118 S297 IS: To amend the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to authorize certain construction activities on public lands, and for other purposes. U.S. Senate 2023-02-07 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.

II118th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 297IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 7, 2023Mr. Sanders introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesA BILLTo amend the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to authorize certain construction activities on public lands, and for other purposes.

1.

Nurseries

Title VI of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1781 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

604.

Nurseries

(a)

In general

Using funds made available under section 40804(b)(8) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (16 U.S.C. 6592a(b)(8))—(1)the Secretary shall carry out a pilot program to establish and operate nurseries on public lands and other Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; and(2)the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall carry out a pilot program to establish and operate nurseries on National Forest System land.(b)

Locations

(1)

Department of the Interior

The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program established under subsection (a)(1) in—(A)4 of the eleven contiguous Western States; and(B)1 State that is not 1 of the eleven contiguous Western States.(2)

Forest Service

The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall carry out the pilot program established under subsection (a)(2) in—(A)4 of the eleven contiguous Western States; and(B)1 State, including the State of Vermont, that is not 1 of the eleven contiguous Western States.(c)

Activities

(1)

Definition of Secretary concerned

In this subsection, the term Secretary concerned means—(A)the Secretary, with respect to public lands and other Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; and(B)the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, with respect to National Forest System land.(2)

Authorizations

In carrying out a pilot program established under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned may—(A)establish a tree nursery on Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned, and develop the infrastructure necessary to support that nursery, to address Federal and regional conservation tree planting needs, consistent with the Bureau of Land Management National Seed Strategy;(B)purchase necessary equipment and machinery and construct the necessary facilities on Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned to store material, equipment, and machinery authorized under this section;(C)enter into cooperative agreements with non-Federal entities to use trees produced in nurseries established under the pilot program;(D)conduct necessary research on grazing and forest management on Federal land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned, ensuring the long-term sustainability of such grazing and forest management, to maximize the ability—(i)to sequester carbon;(ii)to prevent soil erosion; and(iii)to improve air and water quality; and(E)hire and train personnel to carry out the activities described in this section.

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