National Forest Collaborative Incentive Act of 2015

To expedite certain forest management activities on National Forest System lands derived from the public domain when the activities are developed through a collaborative process of interested parties, to require the posting of a bond in initiating a legal challenge to certain forest management activities, to modify the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000, to authorize additional funding sources for forest management activities, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the National Forest Collaborative Incentive Act of 2015 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Title I—Expedited Environmental Analysis of Collaborative Forest Management Activities Sec. 101. Definitions. Sec. 102. Analysis of only two alternatives (action versus no action) in proposed collaborative forest management activities. Title II—Collaborative Project Litigation Requirement Sec. 201. Definitions. Sec. 202. Bond requirement as part of legal challenge of certain forest management activities. Title III—Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act Amendments Sec. 301. Use of reserved funds for title II projects on Federal land and certain non-Federal land. Sec. 302. Resource advisory committees. Sec. 303. Program for title II self-sustaining resource advisory committee projects. Sec. 304. Additional authorized use of reserved funds for title III county projects. Title IV—Additional Funding Sources for Forest Management Activities Sec. 401. Definitions. Sec. 402. Availability of stewardship project revenues and Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund to cover forest management activity planning costs. Sec. 403. State-supported planning of forest management activities. I Expedited Environmental Analysis of Collaborative Forest Management Activities 101. Definitions In this title: (1) Collaborative process The term collaborative process 16 U.S.C. 6591b(b)(1)(C) (2) Community wildfire protection plan The term community wildfire protection plan 16 U.S.C. 6511(3) (3) Forest management activity The term forest management activity (4) Forest plan The term forest plan 16 U.S.C. 1604 (5) National forest system The term National Forest System 16 U.S.C. 1609(a) (A) includes only National Forest System lands derived from the public domain; and (B) does not include the National Grasslands and land utilization projects designated as National Grasslands administered pursuant to the Act of July 22, 1937 ( 7 U.S.C. 1010–1012 (6) Resource advisory committee The term resource advisory committee 16 U.S.C. 7121(3) (7) Secretary The term Secretary 102. Analysis of only two alternatives (action versus no action) in proposed collaborative forest management activities (a) Application to certain Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements This section shall apply whenever the Secretary prepares an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement pursuant to section 102(2) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332(2) (1) is developed through a collaborative process; (2) is proposed by a resource advisory committee; or (3) is covered by a community wildfire protection plan. (b) Consideration of Alternatives In an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall study, develop, and describe— (1) the forest management activity, as proposed pursuant to paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a); and (2) the alternative of no action. (c) Elements of Non-Action Alternative In the case of the alternative of no action, the Secretary shall evaluate— (1) the effect of no action on wildfire potential and insect and disease potential; and (2) the implications of a resulting wildfire or insect or disease infestation, given fire and insect and disease historic cycles, on domestic water costs, wildlife habitat loss, and other economic and social factors. II Collaborative Project Litigation Requirement 201. Definitions In this title: (1) Collaborative process The term collaborative process 16 U.S.C. 6591b(b)(1)(C) (2) Costs The term costs (3) Expenses The term expenses (4) Forest management activity The term forest management activity (5) Forest plan The term forest plan 16 U.S.C. 1604 (6) National forest system The term National Forest System 16 U.S.C. 1609(a) (A) includes only National Forest System lands derived from the public domain; and (B) does not include the National Grasslands and land utilization projects designated as National Grasslands administered pursuant to the Act of July 22, 1937 ( 7 U.S.C. 1010–1012 (7) Resource advisory committee The term resource advisory committee 16 U.S.C. 7121(3) (8) Secretary The term Secretary 202. Bond requirement as part of legal challenge of certain forest management activities (a) Bond required In the case of a forest management activity developed through a collaborative process or proposed by a resource advisory committee, any plaintiff or plaintiffs challenging the forest management activity shall be required to post a bond or other security acceptable to the court equal to the anticipated costs, expenses, and attorneys fees of the Secretary as defendant, as reasonably estimated by the Secretary. All proceedings in the action shall be stayed until the required bond or security is provided. (b) Recovery of litigation costs, expenses, and attorneys fees (1) Motion for payment If the Secretary prevails in an action challenging a forest management activity described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the court a motion for payment, from the bond or other security posted under subsection (a) in such action, of the reasonable costs, expenses, and attorneys fees incurred by the Secretary. (2) Maximum amount recovered The amount of costs, expenses, and attorneys fees recovered by the Secretary under paragraph (1) as a result of prevailing in an action challenging the forest management activity may not exceed the amount of the bond or other security posted under subsection (a) in such action. (3) Return of remainder Any funds remaining from the bond or other security posted under subsection (a) after the payment of costs, expenses, and attorneys fees under paragraph (1) shall be returned to the plaintiff or plaintiffs that posted the bond or security in the action. (c) Return of bond to prevailing plaintiff (1) In general If the plaintiff ultimately prevails on the merits in all actions brought by the plaintiff challenging a forest management activity described in subsection (a), the court shall return to the plaintiff any bond or security provided by the plaintiff under subsection (a), plus interest from the date the bond or security was provided. (2) Ultimately prevails on the merits In this subsection, the phrase ultimately prevails on the merits (d) Effect of settlement If a challenge to a forest management activity described in subsection (a) for which a bond or other security was provided by the plaintiff under such subsection is resolved by