1.Short title; table of
contents
(a)This Act may be cited
as the Colorado Forest Management
Improvement Act of 2007
.
(b)The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I—HEALTHY FORESTS RESTORATION ACT OF 2003 AND RELATED
LAWS
Sec. 101. Community wildfire protection plan
assistance.
Sec. 102. Central collection points.
Sec. 103. Biomass commercial utilization grant
program.
Sec. 104. Healthy forest partnerships.
TITLE II—COLORADO FOREST HEALTH MEASURES
Sec. 201. Research and other activities.
Sec. 202. Colorado Forest Health Fund.
Sec. 203. Grants for Colorado fuels for schools
program.
Sec. 204. Stewardship contracts in Colorado.
Sec. 205. Permanent authority for Federal and State cooperative
restoration and protection in Colorado.
Sec. 206. Preparation of fire-danger maps.
Sec. 207. Truck weights on Colorado interstate
highways.
TITLE III—TAX PROVISIONS
Sec. 301. Extension of tax credit for electricity produced from
biomass.
Sec. 302. Partial exclusion from gross income of payments
received for certain hazardous fuel reduction projects.
Sec. 303. Deductibility of certain expenditures in connection
with implementation of community wildfire protection plans.
2.The purposes of this Act are—
(1)to facilitate a more coordinated response
by Federal and State agencies and local governments and communities to the
effects of insect infestations in forest lands in Colorado so as to reduce the
likelihood of loss of life or damage to property or municipal water supplies
from severe wildfires and to improve the management of such lands; and
(2)to provide a model
of legislation that could be considered for application to other States
experiencing similar insect infestations or other forest-related
problems.
3.In this Act:
(1)The
term Fund means the Colorado Forest Health Fund.
(2)The term Secretary concerned means—
(A)the Secretary of
Agriculture (acting through the Chief of the Forest Service), with respect to
National Forest System land; and
(B)the Secretary of
the Interior, with respect to land managed by the Bureau of Land Management and
with respect to land held for the benefit of an Indian tribe.
(3)The
term State means the State of Colorado.
<enum>I</enum><header>HEALTHY FORESTS
RESTORATION ACT OF 2003 AND RELATED LAWS</header>
<section id="H2828F62CF6474A9600BA3644CED52146"><enum>101.</enum><header>Community
wildfire protection plan assistance</header>
<subsection id="H0B640AA41D35413C9459A222B8A0E400"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Planning
assistance for at-risk communities</header>
<paragraph id="H9D8AFD34A74E4AA18EBEBF0000B4ECC2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Section 103 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of
2003 (16 U.S.C. 6513) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:</text>
<quoted-block id="H0CC277FC05B444E095CA7700BC738DC0" style="OLC">
<subsection id="H21B3E931E42C4FFCAAB4697B652E4C00"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Planning
assistance for at-risk communities</header>
<paragraph id="H319C502DD8FA4C1FAEBCFB3E59C84D66"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate State
agencies, shall make grants to at-risk communities in Colorado to assist the
at-risk communities in preparing, revising, or implementing a community
wildfire protection plan.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE6CE4ABFF831490CB9B3D3F69F047F99"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Source of
funds</header><text>The Secretary shall use amounts made available under
section 35(c) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191(c)) to carry out this
subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5726C27FB4FF43B9947101CACF20EC76"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Funding
source</header><text>Section 35 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 191) is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text>
<quoted-block id="H7A695E2C475A4E4293BB3D4BAC7528BB" style="OLC">
<subsection id="HE42B2363B1D74C63B13505E9D2F186B3"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Assistance for
at-risk communities</header><text>Notwithstanding the first sentence of
subsection (a), $10,000,000 of the amounts paid into the Treasury under
subsection (a) for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 shall be made
available to the Secretary, without further appropriation and until expended,
for obligation and expenditure under section 103(e) of the Healthy Forests
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C.
6513(e)).</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H2BB9473FCBD24CAB924453EF7385DA9B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Additional
assistance for preparation of plans</header><text>Section 33(b)(3) of the
Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229(b)(3)) is
amended by striking subparagraph (L) and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H695155D988324A10A007D436E06F9FD2" style="OLC">
<subparagraph id="H7981F7D3B1024D7AA74E4760F8F061D3"><enum>(L)</enum><text>To fund fire
prevention programs, including the development and implementation of community
wildfire protection plans (as defined in section 101 of the Healthy Forests
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C.
