summary
Introduced
04/06/2017
04/06/2017
In Committee
04/06/2017
04/06/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018
12/31/2018
Introduced Session
115th Congress
Bill Summary
National Forest Ecosystem Improvement Act of 2017 This bill directs the Forest Service to prioritize and carry out ecosystem restoration projects on National Forest System (NFS) land to accomplish one or more of the objectives specified in this bill, which include restoring terrestrial habitat, carrying out a needed timber stand improvement, reducing the risk or extent of insect or disease infestation, or reducing wildland fire severity potential. The Forest Service may not carry out an ecosystem restoration project on any area of NFS land in the National Wilderness Preservation System or on which removal of vegetation is prohibited by law. The Forest Service must accomplish restoration treatments throughout the NFS on 1 million acres using certain mechanical treatment methods and on another 1 million acres using prescribed fire. The Forest Service shall prepare an environmental assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for each ecosystem restoration project that accomplishes objectives of this bill. The Forest Service shall study and describe in each ecosystem restoration project both the proposed action and a no-action alternative. The Forest Service shall establish an arbitration program as an alternative dispute resolution process in lieu of judicial review for specified types of ecosystem restoration projects. A categorical exclusion is made available to the Forest Service for certain forest management activities in order to: (1) expedite specified critical response actions, (2) expedite salvage operations in response to catastrophic events, and (3) meet forest plan goals for early successional forests. For each forest management activity covered by a categorical exclusion granted by this bill, the Forest Service shall satisfy the interagency consultation obligations under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by achieving compliance with certain alternative consultation procedures established by federal regulation.
AI Summary
This bill aims to expedite and prioritize forest management activities to achieve ecosystem restoration objectives on National Forest System land. Key provisions include:
- Directing the Forest Service to identify, prioritize, and carry out ecosystem restoration projects on National Forest System land to accomplish objectives like restoring terrestrial habitat, reducing wildfire severity potential, or implementing community wildfire protection plans.
- Requiring the Forest Service to accomplish at least 1 million acres of restoration treatments using mechanical methods and 1 million acres using prescribed fire annually.
- Establishing an arbitration program as an alternative dispute resolution process for certain types of ecosystem restoration projects to avoid judicial review.
- Granting categorical exclusions from the National Environmental Policy Act to expedite critical response actions, salvage operations after catastrophic events, and activities to meet forest plan goals for early successional forests.
- Allowing the Forest Service to satisfy Endangered Species Act consultation requirements through alternative procedures to streamline the review process.
The overall goal is to increase the pace and scale of forest management activities to restore ecosystems and reduce the risk of wildfires and other disturbances on National Forest System lands.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (on 04/06/2017)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/879/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s879/BILLS-115s879is.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s879/BILLS-115s879is.pdf.pdf |
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