<enum>I</enum><header>Forest management activities</header> <section id="id1cd303b9c3744417b17ff79e60f981db"><enum>101.</enum><header>Purposes</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The purposes of this title are—</text> <paragraph id="id5d87560eac55449f9444cbc1bcf90de1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to establish a reliable and predicable timber supply from the National Forest System that can be harvested, processed, and sold as wood products to help fund ecosystem restoration; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id94b9e5b0114d4465aa7282b991e1920b"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to expedite and prioritize forest management activities to achieve ecosystem restoration objectives.</text> </paragraph></section><section id="id286f3f8dd80a430988b32429f0488172"><enum>102.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text> <paragraph id="id2d664646e6be46a6b87f40ef98de9e6d"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Restoration</header> <subparagraph id="idB95C8F2D3D984642B468B4514B834B62"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>restoration</term>, with respect to an ecosystem, means to carry out any activity that helps to recover, establish, or maintain the resilience or adaptive capacity of an ecosystem.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id195C343FD8C94CCC924BD19740CE8C59"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Inclusions</header><text>The term <term>restoration</term> includes any activity described in subparagraph (A) relating to—</text> <clause id="idC13B5737C3104E89B670CB01A905A05A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>timber harvesting;</text> </clause><clause id="id8EA4C8D7317F44B0887DBA76FD127EFA"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>thinning;</text> </clause><clause id="id98DAE49C6A86490FBEB2034BA787DC5E"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>prescribed fire; or</text> </clause><clause id="id7b77ec89f86f454e830b246950c52b26"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>other vegetation manipulation in the National Forest System.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id6cecf06bef984fcbb2f85536a81a72bf"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.</text> </paragraph></section><section id="id3467a056a4234cefab8286b79dfb9829"><enum>103.</enum><header>Ecosystem restoration projects</header> <subsection id="ide83329e7e928484fa2621f494987e353"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary shall identify, prioritize, and carry out ecosystem restoration projects on National Forest System land in accordance with applicable land and resource management plans prepared by the Secretary for units of the National Forest System under section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1604">16 U.S.C. 1604</external-xref>), if any, to accomplish 1 or more of the following objectives:</text> <paragraph id="idc51bf7bb2c244442adc0127687d0cba0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To restore terrestrial habitat.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id2d97ee82d97842328c888b1ab4dbf3c2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To sustain water quality, water flows, or watershed health and function.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id553a1b64718449f8a167d90cc293ba9d"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To create, improve, or increase early seral habitat.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idead69ceb542b454b9ffc1157c46f7499"><enum>(4)</enum><text>To carry out a needed timber stand improvement.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id0d49129509e34f59afe4f571ca64185c"><enum>(5)</enum><text>To reduce the risk or extent of insect or disease infestation.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id99f2720d3a304d09b6cf771903ea7a1e"><enum>(6)</enum><text>To reduce wildland fire severity potential.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id9fa1e44f9f464602926300a310b404a2"><enum>(7)</enum><text>To implement a community wildfire protection plan.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idb56fdb746e0a414984310705aba22ab6"><enum>(8)</enum><text>To establish, recover, or maintain ecosystem resiliency.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ida79b2f272f57493089b871eed7b7c924"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Exclusions</header><text>The Secretary may not carry out an ecosystem restoration project under this section on any area of National Forest System land—</text> <paragraph id="iddd0e74e285124899947e6a6f41ddafb4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>that is a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System; or</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id32af4d374bce44ca8939ec4beb7bc404"><enum>(2)</enum><text>on which removal of vegetation is prohibited by law.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ideef701d922bd40108f1544594a238713"><enum>104.</enum><header>National restoration treatment acreage</header> <subsection id="ide80e08124f674b54aebc0d487fa03c08"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>For fiscal year 2018 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall accomplish restoration treatments, at a minimum, on the following acreage throughout the National Forest System:</text> <paragraph id="id5c6f533c0ab2487cb63f9cc5adb1f207"><enum>(1)</enum><text>1,000,000 acres of restoration treatment using mechanical treatment methods, of which the treatment of—</text> <subparagraph id="id484429E1A83247BD8601317BD1834D46"><enum>(A)</enum><text>not less than 400,000 acres shall be conducted using commercial thinning; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD55F97B8BF5A4BA5A3B98CB6F7CFD41F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>not less than 60,000 acres shall be conducted using even-aged management techniques.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idbc1782662b6d47e9838e75d0cf384dfb"><enum>(2)</enum><text>1,000,000 acres of restoration treatment using prescribed fire.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id4ff1f2d155fe44ecb0bb9ebf602ae7e1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Assignment</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall assign the annual acreage for restoration treatments, by National Forest System region, described in subsection (a).</text> </subsection><subsection id="idb34bb162a5174aab8d3cf94e3a1e1384"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Publication</header><text>As soon as practicable after the date of each assignment of acreage for restoration treatments under subsection (b), the Secretary shall publish the acreage that will apply, by National Forest System region, on the Internet website of the Forest Service.</text> </subsection></section><section id="idf94f5534c978401c9dd975e410260b60"><enum>105.</enum><header>Environmental review for ecosystem restoration projects</header> <subsection id="idc8cf6430c445467a922d8e5eee092e3d"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Applicability of National Environmental Policy Act of 1969</header><text>The Secretary shall prepare an environmental assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4321">42 U.S.C. 4321</external-xref> et seq.) for each ecosystem restoration project that accomplishes 1 or more of the objectives identified in section 103(a).</text> </subsection><subsection id="ida3343acb37fc4a358a18655f99cf7099"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Public notice and comment</header><text>In preparing an environmental assessment for an ecosystem restoration project under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide public notice of, and an opportunity to comment regarding, the applicable project.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id01050da60cda415588f3990e63ed875b"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Consideration of alternatives</header><text>The Secretary shall study, develop, and describe in each environmental assessment under subsection (a)—</text> <paragraph id="idf3bbdd38c92143d6bd335e7faefde9e5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the ecosystem restoration project as the proposed action; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ida7c5339ec87f4e06935ecefe3cb517e9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a no-action alternative, the analysis of which shall include a description of the resulting environmental effects of taking no action on—</text> <subparagraph id="id55d477a5111942d6ac8ea4de46f75170"><enum>(A)</enum><text>forest health;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6d8960d5904a46d29cb617a40b59cc4e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>habitat diversity;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ide39318ee9a3d43bdaf07005577553b96"><enum>(C)</enum><text>wildfire potential;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id231b3f4c312a4a88ab883d6e1647afd7"><enum>(D)</enum><text>insect and disease potential;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0507909f75814313b4ea9058d836c9f6"><enum>(E)</enum><text>municipal water supplies; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id67b7b61b783042998fd94f44ee55a136"><enum>(F)</enum><text>other economic and social factors.