservation and the 
capture and recycling of wastewater and stormwater; 
and 
‘‘(9) that meet the following criteria, if they are 
ocean desalination facilities— 
‘‘(A) use a subsurface intake or, if a sub-
surface intake is not technologically feasible, an 
intake that uses the best available site, design, 
technology, and mitigation measures to mini-
mize the mortality of all forms of marine life 
and impacts to coastal dependent resources; 
‘‘(B) are sited and designed to ensure that 
the disposal of wastewaters including brine 
from the desalination process— 
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HR 5118 RDS
‘‘(i) are not discharged to impaired 
bodies of water or State or Federal Marine 
Protected Areas; and 
‘‘(ii) achieve ambient salinity levels 
within a reasonable distance from the dis-
charge point; 
‘‘(C) are sited, designed, and operated in a 
manner that maintains indigenous marine life 
and a healthy and diverse marine community; 
‘‘(D) do not cause significant unmitigated 
harm to aquatic life; and 
‘‘(E) include a construction and operation 
plan designed to minimize loss of coastal habi-
tat and aesthetic, noise, and air quality im-
pacts.’’. 
(d) RECOMMENDATIONS TO CONGRESS.—In deter-
mining project recommendations to Congress under sec-
tion 4(a)(2)(G)(ii)(II) of the Water Desalination Act of 
1996, the Commissioner of Reclamation shall establish a 
priority scoring system that assigns priority scores to each 
project evaluated based on the prioritization criteria of 
section 4(c) of the Water Desalination Act of 1996 (42 
U.S.C. 10301 note; Public Law 104–298). 
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SEC. 213. ASSISTANCE FOR DISADVANTAGED COMMU-
NITIES 
WITHOUT 
ADEQUATE 
DRINKING 
WATER. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide 
grants within the Reclamation States to assist eligible ap-
plicants in planning, designing, or carrying out projects 
to help disadvantaged communities address a significant 
decline in the quantity or quality of drinking water. 
(b) ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS.—To be eligible to receive 
a grant under this section, an applicant shall submit an 
application to the Secretary that includes a proposal of 
the project or activity in subsection (c) to be planned, de-
signed, constructed, or implemented, the service area of 
which— 
(1) is not located in a city or town with a popu-
lation of more than 60,000 residents; and 
(2) has a median household income of less than 
100 percent of the nonmetropolitan median house-
hold income of the State. 
(c) ELIGIBLE
PROJECTS.—Projects eligible for 
grants under this program may be used for— 
(1) emergency water supplies; 
(2) distributed treatment facilities; 
(3) construction of new wells and connections to 
existing water source systems; 
(4) water distribution facilities; 
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HR 5118 RDS
(5) connection fees to existing systems; 
(6) assistance to households to connect to water 
facilities; 
(7) local resource sharing, including voluntary 
agreements between water systems to jointly con-
tract for services or equipment, or to study or imple-
ment the physical consolidation of two or more water 
systems; 
(8) technical assistance, planning, and design 
for any of the activities described in paragraphs (1) 
through (7); or 
(9) any combination of activities described in 
paragraphs (1) through (8). 
(d) PRIORITIZATION.—In determining priorities for 
funding projects, the Secretary shall take into consider-
ation— 
(1) where the decline in the quantity or quality 
of water poses the greatest threat to public health 
and safety; 
(2) the degree to which the project provides a 
long-term solution to the water needs of the commu-
nity; and 
(3) whether the applicant has the ability to 
qualify for alternative funding sources. 
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(e) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.—The amount of a grant pro-
vided under this section may be up to 100 percent of costs, 
including— 
(1) initial operation costs incurred for startup 
and testing of project facilities; 
(2) costs of components to ensure such facilities 
and components are properly operational; and 
(3) costs of operation or maintenance incurred 
subsequent to placing the facilities or components 
into service. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$100,000,000, to remain available until expended. 
(g) COORDINATION REQUIRED.—In carrying out this 
section, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of 
Agriculture and the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency to identify opportunities to improve the 
efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of activities carried 
out under this section to help disadvantaged communities 
address a significant decline in the quantity or quality of 
drinking water. 
