US HB818 | 2013-2014 | 113th Congress

Status

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 19-0)
Status: Introduced on February 25 2013 - 25% progression, died in chamber
Action: 2013-04-11 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

Summary

Healthy Forest Management and Wildfire Prevention Act - Declares that the bark beetle epidemic, drought, and deteriorating forest health conditions on National Forest System land and public lands, with the resulting imminent risk of devastating wildfires, is an imminent threat within the meaning of roadless area management regulations applicable to a state. Allows a state governor or the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), with respect the National Forest System, or of the Interior, with respect to public lands, to designate high-risk areas of the national forests and public lands in the state for purposes of addressing: (1) deteriorating forest health conditions due to the bark beetle epidemic or drought, with the resulting imminent risk of devastating wildfires; and (2) the future risk of insect infestations or disease outbreaks through preventative treatments to improve forest health conditions. Excludes wilderness areas and national monuments from designation as high-risk areas. Establishes a 20-year period for such high-risk area designation. Allows a governor or the Secretary, upon designation of a high-risk area, to provide for the development of proposed emergency hazardous fuels reduction projects for the area. Applies the administrative and judicial review processes of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, with modifications, to such projects. Authorizes the Secretary concerned to enter into cooperative agreements and contracts with state foresters to provide forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration and protection services that include: (1) activities to treat insect infected trees; (2) activities to reduce hazardous fuels; and (3) any other activities to restore or improve forest, rangeland, and watershed health, including fish and wildlife habitat. Permits state foresters to enter into subcontracts to provide such restoration and protection services. Amends the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 to extend the authority to enter, and the duration of, contracts to perform services to achieve land management goals for national forests that meet local and rural community needs.

Tracking Information

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Title

Healthy Forest Management and Wildfire Prevention Act

Sponsors


History

DateChamberAction
2013-04-11HouseSubcommittee Hearings Held.
2013-03-13HouseReferred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry.
2013-03-04HouseReferred to the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation.
2013-02-25HouseReferred to House Natural Resources
2013-02-25HouseReferred to House Agriculture
2013-02-25HouseReferred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Same As/Similar To

HB2401 (Related) 2013-08-13 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry.

Subjects


US Congress State Sources


Bill Comments

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