Flooding Prevention, Assessment, and Restoration Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
- Committees
- Agriculture Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Mar 28, 2025
Bottom line
The bill strengthens federal programs to proactively address flood risks, particularly for agricultural areas and aging infrastructure, by increasing federal investment and improving data collection.
What it actually does
This bill enhances federal support for flood prevention and watershed restoration by expanding the authority of the Emergency Watershed Program to allow for higher levels of protection, commissioning a national study on agricultural flood vulnerability, and increasing the federal cost share for rehabilitating aging watershed infrastructure from 65% to 90%. It aims to foster long-term resilience against flooding impacts on agricultural lands and communities.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that this bill is a crucial step towards building more resilient communities and protecting the nation's agricultural sector from the increasing threat of flooding. They contend that investing in enhanced restoration and rehabilitation now will prevent greater economic losses and reduce the need for costly emergency responses in the future, while the national study will provide essential data for informed decision-making.
Opponents contend
Opponents, if any, might argue that while the goals are laudable, the increased federal cost share and expanded program authority could lead to significant increases in federal spending without sufficient local financial commitment, potentially creating a moral hazard or diverting funds from other critical federal priorities.
The bill is very short and clear, making it highly accessible for a quick review of its provisions.
Section 2, amending Section 403 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2203)
Enhanced Restoration Authority for Emergency Watershed Program
This provision allows the Secretary of Agriculture to undertake restoration measures under the Emergency Watershed Program that increase the level of protection beyond what is immediately necessary to address an impairment. This expanded authority is granted if the Secretary determines that such restoration is in the best interest of the long-term health and protection of the watershed from repetitive impairments, and is both cost-effective and environmentally appropriate.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this provision allows for more forward-thinking and resilient infrastructure development, moving beyond simply repairing damage to proactively enhancing protection. This approach is expected to reduce long-term costs associated with repetitive disaster response and improve watershed health.
Critics contend
Critics might contend that expanding the scope beyond immediate impairment could lead to projects that are overly ambitious or expensive, potentially diverting funds from other urgent, smaller-scale needs or increasing federal outlays without clear justification for the enhanced level of protection.
Tradeoffs
The provision navigates the tension between immediate post-disaster recovery and long-term resilience building, potentially involving higher upfront federal costs for more robust solutions versus the anticipated savings from reduced future damages and improved watershed health.
Section 3
National Agriculture Flood Vulnerability Study
This section mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a national study on flood risk to agricultural lands and submit a report to Congress within two years. The study must analyze economic losses from flooding, the downstream effects of watershed management activities, available federal and state flood risk data, and recommend additional conservation practices and government initiatives to manage flood impact and risk.
Section 4, amending Section 2 and Section 14(b)(2) of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1002, 1012(b)(2))
Increased Federal Cost Share for Watershed Rehabilitation Projects
This section amends the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act to increase the federal cost share for rehabilitation projects of structural measures (such as dams or levees) that are near, at, or past their evaluated life expectancy. The federal contribution for these projects is raised from 65 percent to 90 percent. It also clarifies that these rehabilitation projects are distinct from other types of projects under the Act.