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HR 5118 RDS
Subtitle B—Improved Water 
Technology and Data 
SEC. 221. X-PRIZE FOR WATER TECHNOLOGY BREAK-
THROUGHS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) BOARD.—The term ‘‘board’’ means the 
board established under subsection (c). 
(2) ELIGIBLE PERSON.—The term ‘‘eligible per-
son’’ means— 
(A) an individual who is— 
(i) a citizen or legal resident of the 
United States; or 
(ii) a member of a group that includes 
citizens or legal residents of the United 
States; 
(B) an entity that is incorporated and 
maintains its primary place of business in the 
United States; or 
(C) a public water agency. 
(3) FINANCIAL
AWARD
COMPETITION.—The 
term ‘‘financial award competition’’ means the 
award competition under subsection (d)(1). 
(4) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘program’’ means 
the program established under subsection (b). 
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HR 5118 RDS
(b) WATER TECHNOLOGY AWARD PROGRAM ESTAB-
LISHED.—The Secretary, working through the Bureau of 
Reclamation, and in coordination with the Secretary of 
Energy, shall establish a program to award prizes to eligi-
ble persons for achievement in one or more of the following 
applications of water technology: 
(1) Demonstration of wastewater and industrial 
process water purification for reuse or desalination 
of brackish water or seawater with significantly less 
energy than current municipally and commercially 
adopted technologies. 
(2) Demonstration of portable or modular de-
salination units that can process 1 to 5,000,000 gal-
lons per day that could be deployed for temporary 
emergency uses in coastal communities or commu-
nities with brackish groundwater supplies. 
(3) Demonstration of significant advantages 
over current municipally and commercially adopted 
reverse osmosis technologies as determined by the 
board established under subsection (c). 
(4) Demonstration of significant improvements 
in the recovery of residual or waste energy from the 
desalination process. 
(5) Reducing open water evaporation. 
(c) ESTABLISHMENT OF BOARD.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish 
a board to administer the program. 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The board shall be com-
posed of not less than 15 and not more than 21 
members appointed by the Secretary, of whom not 
less than 2 shall— 
(A) be a representative of the interests of 
public water districts or other public organiza-
tions with water delivery authority; 
(B) be a representative of the interests of 
academic organizations with expertise in the 
field of water technology, including desalination 
or water reuse; 
(C) be representative of a non-profit con-
servation organization; 
(D) have expertise in administering award 
competitions; and 
(E) be a representative of the Bureau of 
Reclamation of the Department of the Interior 
with expertise in the deployment of desalination 
or water reuse. 
(d) AWARDS.—Subject to the availability of appro-
priations, the board may make the following awards: 
(1) FINANCIAL PRIZE.—A financial award given 
through a competition in an amount determined be-
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HR 5118 RDS
fore the commencement of the competition to the 
first competitor to meet such criteria as the board 
shall establish. 
(2) RECOGNITION
PRIZE.—A non-monetary 
award, through which the board recognizes an eligi-
ble person for superlative achievement in 1 or more 
applications described in subsection (a). An award 
under this paragraph shall not include any financial 
remuneration. 
(e) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) CONTRACTING.—The board may contract 
with a private organization to administer a financial 
award competition described in subsection (d)(1). 
(2) SOLICITATION OF FUNDS.—A member of 
the board or any administering organization with 
which the board has a contract under paragraph (1) 
may solicit gifts from private and public entities to 
be used for a financial award competition. 
(3) LIMITATION
ON
PARTICIPATION
OF
DO-
NORS.—The board may allow a donor who is a pri-
vate person described in paragraph (2) to participate 
in the determination of criteria for an award under 
subsection (d), but such donor may not solely deter-
mine the criteria for such award. 
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HR 5118 RDS
(4) NO ADVANTAGE FOR DONATION.—A donor 
who is a private person described in paragraph (3) 
shall not be entitled to any special consideration or 
advantage with respect to participation in a financial 
award competition. 
(f) INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.—The Federal Gov-
ernment may not acquire an intellectual property right in 
any product or idea by virtue of the submission of such 
product or idea in the financial award competition. 
(g) LIABILITY.—The board may require a competitor 
in a financial award competition to waive liability against 
the Federal Government for injuries and damages that re-
sult from participation in such competition. 
