Bill · S. 1242· Senate(119-S-1242)
Watershed Results Act
- Introduced
- 4/1/2025
- Last activity
- 3/17/2026 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
- Sponsored by
- Ron Wyden
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Watershed Results Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to implement watershed outcomes projects in Reclamation States. These projects use "advance watershed analytics" to identify cost-effective conservation activities. The Secretary will select "watershed partners" from various eligible entities to design and manage these projects. Partners will implement qualifying activities that produce measurable improvements in water or habitat. The program utilizes pay-for-performance contracts to reward verified outcomes. A total of up to five such projects may be carried out under this legislation.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+7
The bill funds projects designed to improve water quality and aquatic habitat connectivity.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+5
The bill implements watershed outcomes projects to manage water resources more effectively.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+4
The bill funds technical analysis through advanced watershed analytics.
The opposite
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?-3
The bill exempts watershed analytics data from Freedom of Information Act disclosure.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?-2
The bill classifies analytics data as confidential commercial information, limiting public disclosure.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Water Resources: The bill aims to produce measurable increases in surface water or groundwater, as well as improvements in water quality, such as reductions in salinity or nutrient runoff (Section 3(f)(1)-(3)).
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Enhanced Ecosystems: The projects are designed to increase aquatic habitat quality, quantity, connectivity, or access within a watershed (Section 3(f)(2)).
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Economic Efficiency in Conservation: The use of "advance watershed analytics" is intended to identify how different activities can maximize outcomes for the least cost (Section 2(1)(C)).
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Community Involvement: The Secretary is tasked with ensuring there is widespread support within the local community for the proposed projects (Section 3(e)(1)), and partners are encouraged to work with local stakeholders (Section 3(d)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Data Privacy Concerns: While the bill notes that nothing affects existing law regarding personal data, it establishes specific rules for how data collected during analytics is treated (Section 3(i)(1)).
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Confidentiality Restrictions: Information or data collected to complete advance watershed analytics is considered confidential commercial information and is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (Section 3(i)(2)(B)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+7Improves Public Land Management+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+3Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Farmers+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+4Improves Data Privacy-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2Improves Government Transparency-3
- 3/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
- 4/1/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate