Wetland reserve easements

Section 1265C of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865c) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)(1)(C), by striking; or and inserting; and; (2) by striking subsection (f) each place it appears and inserting subsection (g); (3) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting technical and before financial; (4) by redesignating subsections (e) through (g) as subsections (f) through (h), respectively; and (5) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following: (d) Easement stewardship (1) In general Using amounts made available to carry out the program, the Secretary shall, with respect to eligible land enrolled under this section— (A) regularly assess and monitor the enrolled land; (B) provide technical and financial assistance for the repair, necessary maintenance, and enhancement activities described in the wetland reserve easement plan developed for the eligible land under subsection (g)(1); and (C) create and execute a 5-year stewardship plan for assessment, capacity, and performance, ensuring the monitoring, repair, maintenance, and enhancement activities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) are completed to ensure wetland reserve easements fulfill the purposes of— (i) the program; and (ii) the wetland reserve easement plans described in subparagraph (B). (2) Payments In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall make payments in amounts that are not more than 100 percent of the eligible costs, as determined by the Secretary. (3) Report Not later than December 31, 2028, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing— (A) an inventory of the existing stewardship needs of all wetland reserve easements; (B) a plan to address the stewardship needs described in that inventory; (C) the amounts the Secretary will allocate to address those stewardship needs; and (D) the planned use of compatible uses under subsection (b)(5)(C), contracts or agreements under subsection (e)(2), or wetland reserve easement plans under subsection (g)(1) to ensure that each of those stewardship needs is addressed. (e) Assistance (1) In general The Secretary shall assist owners in complying with the terms and conditions of a wetland reserve easement. (2) Contracts or agreements The Secretary may enter into 1 or more contracts or agreements with a Federal, State, or local government agency, nongovernmental organization, Indian Tribe or Tribal organization, or private entity to carry out necessary restoration, enhancement, maintenance, repair, assessment, or monitoring of a wetland reserve easement if the Secretary determines that the contract or agreement will advance the purposes of the program..