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id07d6e22ba0fb463dad90ad8d5887dcac"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Limitations</header><text>The Secretary shall limit each environmental assessment under this section to a length of not more than 100 pages.</text> </subsection><subsection id="iddcd7e6f63b304ef78f631afd893c17e8"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Deadline for completion</header> <paragraph id="id57546D0E05E84F79AE19796FE95AF991"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary publishes a notice regarding an ecosystem restoration project in accordance with subsection (b), the Secretary shall complete the environmental assessment for the ecosystem restoration project.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idF2F9EB86CD7A4162B4AC24A16C4B1373"><enum>(2)</enum><header>No supplemental analysis required</header><text>No supplemental analysis of an ecosystem restoration project that is the subject of an environmental assessment under paragraph (1) shall be required after the date on which that environmental assessment is complete.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id41928559e3814b0b8400c6dffb466b2e"><enum>106.</enum><header>Alternative dispute resolution</header> <subsection id="id3e98ce9b132f416d915b3caa8d148266"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Arbitration</header> <paragraph id="id5CFF2A3C277E4FE1AAF8D8EE9922B9A7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall establish within the Forest Service an arbitration program as an alternative dispute resolution process in lieu of judicial review for the projects described in subsection (b).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idC8A6B256181E4022BBADD3B9ADE1AC99"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Notification to objectors</header><text>On issuance of an appeal response to an objection filed with respect to an ecosystem restoration project subject to an objection at the project level under part 218 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), the Secretary shall notify each applicable individual or entity that submitted the objection (referred to in this section as the <term>objector</term>) that any further appeal may be subject to arbitration in accordance with this section.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idabd0b293c02c46399689aa42fd5704d8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Description of projects</header><text>The Secretary, at the sole discretion of the Secretary, may designate the following types of ecosystem restoration projects for arbitration:</text> <paragraph id="id14d7721c58b9467081526909e6137a55"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Projects developed through a collaborative process (within the meaning of section 603(b)(1)(C) of the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6591b">16 U.S.C. 6591b(b)(1)(C)</external-xref>)).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id75a462f549d641f5bb367d37eab9eaf2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Projects identified in a community wildfire protection plan.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idB4DEE905FB7B424D87135B97D7319D2B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>For each applicable calendar year, not more than 2 other types of ecosystem restoration projects for each region of the Forest Service.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id2db1975423db4d5a8b6cea28fae3d9c2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Arbitrators</header> <paragraph id="id414EE8E3F9DA43ADA64E67C6FE4B0B9A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appointment</header><text>The Secretary shall develop and publish a list of not fewer than 20 individuals eligible to serve as arbitrators for the program under this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idd5e708f542db41a9916511b1d985c613"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Qualifications</header><text>In order to be eligible to serve as an arbitrator under this subsection, an individual shall be currently certified by the American Arbitration Association.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idc5fbb9f7ce624c3dbb5c728e16b85b2e"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Initiation of arbitration</header> <paragraph id="id77CF727250A04E95883A37E8C351ECFE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 7 days after the date of receipt of a notice of intent to file suit challenging an ecosystem restoration project, the Secretary shall notify each applicable objector and the court of jurisdiction that the project has been designated for arbitration in accordance with this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id5EE931346D5546659E3F6800A16A7540"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Demand for arbitration</header> <subparagraph id="id09D659F3791841FF9D2207E2FF07800B"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An objector that sought judicial review of an ecosystem restoration project that has been designated by the Secretary for arbitration under this section may file a demand for arbitration in accordance with—</text> <clause id="id7bca14f7422f456da24019933a8e4785"><enum>(i)</enum><text>sections 571 through 584 of title 5, United States Code; and</text> </clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb32743b43dd8490883eb4db2dd2dbb7b"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>this paragraph.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id938ae9b36dd24529983377ded0cfc9dd"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>A demand for arbitration under subparagraph (A) shall—</text> <clause id="id69E69F97A3464F209A3C340E80D22F27"><enum>(i)</enum><text>be filed not later than the date that is 30 days after the date of the notification by the Secretary under paragraph (1); and</text> </clause><clause id="id2ec63aa55a044f64b5dcc1fbb38fa6e3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>include an alternative proposal to the applicable ecosystem restoration project that describes each modification sought by the objector with respect to the ecosystem restoration project.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idee5e7c7c842345628bc3217d5daf11d2"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Selection of arbitrator</header><text>For each arbitration commenced under this section, the Secretary and each applicable objector shall agree on a mutually acceptable arbitrator from the list published under subsection (c)(1).</text> </subsection><subsection id="id353D4957AB0441EEB167A8343C8029F2"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Responsibilities of arbitrator</header> <paragraph id="idD8CF3406F65C4130AADDCF43C928B8C5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An arbitrator selected under subsection (e)—</text> <subparagraph id="id60F084BDF1B140D4B7A6624144CDDF01"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall address each demand filed for arbitration with respect to an ecosystem restoration project under this section; but</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE7BCC50162BA4533B5004BCC05695681"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may consolidate into a single arbitration all demands for arbitration by all objectors with respect to an ecosystem restoration project.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id592b2c0fa9d84d49847de7049ec27a4e"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Selection of proposals</header><text>An arbitrator shall make a decision regarding each applicable demand for arbitration under this section by selecting—</text> <subparagraph id="id048a3e942d7042868520d7e25ad92ed3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the ecosystem restoration project, as approved by the Secretary; or</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idc0de94bbeb8a487981922c30c09be1ab"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an alternative proposal submitted by the applicable objector.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ide96f01d175e245bd89931e5307261650"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Limitations</header> <subparagraph id="id1C541297E6EF4ECA819908946A8C9E06"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Administrative record</header><text>A decision of an arbitrator under this subsection shall be based solely on the administrative record for the ecosystem restoration project.