Headwaters Protection Act of 2025

This bill keeps and improves a program that protects the rivers and streams that supply our drinking water, especially the watersheds in and around National Forests. It adds more local partners who can take part, like acequia associations, stormwater and wastewater managers, land-grant mercedes, and private groups with water delivery authority. Projects must focus on keeping water clean and reliable, strengthening forests against wildfire and pests, and using nature-based fixes like restoring wetlands and streamside areas. Extra points go to projects that reduce risks from drought, wildfire, flooding, and extreme weather, and to efforts that help disadvantaged communities succeed .

The bill encourages local leadership and partnerships, including with end water users and through Good Neighbor Agreements, and lets agencies use existing watershed plans to avoid duplication. Work must follow the best available science and protect overall watershed health and ecological integrity . Projects on nearby non-federal lands can only happen with the landowner’s clear support, and the bill does not change land ownership or state and federal water laws .

Key points

• Who is affected: Communities that rely on water from National Forest watersheds; municipal and farm water systems; local partners like acequia associations and water infrastructure managers.
• What changes: Lowers the required non-federal match to at least 20% with a possible waiver; sets aside at least 10% for partner training and capacity; prioritizes projects that cut wildfire, drought, and flood risks and that use nature-based solutions; boosts local leadership and allows existing plans to be used .
• Funding: Provides $30 million each year for the water source protection program through 2033, plus $30 million each year from 2025–2029 for watershed condition work.
• Guardrails: No federal takeover of non-federal land or changes to state water rights or interstate water agreements.