Environment (Forestry)

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 11, 2025

S 2039: Wildfire Risk Evaluation Act

S 2039, the Wildfire Risk Evaluation Act, requires the Secretaries of Agriculture, the Interior, and Homeland Security to conduct a comprehensive wildfire review every four years for 20 years. These reviews must analyze how changes in development and natural environments impact wildfire preparedness, response, and recovery, while also assessing wildfire's public health effects in coordination with the EPA and HHS. The Secretaries must submit detailed reports to Congress annually after enactment, including findings, future challenges, and recommendations for federal action. The reports will specifically evaluate progress toward existing national wildfire strategy goals: resilient landscapes, fire-adapted communities, and safe wildfire response. This creates a regular, science-based federal process to adapt wildfire management to evolving risks and priorities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates comprehensive wildfire risk assessments analyzing environmental impacts and public health, requiring coordinated EPA/HHS reviews to strengthen preparedness and recovery efforts, directly advancing environmental protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters

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in committee · United States · House Apr 4, 2025

HR 2026: Ending Major Borderland Environmental Ruin from Wildfires (EMBER) Act

The EMBER Act establishes a 7-year program (2026-2032) to reduce wildfire risks along the U.S. southern border. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage vegetation on federal lands near the Mexico border - administered by agencies like the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management - to cut hazardous fuels, install firebreaks, and address invasive species. The bill also requires new protocols to prevent wildfires and environmental damage caused by people crossing the border without authorization, including reducing trash accumulation and protecting sensitive habitats. Funding of $3.66 million annually will support these efforts across border states, with reports tracking incidents and cleanup costs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirectly manages vegetation, installs firebreaks, and addresses invasive species on federal lands to reduce wildfire risks - core environmental conservation and protection measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 31, 2025

S 2566: Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act

This bill (S 2566) amends the Forest Legacy Program to allow states to authorize qualified conservation organizations to acquire, hold, and manage forestland conservation easements. It defines "qualified organization" as groups meeting IRS conservation criteria, holding Land Trust Accreditation Commission accreditation, and having no related legal issues. States must request authorization from the Secretary of Agriculture, and these organizations must demonstrate the ability to monitor and enforce conservation agreements. If an organization fails to meet requirements or modifies easements improperly, the land reverts to the state or another approved group. The change directly affects states administering the program and conservation nonprofits seeking to manage forestland protections.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables conservation groups to manage forest easements, directly advancing land protection and conservation under environmental policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 27, 2025

S 2548: Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act of 2025

S 2548 designates approximately 750 acres as Camp Hutchins Wilderness and establishes three Special Management Areas (totaling ~12,700 acres) within Illinois' Shawnee National Forest. The bill prohibits commercial logging, mining, and motorized vehicle use (except for emergencies or specific management needs), closes Forest Road 211 to vehicles, and withdraws all lands from mineral rights and public land laws. It requires the Forest Service to create a management plan within three years and allows scientific research, volunteer restoration, and limited hunting while banning trapping. These protections directly affect federal lands in the Shawnee National Forest, managed by the U.S. Forest Service under the Secretary of Agriculture.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts energy extraction by prohibiting mining and withdrawing lands from mineral rights, limiting fossil fuel development in the Shawnee National Forest.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits logging/mining/motorized use, withdraws lands from mineral rights, designates wilderness, and mandates conservation management plan for forest protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 27, 2025

S 1680: Virginia Wilderness Additions Act of 2025

This bill designates approximately 1,000 acres for addition to the Rough Mountain Wilderness and designates about 4,600 acres as a potential wilderness area that will become part of the Rich Hole Wilderness within Virginia's George Washington National Forest. The Rich Hole addition will be formally incorporated into the wilderness area within five years of the bill's enactment or after completing specific water quality projects. During the transition period, limited motorized equipment may be used for water quality improvement projects to minimize impact on wilderness character. The bill directly affects land management within the George Washington National Forest under the Wilderness Act.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates additional acres to wilderness areas, expanding protected natural resources and conservation under federal wilderness designations95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Water Quality

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signed · United States · Senate Jul 12, 2026

S 629: Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025

This bill increases financial assistance for farmers and forest landowners affected by emergencies. It raises upfront payments to 75% of costs for replacing damaged farm infrastructure (like fencing) and 50% for repairs, with a 180-day deadline instead of 60 days for using funds. The bill also expands wildfire eligibility to include fires spread by natural causes or caused by the federal government. These changes apply to the Emergency Conservation Program (Section 401) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (Section 407) under the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands wildfire eligibility and increases funding for infrastructure repairs under Emergency Conservation Program, aiding natural resource recovery after environmental disasters.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Natural Disasters Tags Agriculture

in committee · United States · Senate May 15, 2025

S 1788: Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2025

This bill enhances Civilian Conservation Centers (CCCs) operated by the Interior or Agriculture Departments to train underserved youth in conservation fields. It creates specialized wildfire and forestry training programs at CCCs, sets annual hiring goals (300 covered graduates per year for wildland firefighting roles), and allows direct hiring of graduates without standard civil service rules. The bill also establishes a housing pilot program using covered students to renovate federal housing for firefighters and other agency staff. These provisions directly affect CCC graduates (those who completed training) and current CCC students, aiming to build workforce pipelines for conservation and firefighting careers.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enhances conservation training for youth, establishes wildfire/forestry programs, and sets hiring goals for conservation roles, directly advancing environmental conservation efforts.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes a housing pilot program to renovate federal housing, improving existing affordable housing stock.80% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates training programs and sets annual hiring goals (300 graduates/year) for conservation jobs, advancing employment opportunities for underserved youth.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Employees

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in committee · United States · House Feb 11, 2025

HR 1213: Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025

The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025 requires the U.S. Forest Service to update its forest data collection methods, including new timber product studies and woodland owner surveys. It mandates improved tracking of forest carbon (including soil carbon), standardized definitions for "forest" reporting, and integration of remote sensing technologies like LiDAR. The bill affects the Forest Service, woodland owners, and private sector entities that use forest data for planning or business decisions. Key provisions include strategic plans for data consistency, biennial public statistics reports, and enhanced data accessibility while protecting confidential information like plot locations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentUpdates forest carbon tracking and data standards, enhancing climate mitigation and forest conservation efforts through improved data collection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 2, 2025

S 1737: Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

This bill would protect over 126,000 acres of forest in Washington's Olympic National Forest by designating 12 new wilderness areas, including Lost Creek Wilderness and Gates of the Elwha Wilderness. It would also protect 21 river segments across the region by designating them as "wild," "scenic," or "recreational" rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, with specific protections for each segment. The bill would manage these areas under existing wilderness and river protection laws, preserving existing rights for activities like grazing and mining while preventing new development. It would require the Forest Service to update management plans for these areas within 3-5 years.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDesignates wilderness areas and river protections under Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, conserving natural resources and enhancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 9, 2025

S 1366: Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection Act

This bill withdraws approximately 225,504 acres of federal land and waters in Minnesota's Rainy River Watershed (Superior National Forest) from public land laws, mining claims, and mineral leasing. It directly affects the area by prohibiting new development, mining, and land disposal within the designated boundary. The bill allows limited removal of sand, gravel, granite, iron ore, and taconite under Forest Service approval if environmental impacts on water, air, and habitat are deemed non-detrimental.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts mining and mineral leasing on federal lands, limiting potential energy resource extraction and development.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentWithdraws 225k acres from mining/development, prohibits new mining, and requires environmental safeguards - directly protects watershed and natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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