(h) ANNUAL REPORT.—Each year, the board shall 
submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report 
on the program. 
(i) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated sums for the program 
as follows: 
(1) For administration of the awards under 
subsection (d), $750,000 for each fiscal year 
through fiscal year 2027, to remain available until 
expended. 
(2) For the financial prize award under sub-
section (d)(1), in addition to any amounts received 
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HR 5118 RDS
under subsection (e)(2), $5,000,000 for each fiscal 
year through fiscal year 2027, to remain available 
until expended. 
SEC. 222. WATER TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT PROGRAM ES-
TABLISHED. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the 
Bureau of Reclamation, shall establish a program, pursu-
ant to the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater 
Study and Facilities Act (Public Law 102–575, title XVI), 
the Water Desalination Act of 1996 (Public Law 104– 
298), and other applicable laws, to promote the expanded 
use of technology for improving availability and resiliency 
of water supplies and power deliveries, which shall include 
investments to enable expanded and accelerated— 
(1) deployment of desalination technology; and 
(2) use of recycled water. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each fis-
cal year through fiscal year 2027 for the Secretary to 
carry out the purposes and provisions of this section. 
SEC. 223. FEDERAL PRIORITY STREAMGAGES. 
(a) FEDERAL PRIORITY STREAMGAGES.—The Sec-
retary shall make every reasonable effort to make oper-
ational all streamgages identified as Federal Priority 
Streamgages by the United States Geological Survey not 
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HR 5118 RDS
later than 10 years after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
(b) COLLABORATION WITH STATES.—The Secretary 
shall, to the maximum extent practicable, seek to leverage 
Federal investments in Federal Priority Streamgages 
through collaborative partnerships with States and local 
agencies that invest non-Federal funds to maintain and 
enhance streamgage networks to improve both environ-
mental quality and water supply reliability. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In addi-
tion to amounts otherwise available, there is authorized 
to be appropriated $150,000,000 to the Secretary to carry 
out this section, to remain available until expended. 
Subtitle C—Drought Response and 
Preparedness for Ecosystems 
SEC. 231. AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROGRAM. 
In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is 
authorized to be appropriated $150,000,000 to remain 
available until expended for design, study, and construc-
tion of aquatic ecosystem restoration and protection 
projects in accordance with section 1109 of division FF 
of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 
116–260). 
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HR 5118 RDS
SEC. 232. WATERSHED HEALTH PROGRAM. 
In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is 
authorized to be appropriated $200,000,000 to carry out 
section 40907 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs 
Act (43 U.S.C. 3207), to remain available until expended. 
SEC. 233. WATERBIRD HABITAT CREATION PROGRAM. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF HABITAT CREATION PRO-
GRAM.—The Secretary shall establish a program to 
incentivize farmers to keep fields flooded during appro-
priate time periods for the purposes of waterbird habitat 
creation and maintenance, including waterfowl and 
shorebird habitat creation and maintenance, provided 
that— 
(1) such incentives may not exceed $3,500,000 
annually, either directly or through credits against 
other contractual payment obligations; 
(2) the holder of a water contract receiving pay-
ments under this section pass such payments 
through to farmers participating in the program, 
less reasonable contractor costs, if any; and 
(3) the Secretary determines that habitat cre-
ation activities receiving financial support under this 
section will create new habitat that is not likely to 
be created without the financial incentives provided 
under this section. 
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HR 5118 RDS
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $3,500,000 
for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2027 to carry out 
this section, to remain available until expended. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than October 1, 2023, and 
every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report summarizing the environmental per-
formance of activities that are receiving, or have received, 
assistance under the program authorized by this section. 
SEC. 234. SUPPORT FOR REFUGE WATER DELIVERIES. 
(a) REPORT ON HISTORIC REFUGE WATER DELIV-
ERIES.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the en-
actment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the rel-
evant committees of Congress and make publicly available 
a report that describes the following: 
(1) Compliance with section 3406(d)(1) and 
section 3406(d)(2) of the Central Valley Project Im-
provement Act (title XXXIV of Public Law 102– 
575) in each of years 1992 through 2018, including 
an indication of the amount of water identified as 
the Level 2 amount and incremental Level 4 amount 
for each wetland area. 
