What does Preamble of The White Oak Resilience Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to carry out activities to provide for white oak restoration, and for other purposes,' aims to direct the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to undertake activities related to white oak restoration. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 27, 2025.

What does SHORT TITLE. of The White Oak Resilience Act do?

This bill is formally titled The White Oak Resilience Act.

What does DEFINITIONS. of The White Oak Resilience Act do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. “Governor” is defined as the Governor or an appropriate executive official of an affected State, Indian Tribe, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. “Indian Tribe” is defined by reference to section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). “State” is defined to include each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and each territory of the United States.

What does WHITE OAK RESTORATION INITIATIVE COALITION. of The White Oak Resilience Act do?

The White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition is established as a voluntary collaborative group. The Coalition's duties include coordinating white oak restoration efforts across various entities. The Coalition will make program and policy recommendations related to white oak health, resiliency, and regeneration. These recommendations address federal and state policies, research gaps, landowner outreach, and nursery practices. The Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture will provide administrative, technical, and staff support to the Coalition. The Secretary of Agriculture may provide funds to the Coalition from a specific account, subject to appropriations.

What does FOREST SERVICE PILOT PROGRAM. of The White Oak Resilience Act do?

The Secretary of Agriculture, through the Chief of the Forest Service, is directed to establish and carry out five pilot projects in national forests. These pilot projects will focus on restoring white oak populations using restoration and natural regeneration practices. At least three of the pilot projects must be conducted on national forests reserved or withdrawn from the public domain. The Secretary of Agriculture has the authority to enter into cooperative agreements to implement these pilot projects. The authority granted by this section will expire seven years after the Act's enactment.

What does DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WHITE OAK REVIEW AND RESTORATION. of The White Oak Resilience Act do?

This section directs the Secretary of the Interior to assess Department of the Interior land, including fish and wildlife refuges and abandoned mine land, to determine the presence of white oak and the potential for restoration. The Secretary may use information from external sources, such as the White Oak Initiative and the Forest Service, during the assessment. A report detailing the assessment's results must be submitted to Congress and made publicly available within 90 days of the section's enactment. Following the report submission, the Secretary will establish and carry out five pilot projects to restore and naturally regenerate white oak forests in various locations. The Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements to facilitate the pilot projects. The authority granted by this section will expire seven years after the Act's enactment.

What does WHITE OAK REGENERATION AND UPLAND OAK HABITAT. of The White Oak Resilience Act do?

This section establishes the "White Oak and Upland Oak Habitat Regeneration Program" (the "Program") within the Department of Agriculture. The Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with identifying, prioritizing, and implementing restoration and conservation activities to improve white oak growth, drawing upon scientific data and collaborating with the White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition. The Program aims to target cost-effective projects with measurable results and maximize restoration outcomes without increasing Federal employees. The Secretary must consult with federal agencies (like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NRCS) and state governors during program establishment. The Program's purposes include coordinating restoration efforts, improving white oak and upland oak forests, increasing white oak growth, facilitating strategic planning for climate resilience, engaging the public, and increasing scientific capacity. A voluntary grant and technical assistance program will be established to achieve the Program's purposes, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through a cooperative agreement. The Foundation will receive advance payments to manage the grant program, subject to appropriations. The Program’s authority will terminate seven years after the Act’s enactment.

What does TREE NURSERY SHORTAGES. of The White Oak Resilience Act do?

This section addresses tree nursery shortages nationwide. The Secretary of Agriculture must develop a national strategy to increase tree nursery capacity. The strategy must be based on the best available science and data. It must identify and address regional seedling shortages and reforestation opportunities.

What does WHITE OAK RESEARCH. of The White Oak Resilience Act do?

This section authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into memoranda of understanding with Indian Tribes or institutions, including covered land grant colleges, to conduct collaborative research on white oak. The research focuses on various aspects of white oak, including genetic resistance to stress, tree vigor, seed bank establishment, seedling supply, climate alignment, reforestation, forest management, and economic/social factors. Entities entering into memoranda of understanding may consult with relevant states, organizations, and scientific bodies. The authority granted by this section will terminate seven years after the Act's enactment. A 'covered land grant college' is defined as an 1862, 1890, or 1994 Institution as defined in the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998.

What does USDA FORMAL INITIATIVE. of The White Oak Resilience Act do?

The Secretary of Agriculture will establish a formal initiative on white oak. This initiative will focus on re-establishing white oak forests where appropriate. The initiative aims to improve the management of existing white oak forests to encourage natural regeneration. Technical assistance will be provided to private landowners for white oak forest management. The initiative includes efforts to improve and expand white oak nursery stock and seedlings. The authority granted by this section will expire 7 years after the Act's enactment.

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The White Oak Resilience Act

Last updated: 1/8/2026 · Introduced: 3/27/2025

Author: Andy Barr (R-KY)

TL;DR (AI)

The White Oak Resilience Act establishes a White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition to coordinate restoration efforts and provide recommendations for improving white oak health and resilience.
The Act directs the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior to each conduct five pilot projects focused on restoring white oak populations on federal lands, utilizing restoration and natural regeneration practices.
It creates a 'White Oak and Upland Oak Habitat Regeneration Program' within the Department of Agriculture to prioritize and implement restoration activities, supported by a grant program administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
The Act mandates the development of a national strategy to increase tree nursery capacity and address regional seedling shortages to support reforestation efforts.
The legislation authorizes collaborative research on white oak, including genetic resistance and climate alignment, involving Indian Tribes and institutions of higher education.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 471(Passed House)Official page

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