The Headwaters Protection Act of 2023 updates and expands the Water Source Protection Program under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, a federal effort to protect and restore watersheds on national forest lands. The bill broadens eligibility for the program to include new partners such as acequia associations, stormwater management entities, and water delivery authorities, while also allowing projects to extend to adjacent non-federal lands with the willing participation of property owners. It establishes funding at $30 million annually from fiscal years 2024 through 2033 for watershed protection projects and requires the federal government to set aside at least 10 percent of annual funds for technical assistance and capacity-building with non-federal partners. The legislation prioritizes projects that address drought, wildfire, flooding, and climate resilience while improving water supply and quality, and it emphasizes collaboration between federal agencies and local communities in planning and implementing restoration work. The bill explicitly protects state water rights and prevents the federal government from acquiring private land or exerting control over non-federal properties.
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