§ 6543. Watershed Condition Framework

• (a) 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) 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) 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.