Protecting Farmers from Natural Disasters Act of 2025
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This bill would allow the USDA to restore watersheds beyond pre-disaster conditions to improve long-term health and disaster protection.
What it does
This bill would amend the Emergency Watershed Protection Program to expand the types of restoration activities the Department of Agriculture may provide following natural disasters. The proposal would allow the agency to authorize restoration efforts that exceed pre-disaster conditions if such improvements support the long-term health and protection of a watershed. These changes would apply to technical and financial assistance used to safeguard communities from hazards such as floods, droughts, and wildfires.
Who is affected
This bill affects the Department of Agriculture (USDA) by expanding its authority to provide technical and financial assistance for watershed restoration activities. It also impacts individuals and property owners who utilize the Emergency Watershed Protection Program to safeguard against natural disasters such as floods, droughts, fires, and windstorms. Additionally, the legislation affects those involved in the sale or management of floodplain easements intended to protect watershed health.
Key provisions
- Expansion of Emergency Watershed Protection Program activities. The bill amends the Emergency Watershed Protection Program to authorize the Department of Agriculture to provide assistance for specific restoration activities following natural disasters.
- Authorization for restoration above pre-disaster conditions. The Department of Agriculture may permit watershed restoration that exceeds the original pre-disaster state if such improvements support the long-term health and protection of the watershed.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
This bill amends the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, an existing Department of Agriculture initiative that provides technical and financial assistance for watershed recovery. It modifies the program's authority to allow for restoration activities that exceed pre-disaster conditions when beneficial to the watershed's long-term health.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to enhance the Emergency Watershed Protection Program by authorizing the Department of Agriculture to perform watershed restoration activities that exceed pre-disaster conditions when such improvements support the long-term health and protection of the area.