To amend the provision regarding the emergency watershed protection program in the Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006, to restore the discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture to waive or reduce the non-Federal cost share requirements of the program.

H.R. 4888 would grant the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to reduce or waive the local funding requirements for the Emergency Watershed Protection program in areas affected by natural disasters. Under current law, local communities are typically required to pay a portion of the costs for projects that repair damaged watersheds and prevent future flooding or soil erosion. This bill would allow the federal government to cover up to 100% of these costs if a community lacks the financial resources to pay its share and immediate action is necessary to protect public safety or the environment.