Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

Increased Funding and Duration: The bill changes grant amounts to $150,000 each year for a period of not less than 3 years, which provides more sustained financial support (Section 2(b)(1)(B)(i)).

Support for Specific Needs: The program can now address groups that demonstrate significant need due to drought, wildfire, or other natural disasters (Section 2(b)(1)(A)(i)).

Inclusion of Indian Tribes: The bill specifically includes Indian tribes as part of the interests the program considers and updates the definition of "Indian tribe" (Section 2(a) and Section 2(b)(1)(A)(i)).

Grant Extensions: The Secretary is given the discretion to issue a continuation of first-phase grants for up to 2 additional years for recipients demonstrating satisfactory performance (Section 2(b)(1)(B)(ii)).

Expanded Technical Support: The definition of quantity for grants is expanded to include grant writing, project management, and technical assistance such as feasibility, design, preliminary environmental review, and engineering (Section 2(b)(1)(C)).

Continuous Opportunities: The Secretary is required to make funding opportunities available on a regular basis and allow applications to be submitted and evaluated multiple times during a calendar year (Section 2(b)(1)(A)(4)).

Increased Transparency: The bill requires that information be made available to the public (Section 2(b)(1)(2)).

Funding Limits: Grant amounts for continued grants are subject to being "not greater than $150,000 each year" as determined by the Secretary (Section 2(b)(1)(B)(ii)).

Reliance on Appropriations: The availability of the increased grant amounts is subject to the availability of appropriations (Section 2(b)(1)(B)(i)).