((a)) ** In general** The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”), may establish and maintain a Watershed Condition Framework for National Forest System land—

((1)) to evaluate and classify the condition of watersheds, taking into consideration—

((A)) water quality and quantity;

((B)) aquatic habitat and biota;

((C)) riparian and wetland vegetation;

((D)) the presence of roads and trails;

((E)) soil type and condition;

((F)) groundwater-dependent ecosystems;

((G)) relevant terrestrial indicators, such as fire regime, risk of catastrophic fire, forest and rangeland vegetation, invasive species, and insects and disease; and

((H)) other significant factors, as determined by the Secretary;

((2)) to identify for protection and restoration up to 5 priority watersheds in each National Forest, and up to 2 priority watersheds in each national grassland, taking into consideration the impact of the condition of the watershed condition on—

((A)) wildfire behavior;

((B)) flood risk;

((C)) fish and wildlife;

((D)) drinking water supplies;

((E)) irrigation water supplies;

((F)) forest-dependent communities; and

((G)) other significant impacts, as determined by the Secretary;

((3)) to develop a watershed protection and restoration action plan for each priority watershed that—

((A)) takes into account existing restoration activities being implemented in the watershed; and

((B)) includes, at a minimum—

((i)) the major stressors responsible for the impaired condition of the watershed;

((ii)) a set of essential projects that, once completed, will address the identified stressors and improve watershed conditions;

((iii)) a proposed implementation schedule;

((iv)) potential partners and funding sources; and

((v)) a monitoring and evaluation program;

((4)) to prioritize protection and restoration activities for each watershed restoration action plan;

((5)) to implement each watershed protection and restoration action plan; and

((6)) to monitor the effectiveness of protection and restoration actions and indicators of watershed health.

((b)) ** Coordination** In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

((1)) coordinate with interested non-Federal landowners and State, Tribal, and local governments within the relevant watershed; and

((2)) provide for an active and ongoing public engagement process.

((c)) ** Emergency designation** Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of subsection (a), the Secretary may identify a watershed as a priority for rehabilitation in the Watershed Condition Framework without using the process described in that subsection if a Forest Supervisor determines that—

((1)) a wildfire has significantly diminished the condition of the watershed; and

((2)) the emergency stabilization activities of the Burned Area Emergency Response Team are insufficient to return the watershed to proper function.