Environment (Forestry)

in committee · United States · Senate Nov 6, 2025

S 3152: LEAF Act of 2025

The LEAF Act of 2025 requires the U.S. Forest Service to give preference in awarding contracts for wildfire prevention projects to "appropriate local contractors" meeting specific criteria. These contractors must either be based in the state where work occurs with at least 26% of their workforce residing there, or within 60 miles of their business location. The bill covers projects like forest thinning, hazard tree removal, and fuel breaks aimed at reducing wildfire risks on federal lands. The Forest Service must also submit annual reports tracking contract awards to such contractors and assessing the policy's economic impact.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes wildfire prevention projects (forest thinning, hazard tree removal) that protect forests and natural resources, aligning with environmental conservation goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jan 30, 2025

S 341: Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025

This bill creates federal grants to help communities prepare for wildfire smoke and extreme heat. It provides funding for air pollution agencies to monitor air quality, install air filtration in public buildings, distribute protective equipment like N95 masks, and conduct community outreach in vulnerable areas. The bill also establishes research centers at universities to study health impacts and develop better response strategies, and creates a competitive grant program for states, tribes, and local governments to develop community-specific smoke and heat mitigation plans. These provisions directly affect communities facing wildfire smoke and extreme heat risks, particularly those with limited resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds air quality monitoring, filtration, and health response to wildfire smoke - directly addresses pollution control and climate adaptation under environment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides federal grants for air filtration, protective equipment, and health impact research to address wildfire smoke and extreme heat health risks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Forestry Natural Disasters Public Health

Track

passed · United States · House Apr 17, 2026

HR 6409: FENCES Act

The FENCES Act clarifies that states can avoid penalties under the Clean Air Act for failing to meet air quality standards if pollution originates from outside U.S. borders (regardless of human activity). It allows states to demonstrate to the EPA that nonattainment areas (for ozone or particulate matter) would meet standards but for pollution from outside their borders, exceptional events, or mobile sources beyond their control. States must renew this demonstration every five years to maintain the exemption from sanctions or fees. The bill does not change air quality standards but prevents penalties for pollution sources outside a state’s jurisdiction. It applies directly to states and local areas struggling with air quality due to external pollution sources.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill weakens Clean Air Act enforcement by allowing states to avoid penalties for pollution from outside borders, reducing accountability for air quality standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Air Quality Forestry

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Dec 17, 2025

SRES 559: A resolution recognizing that climate change is making wildfires more frequent, more intense, and more destructive.

SRES 559 is a non-binding Senate resolution recognizing that climate change is increasing wildfire frequency, intensity, and destruction. It cites scientific evidence - including NASA data linking human-caused climate change to longer fire seasons, U.S. Forest Service reports on extended fire periods, and the $424 billion annual cost of wildfires - to affirm this connection. The resolution specifically references the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires as an example of climate-driven impacts. It formally acknowledges the need for full federal funding and staffing of wildfire prevention and response efforts, though it does not create new laws or mandates.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentResolution explicitly recognizes climate change's role in worsening wildfires, citing NASA/Forest Service data and wildfire costs, affirming environmental protection need.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Forestry Natural Disasters

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 28, 2025

HR 598: 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.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEliminates ESA consultation requirements for land management, reducing regulatory oversight on species protection and weakening Endangered Species Act implementation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Wildlife

Track

in committee · United States · House Dec 3, 2025

HR 6391: Save Oak Flat from Foreign Mining Act

HR 6391, the Save Oak Flat from Foreign Mining Act, repeals Section 3003 of the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act that would have transferred Oak Flat (2,422 acres in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest) to Resolution Copper for mining. The bill withdraws Oak Flat from all public land use, preventing the foreign-owned mining venture (Rio Tinto/BHP) from extracting copper beneath the site for export to China. It directly protects the area, which is a sacred site for Indigenous peoples and a National Register Historic Property, from a mine projected to consume 250 billion gallons of groundwater over 40 years and cause significant land subsidence. The bill halts a process that would have allowed foreign corporations to mine copper from public land without requiring domestic smelting or benefiting U.S. consumers.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrevents mining on sacred land, protecting ecosystem and Indigenous site from environmental harm95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 10, 2026

S 140: Wildfire Prevention Act of 2025

This bill sets annual targets for wildfire prevention treatments on federal lands, requiring the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to increase mechanical thinning and prescribed burning acreage each year (with goals increasing 20% in 2027-2028 and 40% in 2029+). It mandates detailed public reporting on treatment progress, challenges, effectiveness, and cost data, while streamlining environmental reviews for hazard tree removal. The bill also revises vegetation management rules near power lines, creates a public-private technology pilot program for wildfire prevention tools, and repeals outdated reporting requirements. These provisions directly affect federal land managers, electric utility companies, and private entities participating in the technology pilot program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates increased wildfire prevention treatments (mechanical thinning, prescribed burning) on federal lands to protect ecosystems and natural resources, with reporting requirements for effectiveness. Directly advances environmental protectio...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

Track

in committee · United States · House Sep 10, 2026

HR 177: Yosemite National Park Equal Access and Fairness Act

This bill expands public recreational access to Yosemite's Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and Lake Eleanor Basin areas. It increases annual funding for park improvements from $30,000 to $2 million (adjusted for inflation), prohibits recouping costs from water/power customers, and adds wildfire mitigation to maintenance projects. The bill explicitly permits activities like swimming, non-motorized watercraft, camping above high-water marks, and picnicking, while requiring the National Park Service to report on equitable access funding. The report must analyze whether original recreational access intentions were followed and propose adjustments to San Francisco's water/power pricing or fees to cover maintenance costs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly adds wildfire mitigation to maintenance projects and increases funding for park improvements, supporting conservation efforts within Yosemite National Park.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation

Track

in committee · United States · House Dec 2, 2025

HR 5823: Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2025

The Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2025 creates a federal program to rapidly address watershed damage on National Forest System lands after natural disasters. It authorizes state, local, tribal, or water district sponsors to implement emergency measures like erosion control and flood mitigation within two years of a disaster, with the federal government covering all costs (waiving required matching funds). The program limits sponsor liability for normal operations but holds them responsible for damages resulting from willful or reckless actions. Sponsors may also monitor and maintain projects for up to three years to prevent future risks to downstream water resources.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates federal program for watershed/forest recovery post-disaster, directly protecting natural resources through erosion control and flood mitigation on National Forest lands.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Water Quality

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Dec 2, 2025

S 888: Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act

This bill designates approximately 128,000 acres of federal land in Oregon (including Rogue Canyon and Molalla recreation areas) for management focused on recreation, conservation, and wildfire risk reduction. It requires the federal land managers to conduct wildfire risk assessments within 280 days and develop mitigation plans within a year, including forest thinning and evacuation routes for nearby communities. The bill withdraws these designated lands from mining, mineral leasing, and disposal, while preserving existing rights and recreational uses. It also expands the Wild Rogue Wilderness by 59,512 acres and withdraws specific lands in Curry and Josephine Counties from mineral activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates land for conservation, requires wildfire mitigation, withdraws from mining - directly protects natural resources and enhances land management for environmental stewardship.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

Track