Environment (Forestry)

in committee · United States · Senate May 7, 2025

S 1662: Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes and updates the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program through 2034, extending its current authorization period. It increases the annual funding cap for proposals from $4 million to $8 million and adds new requirements for projects addressing wildfire risk, watershed health, and ecological restoration across public, tribal, state, and private lands. The bill also expands the program's focus to include monitoring for species or pathogens and requires federal staffing plans for collaborative groups. It directly affects federal agencies like the Forest Service and collaborative groups managing forest restoration projects nationwide. The changes aim to strengthen existing partnerships and address evolving forest management challenges.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases funding for forest restoration, mandates wildfire/watershed/ecological projects, and expands environmental monitoring - directly advancing conservation and ecosystem protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Water Quality

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 1349: Ruby Mountains Protection Act

The Ruby Mountains Protection Act (S 1349) withdraws approximately 309,272 acres of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest land and 39,926 acres of Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge from mineral leasing and development. This protects these specific areas from future mining or mineral extraction activities, directly affecting potential developers and federal land management decisions. The bill allows noncommercial wildlife management activities by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service but prohibits all mineral leasing under federal law. Maps defining the exact boundaries are available for public inspection at relevant federal offices.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentWithdraws 349,200+ acres from mineral development, protecting ecosystems from extraction and conserving natural resources per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Mar 28, 2025

HR 1904: Improving Coordination of Agriculture Research and Data Act

This bill establishes an Agriculture Climate Scientific Research Advisory Committee to develop national research priorities for climate-smart agriculture and standardize data collection protocols, and creates a Rural Climate Alliance Network to connect agricultural producers, researchers, and technical assistance providers. The committee will identify research gaps, develop biennial research agendas, and recommend annual budget priorities for climate research. The network will facilitate sharing of climate data, improve communication about climate risks, and support implementation of climate-resilient practices across the agriculture sector. These changes aim to strengthen coordination of climate-related research, data systems, and technical assistance to better address climate change impacts on farming and rural communities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes climate-smart agriculture research committee and network to develop climate research priorities, standardize data, and advance climate-resilient farming practices, directly supporting environmental protection through research coor...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Forestry Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3695: Santini-Burton Modernization Act of 2026

This bill amends the Santini-Burton Act to improve land management in the Lake Tahoe Basin by specifically supporting the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. It authorizes the federal government to transfer funds to the Tribe for acquiring and managing culturally significant land, and requires collaboration with the Tribe, states, local governments, and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency for activities like forest health, water quality, and preserving cultural sites. The bill mandates annual spending plans developed with Tribe consultation, prioritizing projects that meet environmental thresholds and leverage community support. These changes directly address the Tribe’s limited land ownership (under 0.5% of the Basin) and aim to enhance shared stewardship of the region.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates collaboration for forest health, water quality, and cultural site preservation - direct environmental protection measures90% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Public Lands Water Quality Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2025

S 2288: Joint Chiefs Reauthorization Act of 2025

The Joint Chiefs Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends the Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership program through 2029, replacing its previous 2023 end date. It adds wildfire recovery and soil/water resource enhancement as official program goals, while requiring the Natural Resources Conservation Service to coordinate with the Forest Service on planning and forestry science. The program, which supports state and landowner projects to restore landscapes, must now align with state forest action plans when making decisions. This bill updates existing program rules without creating new funding or major policy changes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends landscape restoration program, adds soil/water enhancement goals, requires interagency coordination for forestry science - directly advances conservation and resource protection95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 8, 2025

S 2208: Wildfire Resilient Communities Act

This bill allocates $30 billion to fund wildfire prevention projects on federal lands, prioritizing areas near at-risk communities, high-value watersheds, and regions with high wildfire risk. It requires federal land managers (like the Forest Service and National Park Service) to focus on reducing flammable vegetation through methods like prescribed burns and thinning. The bill also establishes a County Stewardship Fund, directing 25% of receipts from federal forest contracts to local counties for any governmental use. Additionally, it adds $3 billion for community wildfire defense grants through 2031 to support local fire resilience efforts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $30B for wildfire prevention via prescribed burns/thinning, protecting watersheds and forests - directly advancing environmental conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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passed · United States · Senate Jun 15, 2026

S 2033: Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act

This bill directs the Comptroller General to study how federal programs and funding help or hinder wildfire mitigation efforts across different land ownerships (including federal, state, tribal, and private lands). It examines existing rules, funding access for agencies like the USDA Forest Service and FEMA, and analyzes activities from the Healthy Forests Restoration Act. The study will identify improvements to simplify cooperation between federal, state, local, and tribal governments on wildfire prevention. The Comptroller General must submit a report with findings and recommendations to Congress within two years. This is a procedural study bill focused on improving coordination, not implementing new policies.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill studies federal programs to improve wildfire mitigation coordination, aiming to enhance conservation across land ownerships per Healthy Forests Restoration Act analysis.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands Tags Emergency Management

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 2450: Biochar Research Network Act of 2025

This bill establishes a national biochar research network with up to 20 research sites to study how biochar (a charcoal-like material made from organic waste) affects soil health, carbon sequestration, and farm productivity. It directly supports farmers, ranchers, foresters, and land managers by funding research on biochar applications across different soils, climates, and farming systems to improve soil health, reduce greenhouse gases, and boost profitability. The network will conduct experiments on biochar production methods, soil interactions, and full life-cycle impacts, generating practical data for real-world use. The bill authorizes $50 million annually from 2025-2030 to support this research, administered by USDA agencies in partnership with other federal departments.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds research on biochar for carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas reduction, directly advancing environmental protection and climate mitigation goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

S 3785: North Rim and Kaibab National Forest Restoration Act of 2026

This bill authorizes emergency contracting for recovery efforts in the Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest after the Dragon Bravo and White Sage wildfires (which burned over 200,000 acres and destroyed structures). It grants the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture emergency contracting authority to quickly hire contractors for forest restoration, rebuilding structures, and ecological recovery within the affected areas, while requiring detailed public reports on spending, contractors, and progress. The law mandates involving tribes and local stakeholders in planning and prioritizes contracts with tribal and local businesses for reconstruction work. It also allows noncompetitive contracts with existing park concessioners to coordinate recovery efforts and requires a joint study on recovery costs. The emergency authority expires after 5 years or when recovery is complete, whichever comes first.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes ecological recovery after wildfires, directly advancing environmental restoration efforts in damaged forest areas92% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Parks & Recreation

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3860: Office of Small Farms Establishment Act of 2026

This bill creates a new Office of Small Farms within the USDA to better support small farms, ranches, and forest operations (defined as under 180 acres or with under $350,000 annual income). The office will coordinate USDA programs, review policies to remove barriers for small operations, and develop new initiatives like grants up to $25,000 for equipment, land access, or conservation. It requires State coordinators in each state to improve local program delivery and mandates annual reports to Congress on participation progress. The bill authorizes $25 million over five years ($15 million for the office, $10 million for grants and technical assistance).

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly includes 'conservation' as eligible grant purpose for small farms, directly advancing environmental conservation efforts through USDA programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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