National Forest Good Neighbor Act of 2017

To amend the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to provide for good neighbor agreements to conduct authorized restoration services on National Forest System land. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Forest Good Neighbor Act of 2017 2. Good neighbor authority (a) In general The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 is amended— (1) by redesignating section 19 ( 16 U.S.C. 2113 (2) by inserting after section 18 (as so redesignated) the following: 19. Good neighbor authority (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Authorized restoration services The term authorized restoration services (A) on National Forest System land, except— (i) a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System; (ii) Federal land on which the removal of vegetation is prohibited or restricted by a law of Congress or a Presidential proclamation (including the applicable implementation plan); or (iii) a wilderness study area; and (B) by the Secretary or a Governor pursuant to a good neighbor agreement. (2) Forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services (A) In general The term forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services (i) an activity to treat insect- or disease-infected trees; (ii) an activity to reduce hazardous fuels; and (iii) any other activity to restore or improve forest, rangeland, and watershed health, including fish and wildlife habitat. (B) Exclusions The term forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services (i) the construction, reconstruction, repair, or restoration of a paved or permanent road or parking area; or (ii) the construction, alteration, repair, or replacement of a public building or work. (3) Good neighbor agreement The term good neighbor agreement (4) Governor The term Governor (5) Road The term road National Forest Good Neighbor Act of 2017 (6) State The term State (A) a State; and (B) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (b) Good neighbor agreements (1) Authority (A) In general The Secretary may enter into a good neighbor agreement with a Governor to carry out authorized restoration services in accordance with this section. (B) Public availability The Secretary shall make each good neighbor agreement available to the public. (2) Timber sales (A) In general Subsections (d) and (g) of section 14 of the National Forest Management Act of 1976 ( 16 U.S.C. 472a (B) Approval of silviculture prescriptions and marking guides The Secretary shall provide or approve all silviculture prescriptions and marking guides to be applied on National Forest System land described in subsection (a)(1)(A) in any timber sale project conducted under this section. (3) Retention of responsibilities Any decision required to be made by the Secretary under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Section 2A(c)(1) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 2101a(c)(1) section 19(b) section 18(b) (2) Section 7(e) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 2103c(e) section 19(b) section 18(b) (3) Section 13A(b) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 2109a(b) section 19(a) section 18(a)

Summary: National Forest Good Neighbor Act of 2017 This bill amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to authorize the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into good neighbor agreements with states to carry out specified similar and complementary forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services on certain National Forest System (NFS) lands. The bill makes requirements under the National Forest Management Act of 1976 regarding the advertisement of timber sales on NFS lands and the designation and supervision of the harvesting of trees, portions of trees, or forest products on NFS lands inapplicable to the restoration services authorized by this bill. USDA shall provide or approve all silviculture prescriptions and marking guides to be applied on NSF land in any timber sales project conducted pursuant to this bill. Any decision required to be made by USDA under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 concerning any such services shall not be delegated to any state.