Climate Stewardship Act of 2021

To provide incentives for agricultural producers to carry out climate stewardship practices, to provide for increased reforestation across the United States, to establish the Coastal and Estuary Resilience Grant Program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Climate Stewardship Act of 2021 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. TITLE I—Agriculture Sec. 101. Conservation reserve program. Sec. 102. Environmental quality incentives program. Sec. 103. Conservation stewardship program. Sec. 104. Funding. Sec. 105. Regional conservation partnership program. Sec. 106. Funding for climate stewardship agriculture research. Sec. 107. Conservation technical assistance. Sec. 108. Rural Energy for America Program. Sec. 109. Local Agriculture Market Program. Sec. 110. Soil health equipment grant program. Sec. 111. Farm and ranch stress assistance network. Sec. 112. Assistance for community food projects. TITLE II—Forests Sec. 201. Reforestation Trust Fund. Sec. 202. Reforest America Grant Program. Sec. 203. Funding for the community forest and open space conservation program. Sec. 204. Forest Stewardship Practice Program. Sec. 205. Urban wood programs. Sec. 206. Stewardship Corps. TITLE III—Coastal wetland Sec. 301. Definitions. Sec. 302. Coastal and Estuary Resilience Grant Program. Sec. 303. Data collection. Sec. 304. Outreach and technical assistance. Sec. 305. Annual restoration and funding. Sec. 306. Prevailing wage requirement. Sec. 307. Department of the Interior coastal wetland restoration; funding. I Agriculture 101. Conservation reserve program (a) Conservation reserve Section 1231 of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3831 (1) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in subparagraph (C), by striking 25,000,000 28,000,000 (ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking 25,500,000 acres; and 30,500,000 acres; (iii) in subparagraph (E), by striking 27,000,000 acres. 33,000,000 acres; (iv) by adding at the end the following: (F) fiscal year 2024, not more than 34,000,000 acres; (G) fiscal year 2025, not more than 35,000,000 acres; (H) fiscal year 2026, not more than 36,000,000 acres; (I) fiscal year 2027, not more than 37,000,000 acres; (J) fiscal year 2028, not more than 38,000,000 acres; (K) fiscal year 2029, not more than 39,000,000 acres; and (L) fiscal year 2030, not less than 40,000,000 acres. ; (B) in paragraph (2)(A)— (i) in clause (i)— (I) by striking 2,000,000 4,600,000 (II) by striking 2023 2030 (ii) in clause (ii)— (I) in subclause (II), by striking and (II) in subclause (III), by striking through 2023, 2,000,000 acres. and 2022, 2,000,000 acres; (III) by adding at the end the following: (IV) fiscal year 2023, 2,500,000 acres; (V) fiscal year 2024, 2,800,000 acres; (VI) fiscal year 2025, 3,100,000 acres; (VII) fiscal year 2026, 3,400,000 acres; (VIII) fiscal year 2027, 3,700,000 acres; (IX) fiscal year 2028, 4,000,000 acres; (X) fiscal year 2029, 4,300,000 acres; and (XI) fiscal year 2030, not less than 4,600,000 acres. ; and (C) in paragraph (6)(B)— (i) in clause (i)— (I) by striking 8,600,000 17,700,000 (II) by striking 2023 2030 (ii) in clause (ii)— (I) in subclause (III), by striking 8,500,000 acres; and 10,000,000 acres; (II) by striking subclause (IV) and inserting the following: (IV) fiscal year 2022, 12,500,000 acres; (V) fiscal year 2023, 14,500,000 acres; (VI) fiscal year 2024, 15,500,000 acres; (VII) fiscal year 2025, 16,500,000 acres; (VIII) fiscal year 2026, 17,500,000 acres; (IX) fiscal year 2027, 18,500,000 acres; (X) fiscal year 2028, 19,500,000 acres; and (XI) fiscal years 2029 and 2030, 20,000,000 acres. ; (2) in subsection (e)(1), by striking , nor more than 15, (3) in subsection (h)— (A) by striking paragraph (2); and (B) by striking consideration On the consideration (b) Conservation reserve enhancement program Section 1231A(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3831a(b)(2)(A)(i) , including reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions or increasing carbon sequestration, concerns 102. Environmental quality incentives program (a) Purposes Section 1240(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3839aa(3) (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking and (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking and (3) by adding at the end the following: (D) reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions; (E) increasing carbon sequestration; and (F) adapting to, or mitigating against, increasing weather volatility; and . (b) Definitions Section 1240A of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3839aa–1 (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (10) as paragraphs (2) through (11), respectively; and (2) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) the following: (1) Climate stewardship practice The term climate stewardship practice (A) Alley cropping. (B) Biochar incorporation. (C) Compost application. (D) Conservation activity plans. (E) Conservation cover. (F) Conservation crop rotation. (G) Contour buffer strips. (H) Contour farming. (I) Cover crops. (J) Critical area planting. (K) Cross wind trap strips. (L) Field borders. (M) Filter strips. (N) Forage and biomass planting, including the use of native prairie and seed mixtures. (O) Forest stand improvements. (P) Grassed waterways. (Q) Hedgerow planting. (R) Herbaceous wind barriers. (S) Irrigation water management. (T) Mulching to improve soil health. (U) Multistory cropping. (V) Nutrient management. (W) Pollinator or beneficial insect or monarch habitat establishment. (X) Prescribed grazing. (Y) Range planting. (Z) Residue and tillage management with no till. (AA) Residue and tillage management with reduced till. (BB) Riparian forest buffers. (CC) Riparian herbaceous buffers. (DD) Silvopasture establishment. (EE) Stripcropping. (FF) Tree and shrub establishment. (GG) Upland wildlife habitat. (HH) Vegetative barriers. (II) Wetland restoration. (JJ) Windbreak renovation. (KK) Windbreaks and shelterbelts. (LL) Woody residue treatment. (MM) Any other