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE4D15E6F1BD449F49F57672B2EA1D333"><enum>(B)</enum><header>No modifications to proposals</header><text>An arbitrator may not modify any proposal contained in a demand for arbitration of an objector under this section.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idd5aa272e10c84446815451784dc1b5cd"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Deadline for completion of arbitration</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date on which a demand for arbitration is filed under subsection (d)(2), the arbitration process shall be completed.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id9a00679198a8477d8440fdc29208a478"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Effect of arbitration decision</header><text>A decision of an arbitrator under this section—</text> <paragraph id="iddfb033ac4b044e368b545c68bfcf3b65"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall not be considered to be a major Federal action;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id4c6bc3d9bed5441cbc2a7a8bbbef351e"><enum>(2)</enum><text>shall be binding; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idfd37aa747d8a45a4b663089231b6c410"><enum>(3)</enum><text>shall not be subject to judicial review, except as provided in section 10(a) of title 9, United States Code.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id82f8d04a287a442991e3f0663cc6050c"><enum>107.</enum><header>Bonding requirements for judicial review</header> <subsection id="id50b52e76abec45fd89f57f8d5e537c7f"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Bond requirement</header> <paragraph id="idbf67c9061d664f59b472da2c80d63fa3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The judicial review of an action challenging an ecosystem restoration project under this title (referred to in this section as an <term>action</term>) shall be subject to the bonding requirements of this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id12c28bb2c8d34b46a4044b490708f6bc"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Bond or security</header> <subparagraph id="id074862D29968425982A51AF25F14DF3F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>As soon as practicable after the date on which a complaint or appeal is filed to initiate an action, each plaintiff shall post a bond or other security acceptable to the court in an amount equal to the anticipated costs, expenses, and attorney fees of the Secretary as a defendant in the action, in accordance with a reasonable estimate of the Secretary.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3A6923CF97BD40188DA565E84D0AD426"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>All proceedings in an action shall be stayed until the bond or security required under subparagraph (A) is posted.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id16908a24e10341c9ac633b8805fc8767"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Recovery of litigation costs, expenses, and attorney fees</header> <paragraph id="id32892256823a40c2be5d8ebef05e7bf4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Motion for payment</header><text>If the Secretary prevails in an action, the Secretary shall submit to the court a motion for payment from the bond or other security posted under subsection (a), of the reasonable costs, expenses, and attorney fees incurred by the Secretary as a defendant in the action.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idd1c16e9256064c3e8ea26f2c1c3e1734"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Maximum recovery</header><text>The total amount of costs, expenses, and attorney fees recovered by the Secretary under paragraph (1) may not exceed the amount of the bond or other security posted in the action.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idfcd2ce8637a44506961fb24230a87f69"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Return remainder</header><text>Any funds remaining from the bond or other security posed under subsection (a) after the payment of costs, expenses, and attorney fees under paragraph (1) shall be returned to the plaintiff that posted the bond or security in the action.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ideca79c0b6e794e5fa64f7c0e284e9944"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Return of bond to prevailing plaintiff</header><text>If the applicable court rules, in a final enforcement judgment, in favor of a plaintiff on all causes of each action of the plaintiff, the court shall return to the plaintiff any bond or security posted by the plaintiff under subsection (a), plus any interest accruing during the period beginning on the date on which the bond or security was posted.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id00925f0d61ae455eb794ed2e2196c16d"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effect of settlement</header> <paragraph id="id3A9911D507F041909F36E9F474F24182"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If an action in which a bond or security was posted is resolved by settlement between the Secretary and the plaintiff, the settlement agreement may provide for sharing of the costs, expenses, and attorney fees incurred by the parties to the action.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idB6620F4A94494BCB8940F648D83B6153"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Deferral</header><text>A settlement agreement under paragraph (1) may defer the resolution of costs, expenses, and attorney fees to—</text> <subparagraph id="idE03785B31C1A451BB7893A2D606F35A1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>further negotiation; or</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD3FA9D9995D14E85845C28FB71C765E2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>decision by the court.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id1e3c63646ddd4fd587925b15422ccfca"><enum>108.</enum><header>Performance measures; annual reports</header> <subsection id="ide9801dc2f5d94d459b4a435ebc650696"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Performance measures</header><text>The Secretary shall annually evaluate the degree to which the Secretary is achieving—</text> <paragraph id="id33417714c47a41709539b670ab1d3562"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the purposes of this title, including—</text> <subparagraph id="id1b77fdac6dc14803b095e84692b5ea29"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the number of acres covered by ecosystem restoration projects;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2b5c32395d024a04a51d690f024540b5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the number of acres treated by mechanical methods under ecosystem restoration projects;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idc2747b2a63db43e696d22bfe7ae76fdd"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the number of acres treated using stewardship contracts and stewardship agreements under ecosystem restoration projects;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id110F5C752F8A469BAA05F39CEDD7F948"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the number of acres treated using timber sales under ecosystem restoration projects;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf04a1fad9f5d4f029e2f905da62e6025"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the number of acres treated by prescribed fire, mowing, and other noncommercial product producing activities under ecosystem restoration projects; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id509c1d325751459f93711290cb184dea"><enum>(F)</enum><text>to the extent practicable, a summary of acres receiving more than 1 type of treatment; and</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id6cb7d870866e4f56a23e3b951924ae3e"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the acreage requirements established under section 104(a).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id6f35327c4975421baa2919be3230fb06"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Annual reports</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives—</text> <paragraph id="idce2b15f465c149cbb8000625cdbf49d0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a report that describes, with respect to the preceding year, the results of evaluations using the performance measures described in subsection (a); and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id193b2a9cd37746cebd77ebac22127942"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a report that describes, with respect to the preceding year—</text> <subparagraph id="id300f134d2813470fbf1772c59f99e6be"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the number and substance of ecosystem restoration projects that are subject to arbitration under section 106; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1d756918efe342318359e110b79f1414"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the outcomes of the arbitrations under that section.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section>

