2021 US Code
Title 16 - Conservation
Chapter 84 - Healthy Forest Restoration
Subchapter III - Watershed Forestry Assistance
Sec. 6543 - Watershed Condition Framework
| 16 U.S.C. § 6543 (2021) |
| §6543. Watershed Condition Framework |
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(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. 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. 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. |
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(Pub. L. 108–148, title III, §304, as added Pub. L. 115–334, title VIII, §8405(a), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4843.) |
| United States Code, 2018 Edition, Supplement 3, Title 16 - CONSERVATION |
| Bills and Statutes |
| United States Code |
| Y 1.2/5: |
| Title 16 - CONSERVATION CHAPTER 84 - HEALTHY FOREST RESTORATION SUBCHAPTER III - WATERSHED FORESTRY ASSISTANCE Sec. 6543 - Watershed Condition Framework |
| section 6543 |
| 2021 |
| January 3, 2022 |
| No |
| standard |
| 132 Stat. 4843 |
| Public Law 108-148, Public Law 115-334 |
