What does Preamble of New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To establish the New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Program, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025.

What does DEFINITIONS. of New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section defines key terms used throughout the Act. “Approved plan” refers to plans approved by governmental entities or determined by the Secretary to contribute to the Act's purposes. Specific plans, such as the New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) Action Agenda, are explicitly included as 'approved plans'. “Environmental justice” is defined as fair treatment and meaningful involvement for all people, regardless of demographic factors. The “Foundation” is defined as the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The “grant program” is the voluntary New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Grant Program established under section 4(a). The “program” refers to the New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Program established under section 3(a). “Restoration and protection” encompasses habitat conservation, stewardship, and enhancement for fish and wildlife, including water quality. The “Secretary” is the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The “Watershed” is defined as the New York-New Jersey Watershed, encompassing land and water draining into the New York-New Jersey Harbor and associated estuaries.

What does NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY WATERSHED RESTORATION PROGRAM. of New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes the "New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Program" within 180 days of the Act's enactment. The program's purposes include coordinating restoration and protection activities among various entities throughout the Watershed. Activities will focus on sustaining and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat, improving water quality, and advancing natural climate solutions. The program aims to engage the public, particularly communities experiencing environmental injustice, through outreach and workforce development. It also seeks to increase scientific capacity for planning, monitoring, and research related to restoration activities. The Secretary will draw on existing and new approved plans for the Watershed and consult with various management entities, including the New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program. A Watershed-wide strategy will be adopted, prioritizing cost-effective projects with measurable results and targeting the needs of communities experiencing environmental injustice.

What does NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY WATERSHED RESTORATION GRANT PROGRAM. of New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section establishes the "New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Grant Program" to provide competitive matching grants for restoration and protection activities. The Secretary will develop criteria for the grant program, ensuring activities align with purposes identified in section 3(b)(2) and the Watershed-wide strategy in section 3(c)(3). The program aims to increase the effectiveness of organizations involved in restoration activities by addressing organizational capacity needs. The Federal share of project costs is generally capped at 50%, but can be up to 90% for small, rural, or disadvantaged communities, and potentially 100% if the recipient faces financial hardship. The non-Federal share can be provided in cash or through in-kind contributions of services or materials. The Secretary may contract with the Foundation or a similar organization to manage the grant program. If the Secretary contracts with the Foundation, it will receive advance payments and administer the program to support public-private partnerships, subject to certain requirements of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act.

What does ANNUAL REPORT. of New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to Congress. The report must be submitted no later than 180 days after the Act's enactment, and annually thereafter. The report should describe each activity that received funding under this Act in the preceding fiscal year.

What does PROHIBITION ON FEDERAL LAND HOLDINGS. of New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section prohibits the Federal Government from owning land acquired under this Act. Any Federal land ownership is limited to the purpose of quickly transferring ownership to an entity described in section 4(a).

What does AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. of New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section authorizes appropriations of $20,000,000 to the Secretary each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031. A maximum of 5 percent of these funds can be used for administrative costs. At least 75 percent of the annual funds must be used for the grant program, including technical assistance. The funds are intended to supplement, not supplant, existing funding for the Secretary's activities in the Watershed.

What does SUNSET. of New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025 do?

This Act is scheduled to expire. The Act's authority will end on October 1, 2031.

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New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act of 2025

Last updated: 10/14/2025 · Introduced: 10/14/2025

Author: Paul Tonko (D-NY)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes the New York-New Jersey Watershed Restoration Program to coordinate habitat conservation, improve water quality, and advance natural climate solutions within the designated Watershed.
It creates a grant program offering competitive matching funds for restoration projects, with increased federal funding available for small, rural, or disadvantaged communities.
The bill authorizes $20 million annually from 2026 to 2031 to support the program and grant initiatives, with a requirement that at least 75% of funds be dedicated to the grant program.

119th Congressin committeeS. 2926(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 7 more.

9 sections

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