[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 191 (Thursday, December 13, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S15462-S15463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BARRASSO:
  S. 2468. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture (acting 
through the Chief of the Forest Service) to enter into a cooperative 
agreement with the State of Wyoming to allow the State of Wyoming to 
conduct certain forest and watershed restoration services, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. BARRASSO. I am proud to introduce the Wyoming Forest and 
Watershed Restoration Act of 2007. This legislation authorizes 
cooperative action between the U.S. Forest Service and the State of 
Wyoming to complete forest health projects on private, State and 
Federal lands.
  Almost half of Wyoming's lands are controlled by Federal agencies. We 
have over 9 million acres of National Forest lands in Wyoming, 
including seven National Forests. Our State has a long history of 
forestry, grazing and multiple use of public lands. Recreation and 
tourism on our public lands is a pillar of our economy. The people of 
Wyoming are stewards of our public lands and our State depends on the 
public lands for our future.
  It is my goal to enact common-sense policies that address the needs 
of Wyoming and sustainable management of our Federal lands. Our 
forests, like those of all States across the West, are facing 
management challenges. We have an opportunity to set policies that will 
encourage forest health.
  We face an urgent problem with bark beetle infestation. Forests 
between Interstate 70 in Colorado and Interstate 80 in Wyoming are 
being killed by these beetles. We have thousands upon thousands of 
acres that are dying. On the Medicine-Bow Forest, for instance, over 
75,000 acres of trees are infected by bark beetles. Forest Service 
analysis shows the epidemic could grow to 350,000 acres and cover 
approximately \1/3\ of the forest in the next few years.
  We can stem the spread of this infestation and save our forests, with 
quick action on thousands of acres. That kind of response will take 
coordinated management among all partners private, State, and Federal. 
Preventing forest fires, addressing watershed health and conserving 
wildlife habitat require the same ``big picture'' thinking. We have to 
address threats like bark beetles by taking on forest health projects 
on a landscape level.
  Resource issues don't stop at fencelines, and neither should our 
policy.
  The Wyoming Forest and Watershed Restoration Act of 2007 would set in 
place a comprehensive management policy. This act would allow the State 
of Wyoming to go forward with forest health projects as agreed to by 
the Forest Service. The agencies can cooperatively pursue projects that 
address our landscape needs. Private, State, and Federal lands can get 
the on-the-ground management they desperately need.
  I am pleased to introduce this legislation today. It is of great 
importance to the people of Wyoming. I hope my colleagues will proceed 
quickly with its passage to enhance our State's response to the growing 
forest health problems. The people of Wyoming demand on-the-ground 
results. This legislation can deliver those results. I hope we can pass 
it expediently.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 2468

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Wyoming Forest and Watershed 
     Restoration Act of 2007''.

     SEC. 2. FOREST AND WATERSHED RESTORATION.

       (a) Definitions.--In this Act:
       (1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture (acting through the Chief of the Forest 
     Service), with respect to National Forest System land.
       (2) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Wyoming.
       (b) Cooperative Agreement.--
       (1) Authority of secretary.--Until September 30, 2017, in 
     accordance with paragraphs (2), (3), and (6), the Secretary 
     may enter into a cooperative agreement or contract (including 
     a sole source contract) with the State to allow the State 
     forester of the State to conduct forest and watershed 
     restoration services on land that is--
       (A) under the jurisdiction of the Secretary; and
       (B) located in the State.
       (2) Project basis.--Each restoration service that is the 
     subject of a cooperative agreement or contract described in 
     paragraph (1) shall be--
       (A) carried out on a project-to-project basis; or
       (B) made ready to be carried out under any existing 
     authority of the Secretary.
       (3) Authorized services.--In carrying out services in 
     accordance with a cooperative agreement or contract entered 
     into between the Secretary and the State under paragraph (1), 
     the State shall conduct certain appropriate services, 
     including--
       (A) the treatment of insect-infected trees;

[[Page S15463]]

       (B) the reduction of hazardous fuels; and
       (C) any other activity designed to restore or improve a 
     forest or watershed (including any fish or wildlife habitat), 
     as determined by the Secretary.
       (4) State as agent.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (6), a 
     cooperative agreement or contract entered into by the 
     Secretary and the State under paragraph (1) may allow the 
     State forester of the State to serve as an agent of the 
     Forest Service in carrying out any service described in 
     paragraph (3).
       (B) Authority to subcontract.--In accordance with the laws 
     of the State, in carrying out any authorized service 
     described in paragraph (3), the State forester of the State 
     may enter into a subcontract with any other entity to carry 
     out the services of the State forester of the State.
       (5) Applicability of national forest management act of 
     1976.--Subsections (d) and (g) of section 14 of the National 
     Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a) shall not 
     apply to any service performed by the State forester of the 
     State in accordance with a cooperative agreement or contract 
     entered into by the Secretary and the State under paragraph 
     (1).
       (6) Retention of certain responsibilities.--With respect to 
     any authorized service described in paragraph (3), the 
     Secretary, through a cooperative agreement or contract 
     entered into by the Secretary and the State under paragraph 
     (1), shall not allow the State to make any decision required 
     to be made under the National Environmental Policy Act of 
     1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
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