Bill would extend watershed grant program through 2031 with tribal update

What does this do?

The bill renews the Cooperative Watershed Management Program through fiscal year 2031, authorizing $20 million per year. It raises the first-phase grant cap from $100,000 to $150,000, allows two-year funding extensions for strong performers, and broadens eligible uses to include grant writing, project management, studies, and monitoring. It also formally recognizes Indian tribes, including those with ancestral ties to a watershed, as eligible participants, and adds drought, wildfire, or disaster need as a qualifying factor.

Who does it affect?

The bill affects local watershed groups, farmers, ranchers, conservation organizations, state and local governments, and Native American tribes, particularly in western states. It also affects the Department of the Interior, which administers the program and reports on fund usage.

Why does it matter?

The changes could shift which groups qualify for funding and how much they can receive, while adding new public reporting requirements for the Interior Department.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• $20 million per year through 2031
• earlier version proposed $40 million