(2) The difference between the mandated quan-
tity of water to be delivered to each wetland habitat 
area described in section 3406(d)(2) and the actual 
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HR 5118 RDS
quantity of water delivered since October 30, 1992, 
including a listing of every year in which the full de-
livery of water to wetland habitat areas was achieved 
in accordance with Level 4 of the ‘‘Dependable 
Water Supply Needs’’ table, described in section 
3406(d)(2) of the Central Valley Project Improve-
ment Act (title XXXIV of Public Law 102–575). 
(3) Which of the authorities granted to the Sec-
retary under Public Law 102–575 to achieve the full 
Level 4 deliveries of water to wetland habitat areas 
was employed in achieving the increment of water 
delivery above the Level 2 amount for each wetland 
habitat area, including whether water conservation, 
conjunctive use, water purchases, water leases, dona-
tions, water banking, or other authorized activities 
have been used and the extent to which such au-
thorities have been used. 
(4) An assessment of the degree to which the 
elimination of water transaction fees for the dona-
tion of water rights to wildlife refuges would help 
advance the goals of the Central Valley Project Im-
provement Act (title XXXIV of Public Law 102– 
575). 
(b) PRIORITY CONSTRUCTION LIST.—The Secretary 
shall establish, through a public process and in consulta-
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HR 5118 RDS
tion with the Interagency Refuge Water Management 
Team, a priority list for the completion of the conveyance 
construction projects at the wildlife habitat areas de-
scribed in section 3406(d)(2) of the Central Valley Project 
Improvement Act (title XXXIV of Public Law 102–575), 
including the Mendota Wildlife Area, Pixley National 
Wildlife Refuge and Sutter National Wildlife Refuge. 
(c) ECOLOGICAL MONITORING
AND EVALUATION 
PROGRAM.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the 
Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 
shall design and implement an ecological monitoring and 
evaluation program, for all Central Valley wildlife refuges, 
that produces an annual report based on existing and 
newly collected information, including— 
(1) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
Animal Health Lab disease reports; 
(2) mid-winter waterfowl inventories; 
(3) nesting and brood surveys; 
(4) additional data collected regularly by the 
refuges, such as herptile distribution and abundance; 
(5) a new coordinated systemwide monitoring 
effort for at least one key migrant species and two 
resident species listed as threatened and endangered 
pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
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(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (including one warm-blood-
ed and one cold-blooded), that identifies population 
numbers and survival rates for the 3 previous years; 
and 
(6) an estimate of the bioenergetic food produc-
tion benefits to migrant waterfowl, consistent with 
the methodology used by the Central Valley Joint 
Venture, to compliment and inform the Central Val-
ley Joint Venture implementation plan. 
(d) ADEQUATE STAFFING FOR REFUGE WATER DE-
LIVERY OBJECTIVES.—The Secretary shall ensure that 
adequate staffing is provided to advance the refuge water 
supply delivery objectives under the Central Valley Project 
Improvement Act (title XXXIV of Public Law 102–575). 
(e) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated $25,000,000 to carry out subsections (a) through 
(d), which shall remain available until expended. 
(f) EFFECT ON OTHER FUNDS.—Amounts author-
ized under this section shall be in addition to amounts col-
lected or appropriated under the Central Valley Project 
Improvement Act (title XXXIV of Public Law 102–575). 
SEC. 235. DROUGHT PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS FOR 
CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FISHERIES. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FISHERIES.—The 
term ‘‘critically important fisheries’’ means— 
(A) commercially and recreationally impor-
tant fisheries located within the Reclamation 
States; 
(B) fisheries containing fish species that 
are listed as threatened or endangered pursuant 
to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) within the Reclamation 
States; or 
(C) fisheries used by Indian Tribes within 
the Reclamation States for ceremonial, subsist-
ence, or commercial purposes. 
(2) QUALIFIED
TRIBAL
GOVERNMENT.—The 
term ‘‘qualified Tribal Government’’ means any gov-
ernment of an Indian Tribe that the Secretary deter-
mines— 
(A) is involved in fishery management and 
recovery activities including under the Endan-
gered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.); or 
(B) has the management and organiza-
tional capability to maximize the benefits of as-
sistance provided under this section. 
