Protect the West Act of 2023

The Protect the West Act of 2023 establishes a $60 billion Outdoor and Watershed Restoration Fund to support ecological restoration projects on federal and non-federal lands across the western United States. It creates two main programs: a grant program ($20 billion) to help communities plan and coordinate restoration projects on non-federal lands, and a partnership program ($40 billion) to implement restoration projects on both federal and non-federal lands through collaboration with state, local, and tribal governments. The bill prioritizes projects that improve forest and rangeland health, reduce wildfire risks, create jobs, and enhance equitable outdoor access, while requiring projects to follow existing conservation authorities and avoid prohibited activities like construction in wilderness areas. The fund is designed to complement, not replace, existing conservation programs, with oversight requirements including annual reports to Congress on fund usage and project outcomes.