Bill > HR179

This bill, known as the Proven Forest Management Act of 2025, directs the Secretary of Agriculture (for National Forest System lands) and the Secretary of the Interior (for public lands) to coordinate forest management activities with impacted parties to improve forest health and ecosystem resilience. The bill requires forest management activities to aim for multiple ecosystem benefits, such as reducing forest fuels, maintaining biological diversity, improving water quality, and increasing climate resilience, unless the costs are deemed excessive. The legislation provides a categorical exclusion from the National Environmental Policy Act for certain forest management activities focused on fuel reduction, allowing projects up to 10,000 acres (including up to 3,000 acres of mechanical thinning) that are developed in coordination with local governments and other interested entities. The bill also allows the Secretaries to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with qualified entities for fuel reduction, erosion control, reforestation, and Stream Environment Zone restoration on both federal and non-federal lands. Additionally, the bill defines key terms like "interested entities" (which include local governments, fire departments, and volunteer groups) and "Stream Environment Zone" (an area significantly influenced by surface or groundwater), providing a comprehensive framework for collaborative and environmentally conscious forest management.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/179/all-info