H.R. 7264 — Restoring America’s Floodplains Act

This section expands authorities for floodplain easements under the Emergency Watershed Protection program (i.e., authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to repair disaster-impaired watersheds through measures such as easements that protect against floods and erosion) by— (1) adding requirements for the Secretary to restore vegetative cover, hydrological functions, and other easement values; monitor, maintain, and enhance such functions; enter contracts with landowners and agreements with states, nongovernmental organizations, and Indian tribes; and authorize compatible uses by landowners (e.g., hunting, fishing, managed timber harvest, or periodic haying or grazing consistent with easement protections); and (2) permitting the Secretary to restore easements to levels exceeding immediate watershed repair needs when in the best interest of long-term watershed health and protection from repetitive impairments.