115 S879 IS: National Forest Ecosystem Improvement Act of 2017 U.S. Senate 2017-04-06 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

Short title; table of contents

(a)

Short title

This Act may be cited as the

National Forest Ecosystem Improvement Act of 2017

. (b)

Table of contents

The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Definitions.

TITLE I—Forest management activities

Sec. 101. Purposes.

Sec. 102. Definitions.

Sec. 103. Ecosystem restoration projects.

Sec. 104. National restoration treatment acreage.

Sec. 105. Environmental review for ecosystem restoration projects.

Sec. 106. Alternative dispute resolution.

Sec. 107. Bonding requirements for judicial review.

Sec. 108. Performance measures; annual reports.

TITLE II—Categorical exclusions

Sec. 201. Definitions.

Sec. 202. Categorical exclusion to expedite certain critical response actions.

Sec. 203. Categorical exclusion to expedite salvage operations in response to catastrophic events.

Sec. 204. Categorical exclusion to meet forest plan goals for early successional forests.

Sec. 205. Alternative agency consultation procedures.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Community wildfire protection plan

The term community wildfire protection plan has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6511). (2)

National Forest System

(A)

In general

The term National Forest System has the meaning given the term in section 11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)). (B)

Exclusion

The term National Forest System does not include— (i)any forest reserve not created from the public domain; or (ii)any national grassland or land utilization project administered under title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1010 et seq.).

