Environment (Forestry)

in committee · United States · House Jun 26, 2025

HR 4180: Canyon’s Law

HR 4180, "Canyon’s Law," prohibits the use of M-44 devices - predator control tools containing highly toxic sodium cyanide - on public lands managed by federal agencies like the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Forest Service. The bill requires all federal, state, and county agencies to remove existing M-44 devices from public lands within 30 days of enactment. It directly affects agencies and land managers who previously deployed these devices, which have caused human poisonings (including incidents involving children), killed over 50 family dogs, and harmed endangered species. The law aims to eliminate the risk of accidental exposure and non-target wildlife deaths by banning the devices' use on public lands.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans toxic M-44 devices causing pollution and ecosystem harm, directly protecting public lands and natural resources from cyanide contamination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Sep 26, 2025

HR 5610: Improving Drought Monitoring Act

This bill extends the deadline for improving the U.S. Drought Monitor from 2023 to 2030 and establishes an interagency working group to enhance the data used in the Monitor. The working group, including representatives from USDA, NOAA, the National Drought Mitigation Center, and state mesonet programs, will develop methods to include more ground-based data, address access barriers to existing datasets, and create transparent vetting processes for remote sensing data. Within one year, the group must submit recommendations to federal agencies and congressional committees, after which the Secretary of Agriculture will incorporate feasible changes. Additionally, the Farm Service Agency and Forest Service must align their drought response efforts, including using the U.S. Drought Monitor for consistent decisions and information sharing with stakeholders.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enhances drought monitoring data systems to improve natural resource management and climate resilience, aligning with conservation goals through better data collection and interagency collaboration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Apr 8, 2025

HR 2727: Pecos Watershed Protection Act

HR 2727, the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, designates approximately 11,599 acres in New Mexico's Pecos Watershed as the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area and withdraws that federal land from new mining and mineral leasing. It directly affects federal land management in the Pecos Watershed by blocking new mining claims, mineral leasing, and mineral development on the designated wilderness area. The bill incorporates the area into the National Wilderness Preservation System under the Wilderness Act, maintaining existing grazing rights and state authority over fish and wildlife management. It also clarifies that nonwilderness activities outside the area (like logging or recreation) can continue without restriction based on proximity to the wilderness boundary.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts mining and mineral leasing on federal land, limiting potential energy resource extraction and development.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill designates 11,599 acres as wilderness, blocks mining/mineral leasing, and incorporates into National Wilderness Preservation System to protect watershed resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 1787: Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act

This bill establishes the Dolores River National Conservation Area (approximately 52,872 acres) and Dolores River Special Management Area (approximately 15,452 acres) in Colorado to protect natural, cultural, and recreational resources along the Dolores River. It requires the development of management plans for both areas, creates an advisory council with specific representation from agricultural interests, conservation groups, recreation stakeholders, local governments, and tribal nations, and ensures protections for existing water rights and tribal treaty rights. The bill prohibits new road construction and motorized vehicle use in sensitive areas while allowing reasonable access to private property adjacent to the conservation areas. These designations will be managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service to conserve the river's ecological and recreational values.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes protected conservation areas to safeguard natural resources, requires management plans, and includes conservation group representation per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House Apr 18, 2025

HR 2517: Community Wood Facilities Assistance Act of 2025

HR 2517, the Community Wood Facilities Assistance Act of 2025, amends two existing federal grant programs to expand support for forest product manufacturing facilities. It increases annual funding from $25 million to $50 million (for fiscal years 2026-2030), raises the maximum grant per project from $1.5 million to $5 million, and requires projects to generate at least 50% of their energy from forest biomass (up from 25%). The bill directly affects rural communities and forest product manufacturers by providing grants for constructing, using, or retrofitting facilities that process forest biomass into products. Key changes include expanding eligibility beyond "wood innovation" to focus on "forest products manufacturing" and increasing thermal energy requirements for eligible projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases federal grant funding from $25M to $50M annually for forest product facilities, directly expanding government spending on rural infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 50% biomass energy use (renewable) and increases funding for forest biomass facilities, promoting renewable energy infrastructure90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 50% forest biomass energy use (up from 25%), promoting renewable energy in manufacturing facilities per bill's amendment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 17, 2025

