Heinrich Introduces Bill To Protect And Restore Watersheds On National Forest Lands

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, today introduced a bill to protect, restore, and improve the health of New Mexico watersheds on national forest lands. The proposal, the Restoring America's Watersheds Act, would direct greater resources toward fire-impacted watersheds and encourage partnerships with non-federal stakeholders to invest in forests that provide important water resources. The Restoring America's Watersheds Act would provide funding to reduce runoff and sediment pollution from roads into forest streams and encourage collaboration in restoring our forests' health. The proposal would also establish the Water Source Protection Program within the U.S. Forest Service. The program builds on partnerships between cities, businesses, water utilities, farmers and ranchers, and the Forest Service to provide matching funds for forest health projects on lands that provide water resources for downstream users...more