Chesapeake Bay Watershed Forestry Program Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service and the program Coordinator, to carry out a Chesapeake Bay watershed forestry program under which the Secretary shall make grants and provide technical assistance to eligible entities to restore and conserve forests in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including grants and assistance to: (1) promote forest conservation, restoration, and stewardship efforts; (2) accelerate the restoration of riparian forest buffers; (3) assist in developing and carrying out projects and partnerships; (4) promote the protection and sustainable management of forests; (5) develop public communication and education resources; (6) conduct forest research, assessment, and planning activities; and (7) contribute to the achievement Chesapeake Bay Agreement goals.
Directs the Secretary to designate a Forest Service employee as program Coordinator. Sets forth the Coordinator's responsibilities.
Defines an eligible entity as: (1) a Chesapeake Bay state (Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia), or a political subdivision thereof; (2) a university or other institution of higher education; (3) a tax-exempt organization operating in the Chesapeake Bay watershed; or (4) any other person in the Chesapeake Bay watershed determined by the Secretary as eligible.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) make grants (75% federal maximum) to such entities to carry out specified program projects; (2) conduct a study of urban and rural forests in the Chesapeake Bay watershed; and (3) establish a watershed forestry research program for the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Authorizes the use of funds under this Act to employ a state watershed forester to work with the Coordinator.