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119-s-4041119th Congress

Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Daines, Steve [R-MT]

In Committee

Summary

Expands and reauthorizes the Cooperative Watershed Management Program to broaden who can get grants, increase first-phase awards and continuation options, expand allowable uses, and set a funding level for 2027–2031.

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  • Indian tribes and ancestral communities: Tribes and beneficiaries with ancestral lands are explicitly eligible, creating a clearer path for tribal involvement in watershed projects.
  • Local watershed groups and project teams: First-phase grants increase to $150,000 per year and may continue for up to two additional years at the same level. Grants may now fund grant writing, project management, technical assistance, and post-construction monitoring.
  • Program access and funding: The program must operate with continuous enrollment and public access to information, and Congress authorized $20.0 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

*Authorizes $20.0 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031, increasing federal funding for watershed grants.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More watershed grants for tribes, communities

This bill would expand who can apply to the Cooperative Watershed Management Program. It would explicitly include Indian tribes and applicants with ancestral lands in the watershed. Applicants could also qualify by showing significant need from drought, wildfire, or other natural disasters. It would raise the first-phase grant limit from $100,000 to $150,000. The Secretary could extend that first-phase grant for up to two more years, with each continuation up to $150,000 if the recipient shows satisfactory performance. The bill would authorize $20 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, but Congress would still need to appropriate the funds.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Daines, Steve [R-MT]

MT • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 3/10/2026

  • Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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