HR-4614 : Still Just a Bill

Resilient Federal Forests Act

This bill modifies and sets forth provisions regarding forest management activities on National Forest System, public, and tribal lands.

The bill provides for, among other things

• the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Interior to conduct fireshed management projects in fireshed management areas,
• certain categorical exclusions for various purposes,
• the balancing of the short- and long-term effects of forest management activities while considering injunctive relief,
• USDA and Interior to establish their own discretionary arbitration pilot programs as an alternative dispute resolution process for forest management activities,
• increasing the maximum term for a stewardship end result contract to 20 years,
• demonstration projects to support the development and commercialization of biochar on Indian forest lands or rangelands and in nearby communities by providing reliable supplies of feedstock from federal lands,
• the decommissioning of certain Forest Service Roads within designated high fire-prone areas,
• repealing of the Eastside Screens requirements on National Forest System lands,
• making the Northwest Forest Plan Survey and Manage Mitigation Measure Standards and Guidelines inapplicable to any National Forest System lands or public lands,
• development of a protection plan for giant sequoia trees on National Forest System lands and public lands, and
• permanent rights of access to the Oregon and California Railroad grant lands and the Coos Bay Wagon Road grant lands for private landowners issued reciprocal road rights-of-way.