Forest Health and Wildfire Risk Reduction Act

This bill, known as the Forest Health and Wildfire Risk Reduction Act, allows the Bureau of Land Management to skip certain environmental reviews for specific small-scale forest treatments. It designates tree density modification projects under 5,000 acres as exempt from preparing environmental assessments or impact statements, provided they do not involve clearcutting or converting forests into non-forest vegetation. The exemption covers activities like selective tree removal, chipping, and burning fuel piles, which may include building up to five miles of new permanent roads or temporary access routes. To ensure environmental protection, the bill requires agencies to document how these projects address concerns such as erosion, soil compaction, and the preservation of snags and riparian areas.