The Protect the West Act of 2025 establishes two major funding mechanisms to restore forests, grasslands, watersheds, and wildlife habitats across western states while reducing wildfire risk. The bill creates an Outdoor and Watershed Restoration Fund with a Restoration Fund Advisory Council to direct grants toward planning and implementation of restoration projects that prioritize job creation, stakeholder collaboration, and benefits to underserved communities. Additionally, it authorizes a $60 billion Restoration and Resilience Partnership Program to conduct forest and rangeland restoration on both federal and non-federal lands in high-wildfire-risk areas, with the Agriculture Secretary required to designate eligible areas within 60 days based on wildfire hazard and wildlife habitat needs. The legislation emphasizes coordination with Interior Department agencies, states, tribes, and local stakeholders, excludes wilderness and roadless areas from projects, and requires congressional reporting on funding allocation and results.
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