IIB 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 297 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 13, 2021 

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural 

Resources 

AN ACT 

To require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study 

on the establishment of, and the potential land that 

could be included in, a unit of the National Forest System in the State of Hawaii, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 


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HR 297 RFS

1 SECTION 1. HAWAII NATIONAL FOREST STUDY. 

2 (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

3 (1) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 

4 the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 

5 Chief of the Forest Service. 

6 (2) STUDY AREA.—The term ‘‘study area’’ 

7 means the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, 

8 Oahu, and Kauai in the State of Hawaii. 

9 (b) STUDY.— 

10 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct 

11 a study— 

12 (A) to determine the suitability and feasi13 bility of establishing a unit of the National For14 est System in the study area; and 

15 (B) to identify available land within the 

16 study area that could be included in the unit 

17 described in subparagraph (A). 

18 (2) COORDINATION AND CONSULTATION.—In 

19 conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Sec20 retary shall— 

21 (A) coordinate with the Hawaii Depart22 ment of Land and Natural Resources; and 

23 (B) consult with the Hawaii Department 

24 of Agriculture and other interested govern25 mental entities, private and nonprofit organiza26 tions, and any interested individuals. 


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HR 297 RFS

1 (3) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study under 

2 paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 

3 (A) consider unique vegetation types that 

4 occur in the study area and that should be tar5 geted for inclusion in the unit of the National 

6 Forest System described in paragraph (1)(A); 

7 (B) evaluate the ability of the Secretary— 

8 (i) to improve and protect forest areas 

9 within the study area; and 

10 (ii) to secure favorable water flows 

11 within the study area; 

12 (C) determine whether the unit of the Na13 tional Forest System described in paragraph 

14 (1)(A) would expand, enhance, or duplicate— 

15 (i) resource protection; and 

16 (ii) visitor-use opportunities; 

17 (D) consider parcels of an appropriate size 

18 or location to be capable of economical adminis19 tration as part of the National Forest System 

20 separately or jointly with the other land identi21 fied under paragraph (1)(B); 

22 (E) evaluate the willingness of landowners 

23 to sell or transfer land in the study area to the 

24 Secretary; 


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HR 297 RFS

1 (F) evaluate the suitability of land in the 

2 study area for potential selection and designa3 tion as a research natural area or an experi4 mental forest; 

5 (G) identify cost estimates for any Federal 

6 acquisition, development, operation, and main7 tenance that would be needed to establish the 

8 unit of the National Forest System described in 

9 paragraph (1)(A); and 

10 (H) consider other alternatives for the con11 servation, protection, and use of areas within 

12 the study area by the Federal Government, 

13 State or local government entities, or private 

14 and nonprofit organizations. 

15 (c) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section authorizes the 

16 Secretary to take any action that would affect the use of 

17 any land owned by the United States or not owned by the 

18 United States. 

19 (d) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date 

20 of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 

21 the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 

22 Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the 

23 House of Representatives a report that describes— 

24 (1) the results of the study; and 


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HR 297 RFS

1 (2) any conclusions and recommendations of the 

2 Secretary. 

Passed the House of Representatives May 12, 2021. 

Attest: CHERYL L. JOHNSON, 

Clerk. 


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