Sponsors (2)
The bill provides more predictable, flexible, and sustained federal support to accelerate watershed projects—prioritizing disaster-impacted and tribal communities—but does so at the cost of increased federal spending and administrative complexity that could slow implementation and shift resources away from less-acute needs.
Local watershed groups, nonprofits, and local governments will receive more predictable, multi-year and flexible grants—initial funding set at $50,000/year for at least three years with performance-based continuation up to $150,000/year and expanded allowable uses (grant writing, project management, feasibility, design, preliminary environmental review)—making projects more shovel-ready and easier
Communities nationwide (especially rural and tribal) gain access to sustained federal funding through an authorization of $40 million per year for FY2027–2031, supporting more watershed projects and local jobs.
Watershed groups in areas hit by drought, wildfire, or other natural disasters will be prioritized for assistance, speeding support to communities with urgent infrastructure and public-safety needs.
Taxpayers may face higher federal spending and potential budgetary trade-offs because the bill authorizes ongoing new funding and expanded grant continuations.
New eligibility rules (tribal/ancestral-land priority) together with continuous enrollment and multiple application windows will increase administrative complexity and workload for the Department and applicants, potentially slowing award decisions and raising implementation costs.
Prioritizing disaster-affected watersheds could delay or reduce assistance for watersheds with chronic but less acute needs, leaving some communities under-served over the long term.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Reauthorizes and expands the Cooperative Watershed Management Program, adds tribes and disaster‑impacted groups as priorities, changes grant caps and uses, requires continuous enrollment, and authorizes $40M/year for FY2027–2031.
Introduced March 10, 2026 by Steve Daines · Last progress March 10, 2026
Reauthorizes and expands the Cooperative Watershed Management Program by updating definitions, adding tribes and disaster‑impacted groups as priority participants, changing first‑phase grant terms and allowable uses, requiring continuous enrollment, and authorizing $40 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031. The bill raises and clarifies grant caps and terms (a base of $50,000/year for at least three years, with up to two additional years at up to $150,000/year for successful projects), and expressly allows grant funds to be used for grant writing, project management, and technical assistance (feasibility, design, preliminary environmental review, engineering).