<enum>I</enum><header>Forest management activities</header> <section id="id1cd303b9c3744417b17ff79e60f981db"><enum>101.</enum><header>Purposes</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The purposes of this title are—</text> <paragraph id="id5d87560eac55449f9444cbc1bcf90de1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to establish a reliable and predicable timber supply from the National Forest System that can be harvested, processed, and sold as wood products to help fund ecosystem restoration; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id94b9e5b0114d4465aa7282b991e1920b"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to expedite and prioritize forest management activities to achieve ecosystem restoration objectives.</text> </paragraph></section><section id="id286f3f8dd80a430988b32429f0488172"><enum>102.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text> <paragraph id="id2d664646e6be46a6b87f40ef98de9e6d"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Restoration</header> <subparagraph id="idB95C8F2D3D984642B468B4514B834B62"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>restoration</term>, with respect to an ecosystem, means to carry out any activity that helps to recover, establish, or maintain the resilience or adaptive capacity of an ecosystem.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id195C343FD8C94CCC924BD19740CE8C59"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Inclusions</header><text>The term <term>restoration</term> includes any activity described in subparagraph (A) relating to—</text> <clause id="idC13B5737C3104E89B670CB01A905A05A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>timber harvesting;</text> </clause><clause id="id8EA4C8D7317F44B0887DBA76FD127EFA"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>thinning;</text> </clause><clause id="id98DAE49C6A86490FBEB2034BA787DC5E"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>prescribed fire; or</text> </clause><clause id="id7b77ec89f86f454e830b246950c52b26"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>other vegetation manipulation in the National Forest System.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id6cecf06bef984fcbb2f85536a81a72bf"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.</text> </paragraph></section><section id="id3467a056a4234cefab8286b79dfb9829"><enum>103.</enum><header>Ecosystem restoration projects</header> <subsection id="ide83329e7e928484fa2621f494987e353"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary shall identify, prioritize, and carry out ecosystem restoration projects on National Forest System land in accordance with applicable land and resource management plans prepared by the Secretary for units of the National Forest System under section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1604">16 U.S.C. 1604</external-xref>), if any, to accomplish 1 or more of the following objectives:</text> <paragraph id="idc51bf7bb2c244442adc0127687d0cba0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To restore terrestrial habitat.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id2d97ee82d97842328c888b1ab4dbf3c2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To sustain water quality, water flows, or watershed health and function.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id553a1b64718449f8a167d90cc293ba9d"><enum>(3)</enum><text>To create, improve, or increase early seral habitat.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idead69ceb542b454b9ffc1157c46f7499"><enum>(4)</enum><text>To carry out a needed timber stand improvement.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id0d49129509e34f59afe4f571ca64185c"><enum>(5)</enum><text>To reduce the risk or extent of insect or disease infestation.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id99f2720d3a304d09b6cf771903ea7a1e"><enum>(6)</enum><text>To reduce wildland fire severity potential.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id9fa1e44f9f464602926300a310b404a2"><enum>(7)</enum><text>To implement a community wildfire protection plan.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idb56fdb746e0a414984310705aba22ab6"><enum>(8)</enum><text>To establish, recover, or maintain ecosystem resiliency.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ida79b2f272f57493089b871eed7b7c924"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Exclusions</header><text>The Secretary may not carry out an ecosystem restoration project under this section on any area of National Forest System land—</text> <paragraph id="iddd0e74e285124899947e6a6f41ddafb4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>that is a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System; or</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id32af4d374bce44ca8939ec4beb7bc404"><enum>(2)</enum><text>on which removal of vegetation is prohibited by law.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ideef701d922bd40108f1544594a238713"><enum>104.</enum><header>National restoration treatment acreage</header> <subsection id="ide80e08124f674b54aebc0d487fa03c08"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>For fiscal year 2018 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall accomplish restoration treatments, at a minimum, on the following acreage throughout the National Forest System:</text> <paragraph id="id5c6f533c0ab2487cb63f9cc5adb1f207"><enum>(1)</enum><text>1,000,000 acres of restoration treatment using mechanical treatment methods, of which the treatment of—</text> <subparagraph id="id484429E1A83247BD8601317BD1834D46"><enum>(A)</enum><text>not less than 400,000 acres shall be conducted using commercial thinning; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD55F97B8BF5A4BA5A3B98CB6F7CFD41F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>not less than 60,000 acres shall be conducted using even-aged management techniques.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idbc1782662b6d47e9838e75d0cf384dfb"><enum>(2)</enum><text>1,000,000 acres of restoration treatment using prescribed fire.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id4ff1f2d155fe44ecb0bb9ebf602ae7e1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Assignment</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall assign the annual acreage for restoration treatments, by National Forest System region, described in subsection (a).</text> </subsection><subsection id="idb34bb162a5174aab8d3cf94e3a1e1384"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Publication</header><text>As soon as practicable after the date of each assignment of acreage for restoration treatments under subsection (b), the Secretary shall publish the acreage that will apply, by National Forest System region, on the Internet website of the Forest Service.</text> </subsection></section><section id="idf94f5534c978401c9dd975e410260b60"><enum>105.</enum><header>Environmental review for ecosystem restoration projects</header> <subsection id="idc8cf6430c445467a922d8e5eee092e3d"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Applicability of National Environmental Policy Act of 1969</header><text>The Secretary shall prepare an environmental assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4321">42 U.S.C. 4321</external-xref> et seq.) for each ecosystem restoration project that accomplishes 1 or more of the objectives identified in section 103(a).</text> </subsection><subsection id="ida3343acb37fc4a358a18655f99cf7099"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Public notice and comment</header><text>In preparing an environmental assessment for an ecosystem restoration project under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide public notice of, and an opportunity to comment regarding, the applicable project.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id01050da60cda415588f3990e63ed875b"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Consideration of alternatives</header><text>The Secretary shall study, develop, and describe in each environmental assessment under subsection (a)—</text> <paragraph id="idf3bbdd38c92143d6bd335e7faefde9e5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the ecosystem restoration project as the proposed action; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="ida7c5339ec87f4e06935ecefe3cb517e9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a no-action alternative, the analysis of which shall include a description of the resulting environmental effects of taking no action on—</text> <subparagraph id="id55d477a5111942d6ac8ea4de46f75170"><enum>(A)</enum><text>forest health;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6d8960d5904a46d29cb617a40b59cc4e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>habitat diversity;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="ide39318ee9a3d43bdaf07005577553b96"><enum>(C)</enum><text>wildfire potential;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id231b3f4c312a4a88ab883d6e1647afd7"><enum>(D)</enum><text>insect and disease potential;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0507909f75814313b4ea9058d836c9f6"><enum>(E)</enum><text>municipal water supplies; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id67b7b61b783042998fd94f44ee55a136"><enum>(F)</enum><text>other economic and social factors.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id07d6e22ba0fb463dad90ad8d5887dcac"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Limitations</header><text>The Secretary shall limit each environmental assessment under this section to a length of not more than 100 pages.</text> </subsection><subsection id="iddcd7e6f63b304ef78f631afd893c17e8"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Deadline for completion</header> <paragraph id="id57546D0E05E84F79AE19796FE95AF991"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary publishes a notice regarding an ecosystem restoration project in accordance with subsection (b), the Secretary shall complete the environmental assessment for the ecosystem restoration project.