16 U.S.C. § 6543 — Watershed Condition Framework

1. (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. (1)to evaluate and classify the condition of watersheds, taking into consideration—
      1. (A)water quality and quantity;
      2. (B)aquatic habitat and biota;
      3. (C)riparian and wetland vegetation;
      4. (D)the presence of roads and trails;
      5. (E)soil type and condition;
      6. (F)groundwater-dependent ecosystems;
      7. (G)relevant terrestrial indicators, such as fire regime, risk of catastrophic fire, forest and rangeland vegetation, invasive species, and insects and disease; and
      8. (H)other significant factors, as determined by the Secretary;
   2. (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—
      1. (A)wildfire behavior;
      2. (B)flood risk;
      3. (C)fish and wildlife;
      4. (D)drinking water supplies;
      5. (E)irrigation water supplies;
      6. (F)forest-dependent communities; and
      7. (G)other significant impacts, as determined by the Secretary;
   3. (3)to develop a watershed protection and restoration action plan for each priority watershed that—
      1. (A)takes into account existing restoration activities being implemented in the watershed; and
      2. (B)includes, at a minimum—
         1. (i)the major stressors responsible for the impaired condition of the watershed;
         2. (ii)a set of essential projects that, once completed, will address the identified stressors and improve watershed conditions;
         3. (iii)a proposed implementation schedule;
         4. (iv)potential partners and funding sources; and
         5. (v)a monitoring and evaluation program;
   4. (4)to prioritize protection and restoration activities for each watershed restoration action plan;
   5. (5)to implement each watershed protection and restoration action plan; and
   6. (6)to monitor the effectiveness of protection and restoration actions and indicators of watershed health.
2. (b)CoordinationIn carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
   1. (1)coordinate with interested non-Federal landowners and State, Tribal, and local governments within the relevant watershed; and
   2. (2)provide for an active and ongoing public engagement process.
3. (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. (1)a wildfire has significantly diminished the condition of the watershed; and
   2. (2)the emergency stabilization activities of the Burned Area Emergency Response Team are insufficient to return the watershed to proper function.