16 U.S.C. § 6543

Watershed Condition Framework

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(a) In generalThe Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”), may establish and maintain a Watershed Condition Framework for National Forest System land—(1) to evaluate and classify the condition of watersheds, taking into consideration—(A) water quality and quantity;(B) aquatic habitat and biota;(C) riparian and wetland vegetation;(D) the presence of roads and trails;(E) soil type and condition;(F) groundwater-dependent ecosystems;(G) relevant terrestrial indicators, such as fire regime, risk of catastrophic fire, forest and rangeland vegetation, invasive species, and insects and disease; and(H) other significant factors, as determined by the Secretary;(2) to identify for protection and restoration up to 5 priority watersheds in each National Forest, and up to 2 priority watersheds in each national grassland, taking into consideration the impact of the condition of the watershed condition on—(A) wildfire behavior;(B) flood risk;(C) fish and wildlife;(D) drinking water supplies;(E) irrigation water supplies;(F) forest-dependent communities; and(G) other significant impacts, as determined by the Secretary;(3) to develop a watershed protection and restoration action plan for each priority watershed that—(A) takes into account existing restoration activities being implemented in the watershed; and(B) includes, at a minimum—(i) the major stressors responsible for the impaired condition of the watershed;(ii) a set of essential projects that, once completed, will address the identified stressors and improve watershed conditions;(iii) a proposed implementation schedule;(iv) potential partners and funding sources; and(v) a monitoring and evaluation program;(4) to prioritize protection and restoration activities for each watershed restoration action plan;(5) to implement each watershed protection and restoration action plan; and(6) to monitor the effectiveness of protection and restoration actions and indicators of watershed health.(b) CoordinationIn carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall—(1) coordinate with interested non-Federal landowners and State, Tribal, and local governments within the relevant watershed; and(2) provide for an active and ongoing public engagement process.(c) Emergency designationNotwithstanding paragraph (2) of subsection (a), the Secretary may identify a watershed as a priority for rehabilitation in the Watershed Condition Framework without using the process described in that subsection if a Forest Supervisor determines that—(1) a wildfire has significantly diminished the condition of the watershed; and(2) the emergency stabilization activities of the Burned Area Emergency Response Team are insufficient to return the watershed to proper function.(Pub. L. 108–148, title III, § 304, as added Pub. L. 115–334, title VIII, § 8405(a), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4843.)