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idF2F9EB86CD7A4162B4AC24A16C4B1373"><enum>(2)</enum><header>No supplemental analysis required</header><text>No supplemental analysis of an ecosystem restoration project that is the subject of an environmental assessment under paragraph (1) shall be required after the date on which that environmental assessment is complete.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id41928559e3814b0b8400c6dffb466b2e"><enum>106.</enum><header>Alternative dispute resolution</header> <subsection id="id3e98ce9b132f416d915b3caa8d148266"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Arbitration</header> <paragraph id="id5CFF2A3C277E4FE1AAF8D8EE9922B9A7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall establish within the Forest Service an arbitration program as an alternative dispute resolution process in lieu of judicial review for the projects described in subsection (b).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idC8A6B256181E4022BBADD3B9ADE1AC99"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Notification to objectors</header><text>On issuance of an appeal response to an objection filed with respect to an ecosystem restoration project subject to an objection at the project level under part 218 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), the Secretary shall notify each applicable individual or entity that submitted the objection (referred to in this section as the <term>objector</term>) that any further appeal may be subject to arbitration in accordance with this section.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idabd0b293c02c46399689aa42fd5704d8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Description of projects</header><text>The Secretary, at the sole discretion of the Secretary, may designate the following types of ecosystem restoration projects for arbitration:</text> <paragraph id="id14d7721c58b9467081526909e6137a55"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Projects developed through a collaborative process (within the meaning of section 603(b)(1)(C) of the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6591b">16 U.S.C. 6591b(b)(1)(C)</external-xref>)).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id75a462f549d641f5bb367d37eab9eaf2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Projects identified in a community wildfire protection plan.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idB4DEE905FB7B424D87135B97D7319D2B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>For each applicable calendar year, not more than 2 other types of ecosystem restoration projects for each region of the Forest Service.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id2db1975423db4d5a8b6cea28fae3d9c2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Arbitrators</header> <paragraph id="id414EE8E3F9DA43ADA64E67C6FE4B0B9A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appointment</header><text>The Secretary shall develop and publish a list of not fewer than 20 individuals eligible to serve as arbitrators for the program under this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idd5e708f542db41a9916511b1d985c613"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Qualifications</header><text>In order to be eligible to serve as an arbitrator under this subsection, an individual shall be currently certified by the American Arbitration Association.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idc5fbb9f7ce624c3dbb5c728e16b85b2e"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Initiation of arbitration</header> <paragraph id="id77CF727250A04E95883A37E8C351ECFE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 7 days after the date of receipt of a notice of intent to file suit challenging an ecosystem restoration project, the Secretary shall notify each applicable objector and the court of jurisdiction that the project has been designated for arbitration in accordance with this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id5EE931346D5546659E3F6800A16A7540"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Demand for arbitration</header> <subparagraph id="id09D659F3791841FF9D2207E2FF07800B"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An objector that sought judicial review of an ecosystem restoration project that has been designated by the Secretary for arbitration under this section may file a demand for arbitration in accordance with—</text> <clause id="id7bca14f7422f456da24019933a8e4785"><enum>(i)</enum><text>sections 571 through 584 of title 5, United States Code; and</text> </clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idb32743b43dd8490883eb4db2dd2dbb7b"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>this paragraph.</text> </clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id938ae9b36dd24529983377ded0cfc9dd"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>A demand for arbitration under subparagraph (A) shall—</text> <clause id="id69E69F97A3464F209A3C340E80D22F27"><enum>(i)</enum><text>be filed not later than the date that is 30 days after the date of the notification by the Secretary under paragraph (1); and</text> </clause><clause id="id2ec63aa55a044f64b5dcc1fbb38fa6e3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>include an alternative proposal to the applicable ecosystem restoration project that describes each modification sought by the objector with respect to the ecosystem restoration project.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idee5e7c7c842345628bc3217d5daf11d2"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Selection of arbitrator</header><text>For each arbitration commenced under this section, the Secretary and each applicable objector shall agree on a mutually acceptable arbitrator from the list published under subsection (c)(1).</text> </subsection><subsection id="id353D4957AB0441EEB167A8343C8029F2"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Responsibilities of arbitrator</header> <paragraph id="idD8CF3406F65C4130AADDCF43C928B8C5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An arbitrator selected under subsection (e)—</text> <subparagraph id="id60F084BDF1B140D4B7A6624144CDDF01"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall address each demand filed for arbitration with respect to an ecosystem restoration project under this section; but</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE7BCC50162BA4533B5004BCC05695681"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may consolidate into a single arbitration all demands for arbitration by all objectors with respect to an ecosystem restoration project.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id592b2c0fa9d84d49847de7049ec27a4e"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Selection of proposals</header><text>An arbitrator shall make a decision regarding each applicable demand for arbitration under this section by selecting—</text> <subparagraph id="id048a3e942d7042868520d7e25ad92ed3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the ecosystem restoration project, as approved by the Secretary; or</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idc0de94bbeb8a487981922c30c09be1ab"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an alternative proposal submitted by the applicable objector.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ide96f01d175e245bd89931e5307261650"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Limitations</header> <subparagraph id="id1C541297E6EF4ECA819908946A8C9E06"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Administrative record</header><text>A decision of an arbitrator under this subsection shall be based solely on the administrative record for the ecosystem restoration project.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE4D15E6F1BD449F49F57672B2EA1D333"><enum>(B)</enum><header>No modifications to proposals</header><text>An arbitrator may not modify any proposal contained in a demand for arbitration of an objector under this section.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idd5aa272e10c84446815451784dc1b5cd"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Deadline for completion of arbitration</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date on which a demand for arbitration is filed under subsection (d)(2), the arbitration process shall be completed.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id9a00679198a8477d8440fdc29208a478"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Effect of arbitration decision</header><text>A decision of an arbitrator under this section—</text> <paragraph id="iddfb033ac4b044e368b545c68bfcf3b65"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall not be considered to be a major Federal action;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id4c6bc3d9bed5441cbc2a7a8bbbef351e"><enum>(2)</enum><text>shall be binding; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idfd37aa747d8a45a4b663089231b6c410"><enum>(3)</enum><text>shall not be subject to judicial review, except as provided in section 10(a) of title 9, United States Code.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id82f8d04a287a442991e3f0663cc6050c"><enum>107.</enum><header>Bonding requirements for judicial review</header> <subsection id="id50b52e76abec45fd89f57f8d5e537c7f"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Bond requirement</header> <paragraph id="idbf67c9061d664f59b472da2c80d63fa3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The judicial review of an action challenging an ecosystem restoration project under this title (referred to in this section as an <term>action</term>) shall be subject to the bonding requirements of this section.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id12c28bb2c8d34b46a4044b490708f6bc"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Bond or security</header> <subparagraph id="id074862D29968425982A51AF25F14DF3F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>As soon as practicable after the date on which a complaint or appeal is filed to initiate an action, each plaintiff shall post a bond or other security acceptable to the court in an amount equal to the anticipated costs, expenses, and attorney fees of the Secretary as a defendant in the action, in accordance with a reasonable estimate of the Secretary.