6511)).</text>
</subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="HBCD73BB804BB40889B7CDEF78DD65399"><enum>102.</enum><header>Central
collection points</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Title I of
the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H556AB664B35249BFA55EBAFE53041BA" style="OLC">
<section id="H6E3A943212B848D39B68916F888600DE"><enum>109.</enum><header>Central
collection points</header>
<subsection id="H08581055BE064E7A9E7C190076AF78EB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>To
the maximum extent practicable, and consistent with relevant land management
plans, the Secretary shall establish collection points in Colorado for the
placement of vegetative material removed from Federal or other land as part of
a hazardous fuel reduction project under this Act. Collection points shall be
located so as to be readily accessible to the public and so as to take
advantage of existing roads and other infrastructure.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HCA86D871695047FE9F8BABD6D59DD68D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conditions for
establishment</header><text>No collection point shall be established pursuant
to this section—</text>
<paragraph id="HDC0BDD5C7B524EABBCA109D59521CD9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>if the Secretary
determines that transportation of the vegetative material to or from the
proposed collection point would result in an increased risk of infestation of
insects; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H15DF47A36D5C4168AA4B66AB6C06814E"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">on any property not owned by the United
States without the consent of the owner of the property.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H5AAC9EE014834C7392ED285562222D99"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Management</header><text>The
Secretary is not required to manage use of a collection point established under
this section, but may enter into agreements with local governments, private
landowners, or other relevant entities with regard to such management,
including the terms and conditions under which material can be removed from a
collection point.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H70AE1DA7B16548D1A77BEF00B1A3B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Use</header><text>Vegetative
material placed at a collection point established under this section may be
sold, donated, or otherwise made available to any individual or entity that
agrees to remove the material from the collection point.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HBFCD2093D3434CBF8187B6F2E1FC2080"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Treatment of
revenues</header><text>Any revenue collected by the Secretary through sale of
material from a collection point shall be retained by the Secretary and used
for authorized hazardous fuel reduction projects in
Colorado.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section id="HE383F4A6802841CDA69DE63407008437"><enum>103.</enum><header>Biomass
commercial utilization grant program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
is amended by striking section 203 (16 U.S.C. 6531) and inserting the following
new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H717F694AE590491D934E3824A9C16DD7" style="OLC">
<section id="H96082F57EEC44520B5C3A19B95D6D12B"><enum>203.</enum><header>Biomass
commercial utilization grant program</header>
<subsection id="HDB2D9299710A4498AD624F7F9105FD6F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Program
authorized</header><text>The Secretary may provide to owners or operators of
facilities that use biomass, on an annual basis, grants for use in accordance
with subsection (d).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H9B59031F9C5642DDADBD5357D76C91C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible
recipients</header><text>A grant shall be awarded under this section only to an
owner or operator of a facility that uses biomass—</text>
<paragraph id="H60B1FFD3E16B4350A8E19460C8EC0C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>as a raw material to
produce—</text>
<subparagraph id="H4F245475303144BBAED5E3E6B05F3F26"><enum>(A)</enum><text>electricity;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H31EB8B71C55F46D0AE722B6B38F555FB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>sensible heat;
or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDC023CD1D57342A69B0884E5A2B7A64C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>transportation
fuel;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF1248FF44F2348639DBBCD86C8C65D47"><enum>(2)</enum><text>for wood-based
products; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HCBEECD1965BD4991A20027397EEAA025"><enum>(3)</enum><text>for other
commercial purposes.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HE9DD64EB60AF4CD6A9BAB19244B7C220"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Priority</header><text>In
making grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to
applications submitted by individuals or entities that purchase biomass removed
from land identified for hazardous fuel reduction treatments in a community
wildfire protection plan through an authorized hazardous fuel reduction project
carried out under section 102.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H043B1C897A974D6D88117405774CF118"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Use of grant
funds</header><text>An owner or operator who receives a grant under this
section may use funds from the grant to offset the costs of purchasing
biomass.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H9D7D6A8656AB48AC000571BDD7D15CB2"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Relationship to
other authority</header><text>The Secretary may exercise the authority provided
by this section in conjunction with, or in addition to, any other authority of
the Secretary to support or stimulate the use of biomass fuel.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H74EE88755DEC4A7C8500B1835827074E"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008
through
2012.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section id="H2310F2276113493B8242CECE66E92F1"><enum>104.</enum><header>Healthy forest
partnerships</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Healthy
Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) is amended by adding
at the end the following new title:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H135B7B70242C4A8DA1CC857B70A581E6" style="OLC">
<title id="HBD7A1048B039488C95C7CC63F60706F"><enum>VII</enum><header>COLORADO HEALTHY
FOREST PARTNERSHIPS</header>
<section id="HD062E199550D43D582EA0E48DD51200"><enum>701.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text>
<paragraph id="H73EC71C7D1454EA7BD5DBC379B6437CA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>At-risk
