Utah Valley Times

U.S. Representatives John Curtis (R-UT), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Celeste Maloy (R-UT), and Yadira Caraveo (D-CO), alongside U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Mitt Romney (R-UT), have introduced the Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act. This legislation aims to help communities and water users protect their water supply after natural disasters on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands. The bill proposes the creation of a new Emergency Forest Watershed Program (EFWP) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to streamline recovery efforts and protect life, private property, and water resources downstream of America’s national forests.

"In the face of devastating wildfires across the West, it's clear we need a unified approach to protect our vital water resources,” said Rep. Curtis. “The Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act bridges critical gaps, ensuring swift, effective recovery efforts for our national forests and safeguarding the water supply for communities downstream. I'm proud to support this essential legislation, reinforcing our commitment to the health of our watersheds and the safety of Utahns."

“Wildfires threaten Utah communities and their water supply every year,” said Rep. Maloy. “A new Emergency Forest Watershed Program will be instrumental in protecting Utah’s private property and our water resources on U.S. Forest Service lands following such natural disasters. I’m proud to sponsor this bill in the House to help mitigate those damage and recovery costs moving forward.”

“Across the West, our communities continue to grapple with devastating wildfires,” said Rep. Neguse. “These wildfires put watersheds and the drinking water supplies for many of our communities at risk. Our bill, the Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act, aims to ensure that critical federal resources are available to assist communities address these watershed risks in the aftermath of catastrophic wildfires.”

“Protecting our watersheds is a commitment to safeguarding the very existence of our communities in Colorado. Unfortunately, wildfires, rainfall, and changing climate are threatening the stability of the water in our state,” said Rep. Caraveo. “I am glad to co-lead the Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act to help in the restoration and protection of the natural resources that provide drinking water for communities like the city of Greeley, and surrounding communities in Northern Colorado I am proud to represent.”

“Over the last several years in Utah, we have seen the need for a program to streamline the funding process that restores water resources on U.S. Forest Service land. This was evidenced during recovery efforts from the Dollar Ridge Fire in 2018 when the Central Utah Water Conservancy District faced major obstacles in repairing its facilities. I’m pleased to team up with my colleagues to introduce the Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act to help our communities more efficiently recover from wildfires,” said Senator Romney.

“We need to make it easier for local water managers and the U.S. Forest Service to collaborate to restore the health of our watersheds following a natural disaster,” said Senator Bennet. “This common-sense bill cuts red tape and helps ensure that communities and landscapes recovering from wildfires don’t face unnecessary hurdles in their efforts to protect their drinking water.”

The Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act is designed to address the bureaucratic obstacles faced by water providers in protecting the drinking water supply for communities downstream from wildfires. The current programs, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Emergency Watershed Program (EWP) and the USFS Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Program, do not fully cover the protection of drinking water supplies for communities downstream of National Forests after a natural disaster. This bill aims to fill this gap.

The bill includes several key provisions, such as the creation of the Emergency Forest Watershed Program and the authorization of watershed recovery protection measures. It also allows Tribes, States, local governments, and water providers to enter into agreements with USFS to implement watershed recovery protection measures. The bill aims to speed up project timelines, requiring recovery projects to be completed within two years after the conclusion of a natural disaster. Furthermore, it proposes fully funding projects on federal lands by waiving matching requirements.

The Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act is a crucial step towards ensuring the protection of water resources and the well-being of communities affected by wildfires in national forests. It offers a unified and streamlined approach to recovery efforts, safeguarding the water supply for downstream communities.