</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3A6923CF97BD40188DA565E84D0AD426"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>All proceedings in an action shall be stayed until the bond or security required under subparagraph (A) is posted.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id16908a24e10341c9ac633b8805fc8767"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Recovery of litigation costs, expenses, and attorney fees</header> <paragraph id="id32892256823a40c2be5d8ebef05e7bf4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Motion for payment</header><text>If the Secretary prevails in an action, the Secretary shall submit to the court a motion for payment from the bond or other security posted under subsection (a), of the reasonable costs, expenses, and attorney fees incurred by the Secretary as a defendant in the action.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idd1c16e9256064c3e8ea26f2c1c3e1734"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Maximum recovery</header><text>The total amount of costs, expenses, and attorney fees recovered by the Secretary under paragraph (1) may not exceed the amount of the bond or other security posted in the action.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idfcd2ce8637a44506961fb24230a87f69"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Return remainder</header><text>Any funds remaining from the bond or other security posed under subsection (a) after the payment of costs, expenses, and attorney fees under paragraph (1) shall be returned to the plaintiff that posted the bond or security in the action.</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ideca79c0b6e794e5fa64f7c0e284e9944"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Return of bond to prevailing plaintiff</header><text>If the applicable court rules, in a final enforcement judgment, in favor of a plaintiff on all causes of each action of the plaintiff, the court shall return to the plaintiff any bond or security posted by the plaintiff under subsection (a), plus any interest accruing during the period beginning on the date on which the bond or security was posted.</text> </subsection><subsection id="id00925f0d61ae455eb794ed2e2196c16d"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effect of settlement</header> <paragraph id="id3A9911D507F041909F36E9F474F24182"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If an action in which a bond or security was posted is resolved by settlement between the Secretary and the plaintiff, the settlement agreement may provide for sharing of the costs, expenses, and attorney fees incurred by the parties to the action.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idB6620F4A94494BCB8940F648D83B6153"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Deferral</header><text>A settlement agreement under paragraph (1) may defer the resolution of costs, expenses, and attorney fees to—</text> <subparagraph id="idE03785B31C1A451BB7893A2D606F35A1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>further negotiation; or</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD3FA9D9995D14E85845C28FB71C765E2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>decision by the court.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id1e3c63646ddd4fd587925b15422ccfca"><enum>108.</enum><header>Performance measures; annual reports</header> <subsection id="ide9801dc2f5d94d459b4a435ebc650696"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Performance measures</header><text>The Secretary shall annually evaluate the degree to which the Secretary is achieving—</text> <paragraph id="id33417714c47a41709539b670ab1d3562"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the purposes of this title, including—</text> <subparagraph id="id1b77fdac6dc14803b095e84692b5ea29"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the number of acres covered by ecosystem restoration projects;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2b5c32395d024a04a51d690f024540b5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the number of acres treated by mechanical methods under ecosystem restoration projects;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idc2747b2a63db43e696d22bfe7ae76fdd"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the number of acres treated using stewardship contracts and stewardship agreements under ecosystem restoration projects;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id110F5C752F8A469BAA05F39CEDD7F948"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the number of acres treated using timber sales under ecosystem restoration projects;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idf04a1fad9f5d4f029e2f905da62e6025"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the number of acres treated by prescribed fire, mowing, and other noncommercial product producing activities under ecosystem restoration projects; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id509c1d325751459f93711290cb184dea"><enum>(F)</enum><text>to the extent practicable, a summary of acres receiving more than 1 type of treatment; and</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id6cb7d870866e4f56a23e3b951924ae3e"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the acreage requirements established under section 104(a).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id6f35327c4975421baa2919be3230fb06"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Annual reports</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives—</text> <paragraph id="idce2b15f465c149cbb8000625cdbf49d0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a report that describes, with respect to the preceding year, the results of evaluations using the performance measures described in subsection (a); and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id193b2a9cd37746cebd77ebac22127942"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a report that describes, with respect to the preceding year—</text> <subparagraph id="id300f134d2813470fbf1772c59f99e6be"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the number and substance of ecosystem restoration projects that are subject to arbitration under section 106; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1d756918efe342318359e110b79f1414"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the outcomes of the arbitrations under that section.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Categorical exclusions </header> <section id="H4EC75791C7434B1083A336D5708E48F3"><enum>201.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text> <paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8CF7B420B8B34F6D8A32145A083484A3"><enum>(1)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Catastrophic event</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>catastrophic event</term> means any natural disaster (such as hurricane, tornado, windstorm, snow or ice storm, rain storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, drought, or insect or disease outbreak), or any fire, flood, or explosion, regardless of cause.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3F01A444973C404D9312FAF7EE400590"><enum>(2)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Categorical exclusion</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>categorical exclusion</term> means an exception to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/4321">42 U.S.C. 4321</external-xref> et seq.) for a project or activity relating to the management of National Forest System land.</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDD169A7E046A45749AF2F24F13604693"><enum>(3)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Collaborative process</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>collaborative process</term> means a process relating to the management of National Forest System land by which a project or activity is developed and implemented by the Secretary through collaboration with interested persons, as described in section 603(b)(1)(C) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/6591b">16 U.S.C. 6591b(b)(1)(C)</external-xref>).</text> </paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H62B2EB5DD103439FAD906A0130872847"><enum>(4)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Forest management activity</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>forest management activity</term> means a project or activity carried out by the Secretary on National Forest System land, consistent with the forest plan covering that land.</text> </paragraph><paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEDE627C68C56448E9E33DD8093B25136"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Forest plan</header><text>The term <term>forest plan</term> means a land and resource management plan prepared by the Forest Service for a unit of the National Forest System pursuant to section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1604">16 U.S.C. 1604</external-xref>).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H17106C95EBD24EEB8BC6F9889A5BEFFB"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Salvage operation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>salvage operation</term> means a forest management activity carried out in response to a catastrophic event, the primary purpose of which is—</text> <subparagraph id="HCB42B3433F334CE99D16B70DB4DEC17A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to prevent wildfire as a result of the catastrophic event, or, if the catastrophic event was wildfire, to prevent a reburn of the fire-impacted area;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3A5D1C385AC04C4D86EFDB40B453D3DD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to provide an opportunity for use of forest materials damaged as a result of the catastrophic event; or</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="H44289703DDF44CA0A1D5C35DA9975B1F"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to provide a funding source for reforestation and other restoration activities for the National Forest System land impacted by the catastrophic event.