FIR Act

HR 598, the Forest Information Reform Act (FIR Act), modifies federal land management rules to eliminate a requirement for reinitiating consultations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). It applies directly to the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), preventing them from needing to restart ESA consultations when managing land plans if: (1) a new species is listed as endangered or critical habitat is designated, or (2) new information reveals impacts on listed species not previously considered. The bill removes a specific procedural step that would otherwise trigger federal agencies to reassess their land management plans in response to new ESA-related developments. This changes how agencies handle species conservation updates within their planning processes.