summary
Introduced
10/25/2017
10/25/2017
In Committee
11/02/2017
11/02/2017
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2018
12/31/2018
Introduced Session
115th Congress
Bill Summary
Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2017 This bill prohibits any further consultation from being required by the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) or the Interior after the approval of land and resource management plans for National Forest System (NFS) lands or land use plans for public lands, respectively, with respect to: (1) the listing of a species as threatened or endangered or a designation of a critical habitat, if such a plan has already been adopted; or (2) any provision of such plan. Interior shall develop one or more categorical exclusions, from requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to conduct environmental assessment and environmental impact statements, for specified vegetative management activities that are carried out to establish or improve habitat for the greater sage-grouse or mule deer. The Forest Service shall prepare an environmental assessment for each ecosystem restoration project, stewardship contracting project, and project under a good neighbor agreement on certain NFS land. Under the assessment, it shall study and describe in each project both the proposed action and a no-action alternative. The Forest Service shall establish an arbitration pilot program as an alternative dispute resolution process in lieu of judicial review for such projects. The Forest Service shall prioritize and carry out ecosystem restoration projects to accomplish one or more of specified objectives. A categorical exclusion is made available for certain forest management activities in order to: (1) expedite specified critical response actions, (2) meet forest plan goals for early seral and early successional forests, (3) improve wildlife habitats, and (4) thin forests. The bill makes permanent USDA's authority to designate treatment areas that are experiencing an insect or disease epidemic.
AI Summary
This bill aims to:
- Prohibit further consultation on land and resource management plans after they have been approved, in relation to the listing of a threatened or endangered species or the designation of critical habitat.
- Direct the Interior Department to develop categorical exclusions from environmental review for certain vegetation management activities to benefit greater sage-grouse and mule deer habitats.
- Require the Forest Service to prepare environmental assessments for ecosystem restoration, stewardship contracting, and good neighbor authority projects, and establish an arbitration pilot program as an alternative to judicial review for such projects.
- Prioritize and carry out ecosystem restoration projects on National Forest System lands to achieve objectives like improving wildlife habitat, reducing wildfire risk, and restoring watersheds.
- Expand and make permanent the Forest Service's authority to designate insect and disease treatment areas.
- Establish new categorical exclusions from environmental review for certain forest management activities like thinning, improving wildlife habitats, and responding to catastrophic events.
The overall goal of the bill is to streamline environmental review and litigation processes for forest management projects in order to improve forest health and wildlife habitat.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (on 11/02/2017)
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/2068/all-info |
| BillText | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s2068/BILLS-115s2068is.pdf |
| Bill | https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/s2068/BILLS-115s2068is.pdf.pdf |
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