H.R. 5762: New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025

This bill, known as the New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025, aims to establish a program focused on restoring and protecting the New York-New Jersey Watershed. The following are the main components of the bill:

Program Establishment

The bill mandates the creation of the New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Program within 180 days of its enactment. This program will be nonregulatory and will coordinate restoration and protection activities among various levels of government and conservation partners throughout the Watershed.

Program Objectives

• Enhance fish and wildlife habitat.
• Improve water quality to support ecosystems.
• Encourage public access and recreational opportunities, while considering ecological needs.
• Utilize natural climate solutions and green infrastructure to bolster community resilience against climate change.
• Engage communities, especially those facing environmental injustices, in outreach and education efforts.
• Increase scientific capacity for monitoring and research related to watershed management.
• Support land conservation and management activities.
• Monitor environmental quality to track progress on watershed goals.

Grant Program

In conjunction with the watershed program, the bill establishes the New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Grant Program, which will provide competitive matching grants to eligible entities including state and local governments and nonprofit organizations. Key points include:

• The federal share can be up to 50% of the total cost, with higher percentages available for small or disadvantaged communities.
• The program aims to enhance organizational capacity for implementing restoration activities.

Consultation Requirements

The Secretary of the Interior is required to consult various stakeholders, including federal agency heads, state governors, and conservation organizations, to effectively establish and operate the program.

Funding and Appropriations

The bill authorizes appropriations of $20 million per fiscal year from 2026 to 2031 for program implementation. It stipulates that at least 75% of these funds be allocated for the grant program, ensuring funds supplement other existing activities in the watershed.

Federal Land Restrictions

The bill prohibits the federal government from retaining ownership of any land acquired under the act, except for transferring it to authorized entities quickly.

Reporting and Sunset Clause

The Secretary must annually report to Congress on the implementation of the act. The provisions of this act will expire on October 1, 2031, unless renewed or extended.

Relevant Companies

• NEE - NextEra Energy: As an energy company operating in the region, changes in environmental regulation and watershed management could impact operations and project approvals.
• DUK - Duke Energy: Similar to other energy firms, this company may need to adapt its projects and practices in relation to new watershed protection standards.