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119-hr-7264119th Congress

Restoring America’s Floodplains Act

Sponsored By: Representative Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8]

In Committee

Summary

Expands restoration and management of floodplain easements. This bill would let the Agriculture Secretary restore vegetation and hydrology on lands held under Emergency Watershed Program floodplain easements, monitor and maintain those restorations, make contracts with landowners, and strike agreements with States, nongovernmental organizations, and Indian Tribes. It would also allow certain compatible uses on easement lands, like hunting, fishing, managed timber harvest, periodic haying, or grazing, when those uses are consistent with long-term protection of floodplain functions and values.

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  • Landowners and farmers: Could sign contracts for restoration and maintenance and may be allowed compatible economic uses such as grazing, haying, hunting, fishing, or managed timber harvest when they protect long-term floodplain values.
  • States, Indian Tribes, and nongovernmental organizations: Could enter agreements with the Agriculture Department to help restore, monitor, and maintain easement lands.
  • Watersheds and floodplain health: The Secretary could choose higher levels of restoration than needed for immediate fixes when doing so serves the long-term health and protection of the watershed.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More floodplain restoration for landowners

If enacted, the Secretary would be authorized to restore plants, hydrological functions, and other values on land under a floodplain easement. The Secretary would be able to monitor, maintain, and enhance those restoration measures. The Secretary would be able to enter contracts with landowners and make agreements with States, nongovernmental organizations, and Indian Tribes to carry out the work. The Secretary would also be able to allow compatible uses on easement land — including activities needed for restoration or uses like hunting, fishing, managed timber harvest, water management, and periodic haying or grazing — if those uses remain consistent with the long-term floodplain protections, and to pursue higher levels of watershed restoration when it benefits long-term watershed health.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8]

IN • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 1/27/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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