Environment (Forestry)

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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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 24, 2025

S 1094: Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025

S 1094, the Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025, requires U.S. federal agencies (like the General Services Administration and Department of Defense) to prioritize using U.S.-made mass timber products in new public building construction. It mandates that agencies give contract preference to mass timber sourced from domestic facilities and responsibly harvested U.S. forests, with specific priority for products from forest restoration practices, wildfire prevention efforts, or underserved forest owners. The bill also requires a lifecycle assessment of mass timber buildings' environmental impact and a public report within 180 days of enactment. This directly affects federal building projects and U.S. timber producers meeting the defined sourcing criteria.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes sustainable forestry and carbon sequestration via mass timber use in federal buildings, prioritizing responsibly harvested materials and forest restoration practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 11, 2025

S 517: Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025

The Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025 updates how the U.S. Forest Service collects and reports forest data. It requires the agency to modernize its data collection methods - including adding timber product studies and woodland owner surveys - to better track forest carbon (including below-ground carbon), land use changes, and biomass supplies. The bill mandates nationally consistent data protocols, improved transparency in reporting, and regular updates to a strategic plan (submitted to Congress every 5 years) detailing how the agency will integrate remote sensing technologies and collaborate with partners. These changes directly affect the Forest Service’s inventory program and make forest data more accessible to researchers, landowners, and industries while protecting confidential plot locations and owner information.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill enhances forest carbon tracking and biomass data, supporting renewable energy and carbon management efforts.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentModernizes forest data collection for carbon tracking, land use, and biomass, enhancing environmental monitoring and climate policy support per bill's focus on improved carbon reporting and consistent protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 27, 2026

S 2578: Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act

S 2578, the "Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act," directs U.S. agencies to support Brazil in combating criminal networks driving deforestation and environmental harm in the Amazon. It requires the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to identify sustainable economic opportunities and investment risks in the region, and authorizes $10 million annually (2025-2028) for U.S. agencies to provide technical assistance, capacity building, and support for sustainable livelihoods and Indigenous rights in Brazil. The bill mandates reports to Congress on drivers of deforestation (including Chinese involvement in illicit resource extraction), progress on disrupting criminal networks, and U.S. efforts to influence international financial institutions to oppose loans exacerbating deforestation. It directly affects U.S. agencies (State, USAID, Treasury) and Brazilian authorities working to address illegal logging, mining, wildlife trafficking, and associated corruption.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $10 million annually (2025-2028) for U.S. agencies to provide technical assistance and support sustainable economic opportunities, directly funding a program through government spending.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDirects U.S. support to combat Amazon deforestation, funds sustainable economic opportunities, and provides technical assistance for environmental protection in the Brazilian Amazon.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Wildlife

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in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 2771: Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act

HR 2771, the Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act, allows states to authorize qualified organizations (like accredited land trusts) to acquire, hold, and manage conservation easements under the Forest Legacy Program instead of requiring states to handle all such easements directly. To qualify, organizations must meet IRS standards for conservation purposes, maintain Land Trust Accreditation Commission accreditation, and demonstrate ability to monitor and enforce easements. The bill includes safeguards requiring easements to revert to the state or another approved organization if the qualified organization fails to meet program requirements or modifies easements inconsistently. This directly affects states administering the Forest Legacy Program and eligible land conservation groups working on forestland protection.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables accredited land trusts to manage forest conservation easements, advancing land protection under Forest Legacy Program per conservation easement language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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