Flood Protection and Infrastructure Resilience Act of 2025

Summary

Authorizes USDA to go beyond minimum repairs and carry out higher-level watershed restoration when it benefits long-term watershed health and prevents repeat failures. Sets federal cost‑share rules for rehabilitation of structural watershed projects—generally up to 65% of construction costs, with the Secretary able to raise the federal share to as much as 90% for projects serving designated limited resource areas—and makes local project sponsors explicitly responsible for certain resource rights and permitting costs. It also refocuses the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) purposes to emphasize soil and water conservation, drinking water and groundwater protection, flood and drought prevention and resilience, and conservation of wildlife and agricultural land. The bill makes these program and eligibility changes but does not provide new funding, deadlines, or broad new administrative authorities.

• Gives USDA discretionary authority to fund watershed restoration measures beyond minimum repairs when they promote long‑term watershed health and prevent repeat damage.
• Sets a general federal cost‑share cap of 65% for rehabilitation of structural watershed projects, with authority to increase to 90% for projects in designated limited resource areas.
• Makes local organizations explicitly responsible for costs of water/mineral/resource rights and for obtaining and paying for all required Federal, State, and local permits.
• Refocuses the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) purposes on soil conservation, water protection (including drinking water and groundwater), flood/drought prevention and resilience, and conservation of wildlife and agricultural land.
• Does not provide new funding amounts, appropriation authority, implementation deadlines, or detailed definitions for new terms such as “limited resource area.”
• Amendments adjust existing program authorities and cost shares rather than creating a new federal program.
• Impacts local sponsors and landowners by clarifying cost responsibilities and by potentially increasing federal funding for priority low‑resource areas.