community</header><text>The term <term>at-risk community</term> has the meaning
given the term in section 101.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA1F9D6C60F5442278FB93FEFBE9FBB8E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Implementation
plan</header><text>The term <term>implementation plan</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="H633AA845B4D2444D87C60013A7AEBE1B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the plan entitled
<quote>Implementation Plan for the Comprehensive Strategy for a Collaborative
Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the
Environment</quote> and dated May 2002; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H280C6BB1B54A4EE2005B1F477DDDBDC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any amendments to
the implementation plan.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H713FEAE9B1794181A2766300EBA1C676"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Nongovernmental
collaborative group</header><text>The term <term>non-governmental collaborative
group</term> means a nongovernmental organization, or a coalition of
organizations or individuals in the State of Colorado that, as determined by
the Secretary concerned, represents—</text>
<subparagraph id="H4F8F58EB777A4F23A7B440EAE9B231A5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a balance of
viewpoints among interested public and private individuals, agencies, or
institutions;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HADB45E8F2A5F493E99CF3237C29567AF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a diverse range of
knowledge and experience in issues relating to natural resources; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA0A3896DE270413DB9D7C24B1CA88600"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a commitment to
timely and cost-effective results.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H030E070FA10C4268B32D9B8D1DAEFA56"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Partnering
entity</header><text>The term <term>partnering entity</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="H614169A9A3A447EF9ECDE7004F188018"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the State of
Colorado (including any political subdivision of such State) operating through
the Colorado State Forest Service; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA07579915CE04FA3AF2EA000ED90A400"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an Indian
tribe.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF4F3A01DE0454106A08ED5F5250594D"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Project</header><text>The
term <term>project</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="H22733F2F008D4935A2D3397903352F42"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an authorized
hazardous fuel reduction project, as defined in section 101(2) on lands in
Colorado;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDDB2EAC19380408294DA5100334B51EC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an activity on
lands in Colorado relating to treatment of insect-infested trees; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD0CB44106BF34774AC1E36B50A200B2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>an activity on
lands in Colorado relating to the restoration of a forest land, a rangeland, or
a watershed.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HB40B3A85DEDF4A27973247BE2C4CF0ED"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Secretary
concerned</header><text>The term <term>Secretary concerned</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="H5895DA88BE0C431A002EF94C016665D6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary of
Agriculture (acting through the Chief of the Forest Service), with respect to
National Forest System land; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3844750D3ACC4A67ADB2D0B723C12243"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of
the Interior, with respect to land managed by the Bureau of Land Management and
land held for the benefit of an Indian tribe that is managed by the Department
of the Interior.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></section><section id="H323CEBEC2F35424EA0BF47BC9C1F5689"><enum>702.</enum><header>Healthy forest
partnership zones</header>
<subsection id="H67080E9AA2324A94ACC5F44304D816DB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Designation</header>
<paragraph id="H69A2E161A3144D00BC00DE08B15783D2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary concerned may designate as a Healthy Forest
Partnership Zone—</text>
<subparagraph id="HE8A08600349D4D10B54EE5A0001011F6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>any parcel of
Federal land in the State of Colorado that, on the date on which the
designation is made, is under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H453AB033ACE54AFABC767C7132A85CA3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any non-Federal
land located adjacent to the Federal land.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H7F1A2F866C9347FDAB1B0829E691B42E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Proposals</header><text>In
determining which parcels of land to designate as Healthy Forest Partnership
Zones under paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall consider proposals
submitted by—</text>
<subparagraph id="H77AF3585B6AB471FB08DDD7278EA5E2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Governor of
Colorado;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA001C25FACB9419FB8E959BA7DEE8EC5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Colorado State
forester;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF3DDC64EC56B4A409E2C6993BE94FC96"><enum>(C)</enum><text>forest improvement
districts, water conservation districts, and soil conservation districts;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H40685F244B9D446D95CB18AAE5D338A7"><enum>(D)</enum><text>at-risk
communities in Colorado.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H502DC920B114491A9F323D6220D55132"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Criteria for
designation</header><text>The Secretary concerned may designate a parcel of
land as a Healthy Forest Partnership Zone if the parcel of land to be so
designated is—</text>
<paragraph id="HC1DB884730E94CDFAD368BBF31A326A8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>at risk of
uncharacteristically severe damage to at-risk communities or community water
supply facilities from a wildland fire or an outbreak of insects or disease;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6B0F9DAD056B4DC8965CBA2465AA4305"><enum>(2)</enum><text>requires 1 or more
management activities to reduce that risk.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H184AC76131EB4D0784B92F2CA1BF3F00"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Public
