More help for landowners and communities to restore floodplains and prevent damage.
This bill would let the government do more to restore and care for land set aside as floodplains. It would give the Secretary of Agriculture new power to fix up these areas and work with landowners, states, and tribes. Landowners who have agreed to protect floodplains on their property would also get clearer rules about how they can use their land. This includes activities like hunting or farming, as long as it helps the floodplain.
Today, the government can acquire floodplain easements but doesn't have clear authority to actively restore or maintain them, nor are compatible uses for landowners explicitly defined. If this bill passes, the Secretary of Agriculture would be able to actively restore, monitor, and maintain these floodplains, even going beyond immediate repairs for long-term health. Landowners would also have clearer rules for compatible uses like hunting or farming on their easement lands.
HR 7264 · 119th Congress · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 9/10
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