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(b) DROUGHT PLAN FOR CRITICALLY IMPORTANT 
FISHERIES.—Not later than January 1, 2024, and every 
three years thereafter, the Secretary, acting through the 
Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
shall, in consultation with the National Marine Fisheries 
Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Army Corps of 
Engineers, State fish and wildlife agencies, and affected 
Indian Tribes, prepare a plan to sustain the survival of 
critically important fisheries within the Reclamation 
States during periods of extended drought. The plan shall 
focus on actions that can aid the survival of critically im-
portant fisheries during the driest years. In preparing 
such plan, the Director shall consider— 
(1) habitat restoration efforts designed to pro-
vide drought refugia and increased fisheries resil-
ience during droughts; 
(2) relocating the release location and timing of 
hatchery fish to avoid predation and temperature 
impacts; 
(3) barging of hatchery release fish to improve 
survival and reduce straying; 
(4) coordination with water users, the Bureau 
of Reclamation, State fish and wildlife agencies, and 
interested public water agencies regarding voluntary 
water transfers, including through groundwater sub-
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HR 5118 RDS
stitution activities, to determine if water releases can 
be collaboratively managed in a way that provides 
additional benefits for critically important fisheries 
without negatively impacting wildlife habitat; 
(5) hatchery management modifications, such 
as expanding hatchery production of fish during the 
driest years, if appropriate for a particular river 
basin; 
(6) hatchery retrofit projects, such as the in-
stallation and operation of filtration equipment and 
chillers, to reduce disease outbreaks, egg mortality 
and other impacts of droughts and high water tem-
peratures; 
(7) increasing rescue operations of upstream 
migrating fish; 
(8) improving temperature modeling and related 
forecasted information to predict water management 
impacts to the habitat of critically important fish-
eries with a higher degree of accuracy than current 
models; 
(9) testing the potential for parentage-based 
tagging and other genetic testing technologies to im-
prove the management of hatcheries; 
(10) programs to reduce predation losses at ar-
tificially created predation hot spots; and 
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(11) retrofitting existing water facilities to pro-
vide improved temperature conditions for fish. 
(c) PUBLIC COMMENT.—The Director of the United 
States Fish and Wildlife Service shall provide for a public 
comment period of not less than 90 days before finalizing 
a plan under subsection (b). 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISH 
RECOVERY EFFORTS.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated $25,000,000 for the United States Fish and Wild-
life Service for fiscal year 2023 for fish, stream, and 
hatchery activities related to fish recovery efforts, includ-
ing work with the National Marine Fisheries Service, the 
Bureau of Reclamation, the Army Corps of Engineers, 
State fish and wildlife agencies, or a qualified Tribal Gov-
ernment. 
(e) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section is intended to 
expand, diminish, or affect any obligation under Federal 
or State environmental law. 
SEC. 236. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE FISHERIES RESTORA-
TION AND IRRIGATION MITIGATION ACT OF 
2000. 
Section 10(a) of the Fisheries Restoration and Irriga-
tion Mitigation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 777 note; Public 
Law 106–502) is amended by striking ‘‘$15 million 
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through 2021’’ and inserting ‘‘$25,000,000 through 
2028’’. 
SEC. 237. SUSTAINING BIODIVERSITY DURING DROUGHTS. 
Section 9503(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Man-
agement Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 10363(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3)(D), by inserting ‘‘and na-
tive biodiversity’’ after ‘‘wildlife habitat’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (4)(B), by inserting ‘‘and 
drought biodiversity plans to address sustaining na-
tive biodiversity during periods of drought’’ after 
‘‘restoration plans’’. 
SEC. 238. WATER RESOURCE EDUCATION. 
(a) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—In accordance with this 
section, the Secretary may enter into a cooperative agree-
ment or contract or provide financial assistance in the 
form of a grant, to support activities related to education 
on water resources. 