notice</header><text>Before making a designation of a parcel of land as a
Healthy Forest Partnership Zone, the Secretary concerned shall provide public
notice and an opportunity for receipt and consideration of public comment
relating to the designation.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HBB9B09798E894E3C9F09C2E331EA9496"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Duration of
designation</header>
<paragraph id="H6DD6C872F4684CB6A8436BD804166FD9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2), in making a designation of a
parcel of land as a Healthy Forest Partnership Zone under subsection (a), the
Secretary concerned shall specify the conditions under which the designation
will terminate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H285E482461FD4D53AB2B88FEEFBDB989"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>A
designation of a parcel of land as a Healthy Forest Partnership Zone under
subsection (a) shall remain in effect for a period of not more than 5 years
after the date on which the designation is made.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H0FA6D21D1F4B4C04A21E7400D711006E"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Prioritization</header><text>In
designating a parcel of land as a Healthy Forest Partnership Zone under
subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall give priority to parcels of land
in which there are located lands identified in a community wildfire protection
plan for implementation of hazardous fuel reduction projects.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H7A49598C88704107A3D300FB23001FD5"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Application of
other laws</header><text>Section 104 shall apply to designation of a parcel of
land as a Healthy Forest Partnership Zone to the same extent as such section
applies to conduct of an authorized hazardous fuel reduction project.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H81AA7115763F43ED8694692D1FBAB970"><enum>703.</enum><header>Partnership
projects</header>
<subsection id="HB3245DC1C746480190D5FC898FD86FC9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Contracts and
other agreements</header><text>The Secretary concerned may enter into a
contract (including a sole source contract) or other agreement (including an
agreement for the mutual benefit of the Secretary concerned and a partnering
entity) with a partnering entity to prepare and implement any hazardous fuel
reduction or other projects for the Secretary on Federal land in Colorado to
complement any similar projects on bordering or adjacent non-Federal
land.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HC70477993A184C619049009507698119"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Administrative
provisions</header>
<paragraph id="H8D486B096D95476380C9269EC051B5C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>National forest
management act</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subsection (d)
of section 14 of the <act-name>National Forest Management Act of
1976</act-name> (16 U.S.C. 472a) shall not apply to a contract or other
agreement entered into by the Secretary concerned under this section.
Subsection (g) of such section shall not apply to a contract or other agreement
with the State of Colorado or the Colorado State Forest Service entered into by
the Secretary concerned under this section, and the Secretary may agree to
allow the State or the State Forest Service to designate trees or other
materials to be removed and to supervise the removal thereof.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5F1241FACA7343E291BDE892A6FF8E5F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Materials Act of
1947</header><text>Section 2(a) of the Act of July 31, 1947 (commonly known as
the <quote><act-name>Materials Act of 1947</act-name></quote>; 30 U.S.C.
602(a)) shall not apply to a project carried out in accordance with a contract
or other agreement entered into by the Secretary concerned under this
section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HAA7CCCA903ED4AC2B328D742398C4614"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Assumption of
liability</header><text>To the extent allowed by Federal, State, or local law,
in preparing or carrying out a contract or other agreement under this section,
a partnering entity shall assume liability for the actions or omissions of the
employees or subcontractors of the partnering entity.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC60DF6A524A24B2687FBD5F8A8F88550"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Subcontracting
by a partnering entity</header><text>To the extent allowed by State and local
law, to prepare or carry out a contract or other agreement under this section,
a partnering entity may subcontract to another entity the duties of the
partnering entity.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF945F017E4BD4181B3EA6B28F63FEF1C"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Bond</header><text>Except
as otherwise determined by the Secretary concerned, no bond shall be required
by the Secretary concerned from any party to a contract or other agreement
under this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HECE7457CBF714036B63FDDA343CDEC45"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Acquisition
requirements</header><text>In awarding a multi-year stewardship contract, the
Secretary of Agriculture may fulfill the requirements of the Federal
Acquisition Regulation, Part 17.104, by use of—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9524E9990AA94AF2AE272341606F3C00"><enum>(A)</enum><text>appropriations
originally available for the performance of the contract concerned; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H07913CB8040A4ADEAB80809219253238"><enum>(B)</enum><text>appropriations
currently available for procurement of the type of services concerned and not
otherwise obligated; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H420F035E9EBE4800BF9C1B0076F90091"><enum>(C)</enum><text>funds appropriated
for these payments.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H8013C994CE644052A992F00D1A57983"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Cancellation
liability</header><text>Funds identified for the purpose of the cancellation
liability of a contract shall not be obligated at the time of contract
award.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H694BBF3CDDB6440E9125B76ECBE1D6D8"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Project
requirements</header><text>Any project covered under this section shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H0AB263B7D0FF4E7EA6E0F9CD94A63BFB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be consistent with
the applicable land and resource management plan developed under section 6 of
the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C.
