H.R. 605 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Jan 22, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands federal watershed protection program through 2033
The Forest Service runs a program that protects and restores watersheds—the areas where water flows—on federal forest land. This bill extends the program through 2033 and allows it to work on nearby private or state land too, as long as the landowner agrees and it's part of the same watershed. The bill also expands who can participate, including irrigation associations, water utilities, and other local water organizations, and makes it cheaper for non-federal partners to join these projects.
How it affects you
If you live in an area served by a water system, municipal water utility, or irrigation system that participates in the program, your local water supply and quality could benefit from these forest and watershed restoration projects. Landowners with property adjacent to national forests may have new opportunities to partner with the Forest Service on water protection work. Most other Americans won't directly feel the effects, though the program aims to protect water resources and forest health nationwide.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jan 22, 2025)
Headwaters Protection Act of 2025
This bill reauthorizes through FY2033 and expands the Water Source Protection Program (WSPP) under which the Forest Service carries out watershed protection and restoration projects on federal land. It also requires the Forest Service's Watershed Condition Framework for National Forest System land to ensure certain activities and authorizations do not result in long-term degradation of the health of a watershed.
The bill authorizes the WSPP to support projects on state, local, or private land that is adjacent to projects on National Forest System land, so long as (1) the adjacent land is within the same watershed as the project on federal land, and (2) the owner of the adjacent land supports the project.
Further, the bill expands the types of end water users that may participate in the program to include (1) an acequia association (an organization that manages traditional irrigation systems found in the Southwest); (2) a public entity that manages water infrastructure, such as stormwater or wastewater resources; (3) certain land grant entities in New Mexico called land-grant mercedes; and (4) a local, regional, or other private entity that has water delivery authority.
The bill requires projects under the program to (1) protect and restore watershed health, water supply and quality, a municipal or agricultural water supply system, and water-related infrastructure; (2) protect and restore forest health from insect infestation and disease or wildfire; or (3) advance any combination of those purposes.
Additionally, the bill reduces the cost share for nonfederal WSPP participants.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 605
A BILL
Headwaters Protection Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA-21) · Introduced Jan 22, 2025 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 28, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.”