Bill > HR528

This bill establishes a Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Program administered by the Secretary of the Interior to address ecosystem damage on federal lands and tribal territories caused by unplanned disturbances like wildfires, insect infestations, or severe weather events. The program requires the Secretary to annually identify lands needing reforestation and restoration that are unlikely to naturally regenerate, and develop a list of priority projects that can be implemented through competitive grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and partnerships with Indian Tribes, states, local governments, and other stakeholders. The Secretary must conduct outreach to various governmental and educational organizations and submit annual reports to Congressional committees detailing the progress of reforestation efforts, including an accounting of affected lands, implemented projects, established agreements, and recommendations for addressing implementation gaps and funding needs. The bill defines key terms like "covered lands" (federal or tribal lands), "natural regeneration," and "unplanned disturbance" to provide clarity on the program's scope and objectives, with a primary goal of helping ecosystems recover and reestablish appropriate plant species and community structures after significant environmental disruptions.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/528/all-info