What does Preamble of Fix Our Forests Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To improve forest management activities on National Forest System land, public land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, and Tribal land to return resilience to overgrown, fire-prone forested land, and for other purposes,' aims to improve forest management. The bill targets National Forest System land, public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and Tribal land. A stated purpose of the bill is to restore resilience to overgrown, fire-prone forested land.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Fix Our Forests Act do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. "End water user" is defined by reference to section 303(a) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003. “Fireshed” is defined as a landscape area representing similar levels of community exposure to wildfire. “Fireshed management project” includes activities like hazardous fuels management, fuel break creation, and tree removal. “Forest plan” encompasses land use plans from the Bureau of Land Management and land management plans from the Forest Service. “Hazardous fuels management activity” includes mechanical thinning, prescribed burning, and timber harvest. “Relevant committees of Congress” are specified for both the Senate and the House of Representatives. “Secretary concerned” refers to either the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, depending on the land type.

What does DESIGNATION OF FIRESHED MANAGEMENT AREAS. of Fix Our Forests Act do?

This section establishes a process for designating fireshed management areas across the United States. Initially, firesheds will comprise those listed in a 2021 Rocky Mountain Research Station report and additional areas designated by the Secretary, covering a 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment. Within 30 days of enactment, each Secretary concerned will designate and publicly release maps of fireshed management areas, including 'high-risk firesheds' and the top 20% (or 25% with Picea glauca var. densata) in the continental US. The Secretary shall designate additional fireshed management areas in Alaska, Hawaii, and the territories based on wildfire exposure criteria. Updated maps of firesheds will be submitted to Congress every 5 years, and fireshed management area designations will be updated accordingly. Fireshed management areas can include both federal and non-federal lands, including Indian forest land. The Secretary may expand fireshed management areas to include multiple designated firesheds. The Secretary concerned may carry out fireshed management projects within designated areas. The designation of a fireshed management area is not subject to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

What does WILDLAND FIRE INTELLIGENCE CENTER. of Fix Our Forests Act do?

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What does FIRESHED REGISTRY. of Fix Our Forests Act do?

This section establishes the ``Fireshed Registry'', a publicly accessible website containing interactive geospatial data related to individual firesheds. The registry will include information on wildland fire exposure, hazardous fuels management activities, wildfire risk to communities and watersheds, and areas burned in the preceding 10 years. Data from the Fireshed Registry will be made available to local communities developing or updating community wildfire protection plans. The Executive Director will publish fireshed assessments and maintain a searchable database tracking the status of Federal environmental reviews, permits, and authorizations for fireshed management projects. The database will track project costs, timelines, agency compliance, and public engagement related to fireshed management projects. The registry will also track the estimated effectiveness of completed fireshed management projects in reducing wildfire exposure and increasing wildlife habitat resilience. The Executive Director is directed to incorporate existing assessments and data from partnerships to the extent practicable. The establishment and maintenance of the Fireshed Registry is explicitly excluded from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

What does SHARED STEWARDSHIP. of Fix Our Forests Act do?

This section establishes a framework for shared stewardship agreements related to fireshed management. The Secretary concerned is directed to seek, modify, or enter into agreements with State Governors and Indian Tribes within designated fireshed management areas. These agreements aim to reduce wildfire exposure across jurisdictional boundaries and conduct fireshed assessments. Boundaries of fireshed management areas can be adjusted and agreements updated to address new wildfire threats, upon request of the Governor. The Secretaries may also enter into cooperative agreements with various entities to carry out activities related to wildfire reduction and fireshed assessments.

What does FIRESHED ASSESSMENTS. of Fix Our Forests Act do?

This section establishes requirements for conducting fireshed assessments in designated areas. Assessments must identify wildfire exposure risks, at-risk communities, and types of fireshed management projects that could benefit the area. The assessments must include strategies for reducing wildfire threats, improving firefighting effectiveness, and protecting wildlife habitats. A timeline for project implementation, long-term benchmark goals, and strategies for compliance with forest plans are also required. Assessments should incorporate existing planning documents like forest action plans and community wildfire protection plans. The Secretary concerned must coordinate with State, tribal, and local governments and provide opportunities for public participation. Fireshed assessments must be regularly updated and made publicly available. The Secretary may enter into agreements to improve the use of advanced technologies in the assessment process. The assessment process should incorporate traditional ecological knowledge and data from various plans and registries. Fireshed assessments are explicitly excluded from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.

What does EMERGENCY FIRESHED MANAGEMENT. of Fix Our Forests Act do?

This section establishes procedures for fireshed management projects on federal land. The Secretary concerned must carry out these projects in accordance with applicable forest plans and laws. Certain regulations from titles 36, 43, and 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations are given the force of law for these projects, as in effect on April 9, 2025. Projects must be undertaken only after a responsible official determines an emergency exists and provides public notice. Projects must align with land management goals outlined in section 604(c) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003. Within two years of enactment, the Secretary must utilize expedited authorities for environmental review, such as those found in the Healthy Forests Restoration Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Secretary is encouraged to combine these authorities with other tools like good neighbor agreements and stewardship contracting. The definitions of 'local government' and 'special district' are amended within the Healthy Forests Restoration Act. Project acreage limits are adjusted in several sections of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act, increasing them from 3,000 acres to 10,000 acres in some cases. Amendments are made to sections 40806(d)(1) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also increasing acreage limits.

What does STUDY ON THE IMPACTS OF FIRESHED MANAGEMENT PROJECTS ON of Fix Our Forests Act do?

This section requires a study by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) on the impacts of fireshed management projects. The study must be initiated within 90 days of the Act's enactment and completed within 5 years. The NAS will evaluate fireshed management projects, assessing methodologies, fuel hazard reduction, watershed conditions, economic impacts, and job creation. The study will also examine changes to wildfire risk and impacts on resources of Indian Tribes. A description of the cost of implementing section 105 and developing fireshed management projects, along with an estimate of avoided damages, is required. The study must evaluate the effects of fireshed management projects on critical habitat areas and endangered species. The NAS is tasked with identifying best practices to minimize environmental harm while reducing wildfire risk. The NAS will consult with federal, state, and tribal agencies and solicit public comment during the study. The NAS will submit a report of the study's findings to Congress and the relevant Secretaries.

What does SUNSET. of Fix Our Forests Act do?

This section establishes a sunset provision for the authority outlined in Subtitle B. The authority will terminate seven years after the date of enactment of this Act.