Environment (Forestry)

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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in committee · United States · Senate May 14, 2025

S 1769: Farmer to Farmer Education Act of 2025

This bill establishes a new program to support farmer-to-farmer networks that share technical assistance and conservation knowledge. It provides funding through cooperative agreements with eligible groups - including nonprofits, tribes, local governments, and institutions - to help farmers, ranchers, and forest owners adopt science-based conservation practices. The program specifically prioritizes historically underserved farmers (like limited-resource or high-poverty area operators) and requires language access for non-English speakers. Annual reporting ensures accountability, with a 4-year evaluation report to Congress on program outcomes.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds science-based conservation practices for farmers, directly advancing environmental protection through resource conservation and sustainable land management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Tags Agriculture Tribal Nations

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passed · United States · House Apr 15, 2026

HR 1011: Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025

This bill amends two conservation programs to provide upfront payments for emergency repairs. Agricultural producers can receive up to 50% of fencing repair costs or up to 75% for other farmland rehabilitation work before starting repairs. Forest landowners may get up to 75% of emergency restoration costs before implementing measures, with funds needing to be spent within 180 days or returned. It also clarifies that federally-caused wildfires (if spread by natural causes) qualify for payments under the program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProvides upfront payments for conservation repairs, promoting land restoration and resource protection through funding for farmland/forest rehabilitation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Natural Disasters

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 2, 2025

S 1319: Pecos Watershed Protection Act

S 1319, the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, withdraws approximately 11,599 acres of federal land in New Mexico's Pecos Watershed from mineral exploration and development, while designating it as the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area under the National Wilderness Preservation System. The bill prohibits new mining claims, mineral leasing, and land disposal on this land, preserving it for wilderness conservation. Existing grazing rights and wildfire management activities are maintained under the Wilderness Act, and the designation does not create buffer zones or restrict non-wilderness activities outside the area. This directly affects federal land management practices and future mineral development opportunities in the designated wilderness area.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentWithdraws 11,599 acres from mining, designates as wilderness, prohibits mineral development, preserving watershed ecosystem and natural resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 15, 2025

S 2804: Strengthen Wood Products Supply Chain Act of 2025

This bill sets strict deadlines for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (under the Lacey Act) to handle imported plants (including wood products) suspected of violating wildlife import rules. It requires the government to release plants or issue a detailed detention notice within 5 days, provide clear reasons for delays, and finalize decisions within 30 days (or automatically release the plants if missed). Importers must pay fees and provide security to move detained plants for storage, and the government must share testing results and methods with importers. The bill aims to streamline the process for importers while maintaining Lacey Act enforcement, with no changes to the underlying wildlife protection rules.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnforces Lacey Act compliance for wood imports, preventing illegal wildlife trade and supporting conservation efforts through timely regulatory processing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Wildlife

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in committee · United States · Senate May 21, 2025

S 1842: Wildfire Reduction and Carbon Removal Act of 2025

This bill creates a tax credit for businesses that capture and store carbon from forest residues used in wildfire hazard reduction activities. The credit provides $36 per metric ton for carbon stored in secure geological storage and $12 per metric ton for carbon stored through long-duration utilization. To qualify, businesses must meet sustainability standards for sourcing forest residues (from thinning trees no greater than 8 inches in diameter) and undergo verification through lifecycle analysis and monitoring. The credit is designed to incentivize carbon removal while promoting sustainable forest management practices. It will apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits ($36/$12 per metric ton) to businesses for carbon capture, directly using tax incentives to fund wildfire reduction activities, aligning with tax relief support.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyTax credits for carbon capture/storage directly fund clean energy infrastructure and reduce emissions, aligning with renewable energy advancement and carbon reduction goals.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax credits incentivize carbon capture from wildfire hazard reduction, promoting emissions reduction and sustainable forest management per bill's sustainability standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Aug 1, 2025

S 2643: Seedlings for Sustainable Habitat Restoration Act of 2025

This bill amends existing federal laws to expand funding for ecosystem restoration projects focused on native seeds and seedlings. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (via the Forest Service) to provide contracts, grants, or agreements to state forestry agencies, nonprofits, universities, tribes, and multistate coalitions for two specific activities: (1) collecting and maintaining native seeds (including from managed seed orchards), and (2) producing seedlings for revegetation. The funding supports habitat restoration efforts by directly enabling these entities to source and grow native plant materials. The bill does not create new programs but integrates seed and seedling production into current restoration frameworks under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands federal funding for native seed/seedling projects to restore ecosystems, directly advancing conservation and habitat protection per its summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 16, 2025

S 3506: Post-Wildfire Environmental Emergency Assistance Act

This bill (S 3506) allows the President to provide federal assistance for clearing wildfire debris from public and private lands and waters *without* requiring a formal major disaster declaration. It directly affects states and local governments managing post-wildfire cleanup, especially when hazardous waste (like chemicals or toxic materials) is involved. Key provisions include authorizing debris removal assistance under the Stafford Act and directing the EPA to provide resources (personnel, equipment, expertise) to help safely handle hazardous substances identified under federal environmental laws. The bill streamlines cleanup by enabling immediate federal support for debris removal and hazardous waste management after wildfires.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes EPA resources for hazardous debris cleanup post-wildfire, preventing environmental contamination from toxic materials.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Hazardous Materials Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 11, 2025

S 513: Help Our Kelp Act of 2025

S 513, the Help Our Kelp Act of 2025, creates a federal grant program to fund projects restoring and conserving kelp forest ecosystems. It directly affects eligible entities like fishing industry groups, tribal governments, nonprofits, and coastal local governments, which can apply for grants covering up to 85% of project costs. Key provisions require projects to address declining kelp forests through methods such as removing sea urchins, restoring natural food chains, integrating Indigenous knowledge, and monitoring ecosystems. The bill authorizes $5 million annually (2026-2030), with at least $750,000 reserved specifically for tribal-led projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates federal grant program funding kelp restoration projects, directly allocating government spending for environmental conservation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates federal grants to restore kelp forests, directly conserving marine ecosystems through habitat restoration, sea urchin removal, and Indigenous knowledge integration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Forestry Water Quality

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in committee · United States · House Feb 28, 2025

HR 605: Headwaters Protection Act of 2025

The Headwaters Protection Act of 2025 reauthorizes and updates the Water Source Protection Program under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act. It expands eligible partners to include acequia associations, stormwater/wastewater entities, land-grant mercedes, and water-delivery private groups, while requiring landowner consent for projects on adjacent non-Federal land within the same watershed. The bill prioritizes projects addressing drought, wildfire, and climate resilience, mandates 10% of annual funding ($30 million per year from 2025-2033) for partner capacity-building, and ensures projects protect water supply systems and forest health. It explicitly states the law does not override state water rights or authorize federal land acquisition.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands water source protection program, prioritizes climate resilience/drought/wildfire projects, and requires landowner consent for watershed protection - directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Water Quality

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