Restoring America’s Floodplains Act

This bill lets the U.S. Department of Agriculture help restore and manage wetlands on floodplain lands it buys to reduce disaster damage. It allows the USDA to provide money and expert help to bring back native plants and the natural water flow of these wetlands. The goal is to better protect people and property from floods and other disasters by improving how these areas handle water. The USDA can also make agreements with landowners, government agencies, and nonprofits to keep these restored areas maintained and used in ways that fit the conservation goals .

What this means for communities: more support to fix damaged floodplains, which can lower flood risk over time. What this means for landowners with floodplain easements: clearer paths to work with the USDA on restoration and on allowed uses of the land, under USDA’s sole discretion for these agreements .

• Who is affected: Communities in flood‑prone areas; landowners with floodplain easements purchased by the USDA .
• What changes: USDA can fund and guide wetland and vegetative restoration; can set and manage “compatible-use” and maintenance agreements with landowners and partner groups .
• When: The text describes new USDA authority; timing details are not specified in the provided documents .