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HEB8A9F28880944D78B0A55A274DC91BD"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Chief of the Forest Service).</text> </paragraph></section><section id="id12962590E436476AB981FABF40A5EC19"><enum>202.</enum><header>Categorical exclusion to expedite certain critical response actions</header> <subsection id="H9BBC64A48DE841D69466AFCC6492DC70"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Availability of categorical exclusion</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A categorical exclusion is available to the Secretary to develop and carry out a forest management activity on National Forest System land in any case in which the primary purpose of the forest management activity is—</text> <paragraph id="HC3FF6564961E428D9BF3247089D3817B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to address an insect or disease infestation;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="idb0fb2a062f034f9eae7d73db67f185ee"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to treat land at risk of insect or disease infestation;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H1E306D3CC41D42F7B2146C05B2CFA6C6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to reduce hazardous fuel loads;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H8F68925767644EABA4BDA8239C124F8F"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to protect a municipal water source;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H3DCE43BAD29F424AA10C41108278A639"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to maintain, enhance, or modify critical habitat to protect the habitat from catastrophic disturbances;</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H2A37430A644A440097AC56121EEB633F"><enum>(6)</enum><text>to increase water yield; or</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H136474A1AAA3499A9CBBD2A8913BCCA5"><enum>(7)</enum><text>any combination of the purposes specified in paragraphs (1) through (6).</text> </paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9100E0D00DAA48E6A60BF99D6E7434E4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Acreage limitations</header> <paragraph id="HDAC687E5DE7041BB81ECA27A8ECB2FAF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except in the case of a forest management activity described in paragraph (2), a forest management activity covered by the categorical exclusion granted by subsection (a) may not contain harvest units exceeding a total of 5,000 acres.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H872FA878338849A1A5493F45647E4D7C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Larger areas authorized</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A forest management activity covered by the categorical exclusion granted by subsection (a) may not contain harvest units exceeding a total of 15,000 acres if the forest management activity is—</text> <subparagraph id="H797D0A088D5342ACA3D278AE8053928C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>developed through a collaborative process;</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC6293793CC9840C1B546C28553B5DFD9"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">proposed by a resource advisory committee (as defined in section 201 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/7121">16 U.S.C. 7121</external-xref>)); or</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE577D360C9364B90926D47FD4E86CA3F"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">covered by a community wildfire protection plan.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HB8E10CA667EF4807A4245CA0707651B5"><enum>203.</enum><header>Categorical exclusion to expedite salvage operations in response to catastrophic events</header> <subsection id="HFC517D59E563402C85BE6FB40B955EE3"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Availability of categorical exclusion</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A categorical exclusion is available to the Secretary to develop and carry out a salvage operation as part of the restoration of National Forest System land following a catastrophic event.</text> </subsection><subsection id="HBFFD1472E8EB48BAB516F1721DCECD1E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Acreage limitations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A salvage operation covered by the categorical exclusion granted by subsection (a) may not contain harvest units exceeding a total of 5,000 acres.</text> </subsection><subsection id="H80EBC1143E7744508546F1E3F921AA28"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Additional requirements</header> <paragraph id="HEF9C2D5411604CE3BC7449068CE08F6F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Road construction</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A salvage operation covered by the categorical exclusion granted by subsection (a) may not include any permanent road construction.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H5E72FDE0EA3041E3A9741E7E84BC30F8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Stream buffers</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A salvage operation covered by the categorical exclusion granted by subsection (a) shall comply with the standards and guidelines for stream buffers contained in the applicable forest plan, unless the standards and guidelines are modified for a specific salvage operation as part of a categorical exclusion by the Regional Forester.</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="H2AAC0E6452B042B59989D4C5284E684F"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Reforestation plan</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A reforestation plan shall be developed under section 3 of the Act of June 9, 1930 (commonly known as the <quote>Knutson-Vandenberg Act</quote>) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/576b">16 U.S.C. 576b</external-xref>), as part of a salvage operation covered by the categorical exclusion granted by subsection (a).</text> </paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H873E62EE83884F11BE3D4C12B675C6C2"><enum>204.</enum><header>Categorical exclusion to meet forest plan goals for early successional forests</header> <subsection id="H0AF2593F0AE6492A82B3DDF72B6C7818"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Availability of categorical exclusion</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A categorical exclusion is available to the Secretary to develop and carry out a forest management activity on National Forest System land in any case in which the primary purpose of the forest management activity is to modify, improve, enhance, or create early successional forests for wildlife habitat improvement and other purposes, in accordance with the applicable forest plan.</text> </subsection><subsection id="HDFF7BADB8D8148BF9B1E00042AA34748"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Acreage limitations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A forest management activity covered by the categorical exclusion granted by subsection (a) may not contain harvest units exceeding a total of 5,000 acres.</text> </subsection></section><section id="idE8647DB5A0374D11A24D5F222495414C"><enum>205.</enum><header>Alternative agency consultation procedures</header> <subsection id="id6748168CB5CA477F9B192BA55118616A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Forest management activities</header> <paragraph id="idC168BC0C40564859A39AD70D34565FE3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to paragraph (2), for each forest management activity covered by a categorical exclusion granted by this title, the Secretary shall satisfy the applicable interagency consultation obligations under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1536">16 U.S.C. 1536</external-xref>) by achieving compliance with the alternative consultation procedures established in subpart D of part 402 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id043705643F1E4B2EB32D2E680FA85E7B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>References</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of this subsection, all references contained in subpart D of part 402 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)—</text> <subparagraph id="id97C86F9708C2447486D0835B7F35C211"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to the term <term>U.S. Environmental Protection Agency</term> or <term>EPA</term> shall be considered to be a reference to the Secretary; and</text> </subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF6A3500549974E8AA69295A857DDFBCC"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to the term <term>FIFRA action</term> shall be considered to be a reference to a forest management activity covered by a categorical exclusion granted by this title.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idAF6725C9DC83447D91983105E3DEBCF6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Interim timelines</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Until the date on which an alternative consultation agreement under subpart D of part 402 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), is entered into with respect to a forest management activity under subsection (a)—</text> <paragraph id="id16373A0065444702ADCEABCA3579C7B7"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any formal or informal interagency consultation regarding the forest management activity shall be completed by not later than the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits a written request for consultation; and</text> </paragraph><paragraph id="id22A8B9CD538E4AB1BE22FAF38520995A"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a biological opinion or letter of concurrence, as appropriate, shall be issued by not later than the date that is 10 days after the date of completion of that consultation.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>