Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2025

The Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2025 creates a federal program to rapidly address watershed damage on National Forest System lands after natural disasters. It authorizes state, local, tribal, or water district sponsors to implement emergency measures like erosion control and flood mitigation within two years of a disaster, with the federal government covering all costs (waiving required matching funds). The program limits sponsor liability for normal operations but holds them responsible for damages resulting from willful or reckless actions. Sponsors may also monitor and maintain projects for up to three years to prevent future risks to downstream water resources.