Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

H.R. 7978 would reauthorize the Cooperative Watershed Management Program (CWMP), a federal initiative that supports local watershed groups across the Western United States. The program, which is set to expire at the end of 2026, provides funding and technical assistance to help communities identify, plan, and implement water management projects that address local needs such as drought resilience, water conservation, and watershed restoration. The bill would extend the program through 2031 and increase its annual funding to $40 million, allowing watershed groups to better serve their communities. The CWMP works with local organizations, tribes, farmers, and water managers to develop practical solutions to water challenges. This is a bipartisan bill with support from both Republican and Democratic sponsors in the House and Senate. The bill is currently in the House Committee on Natural Resources and has not yet advanced further in the legislative process.