Watershed Results Act

The Watershed Results Act establishes up to five watershed pilot programs in Reclamation States (including Western states under the 1902 Reclamation Act, Hawaii, and Alaska) to improve water quality and habitat. It requires using "advance watershed analytics" to plan projects, then paying for verified outcomes (like increased water volume or habitat quality) through "pay-for-performance contracts" funded by a dedicated Environmental Outcomes Fund. The Fund receives $15 million annually from the Reclamation Fund starting in 2024, with projects needing to demonstrate measurable results to receive federal payments. This program directly affects federal agencies (like the Interior Department), state/local entities, and qualifying projects that meet the defined outcome targets. The pilots run for five years, with annual reports to Congress on progress and outcomes.