Bills · HR 605
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 605Forests, forestry, treesWildlife conservation and habitat protection
Headwaters Protection Act of 2025
INTRO JAN 22· LAST ACTION FEB 28
READING
7MIN
COSPONSORS
9
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it directly impacts the safety and reliability of water supplies for many communities across the country, especially as regions face increasing threats from climate change, such as more frequent and intense wildfires, droughts, and extreme weather events. By expanding the Water Source Protection Program to include adjacent non-federal lands and offering more flexibility and funding, the bill aims to create more comprehensive and effective watershed protection.
If this bill becomes law, more critical forest and water infrastructure will be protected, reducing risks to drinking water quality, agricultural irrigation, and overall community resilience. It also empowers local and private partners by reducing their financial burden and giving them a greater voice in project planning. Without this bill, the existing program would continue with less funding, more restrictive partnership requirements, and a narrower focus, potentially leaving many water sources vulnerable to the growing challenges of forest health and climate impacts.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Expands the types of non-federal entities (like water associations, local governments, and private water entities) that can partner on watershed protection projects.
Allows a broader range of local and regional groups to participate in and benefit from the program, bringing more expertise and local knowledge.
PROVISION 02
Allows water protection and restoration projects to be carried out on non-Federal land (state, local, private) adjacent to National Forest System land, with the landowner's voluntary agreement.
Enables more holistic and effective watershed management by addressing issues across property boundaries within a watershed.
PROVISION 03
Reduces the required financial contribution from non-federal partners from 100% (matching the federal share) to a minimum of 20% of the project cost, and allows the Secretary to waive this requirement.
Makes it significantly easier for local communities and organizations to afford participation in important watershed protection projects.
PROVISION 04
Increases the authorized funding for the Water Source Protection Program from $10 million to $30 million annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2033.
Provides substantially more resources and a longer funding horizon for critical projects that protect water sources and improve forest health.
PROVISION 05
Requires project selection to prioritize efforts that reduce risks from drought, wildfire, and flooding, protect water quality, and use nature-based solutions.
Focuses program resources on projects with the most urgent environmental and community benefits, especially in the face of climate change.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 9
D· California
YRS IN OFFICE
21
BILLS LED
29
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 44%
DEM 7 REP 2 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSFEB 28
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
JAN 22
Introduced in House
JAN 22
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 605
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 22, 2025
Last actionFeb 28, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 22, 2025
House BillHR 605Forests, forestry, treesWildlife conservation and habitat protection
Headwaters Protection Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JAN 22, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 28, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
7 min
COSPONSORS
9
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
