Bill > S745

This bill, titled the National Forest Insect and Disease Treatment Act of 2013, amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to establish a program for designating and treating areas within national forests that are experiencing or at risk of insect and disease epidemics. The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with state governors, will designate specific subwatersheds (defined as sixth-level hydrologic units, which are small drainage areas) that are either currently suffering from significant tree mortality due to insects or diseases, are projected to face such mortality within 15 years based on risk maps, or have hazardous trees posing an immediate threat to public safety. Projects can then be undertaken in these designated areas to reduce the risk or impact of infestations, increase forest resilience, and address hazardous fuel reduction, with a specific deadline for initiating public notice for these projects and a reporting requirement by September 30, 2018, to evaluate progress and recommend changes. Importantly, these projects must aim to retain old-growth and large trees where appropriate to promote forest resilience, and $200 million is authorized annually for fiscal years 2014 through 2018 to carry out these provisions.