1604) or the applicable land use plan prepared for one or more units of the
public land;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE9AF11383406419200B95B641860FD2D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>improve the cost
efficiency of managing the Federal land covered by the project consistent with
best value principles, as determined by the Secretary;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H12CF5AF0C1C74AEFAFD8899CF0BBEC1F"><enum>(3)</enum><text>be approved by the
Secretary concerned in such Secretary’s sole discretion; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC5651344FB1A4C3480EDE996450251CA"><enum>(4)</enum><text>be subject to the
requirements of section 104 to the same extent as an approved hazardous fuel
reduction project.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H265FDAC9E3EF435B8C78242F6E6BF624"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Priority for
collaborative projects</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall give
priority to projects—</text>
<paragraph id="HF2669AC4A0304EBC8C7462A4B2007001"><enum>(1)</enum><text>that are developed
through cooperation with non-governmental collaborative groups;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2EEF712030924BFDA41169CCC11B4190"><enum>(2)</enum><text>that are
consistent with a community wildfire protection plan; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H78B17BA571B841E98FEA27DB72A585C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>that are prepared
in a manner consistent with the Implementation Plan or any amendment
thereto.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA662213CF12E4E91AF699875C38600CB"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Consent of
landowner required</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall not carry out
any activity on non-Federal land under this section without the consent of the
owner of the non-Federal
land.</text>
</subsection></section>.
<enum>II</enum><header>COLORADO FOREST
HEALTH MEASURES</header>
<section id="HDF95A106178840AE9FB72643BD394660"><enum>201.</enum><header>Research and
other activities</header>
<subsection id="H68F6BE470469458D85799F394503EF38"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Research</header><text>To
improve the long-term health of forests in the State, the Secretary of
Agriculture shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H7E1DE177B93F41CDA03D5FC6A7489D73"><enum>(1)</enum><text>provide financial
assistance in the form of grants to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H679A5ECFE3C746F68EBF4D13A11036AF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Colorado Wood
Program of Colorado State University for the conduct of research and
development and marketing of non-traditional forest products;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4D8385D6120A4A3C88820000103EED65"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Forest
Restoration Institute at Colorado State University, including assistance for
the conduct of research in higher elevation forests; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H91A068EA28364A5493E130B028E1C271"><enum>(C)</enum><text>any other
entities, including entities conducting research on utilization of wood and
other products from high-elevation forests that the Secretary of Agriculture
determines to be appropriate; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF6E77A3C78274D9D9F2D7B22B317754D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>acting through the
Rocky Mountain Research Station, collaborate with the Forest Restoration
Institute at Colorado State University in the conduct of research on and the
development and transfer of broader landscape treatment strategies and ways to
integrate best science with community needs.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H3753F4D09D93410F8D9600538052B500"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Assessments and
cooperation</header><text>The Secretary concerned, in cooperation with the
Colorado State Forester and other applicable State agencies, shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HB21F4F8257E641068D5BF5F83492B3F4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>assess priorities
in the State for use of stewardship contracts to initiate revitalization of the
forest product industry; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7BFA8340DE7447A8971BA2CAF7F8FF9B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>otherwise
cooperate with the Colorado State Forest Service and the forest products
industry in the State to assist in the development of new markets for
non-traditional forest products and marketing of such products.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H74C87330E10548E58F12AA471433F457"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Financial
assistance for stewardship projects and small businesses</header><text>The
Secretary concerned shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H512551E7176C44BA91BA3D3C88555645"><enum>(1)</enum><text>consider use of
authority under the <act-name>Healthy Forests Restoration Act of
2003</act-name> (16 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.), stewardship contracts, and other
long-term contracts to ensure a sustained supply of raw wood materials in the
State;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H747BE5ADD18C4C01A24535AEFD879E2E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provide financial
assistance for the upfront costs of long-term stewardship projects in areas in
which timber values do not provide for recovery costs; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H20E9DC9ABA444618BEBF096227EA09A3"><enum>(3)</enum><text>provide grants and
low-cost loans to eligible small business concerns in the forest product
industry in the State for the costs of start-up activities, converting
equipment, and modifying facilities to enable the small business concerns to
use wood from forests in the State.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H291A3A9522F1436F8DE5D61936817828"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>The
Secretary of Agriculture shall consult with the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency regarding possible steps to facilitate use of
raw wood materials in combination with other substances as fuels in existing
facilities for the generation of electricity or for other purposes.