settlement between the Secretary and the plaintiff, the settlement agreement shall provide for sharing the costs, expenses, and attorneys fees incurred by the parties. (e) Limitation on certain payments Notwithstanding section 1304 of title 31, United States Code, no award may be made under section 2412 of title 28, United States Code, and no amounts may be obligated or expended from the Claims and Judgment Fund of the United States Treasury to pay any fees or other expenses under such sections to any plaintiff related to an action challenging a forest management activity described in subsection (a). III Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act Amendments 301. Use of reserved funds for title II projects on Federal land and certain non-Federal land (a) Repeal of Merchantable timber contracting pilot program Section 204(e) of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 ( 16 U.S.C. 7124(e) (b) Requirements for project funds Section 204 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 ( 16 U.S.C. 7124 (f) Requirements for project funds (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary concerned shall ensure that at least 50 percent of the project funds reserved by a participating county under section 102(d) shall be available only for projects that— (A) include the sale of timber or other forest products; and (B) implement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems or restore and improve land health and water quality. (2) Applicability The requirement in paragraph (1) shall apply only to project funds reserved by a participating county whose boundaries include Federal land that the Secretary concerned determines has been subject to a timber or other forest products program within 5 fiscal years before the fiscal year in which the funds are reserved. . 302. Resource advisory committees (a) Recognition of resource advisory committees Section 205(a)(4) of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 ( 16 U.S.C. 7125(a)(4) 2012 2020 (b) Temporary reduction in composition of committees Section 205(d) of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 ( 16 U.S.C. 7125(d) (1) in paragraph (1), by striking Each Except during the period specified in paragraph (6), each (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (6) Temporary reduction in minimum number of members (A) Temporary 6-member minimum During the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this paragraph and ending on September 30, 2020, a resource advisory committee established under this section may be comprised of 6 or more members— (i) 2 or more of whom shall be representative of interests described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2); (ii) 2 or more of whom shall be representative of interests described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2); and (iii) 2 or more of whom shall be representative of interests described in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2). (B) Additional requirement In appointing members of a resource advisory committee from the 3 categories described in paragraph (2), as provided in subparagraph (A), the Secretary concerned shall ensure balanced and broad representation in each category. (C) Charter A charter for a resource advisory committee with 15 members that was filed on or before the date of the enactment of this paragraph shall be considered to be filed for a resource advisory committee described in this paragraph. . (c) Conforming change to project approval requirements Section 205(e)(3) of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 ( 16 U.S.C. 7125(e)(3) In the case of a resource advisory committee consisting of fewer than 15 members, as authorized by subsection (d)(6), a project may be proposed to the Secretary concerned upon approval by a majority of the members of the committee. (d) Expanding local participation on committees Section 205(d) of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 ( 16 U.S.C. 7125(d) (1) in paragraph (3), by inserting before the period at the end the following: , consistent with the requirements of paragraph (4) (2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following new paragraph: (4) Geographic distribution The members of a resource advisory committee shall reside within the county or counties in which the committee has jurisdiction, or an adjacent county. . 303. Program for title II self-sustaining resource advisory committee projects (a) Self-Sustaining resource advisory committee projects Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 ( 16 U.S.C. 7121 et seq. 209. Program for self-sustaining resource advisory committee projects (a) RAC program The Chief of the Forest Service shall conduct a program (to be known as the self-sustaining resource advisory committee program RAC program (b) Selection of participating resource advisory committees The selection of resource advisory committees to participate in the RAC program is in the sole discretion of the Chief of the Forest Service, except that, consistent with section 205(d)(6), a selected resource advisory committee must have a minimum of 6 members. (c) Authorized projects Notwithstanding the project purposes specified in sections 202(b), 203(c), and 204(a)(5), projects under the RAC program are intended to— (1) accomplish forest management objectives or support community development; and (2) generate receipts. (d) Deposit of revenues Any revenue generated by a project conducted under the RAC program, including any interest accrued from the revenues, shall be deposited in the special account in the Treasury established under section 102(d)(2)(A) and shall be available for additional projects under the RAC program. (e) Termination of authority (1) In general The authority to initiate a project under the RAC program shall terminate on September 30, 2020. (2) Deposits in treasury Any funds available for projects under the RAC program and not obligated by September 30, 2021, shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States. . (b) Exception to general rule regarding treatment of receipts Section 403(b) of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 ( 16 U.S.C. 7153(b) All revenues Except as provided in section 209, all revenues 304. Additional authorized use of reserved funds for title III county projects Section 302(a) of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 ( 16 U.S.C. 7142(a) (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) by inserting and law enforcement patrols including firefighting (B) by striking and (2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and (3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph (3): (3) to cover training costs and equipment purchases directly related to the emergency services described in paragraph (2); and . IV Additional Funding Sources for Forest Management Activities 401. Definitions In this title: (1) Collaborative process The term collaborative process 16 U.S.C. 6591b(b)(1)(C) (2) Community wildfire protection