Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities Act of 2023

The Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities Act of 2023 requires at least 50% of federal funds for watershed projects to support "multibenefit works of improvement" that provide two or more public benefits including water conservation, improved fish/wildlife habitat, flood reduction, or water quality enhancement. The bill defines these projects to include activities like protecting natural features, enhancing fish passage, or improving instream flow, while establishing specific cost-sharing requirements and environmental considerations. Local organizations, including states, tribes, soil conservation districts, rural communities, and irrigation districts, would be the primary beneficiaries of this funding. The legislation aims to shift watershed management toward integrated solutions that address multiple environmental and community challenges simultaneously. It establishes clear definitions and requirements for what qualifies as a multibenefit project under the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act.