The Headwaters Protection Act of 2023 reauthorizes and expands the Water Source Protection Program under the U.S. Forest Service to help protect and restore watersheds on National Forests and adjacent private and state lands. The bill expands which organizations can partner on these projects to include water districts, acequia associations, and private entities with water delivery authority, and requires the Forest Service to give priority to projects that manage drought, wildfire, and flooding risks while supporting disadvantaged communities. The legislation increases federal funding from $10 million annually to $30 million per year for fiscal years 2024 through 2033 for the Water Source Protection Program, with at least 10 percent of funds dedicated to helping non-Federal partners develop capacity and participate in planning. The bill also requires $30 million annually from 2024 through 2028 for watershed condition improvements, and it preserves state water rights and prohibits federal acquisition of private lands involved in these projects.
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