Consultation shall include consideration of the possibility of modifying
existing permits issued to such facilities pursuant to the <act-name>Clean Air
Act</act-name> and other Federal laws.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H911C5B6B7DE64D27B9F5F3C372181CB0"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Report</header><text>No
later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of Agriculture shall submit to Congress a report regarding the results of
consultation under subsection (d). The report may include any recommendations
regarding possible legislation that the Secretary thinks appropriate and
desirable.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H9F0BB2CD1FA5416691C2071CC7A74682"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>To implement this section, there are authorized to
be appropriated not to exceed $2,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2008 through
2012.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H4A956ED5EEF541FBA87600D042E2D409"><enum>202.</enum><header>Colorado Forest
Health Fund</header>
<subsection id="H35857DA141954ADD87C14BC3A8728236"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There
is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund, to be known as the
<quote>Colorado Forest Health Fund</quote>, consisting of—</text>
<paragraph id="H1F04E70D062B4C86B099EBCA848217C2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>such amounts as
are appropriated to the Fund under subsection (b) or any other law; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDA7075EF9AAF4867B411B9B2C8A5F1C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>any interest earned
on investment of amounts in the Fund under subsection (d).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H70D2E57E2C054E769BBE02D549547C00"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Transfers to
fund</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on October 1,
2008, and each October 1 thereafter, there is appropriated to the Fund an
amount equal to 50 percent of the proceeds during the previous fiscal year from
the Forest Service sales of timber in the State, or $2,000,000, whichever
amount is greater.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HC966C895989C4339B024A800BD72E1B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Expenditures from
fund</header><text>On request by the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of
the Treasury shall transfer from the Fund to the Secretary concerned such
amounts not exceeding $2,000,000 in any fiscal year as the Secretary of
Agriculture determines are necessary to carry out measures to improve forest
health and reduce hazardous fuels in the State.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H4F4E4EE54F274D3680B197E088FBCDE8"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Investment of
amounts</header>
<paragraph id="H0BAEAF9B8B664BF9AA7274B0B7101785"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest such portion
of the Fund as is not, in the judgment of the Secretary of the Treasury,
required to meet current withdrawals.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H8632BAE4D3D445B4BDDAA6E1006EAE81"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Interest-bearing
obligations</header><text>Investments may be made only in interest-bearing
obligations of the United States.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H72B5B17A6DFB4BB589C7AC3E52654B6E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Acquisition of
obligations</header><text>For the purpose of investments under subparagraph
(A), obligations may be acquired—</text>
<subparagraph id="HFF394D816D504F03A2629F50610097D2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>on original issue
at the issue price; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1C9A878D1A5B456081B9A92E45CB0059"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by purchase of
outstanding obligations at the market price.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H6378F911B4AE4181982EBCE82B12D63E"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Sale of
obligations</header><text>Any obligation acquired by the Fund may be sold by
the Secretary of the Treasury at the market price.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HB960348633BC414F9FEE67F14BD35938"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Credits to
fund</header><text>The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or
redemption of, any obligations held in the Fund shall be credited to and form a
part of the Fund.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H8DD8B6542DBC49F9BE07CFC40996FBAC"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Transfers of
amounts</header>
<paragraph id="H901B996439494C07BB56572821B256A2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The amounts required to be transferred to the Fund under
this section shall be transferred at least monthly from the general fund of the
Treasury to the Fund on the basis of estimates made by the Secretary of the
Treasury.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6E53CEAB279A4F27BE42D897B511158"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Adjustments</header><text>Proper
adjustment shall be made in amounts subsequently transferred, to the extent
prior estimates were in excess of or less than, the amounts required to be
transferred.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HEC704A0C57F64703B4927E494441DF13"><enum>203.</enum><header>Grants for
Colorado fuels for schools program</header>
<subsection id="HA97866FBC76A4FF28DDA4B5DE7BED8ED"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Grants</header><text>For
each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, the Secretary concerned shall provide
not more than $5,000,000 in grants to the State for the Colorado fuels for
schools program under section 210(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42
U.S.C. 15855)—</text>
<paragraph id="HBDF143E4E5124EEDBFB851F450D75BAD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to conduct studies