(b) ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary may enter 
into a cooperative agreement or contract or provide finan-
cial assistance for activities that improve water resources 
education, including through tours, publications or other 
activities that— 
(1) disseminate information on water resources 
via educational tools, materials or programs; 
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(2) publish relevant information on water re-
source issues, including environmental and ecological 
conditions; 
(3) advance projects that improve public under-
standing of water resource issues or management 
challenges, including education on drought, drought 
awareness, and drought resiliency; 
(4) provide training or related education for 
teachers, faculty, or related personnel, including in 
a specific geographic area or region; or 
(5) enable tours, conferences, or other activities 
to foster cooperation in addressing water resources 
or management challenges, including cooperation re-
lating to water resources shared by the United 
States and Canada or Mexico. 
(c) GRANT PRIORITY.—In making grants under this 
section, the Secretary shall give priority to activities 
that— 
(1) provide training for the professional devel-
opment of legal and technical experts in the field of 
water resources management; or 
(2) help educate the public, teachers or key 
stakeholders on— 
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HR 5118 RDS
(A) a new or significantly improved water 
resource management practice, method, or tech-
nique; 
(B) the existence of a water resource man-
agement practice, method, or technique that 
may have wide application; 
(C) a water resource management practice, 
method, or technique related to a scientific field 
or skill identified as a priority by the Secretary; 
or 
(D) general water resource issues or man-
agement challenges, including as part of a 
science curricula in elementary or secondary 
education setting. 
TITLE III—OPEN ACCESS 
EVAPOTRANSPIRATION DATA 
SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Open Access 
Evapotranspiration Data Act’’. 
SEC. 302. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) 
EVAPOTRANSPIRATION.—The 
term 
‘‘evapotranspiration’’ or ‘‘ET’’ means the process by 
which water is transferred from the land to the at-
mosphere by— 
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HR 5118 RDS
(A) evaporation from soil and other sur-
faces; and 
(B) transpiration from plants. 
(2) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘Program’’ means 
the Open Access Evapotranspiration (OpenET) Data 
Program established under section 304(a). 
(3) PROGRAM PARTNER.—The term ‘‘Program 
partner’’ means— 
(A) an institution of higher education; 
(B) a State (including a State agency); 
(C) an Indian Tribe as defined in section 
4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Edu-
cation Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304); 
(D) a private sector entity; 
(E) a nongovernmental organization; or 
(F) any other entity determined to be ap-
propriate by the Secretary. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Di-
rector of the United States Geological Survey. 
SEC. 303. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds that— 
(1) evapotranspiration is the second largest 
component of the water budget, which is an account-
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ing of the allocation of water resources to various 
water uses; 
(2) evapotranspiration is a measure of the 
water that is consumed and lost from a water sys-
tem, removed from available supplies, and unavail-
able for other uses within a watershed; 
(3) accurate information on evapotranspiration 
is required to balance water supply and water de-
mand in a watershed and ensure that adequate 
water supplies for beneficial uses are available over 
time; 
(4) water users and managers are impeded in 
more efficient decision making by— 
(A) the lack of consistent and comprehen-
sive water use data; and 
(B) the fact that access to existing data is 
often limited and cost-prohibitive; and 
(5) evapotranspiration data may be applied for 
the purposes of— 
(A) assisting users and decisionmakers to 
better manage resources and protect financial 
viability of farm operations during drought; 
(B) developing more accurate water budg-
ets and innovative management programs to 
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better promote conservation and sustainability 
efforts; and 
(C) employing greater groundwater man-
agement practices and understanding impacts 
of consumptive water use. 
SEC. 304. OPEN ACCESS EVAPOTRANSPIRATION (OPENET) 
DATA PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish 
a program to be known as the ‘‘Open Access 
Evapotranspiration (OpenET) Data Program’’ under 
which the Secretary shall provide for the delivery of sat-
ellite-based evapotranspiration data, as available, sup-
ported by other ET methods— 
(1) to advance the quantification of evaporation 
and consumptive water use; and 
(2) to provide data users with estimates of 
evapotranspiration data across large landscapes over 
certain periods of time, with a priority for Landsat 
scale (30–100m) when available. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Program is to 
support the operational distribution of satellite-based 
evapotranspiration data generated under the Program to 
sustain and enhance water resources in the United States. 
