I 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 297 

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. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 13, 2021 

Mr. CASE (for himself and Mr. KAHELE) introduced the following bill; which 

was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 

A BILL 

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, 

3 SECTION 1. HAWAII NATIONAL FOREST STUDY. 

4 (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 

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

6 the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 

7 Chief of the Forest Service. 


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•HR 297 IH

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

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

3 Oahu, and Kauai in the State of Hawaii. 

4 (b) STUDY.— 

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

6 a study— 

7 (A) to determine the suitability and feasi8 bility of establishing a unit of the National For9 est System in the study area; and 

10 (B) to identify available land within the 

11 study area that could be included in the unit 

12 described in subparagraph (A). 

13 (2) COORDINATION AND CONSULTATION.—In 

14 conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Sec15 retary shall— 

16 (A) coordinate with the Hawaii Depart17 ment of Land and Natural Resources; and 

18 (B) consult with the Hawaii Department 

19 of Agriculture and other interested govern20 mental entities, private and nonprofit organiza21 tions, and any interested individuals. 

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

23 paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 

24 (A) consider unique vegetation types that 

25 occur in the study area and that should be tarVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:16 Feb 06, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H297.IH H297

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•HR 297 IH

1 geted for inclusion in the unit of the National 

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

3 (B) evaluate the ability of the Secretary— 

4 (i) to improve and protect forest areas 

5 within the study area; and 

6 (ii) to secure favorable water flows 

7 within the study area; 

8 (C) determine whether the unit of the Na9 tional Forest System described in paragraph 

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

11 (i) resource protection; and 

12 (ii) visitor-use opportunities; 

13 (D) consider parcels of an appropriate size 

14 or location to be capable of economical adminis15 tration as part of the National Forest System 

16 separately or jointly with the other land identi17 fied under paragraph (1)(B); 

18 (E) evaluate the willingness of landowners 

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

20 Secretary; 

21 (F) evaluate the suitability of land in the 

22 study area for potential selection and designa23 tion as a research natural area or an experi24 mental forest; 


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•HR 297 IH

1 (G) identify cost estimates for any Federal 

2 acquisition, development, operation, and main3 tenance that would be needed to establish the 

4 unit of the National Forest System described in 

5 paragraph (1)(A); and 

6 (H) consider other alternatives for the con7 servation, protection, and use of areas within 

8 the study area by the Federal Government, 

9 State or local government entities, or private 

10 and nonprofit organizations. 

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

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

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

14 United States. 

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

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

17 the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 

18 Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the 

19 House of Representatives a report that describes— 

20 (1) the results of the study; and 

21 (2) any conclusions and recommendations of the 

22 Secretary. 

Æ 


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