Watershed Group Law and Legal Definition
Pursuant to 16 USCS § 1015 (5), [Title 16. Conservation; Chapter 18A. Cooperative Watershed Management Program] the term watershed group means “a self-sustaining, cooperative watershed-wide group that--
(A) is comprised of representatives of the affected stakeholders of the relevant watershed;
(B) incorporates the perspectives of a diverse array of stakeholders, including, to the maximum extent practicable--
(i) representatives of--
(I) hydroelectric production;
(II) livestock grazing;
(III) timber production;
(IV) land development;
(V) recreation or tourism;
(VI) irrigated agricultural production;
(VII) the environment;
(VIII) potable water purveyors and industrial water users; and
(IX) private property owners within the watershed;
(ii) any Federal agency that has authority with respect to the watershed;
(iii) any State agency that has authority with respect to the watershed;
(iv) any local agency that has authority with respect to the watershed; and
(v) any Indian tribe that--
(I) owns land within the watershed; or
(II) has land in the watershed that is held in trust;
(C) is a grassroots, nonregulatory entity that addresses water availability and quality issues within the relevant watershed;
(D) is capable of promoting the sustainable use of the water resources of the relevant watershed and improving the functioning condition of rivers and streams through--
(i) water conservation;
(ii) improved water quality;
(iii) ecological resiliency; and
(iv) the reduction of water conflicts; and
(E) makes decisions on a consensus basis, as defined in the bylaws of the watershed group.”