plan The term community wildfire protection plan 16 U.S.C. 6511(3) (3) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (A) a State or political subdivision of a State containing National Forest System lands; (B) a publicly chartered utility serving one or more States or a political subdivision thereof; (C) a rural electric company; and (D) any other entity determined by the Secretary to be appropriate for participation in the Fund. (4) Forest management activity The term forest management activity (5) Forest plan The term forest plan 16 U.S.C. 1604 (6) Fund The term Fund (7) National forest system The term National Forest System 16 U.S.C. 1609(a) (A) includes only National Forest System lands derived from the public domain; and (B) does not include the National Grasslands and land utilization projects designated as National Grasslands administered pursuant to the Act of July 22, 1937 ( 7 U.S.C. 1010–1012 (8) Resource advisory committee The term resource advisory committee 16 U.S.C. 7121(3) (9) Secretary The term Secretary 402. Availability of stewardship project revenues and Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund to cover forest management activity planning costs (a) Availability of stewardship project revenues Section 604(e)(2)(B) of the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 ( 16 U.S.C. 6591c(e)(2)(B) appropriation at the project site from which the monies are collected or at another project site. appropriation— (i) at the project site from which the monies are collected or at another project site; and (ii) to cover not more than 25 percent of the cost of planning additional stewardship contracting projects. . (b) Availability of Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund Section 4003(f)(1) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( 16 U.S.C. 7303(f)(1) carrying out and planning, carrying out, and 403. State-supported planning of forest management activities (a) State-Supported forest management fund There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund, to be known as the State-Supported Forest Management Fund (b) Contents The State-Supported Forest Management Fund shall consist of such amounts as may be— (1) contributed by an eligible entity for deposit in the Fund; (2) appropriated to the Fund; or (3) generated by forest management activities carried out using amounts in the Fund. (c) Geographical and use limitations In making a contribution under subsection (b)(1), an eligible entity may— (1) specify the National Forest System lands for which the contribution may be expended; or (2) subject to subsection (d), limit the types of forest management activities for which the contribution may be expended. (d) Authorized forest management activities A forest management activity may be planned, carried out, or monitored using amounts in the Fund only if the activity— (1) is developed through a collaborative process; (2) is proposed by a resource advisory committee; or (3) is covered by a community wildfire protection plan. (e) Implementation methods A forest management activity carried out using amounts in the Fund may be carried out using a contract or agreement under section 604 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 ( 16 U.S.C. 6591c 16 U.S.C. 2113a 16 U.S.C. 472a (f) Relation to other laws (1) Revenue sharing Subject to subsection (e), revenues generated by a forest management activity carried out using amounts from the Fund shall be considered monies received from the National Forest System. (2) Knutson-vanderberg Act The Act of June 9, 1930 (commonly known as the Knutson-Vanderberg Act; 16 U.S.C. 576 et seq. (g) Termination of fund (1) Termination The Fund shall terminate on September 30, 2025. (2) Effect of termination Upon the termination of the Fund pursuant to paragraph (1) or pursuant to any other provision of law, unobligated contributions remaining in the Fund shall be returned to the eligible entity that made the contribution.

Summary: National Forest Collaborative Incentive Act of 2015 This bill shall apply whenever the Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Forest Service, with respect to National Forest System lands derived from the public domain, prepares an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for a forest management activity that is: developed through a collaborative process, proposed by a resource advisory committee, or covered by a community wildfire protection plan. In such an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, the Forest Service shall study and develop only the forest management activity proposed and the alternative of no action. Any plaintiffs challenging a forest management activity developed under this Act shall be required to post a bond or other security acceptable to the court. The bill repeals the Merchantable Timber Contracting Pilot Program under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. The USDA, with respect to National Forest System land, and the Department of the Interior, with respect to certain land under its jurisdiction, shall ensure that at least 50% of the project funds reserved by a participating county shall be made available only for projects that: (1) include the sale of timber or other forest products, and (2) implement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems or restore and improve land health and water quality. Repeals the current limitation of such projects to those for road maintenance, decommissioning, or obliteration or for restoration of streams and watersheds. The membership of a new resource advisory committee (RAC) may lower from 15 to a minimum of 6 during a specified period ending September 30, 2020. The Forest Service shall conduct a self-sustaining RAC program under which 10 RACs will propose projects intended to accomplish forest management objectives or support community development and generate receipts. A participating county shall be allowed to use certain funds to: (1) reimburse the county for law enforcement patrols performed on federal land, and (2) cover training costs and equipment purchases directly related to emergency services. Monies from an agreement or contract for a stewardship end result contracting project under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 shall be available for expenditure without further appropriation to cover up to 25% of the cost of planning additional such projects. The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund shall be used to pay up to 50% of the costs of planning (as well as, under current law, carrying out and monitoring) ecological restoration treatments on National Forest System land derived from the public domain for each proposal selected under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program. A State-Supported Forest Management Fund is established in the Treasury to cover the costs of the Forest Service to plan, carry out, and monitor a forest management activity on National Forest System lands developed under this Act.