(c) DUTIES.—In carrying out the Program, the Sec-
retary shall— 
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(1) evaluate, use, and modify sources of sat-
ellite-based evapotranspiration data, supported by 
other ET methods, based on best available science 
and technologies; and 
(2) coordinate and consult with— 
(A) the heads of other relevant Federal 
agencies, including— 
(i) the Commissioner of Reclamation; 
(ii) the Administrator of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration; 
(iii) the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; 
(iv) the Administrator of the Agricul-
tural Research Service; and 
(v) the Chief of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service; and 
(B) Program partners. 
(d) COMPONENTS.—In carrying out the Program, the 
Secretary shall, in coordination with other relevant agen-
cies, carry out activities to develop, maintain, establish, 
expand, 
or 
advance 
delivery 
of 
satellite-based 
evapotranspiration data, supported by other ET methods, 
to advance the quantification of evaporation and consump-
tive water use, with an emphasis on carrying out activities 
that— 
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HR 5118 RDS
(1) support the development and maintenance 
of evapotranspiration data and software systems and 
associated research and development in a manner 
that ensures that Program data are reflective of the 
best available science, including by providing support 
to Program partners, or coordinating activities with 
other programs within the Department of the Inte-
rior, that have developed and are maintaining 
evapotranspiration software systems and datasets; 
(2) demonstrate or test new and existing 
evapotranspiration measurement technology; 
(3) improve evapotranspiration measurement 
science and technology; and 
(4) develop or refine the application of satellite- 
based evapotranspiration data available to Federal 
agencies, States, and Indian Tribes, including pro-
grams within both the Water Resources and Core 
Science Systems divisions of the United States Geo-
logical Survey. These may include— 
(A) the Water Availability and Use Science 
Program, the National Water Census, and Inte-
grated Water Availability Assessments; and 
(B) the National Land Imaging Program, 
the Land Change Science Program, and the 
Science Analytics and Synthesis Program. 
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(e) WATER USE AND AVAILABILITY OF PROGRAM 
DATA.—The Secretary— 
(1) shall incorporate, to the maximum extent 
practicable, program information and data for pur-
poses of determining consumptive water use on irri-
gated or other vegetated landscapes for use by water 
resource management agencies; 
(2) may continue to coordinate data analyses, 
use, and collection efforts with other Federal agen-
cies, States, and Tribal governments through exist-
ing coordinating organizations, such as— 
(A) the Western States Water Council; and 
(B) the Western States Federal Agency 
Support Team; and 
(3) may provide information collected and ana-
lyzed under the Program to Program partners 
through appropriate mechanisms, including through 
agreements with Federal agencies, States (including 
State agencies), or Indian Tribes, leases, contracts, 
cooperative agreements, grants, loans, and memo-
randa of understanding. 
(f) COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary 
shall— 
(1) enter into cooperative agreements with Pro-
gram partners to provide for the efficient and cost- 
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effective administration of the Program, including 
through cost sharing or by providing additional in- 
kind resources necessary to carry out the Program; 
and 
(2) provide nonreimbursable matching funding, 
as permissible, for programmatic and operational ac-
tivities under this section, in consultation with Pro-
gram partners. 
(g) ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.—Nothing in this title 
modifies any obligation of the Secretary to comply with 
applicable Federal and State environmental laws in car-
rying out this title. 
SEC. 305. REPORT. 
Not later than 5 years after the date of the enact-
ment of this title, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittees on Energy and Natural Resources, Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry, and Appropriations of the Senate 
and the Committees on Natural Resources, Agriculture, 
and Appropriations of the House of Representatives a re-
port that includes— 
(1) a status update on the operational incorpo-
ration of Program data into modeling, water plan-
ning, and reporting efforts of relevant Federal agen-
cies; and 
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(2) a list of Federal agencies and Program 
partners that are applying Program data to bene-
ficial use, including a description of examples of ben-
eficial uses. 
SEC. 306. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary to carry out this title $23,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2023 through 2027, to remain available until ex-
pended. 
TITLE IV—COLORADO RIVER IN-
DIAN TRIBES WATER RESIL-
IENCY 
SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Colorado River Indian 
Tribes Water Resiliency Act of 2022’’. 