at eligible schools in rural communities to determine the feasibility of
installing and operating biomass boilers at the schools and other public
buildings; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H86975F62F1424F96A220BFF26E00501D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to assist eligible
schools and other public buildings in rural communities in the installation and
operation of biomass boilers.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HB0C0D9F781DD45129EDF56D340CE62DF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In
this section, the term <term>biomass</term> has the same meaning as such term
has in section 210 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the term <term>rural
communities</term> has the same meaning as the term <term>preferred
community</term> has in such section of such Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H03459E6C53C343C6003000D9820322D9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Rule of
construction</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit
the applicability of the Clean Air Act or any other Federal or State law or
regulation otherwise applicable to installation and operation of a biomass
boiler.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HD750DD71AE8A4C2295B34ED1D368EEDF"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>To implement this section, there are authorized to
be appropriated not to exceed $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through
2012.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HD215ED2F38A84AC285991FE3AFFB43FD"><enum>204.</enum><header>Stewardship
contracts in Colorado</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section
347(c) of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act, 1999 (16 U.S.C. 2104 note; 112 Stat. 2681–299), is amended by adding at
the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block id="H30F673FAF78B4805BCAACEBA4C5C2CC" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="H4B37F7A2AAFA4F4B852EC63CEFFB41E5"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Extended term
for projects in Colorado</header>
<subparagraph id="H4A1F2320B8DA4C4C8EB18F002DBC5E3E"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (2), any agreement or contract
under subsection (a) for a project to be carried out in the State of Colorado
may have a term of not more than 20 years.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2B39B988BD674FE0863F9EDCA537FB2F"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Applicability</header><text>The
Chief of the Forest Service or the Director of the Bureau of Land Management,
as applicable, with the consent of the other parties to the agreement or
contract, may modify any agreement or contract for a project to be carried out
in the State of Colorado entered into before the date of enactment of this
paragraph to provide for the maximum term described in subparagraph (A).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9E6F72B2CF24412BA900D98994B0019"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Cancellation
liability</header><text>Funding, for the purpose of potential cancellation
liability in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 17.106–1,
shall not be identified nor obligated, in accordance with that Part 17.106–1,
at the time of award of a contract under subsection (a) for a project to be
carried out in the State of Colorado, notwithstanding the requirements of Part
17.104 of such
Regulation.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section id="HAB71A8A1CECB4B6CB37E57A278FB6490"><enum>205.</enum><header>Permanent
authority for Federal and State cooperative restoration and protection in
Colorado</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 331 of the
<act-name>Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act</act-name>, 2001 (114 Stat. 996; 118 Stat. 3102), is amended by striking
subsection (e).</text>
</section><section id="H02157B5A0BFA4B1497E3EA0601E48330"><enum>206.</enum><header>Preparation of
fire-danger maps</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary
of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Colorado State Forest Service and
utilizing to the maximum extent possible existing software, data,
private-sector geospatial information technology, and information from other
sources, shall prepare and make available to the public maps of forested lands
in Colorado identifying the relative degrees of susceptibility of such lands to
severe wildfires and the risks to communities and municipal water supplies from
such wildfires.</text>
</section><section id="H4C7AD9E45CAB4E900026116115FF0057"><enum>207.</enum><header>Truck weights
on Colorado interstate highways</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 127(a)(6) of title 23, United States
Code, is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following:
<quote>, and the State of Colorado may allow, by special permit, the operation
of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight in excess of 80,000 pounds (up to such
State’s maximum gross weight limit) for the hauling of dead or diseased timber
and other forest materials removed from the forests in such State in order to
reduce fire hazards</quote>.</text>
</section><enum>III</enum><header>TAX
PROVISIONS</header>
<section id="H9BF1CDD53883458B8BABDC2E68B9E539"><enum>301.</enum><header>Extension of
tax credit for electricity produced from biomass</header>
<subsection id="H0EE44816264B45E989B8AC04ED741DA6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Clause (i) of section 45(d)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (relating to open-loop biomass facilities) is amended by striking
<quote>January 1, 2009</quote> both places it appears and inserting
<quote>January 1, 2030</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H46231894E0D74D65BD9C34D2B5558F25"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Biomass eligible
for full credit rate</header><text>Subparagraph (A) of section 45(b)(4)
(relating to credit rate) is amended by striking <quote>(3),</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H295F7306669941B5B9996C8B4BB15D28"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective
dates</header>
<paragraph id="H3AF64F1253B24E1F003011FA1300CAB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The amendment made
by subsection (a) shall take effect the date of the enactment of this
Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H63D6A03C1394439BA2DDE3C823649D72"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The amendment made
by subsection (b) shall apply to electricity produced and sold after the date
of the enactment of this Act in taxable years ending after such date.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H660A402E5461408EA3F37308B800FF6F"><enum>302.</enum><header>Partial
exclusion from gross income of payments received for certain hazardous fuel
reduction projects</header>
<subsection id="H17FA8E26E04140E9B6D96EA81DFF9F25"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 139A the following
new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7DC352431E114C738D11BECEF3FA1B59" style="OLC">
<section id="HD8D1E7C04F334837B4F1472FF4E6BF4"><enum>139B.</enum><header>Compensation
for certain hazardous fuel reduction projects</header>
<subsection id="H685302B5FB234499A7EA16AD9395B6DD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>General
Rule</header><text>Gross income shall not include any hazardous fuel reduction
payment in the State of Colorado.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HFFCDF8D43D9D4CB6B09CAED6076294F2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Dollar
Limitation</header><text>The aggregate of the payments which may be taken into
account under subsection (a) with respect to a taxpayer for a taxable year
shall not exceed $10,000 ($20,000 in the case of a joint return).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HC3CCCBC46B734D1E98EA8397197C7365"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Hazardous Fuel
Reduction Projects Payments</header><text>For purposes of this section, the
term <term>hazardous fuel reduction payment</term> means any amount received by
the taxpayer from the United States during the taxable year as compensation for
work performed in the State of Colorado as part of an authorized hazardous
fuels reduction project conducted pursuant to section 102 of the
<act-name>Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003</act-name> 16 U.S.C.
6512).</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="H0E1FD5945F0E4B9EB7FB826204201F7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective
Date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendment made by
this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31,
2007.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H5BD2834CCDFF4FF0A0EC0003DE88CC45"><enum>303.</enum><header>Deductibility
of certain expenditures in connection with implementation of community wildfire
protection plans</header>
<subsection id="H43F01BF94F2543D19B39196D08A3C5A4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>Part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="HDC46BA07484F4AE0B46208C72FE4B7DF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating
section 224 as section 225; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3989E0D171DC4A3EB4E4D869054989EA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after
section 223 the following new section:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9B7D2FC778884206B7316C4931A14064" style="OLC">
<section commented="no" id="H86456F6CE6B5432FA0C362A2C2E18E1C"><enum>224.</enum><header>Implementation
of community wildfire protection plans</header>
<subsection commented="no" id="H6ECA6FA1AADD4CC389A81032B3FFD347"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In the case of a individual, there shall be allowed as a
deduction an amount equal to the sum of the amounts expended during the taxable
year for carrying out an eligible hazardous fuel reduction project on lands
owned by such individual located in Colorado and identified for such a project
in a community wildfire protection plan.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H096E0DE0EE1F46DAB75C36CDCF1477A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Dollar
Limitation</header><text>The aggregate of the expenditures which may be taken
into account under subsection (a) with respect to a taxpayer for a taxable year
shall not exceed $10,000 ($20,000 in the case of a joint return).</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H57C6E9DB5F6548D5881F6E4033E87119"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Hazardous Fuel
Reduction Project</header><text>For purposes of this section, the terms
<term>hazardous fuel reduction project</term> and <term>Community Wildfire
Protection Plan</term> have the same meaning as such terms have in the
<act-name>Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003</act-name> (16 U.S.C.
6512).</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HF51356C1EDBF4B57B4FEF00C0264EFA"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The
Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be appropriate to carry out
this
section.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HDD46886063AA45859C90A901C061953C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Deduction
Allowed Whether or Not Taxpayer Itemizes Other
Deductions</header><text>Subsection (a) of section 62 of such Code is amended
by inserting the following new item:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5639624E5A694191A25465BFC3CB9FA5" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" id="HA26AD2D2B94E4CBE9372B01DD0027D03"><enum>(_)</enum><header>Implementation
of community wildfire protection plans</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The deduction allowed by section
224.</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="HC80B52EA9D484F5295F48CD6B3125CAA"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective
Date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The amendments made by
this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31,
2007.</text>
</subsection></section>