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119-hr-1459119th Congress

Protect the West Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]

In Committee

Summary

Large-scale restoration and wildfire resilience funding. This bill would create the Outdoor and Watershed Restoration Fund to finance restoration and resilience projects on Federal and non-Federal lands through grants and a partnership program. It would set up a Restoration Fund Advisory Council to guide spending and require Inspector General oversight and annual reporting.

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  • Families and homeowners: Grants would support wildfire-resistive projects in the home ignition zone and proactive risk reduction in the wildland-urban interface, plus equitable outdoor access and community involvement in mitigation efforts.
  • Workers and local economies: The program aims to create or sustain outdoor jobs and funds workforce needs tied to the partnership program to reduce restoration backlogs and speed project delivery.
  • State, Tribal, local governments and nonprofits: Eligible entities can get capacity and implementation grants, use pay-for-performance contracts, and receive matching flexibility or waivers for lower-capacity or underserved communities.

*This bill would authorize $60.0 billion in total funding, including $20.0 billion for the grant program and $40.0 billion for the Restoration and Resilience Partnership Program, with at least $20.0 billion reserved for projects on Federal land.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants for local and Tribal projects

If enacted, the bill would create a $20 billion restoration and resilience grant program. States, local governments, Tribes, regional groups, special districts, and nonprofits could apply. Priority would go to projects that create jobs, use local labor, aid underserved places, and advance shared plans. The Secretary could waive matching funds for some smaller or underserved applicants and offer grant‑writing help. Pay‑for‑performance contracts could pay per unit of successful work. Funds must complement, not replace, other federal, state, or local dollars.

New $60B fund for restoration

If enacted, this would create an Outdoor and Watershed Restoration Fund with $60 billion that stays available until spent. $20 billion would fund a competitive grant program. $40 billion would fund a partnership program, with at least $20 billion for projects on Federal land. Treasury could accept non‑Federal donations, which could be used without another appropriation. Partnership funds could also cover staffing and workforce administration.

Restoration partnerships in high-risk areas

If enacted, the government would set up a Restoration and Resilience Partnership Program. The Secretary would name partnership areas within 60 days, and Governors and Tribal leaders could request designations with maps. Eligible areas would include places with high wildfire risk, urgent wildlife habitat needs, or Federal land in the wildland‑urban interface. Projects would follow existing laws and plans, and coordinate with Interior and local partners. They could not occur in wilderness or inventoried roadless areas, build permanent roads or trails, remove old growth, or go where vegetation removal is restricted by law.

Advisory council and watchdog reports

If enacted, a Restoration Fund Advisory Council would guide spending priorities and how success is tracked. The Council would include the Secretary and 12 appointed members from industry, experts, conservation groups, and State, local, and Tribal governments. Within 60 days, the Secretary would report to Congress on methods, metrics, and past forestry allocations. Within one year and every year after, the Secretary and Council would report results and jobs to key committees. The Agriculture Inspector General would also report yearly on any misuse of the Fund.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]

CO • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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