Reforestation following wildfires and other unplanned events

(a)

Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974

(1)

National forest cover policy

(A)

In general

Section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1601) is amended—(i)by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f);(ii)by redesignating the second subsection (d) (relating to the policy of Congress regarding forested land in the National Forest System) as subsection (e); and(iii)in subsection (e) (as so redesignated)—(I)in paragraph (2)—(aa)in the first sentence—(AA)by striking 9 of this Act, the Secretary shall annually for eight years following the enactment of this subsection and inserting 9, the Secretary shall, annually during each of the 10 years beginning after the date of enactment of the REPLANT Act; and(BB)by striking eight-year and inserting 10-year; (bb)in the second sentence, by striking such eight-year period and inserting the 10-year period; and(cc)in the third sentence, by striking 1978 and inserting 2021;(II)in paragraph (3), in the first sentence, by striking subsection (d) and inserting subsection; and(III)by adding at the end the following:

(4)

Reforestation requirements

(A)

Definitions

In this paragraph:(i)

Natural regeneration

(I)

In general

The term natural regeneration means the establishment of a tree or tree age class from natural seeding, sprouting, or suckering in accordance with the management objectives of an applicable land management plan.(II)

Inclusion

The term natural regeneration may include any site preparation activity to enhance the success of regeneration to the desired species composition and structure.(ii)

Priority land

The term priority land means National Forest System land that, due to an unplanned event—(I)does not meet the conditions for appropriate forest cover described in paragraph (1);(II)requires reforestation to meet the objectives of an applicable land management plan; and(III)is unlikely to experience natural regeneration without assistance.(iii)

Reforestation

The term reforestation means the act of renewing tree cover, taking into consideration species composition and resilience, by establishing young trees through—(I)natural regeneration;(II)natural regeneration with site preparation; or(III)planting or direct seeding.(iv)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.(v)

Unplanned event

(I)

In general

The term unplanned event means any unplanned disturbance that—(aa)disrupts ecosystem or forest structure or composition; or(bb)changes resources, substrate availability, or the physical environment.(II)

Inclusions

The term unplanned event may include—(aa)a wildfire;(bb)an infestation of insects or disease;(cc)a weather event; and(dd)animal damage.(B)

Requirement

Each reforestation activity under this section shall be carried out in accordance with applicable Forest Service management practices and definitions, including definitions relating to silvicultural practices and forest management.(C)

Reforestation priority

(i)

In general

In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to projects on the priority list described in clause (ii).(ii)

Priority list

(I)

In general

The Secretary shall, based on recommendations from regional foresters, create a priority list of reforestation projects that—(aa)primarily take place on priority land;(bb)promote effective reforestation following unplanned events; and(cc)may include activities to ensure adequate and appropriate seed availability.(II)

Ranking

The Secretary shall rank projects on the priority list under subclause (I) based on—(aa)documentation of an effective reforestation project plan;(bb)the ability to measure the progress and success of the project; and(cc)the ability of a project to provide benefits relating to forest function and health, soil health and productivity, wildlife habitat, improved air and water quality, carbon sequestration potential, resilience, job creation, and enhanced recreational opportunities.

(B)

Conforming amendment

Section 9 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2105) is amended, in the undesignated matter following paragraph (5) of subsection (g)—(i)by striking section 3(d) and inserting subsection (e) of section 3; and(ii)by striking 1601(d) and inserting 1601.(2)

National Forest System program elements

Section 9 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1607) is amended, in the second sentence, by striking 2000 and inserting 2030.(b)

Reforestation Trust Fund

Section 303 of Public Law 96–451 (16 U.S.C. 1606a) is amended—(1)in subsection (b)—(A)by striking paragraph (2);(B)in paragraph (3)—(i)in the second sentence, by striking Proper adjustment and inserting the following:

(3)

Adjustment of estimates

Proper adjustment

; and

(ii)by striking (3) The amounts and inserting the following:

(2)

Frequency

The amounts

; and

(C)by striking the subsection designation and all that follows through the Secretary in paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(b)

Transfers to Trust Fund

(1)

In general

The Secretary

; and

(2)in subsection (d)(1)—(A)by striking section 3(d) and inserting subsection (e) of section 3; and(B)by striking 1601(d) and inserting 1601.

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and make publicly available on the website of the Forest Service, a report that describes, with respect to the preceding year—(1)an evaluation of the degree to which the Secretary has achieved compliance with the requirements contained in the amendments made by this Act, including, as a result of those amendments, the number of acres covered by reforestation projects that follow unplanned events (such as wildfires);(2)the total number of acres of land reforested under each authority of the Secretary under which reforestation projects have been carried out; (3)the number of acres of National Forest System land affected by, and the substance of reforestation needs on that land resulting from, unplanned events; and(4)the number of acres in need of reforestation under subsection (e)(1) of section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1601).