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119-s-1765119th Congress

Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act

Sponsored By: Senator Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

Introduced

Summary

Creates a federally coordinated partnership and competitive grant program to restore and protect the five-state Connecticut River Watershed. The bill sets a nonregulatory framework to prioritize habitat restoration, water quality, resilience, farmland conservation, public access, and Tribal and community engagement across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Show full summary
  • Environmental justice communities would get targeted outreach and higher funding priority, with federal cost shares raised to 90% and the possibility of 100% federal support for recipients facing substantial financial hardship.
  • States, Tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and universities would be eligible for competitive grants and technical assistance. The program would generally cover 75% of project costs and could be administered through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with annual reports to Congress on funded work.
  • Restoration and resilience projects would fund fish and wildlife management, habitat and water quality improvements, nature-based approaches to reduce flood and storm risks, farmland and forest conservation, carbon sequestration on working lands, and expanded public access and trails.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants for Connecticut River Projects

If enacted, the bill would create a competitive grant and technical assistance program for restoration and protection projects in the Watershed. Eligible applicants would include State, Tribal, and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and colleges. The Federal share would generally cover up to 75% of project costs, 90% for projects serving environmental justice communities, and the Secretary may raise the Federal share to 100% if a recipient cannot pay or faces serious financial hardship. Non-Federal share can be cash or in-kind. The Secretary may contract with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to run the program and advance funds. Funding is authorized as needed for FY2026 through FY2030, and at least 75% of each year’s funds must be used for grants and technical assistance.

New Connecticut River Watershed Program

If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to create a nonregulatory Connecticut River Watershed Partnership program within 180 days. The program would coordinate restoration and protection work across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It would support habitat restoration, water quality improvement, nature-based flood and climate resilience, farmland conservation, technical assistance, public engagement, and Tribal cultural practices. The Secretary must consult Federal agencies, Governors, Tribes and Tribal organizations, partnership groups, local agencies, and environmental justice stakeholders.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

NH • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2025

  • Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2025

  • Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2025

  • Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2025

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 5/14/2025

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2025

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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