H.R. 7978: Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

This bill, known as the Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026, aims to renew the Cooperative Watershed Management Program, which was originally established to support local efforts in managing water resources within specific watershed areas. The bill proposes several key changes and enhancements to the existing program:

Definitions and Inclusivity

The bill updates the definitions related to the program to include:

• Indian Tribe: The term is formally defined to include tribes that have ancestral lands within the watershed.

Program Enhancements

It amends the program to broaden the types of entities eligible for support:

• Entities receiving grants would include not only local and regional interests but also Indian tribes.
• Funding eligibility would extend to projects that demonstrate a significant need due to natural disasters, such as droughts or wildfires.

Funding Mechanisms

The bill proposes changes to the funding structure for watershed management:

• It increases the maximum grant amount from $100,000 to $150,000 per year for up to three years, contingent on satisfactory applications and available funds.
• The Secretary of the Interior would have the discretion to extend grants for an additional two years if substantial progress is shown.

Continuous Enrollment and Application Process

To enhance accessibility, the bill mandates:

• Regular availability of funding opportunities under the program.
• Multiple opportunities for applications to be submitted and evaluated throughout the year.

Transparency and Oversight

The legislation also aims to improve transparency by:

• Requiring that information regarding the program's activities and appropriations be made publicly available.

Financial Authorizations

The bill authorizes $40 million per year for each fiscal year from 2027 to 2031 to support the program’s initiatives.

Relevant Companies

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