SEC. 402. FINDINGS. 
The purposes of this title are to authorize— 
(1) the CRIT to enter into lease or exchange 
agreements, storage agreements, and agreements for 
conserved water for the economic well-being of the 
CRIT; and 
(2) the Secretary to approve any lease or ex-
change agreements, storage agreements, or agree-
ments for conserved water entered into by the CRIT. 
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SEC. 403. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) AGREEMENT
FOR
CONSERVED
WATER.— 
The term ‘‘agreement for conserved water’’ means 
an agreement for the creation of system conserva-
tion, storage of conserved water in Lake Mead, or 
other mechanisms for voluntarily leaving a portion of 
the CRIT reduced consumptive use in Lake Mead. 
(2) ALLOTTEE.—The term ‘‘allottee’’ means an 
individual who holds a beneficial real property inter-
est in an allotment of Indian land that is— 
(A) located within the exterior boundaries 
of the Reservation; and 
(B) held in trust by the United States. 
(3) CONSOLIDATED DECREE.—The term ‘‘Con-
solidated Decree’’ means the decree entered by the 
Supreme Court of the United States in Arizona v. 
California (547 U.S. 150 (2006)). 
(4) CONSUMPTIVE USE.—The term ‘‘consump-
tive use’’ means a portion of the decreed allocation 
that has a recent history of use by the CRIT within 
the exterior boundary of the Reservation. Any 
verified reduction in consumptive use pursuant to a 
lease or exchange agreement, storage agreement, or 
agreement for conserved water, shall be deemed to 
be a consumptive use in the year in which the reduc-
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tion occurred, if the reduction is reflected in the 
Water Accounting Report. 
(5) CRIT.—The term ‘‘CRIT’’ means the Colo-
rado River Indian Tribes, a federally recognized In-
dian Tribe. 
(6) DECREED
ALLOCATION.—The term ‘‘de-
creed allocation’’ means the volume of water of the 
mainstream of the Colorado River allocated to the 
CRIT that is accounted for as part of the apportion-
ment for the State in part I–A of the Appendix of 
the Consolidated Decree. 
(7) LOWER BASIN.—The term ‘‘Lower Basin’’ 
has the meaning given the term in article II(g) of 
the Colorado River Compact of 1922, as approved by 
Federal law in section 13 of the Boulder Canyon 
Project Act (43 U.S.C. 617l) and by the Presidential 
Proclamation of June 25, 1929 (46 Stat. 3000). 
(8) PERSON.—The term ‘‘person’’ means an in-
dividual, a public or private corporation, a company, 
a partnership, a joint venture, a firm, an associa-
tion, a society, an estate or trust, a private organiza-
tion or enterprise, the United States, an Indian 
Tribe, a governmental entity, or a political subdivi-
sion or municipal corporation organized under, or 
subject to, the constitution and laws of the State. 
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(9) RESERVATION.—The term ‘‘Reservation’’ 
means the portion of the reservation established for 
the CRIT that is located in the State. 
(10) 
SECRETARY.—The 
term 
‘‘Secretary’’ 
means the Secretary of the Interior. 
(11) STATE.—Except for purposes of section 
416, the term ‘‘State’’ means the State of Arizona. 
(12) STORAGE.—The term ‘‘storage’’ means the 
underground storage, in accordance with State law, 
of a portion of the consumptive use off the Reserva-
tion within the Lower Basin in the State. 
(13) WATER ACCOUNTING REPORT.—The term 
‘‘Water Accounting Report’’ means the annual re-
port of the Bureau of Reclamation entitled the ‘‘Col-
orado River Accounting and Water Use Report: Ari-
zona, California, and Nevada’’ which includes the 
compilation of records in accordance with article V 
of the Consolidated Decree. 
SEC. 404. LEASE OR EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—Notwithstanding section 2116 
of the Revised Statutes (commonly known as the ‘‘Indian 
Trade and Intercourse Act’’; 25 U.S.C. 177) or any other 
provision of law, the CRIT is authorized, subject to the 
approval of the Secretary under section 407(a), and has 
the sole authority, to enter into, with any person, an 
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