H.R.1261 - Land and Water Conservation Fund Water Amendments Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1261, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Water Amendments Act of 2025, aims to amend Title 54 of the United States Code. The amendment would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial assistance to states for water quality projects under the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The bill focuses on improving water quality through the restoration of natural hydrological systems.
The bill emphasizes consultation with the EPA and sets limitations to ensure funds are used for specific types of water quality projects, avoiding reimbursement for completed projects and preventing federal overreach.
Expected Effects
The bill would expand the scope of the Land and Water Conservation Fund to include water quality projects. This would allow states to receive funding for projects aimed at restoring impaired water bodies.
It would also incentivize states to develop comprehensive statewide outdoor recreation plans that include water quality improvement initiatives.
Ultimately, the bill seeks to improve water quality by leveraging existing funding mechanisms and promoting collaboration between federal and state agencies.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Water Quality: Directs funding towards projects aimed at restoring impaired water bodies, benefiting public health and ecosystems.
- Enhanced Outdoor Recreation: By improving water quality, the bill supports recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, and boating.
- State Flexibility: Allows states to identify and prioritize water quality projects based on their specific needs and circumstances.
- Leveraging Existing Resources: Utilizes the existing Land and Water Conservation Fund infrastructure, minimizing administrative overhead.
- Collaboration: Encourages collaboration between the Department of the Interior and the EPA, ensuring a coordinated approach to water quality improvement.
Potential Disadvantages
- Limited Scope: The bill focuses solely on natural hydrological systems, potentially excluding other effective water quality improvement methods.
- Funding Constraints: The Land and Water Conservation Fund has limited resources, and allocating funds to water quality projects may reduce funding available for other conservation and recreation initiatives.
- Potential for Inefficiency: The bill relies on state-level planning and implementation, which may lead to inconsistencies and inefficiencies across different states.
- Uncertainty of Impact: The effectiveness of water quality projects in achieving measurable improvements may vary depending on site-specific conditions and project design.
- Administrative Burden: States may face increased administrative burdens in developing and implementing water quality projects, potentially diverting resources from other priorities.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution (Preamble), which empowers Congress to promote the well-being of the nation. It also aligns with Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), as water quality can impact navigable waterways and interstate water resources.
However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, so the bill carefully avoids expanding federal authority over nonnavigable waters or regulating water quality projects directly, respecting state sovereignty.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).