H.R. 7264: Restoring America’s Floodplains Act

This bill, known as the "Restoring America’s Floodplains Act," aims to amend the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 to enhance the management and restoration of floodplains in the United States. Here are the key components of what the bill proposes:

Floodplain Easement Restoration

The bill allows the Secretary of Agriculture to:

• Restore Vegetative Cover: Implement measures to restore vegetation and natural functions in areas designated as floodplains.
• Maintain Ecosystems: Monitor and maintain the ecological health of floodplain easements. This includes ensuring that hydrological functions and other values of these lands are preserved and enhanced.

Collaboration with Landowners and Organizations

The Secretary is given the authority to:

• Contracts with Landowners: Enter into contracts with landowners for the restoration and maintenance of floodplain areas.
• Agreements with Various Entities: Form agreements with states, non-governmental organizations, and Indian tribes to assist in restoration efforts.

Permitting Compatible Uses

Landowners may be allowed to engage in activities on their floodplain easement lands that are:

• Necessary for Restoration: Activities required to implement restoration and maintenance efforts, ensuring the land achieves its ecological goals.
• Compatible Economic Uses: Activities such as hunting, fishing, managed timber harvesting, and grazing that do not compromise the restoration efforts or the long-term ecological functions of the floodplains.

Enhanced Restoration Measures

The bill introduces provisions that enable the Secretary to:

• Increase Restoration Levels: Undertake measures that exceed basic requirements to ensure that floodplains are more robust and well-protected against future impairments, if deemed beneficial for long-term watershed health.

Overall Impact

The overarching goal of this legislation is to improve the management and health of floodplain areas, which can play a crucial role in mitigating flood risks, enhancing biodiversity, and restoring natural ecosystems affected by previous agricultural practices.

Relevant Companies

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