S 147: Cleaner Air Spaces Act of 2025

S 147 establishes a federal grant program to help communities create accessible clean air centers and provide free, certified air filters to low-income households with vulnerable members (such as seniors, people with asthma, or disabilities) during wildfire smoke events. Local air pollution agencies receive grants to partner with community groups, set up clean air centers in smoke-prone areas, and distribute at least 1,000 certified air filters per program to eligible households - along with filter replacements - at no cost. The program requires educational materials on filter use, post-distribution surveys to assess effectiveness, and annual reports to Congress on implementation and outcomes. This directly supports households at high health risk from wildfire smoke in underserved communities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds clean air centers and certified air filters to reduce pollution exposure during wildfires, directly protecting vulnerable populations from air quality hazards.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes federal grants for clean air centers and free air filters for vulnerable populations, directly supporting public health and healthcare access during wildfire smoke events.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Forestry

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in committee · United States · House May 14, 2026

HR 3924: Wildfire Risk Evaluation Act

HR 3924, the Wildfire Risk Evaluation Act, requires the Secretaries of Agriculture, Interior, and Homeland Security to conduct a comprehensive review of wildfire management every four years for 20 years. Each review must analyze how changes in natural and built environments affect wildfire prevention, response, and recovery, while also examining wildfire impacts on public health in coordination with the EPA and Health and Human Services. The agencies must submit detailed reports to Congress annually, including evaluations of progress toward national wildfire management goals, anticipated challenges for the next two decades, and specific recommendations for policy or program adjustments. This process establishes a regular federal mechanism to adapt wildfire strategies based on evolving risks and scientific data.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires EPA coordination and analysis of environmental impacts on wildfire management, strengthening data-driven environmental protection strategies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

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in committee · United States · House Dec 17, 2025

HR 6783: San Gabriel Mountains, Foothills, and Rivers Protection Act of 2025

The San Gabriel Mountains, Foothills, and Rivers Protection Act of 2025 designates specific wilderness areas in California's Angeles National Forest, including Condor Peak (8,207 acres), additions to San Gabriel Wilderness (2,032 acres), additions to Sheep Mountain Wilderness (11,938 acres), and Yerba Buena Wilderness (6,694 acres). It also designates segments of Little Rock Creek and its tributaries as wild, scenic, or recreational rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and requires a three-year study of additional San Gabriel River segments. The bill includes provisions for fire management activities, ensures tribal access for cultural and religious practices, and permits continued operation of certain water facilities in designated wilderness areas. These designations protect natural areas from development while maintaining opportunities for recreation, conservation, and tribal cultural activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates wilderness areas and rivers under Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, directly conserving natural habitats and preventing development per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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in committee · United States · House Jul 7, 2025

HR 4295: Wildfire Resilient Communities Act

HR 4295, the Wildfire Resilient Communities Act, allocates $30 billion for hazardous fuels reduction projects on federal lands near communities at high wildfire risk and in specific fire-prone areas. It directly affects at-risk communities and local governments by funding vegetation removal, prescribed burns, and thinning to reduce wildfire danger. The bill also adds $3 billion for community wildfire defense grants and reauthorizes forest restoration programs with updated requirements for landscape-scale projects. Key mechanisms include prioritizing work adjacent to high-risk communities, integrating wildfire management strategies, and creating a County Stewardship Fund to distribute 25% of forest contract receipts to local governments for community use. These provisions aim to reduce wildfire risk through proactive land management rather than reactive firefighting.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds hazardous fuels reduction, prescribed burns, and forest restoration to protect communities and natural resources from wildfires, directly advancing environmental resilience and conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 6, 2025

S 449: Expediting Forest Restoration and Recovery Act of 2025

S 449, the Expediting Forest Restoration and Recovery Act of 2025, streamlines forest restoration projects by modifying environmental review rules for the U.S. Forest Service. It directs the Forest Service to use categorical exclusions (avoiding full environmental reviews) for hazardous fuel and insect/disease risk reduction projects in designated "insect and disease treatment areas," provided the areas are suitable for timber production or lack timber harvest prohibitions. The bill also requires states to prioritize wildfire/insect risk reduction in these areas and mandates annual public reporting on treated acreage. This primarily affects Forest Service operations and state agencies managing projects under the "Good Neighbor Authority" program, which allows states to use timber sale revenue for additional restoration work.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves full environmental reviews for forest projects, weakening regulatory protections per categorical exclusions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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