Environment (Forestry)

in committee · United States · House Jan 21, 2025

HR 588: Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act

Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act This bill protects and preserves approximately 225,504 acres of federal land and waters in a specified area in the Rainy River Watershed of Superior National Forest in Minnesota from certain mining, such as sulfide-ore copper mining. (The area is upstream from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.) Specifically, the bill withdraws those acres from  entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws. However, the Forest Service is authorized to permit the removal of sand, granite, iron ore, and taconite from national forest system lands within such area if the removal is not detrimental to the water quality, air quality, and health of forest habitat within the Rainy River Watershed. Land or interest in land within such area that is acquired by the United States must be immediately withdrawn in accordance with this bill.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill protects 225k acres from sulfide-ore mining pollution, preserving wilderness and preventing environmental damage per its title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Jan 8, 2026

HR 1110: Grazing for Wildfire Risk Reduction Act

HR 1110, the Grazing for Wildfire Risk Reduction Act, directs the USDA Forest Service to develop strategies using livestock grazing to reduce wildfire risks on federal lands. It specifically requires expanding grazing opportunities during droughts or disasters on vacant permits, promoting targeted grazing, issuing temporary permits for fuels reduction, and using grazing for postfire recovery. The bill affects livestock permit holders and federal land managers by modifying how existing grazing authorities are applied for wildfire risk mitigation. It focuses on concrete policy changes to utilize current grazing programs as a proactive fire prevention tool, without altering permanent grazing rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill uses livestock grazing to reduce wildfire risks on federal lands, protecting ecosystems and natural resources from fire damage per its explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Apr 8, 2025

HR 2740: To modify the boundaries of the Talladega National Forest, and for other purposes.

HR 2740 modifies the boundaries of Talladega National Forest to include specific land shown on a map dated September 6, 2024. The bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire this land through voluntary means - such as purchase, donation, or exchange - using existing land acquisition authorities like the Weeks Law, and requires funds to be used without undue delay. The newly acquired land must be managed as part of the National Forest System under applicable laws and regulations. This change directly affects the forest's geographic scope and landowners within the designated boundary who may sell or donate property.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands protected forest area under National Forest System, conserving natural resources per conservation authorities like Weeks Law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · House May 13, 2025

HR 3361: Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

HR 3361 reauthorizes the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program through 2034, doubling its annual funding cap from $4 million to $8 million. It directly affects collaborative groups working on forest restoration across federal, state, tribal, and private lands. Key changes include expanding eligible projects to address wildfire risk reduction across multiple land ownerships, enhance watershed health, and improve monitoring standards. The bill also requires federal staffing plans for supporting these collaboratives and adds new mechanisms like conservation finance agreements for implementation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentReauthorizes and doubles funding for forest restoration, wildfire risk reduction, and watershed health - directly advancing environmental protection through increased resources and expanded project scope.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Dec 2, 2025

HR 5597: BECCS Advancement Commission Act of 2025

The BECCS Advancement Commission Act of 2025 establishes a new federal commission within the Department of Agriculture to develop policy recommendations for bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) systems. The commission, composed of agency officials, industry representatives (including timber and BECCS sectors), and state/federal land management stakeholders, must report to Congress within one year on key metrics like forest health, wildfire mitigation, job growth, energy costs, and economic development in forestry. It will assess how BECCS deployment affects local communities, energy reliability, and domestic supply chains, while identifying federal policy changes to support the industry. This bill directly affects federal agencies, the forestry sector, commercial timber industry, and rural counties receiving federal funds under the Secure Rural Schools Act.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes commission to develop BECCS policy recommendations, promoting carbon capture bioenergy as renewable energy infrastructure and aligning with clean energy advancement goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates commission for BECCS policy development - a carbon removal technology targeting climate change mitigation. Metrics include forest health and wildfire mitigation, directly advancing environmental goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Forestry Public Lands

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passed · United States · House Dec 16, 2025

HR 1045: Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025

This bill amends the Southwest Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act of 2004 to add Utah as an eligible state for the Wildfire Research Institute program. It updates two specific sections of the law - adding Utah to the list of states that can establish such institutes and modifying a reference to include Utah alongside Colorado. The bill directly affects Utah by enabling it to participate in the existing federal research program. No new funding, regulations, or policy changes are introduced; it solely expands eligibility under current law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables Utah to join federal wildfire research program, supporting forest health and conservation through prevention-focused research.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 2770: TAME Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act

This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop and improve artificial intelligence (AI) weather models and wildfire prediction systems. It requires NOAA to create comprehensive training datasets for AI forecasting, integrate AI with existing weather models to enhance forecasts, and build wildfire prediction tools using observational and synthetic data to warn communities and responders. The bill mandates technical assistance for forecasters and emergency managers, establishes partnerships with private and academic entities, and ensures public access to non-sensitive data and tools developed under the program. It directly affects NOAA, federal weather agencies, and their partners in improving forecasting accuracy for extreme weather and wildfires, without imposing new regulations on the public.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enhances AI wildfire prediction systems to protect communities and responders from environmental disasters, advancing climate resilience and natural resource conservation efforts.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates NOAA to develop AI weather models, wildfire prediction systems, and training datasets, directly advancing AI technology for public safety applications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · United States · House May 29, 2025

HR 3637: Locally Led Restoration Act of 2025

This bill amends wildfire fuel removal rules under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act to allow private entities, local groups, and other organizations to directly propose projects for federal land management agencies (Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management). It requires that at least 10% of vegetation removed in these projects must be "salvage" (dead/dying trees from wildfires or pests), mandates a 120-day response time for proposals, and requires environmental reviews before contracts are finalized. The bill also adjusts the timber sale threshold for inflation, raising the minimum from $10,000 to $55,000 annually based on the Consumer Price Index. These changes aim to streamline locally proposed wildfire hazard reduction projects while maintaining federal oversight and environmental safeguards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates environmental reviews and salvage (dead trees) removal to prevent wildfires, reducing ecological damage while involving local groups in forest management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Sep 3, 2025

HR 5085: To exempt Federal actions related to the construction of infill housing from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and for other purposes.

HR 5085 exempts federal agencies from conducting environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for infill housing projects that meet specific criteria. These projects must be located on previously developed urban sites (under 20 acres, with 75% urban adjacency), pass required environmental assessments, and avoid high-risk wildfire/flood zones per FEMA data. The bill also shortens FEMA’s natural hazard risk assessment update cycle from every 5 to every 3 years. This directly affects federal agencies approving housing developments and developers seeking streamlined project approvals.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts infill housing from NEPA environmental reviews, weakening federal environmental assessment requirements for construction projects.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts infill housing from NEPA reviews, streamlining approvals for urban development projects that meet criteria, advancing housing construction.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Forestry Natural Disasters Affordable Housing Building Codes Zoning Tags Emergency Management

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 1470: Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to seek to complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail no later than 10 years after the enactment of this bill. USDA and Interior must establish a joint Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management trail completion team to work in coordination with the administrator of the trail to facilitate its completion and optimization. USDA must complete a comprehensive development plan for the trail within three years. USDA and Interior must also seek to enter into agreements with volunteer and nonprofit organizations to facilitate the completion and administration of the trail.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs completion of Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a conservation effort protecting natural areas and promoting outdoor recreation through federal coordination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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