Protect the West Act of 2023

The Protect the West Act of 2023 establishes a $60 billion Outdoor and Watershed Restoration Fund to support ecological restoration projects across the United States. The bill creates two main programs: a grant program providing $20 billion for eligible entities (including state/local governments, Tribal entities, and nonprofits) to plan and implement projects that improve forest conditions, rangeland health, watershed function, or wildlife habitat; and a Partnership Program with $40 billion to carry out restoration projects on designated Federal and non-Federal lands, with priority on wildfire risk reduction and ecological improvement. Projects must follow best available science, complement existing conservation programs without replacing them, and prioritize community involvement, job creation, and addressing high-risk wildfire areas. The fund requires annual reporting to Congress on project outcomes, including environmental benefits, jobs created, and progress toward resilience goals.