Protect the West Act of 2025

This bill would set up a national Outdoor and Watershed Restoration Fund to restore land and water and lower wildfire risk. The Agriculture Department would give grants and contracts that pay for results to plan and carry out projects on non‑Federal land and to support work on Federal land. It can also fund wildfire‑resistant home upgrades in the home ignition zone and expand fair access to outdoor spaces, working with State, local, and Tribal partners.

It targets high‑risk areas and sets clear priorities: use low‑intensity fire, thin small trees and create fuel breaks, keep old and large trees, improve wildlife habitat and water, and help communities at the edge of wildlands reduce risk. Some places are off‑limits, including wilderness and inventoried roadless areas, and removing old‑growth trees is barred. An advisory council would guide spending and track results, and the bill adds job and training support, with extra help for underserved and rural communities.

• Who is affected
  • People in wildfire‑prone communities and the wildland‑urban interface; State, Tribal, and local governments; outdoor and restoration workers; and conservation and watershed groups.
• What changes
  • $60 billion would go into the Fund: $20B for grants and $40B for partnership projects, with at least $20B for work on Federal land; funds can also cover staffing, and remain available until spent.
  • Money adds to, not replaces, current programs. The Department can blend matching funds across programs, pay for results, and accept non‑Federal contributions.
  • Projects can’t be done in wilderness or inventoried roadless areas, can’t build permanent roads or trails, and can’t remove old‑growth stands.
• When
  • Within 60 days of becoming law, the Department would name partnership areas and report to Congress on how it will measure results and split funds.
  • Within 1 year and then every year, the Inspector General reports on how the money is used, and the Department provides annual project updates to Congress.