16 U.S.C. § 6543: Watershed Condition Framework

(a) In generalThe 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) CoordinationIn 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 designationNotwithstanding 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.