highly effective vegetative or management practice that significantly reduces agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, increases carbon sequestration, or assists producers in adapting to, or mitigating against, increasing weather volatility, as determined by the Secretary. . (c) Establishment and administration Section 1240B of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2 (1) in subsection (d)(3)— (A) in subparagraph (F), by striking or (B) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (H) reductions in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions; or (I) long-term carbon sequestration. ; and (2) in subsection (j)— (A) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (A)— (I) in clause (i)— (aa) by striking maintenance of incentive practices (I) incentive practices ; and (bb) in subclause (I) (as so designated), by striking the period at the end and inserting the following: “; or (II) 1 or more climate stewardship practices. ; and (II) in clause (ii)— (aa) in subclause (I), by inserting , or climate stewardship practices to attain increased levels of carbon sequestration and reduced agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, conservation (bb) in subclause (II), by inserting or a climate stewardship practice incentive practice (ii) in subparagraph (C)— (I) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subclauses (I) and (II), respectively, and indenting appropriately; (II) in the matter preceding subclause (I) (as so redesignated), by striking Notwithstanding section 1240C (i) Incentive practices Notwithstanding section 1240C, in the case of applications for contracts under subparagraph (A)(i)(I) ; and (III) by adding at the end the following: (ii) Climate stewardship practices Notwithstanding section 1240C, in the case of applications for contracts under subparagraph (A)(i)(II), the Secretary shall give priority to applications that contain the greatest number of climate stewardship practices. ; and (B) in paragraph (3)— (i) in the paragraph heading, by inserting and climate stewardship practice Incentive practice (ii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting or climate stewardship practices incentive practices (iii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting or climate stewardship practice incentive practice (iv) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by inserting or a climate stewardship practice incentive practice (d) Limitation on payments Section 1240G of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3839aa–7 (1) by striking 2018, or 2018, (2) by inserting the period of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, or the period of fiscal years 2029 through 2033, regardless (e) Conservation innovation grants and payments Section 1240H(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3839aa–8(c) (1) in paragraph (1)(B)(i)— (A) in subclause (VI), by striking and (B) by adding at the end the following: (VIII) practices that significantly increase carbon sequestration, reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, or assist producers to adapt to, or mitigate against, increasing weather volatility; and ; (2) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking through 2023 and 2020, and $200,000,000 of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030 (3) in paragraph (7), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)— (A) by inserting not less than $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030 of the Using (B) by striking a soil an ongoing soil 103. Conservation stewardship program (a) Supplemental payments for climate stewardship practices Section 1240L(d) of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3839aa–24(d) (1) in the subsection heading, by striking Rotations and Advanced Grazing Management Rotations, Advanced Grazing Management, and Climate Stewardship Practices (2) in paragraph (1)— (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and (B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: (B) Climate stewardship practice The term climate stewardship practice (i) Alley cropping. (ii) Biochar incorporation. (iii) Compost application. (iv) Conservation activity plans. (v) Conservation cover. (vi) Conservation crop rotation. (vii) Contour buffer strips. (viii) Contour farming. (ix) Cover crops. (x) Critical area planting. (xi) Cross wind trap strips. (xii) Field borders. (xiii) Filter strips. (xiv) Forage and biomass planting, including the use of native prairie seed mixtures. (xv) Forest stand improvements. (xvi) Grassed waterways. (xvii) Hedgerow planting. (xviii) Herbaceous wind barriers. (xix) Irrigation water management. (xx) Mulching to improve soil health. (xxi) Multistory cropping. (xxii) Nutrient management, including nitrogen stewardship activities. (xxiii) Pollinator or beneficial insect or monarch habitat establishment. (xxiv) Prescribed grazing. (xxv) Range planting. (xxvi) Residue and tillage management with no till. (xxvii) Residue and tillage management with reduced till. (xxviii) Riparian forest buffers. (xxix) Riparian herbaceous buffers. (xxx) Silvopasture establishment. (xxxi) Stripcropping. (xxxii) Tree and shrub establishment, including planting for a high rate of carbon sequestration. (xxxiii) Upland wildlife habitat. (xxxiv) Vegetative barriers. (xxxv) Wetland restoration. (xxxvi) Windbreak renovation. (xxxvii) Windbreaks and shelterbelts. (xxxviii) Woody residue treatment. (xxxix) Any other vegetative or management conservation activity that significantly— (I) reduces greenhouse gas emissions; (II) increases carbon sequestration; or (III) enhances resilience to increased weather volatility. ; (3) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking or (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or (C) by adding at the end the following: (C) conservation activities relating to climate stewardship practices. ; and (4) in paragraph (3), by striking rotations or advanced grazing management rotations, advanced grazing management, or conservation activities relating to climate stewardship practices (b) Payment limitations Section 1240L(f) of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3839aa–24(f) fiscal years 2019 through 2023 the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, the period of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, or the period of fiscal years 2029 through 2033 104. Funding (a) Annual funding Section 1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3841(a) (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 2023 2030 (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (E), by striking and (B) in subparagraph (F), by striking through 2023. and 2020; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (G) $900,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030. ; and (3) in paragraph (3)— (A) in subparagraph (A)— (i) in clause (iii), by striking $1,800,000,000 $3,800,000,000 (ii) in clause (iv)— (I) by striking $1,850,000,000 $4,850,000,000 (II) by striking and (iii) in clause (v), by striking $2,025,000,000 $6,025,000,000 (iv) by adding at the end the following: (vi) $7,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2030; and ; and (B) in subparagraph (B)— (i) in clause (iii), by striking $750,000,000 $2,750,000,000 (ii) in clause (iv)— (I) by striking $800,000,000 $3,800,000,000 (II) by striking and (iii) in clause (v)— (I) by striking $1,000,000,000 $5,000,000,000 (II) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (iv) by adding at the end the following: (vi) $6,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and (vii) $7,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030. . (b) Availability of funds Section 1241(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3841(b) 2023 2030 (c) Funding for climate stewardship practices Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3841 (k) Funding for climate stewardship practices (1) Environmental quality incentives program (A) In general Of the funds made available under subsection (a)(3)(A), the Secretary shall set aside the following amounts to be used exclusively for climate stewardship practices (as defined in section 1240A) under contracts under section 1240B(j)(2)(A)(i)(II): (i) $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2021. (ii) $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2022. (iii) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2023. (iv) $5,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2030. (B) Nonapplicability of allocation of funding Section 1240B(f) shall not apply to amounts set aside under subparagraph (A). (2) Conservation stewardship program Of the funds made available under subsection (a)(3)(B), the Secretary shall set aside the following amounts to be used exclusively to enroll in the conservation stewardship program contracts comprised predominantly of conservation activities relating to climate stewardship practices (as defined in section 1240L(d)(1)) or bundles of practices comprised predominantly of conservation activities relating to climate stewardship practices (as so defined): (A) $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2021. (B) $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2022. (C) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2023. (D) $5,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2030. (3) Set-asides for socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers Of the funds set aside under each of paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary shall allocate— (A) 5 percent to provide assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 2279(a) (B) 5 percent to provide assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers (as defined in that section ( 7 U.S.C. 2279(a) . 105. Regional conservation partnership program Section 1271D of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3871d (a) Availability of funds Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out the program— (1) $300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2023; (2) $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2025; (3) $750,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2027; and (4) $1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2028 through 2030. . 106. Funding for climate stewardship agriculture research (a) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act ( 7 U.S.C. 3157(b) (1) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following: (G) Climate stewardship Climate change mitigation through— (i) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience in the agricultural sector; (ii) increasing carbon sequestration; (iii) improving soil health; and (iv) increasing soil carbon levels. ; and (2) in paragraph (11)— (A) by striking the paragraph heading and inserting Funding (B) in subparagraph (A)— (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking There is 2023 On the first October 1 after the date of enactment of the Climate Stewardship Act of 2021 (ii) in clause (i), by striking and (iii) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (iv) by adding at the end the following: (iii) not less than 50 percent for each fiscal year shall be used to address the priority area described in paragraph (2)(G). ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (C) Receipt and acceptance The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this subsection the funds transferred under subparagraph (A), without further appropriation. . (b) Agriculture Research Service climate stewardship funding (1) In general Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary of Agriculture shall use $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030 to carry out, through the Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service, the research mission of the Department of Agriculture with respect to the issues described in clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (G) of subsection (b)(2) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act ( 7 U.S.C. 3157(b)(2) (2) Set-aside The Secretary of Agriculture shall set aside 25 percent of the amounts made available by paragraph (1) for research relating to pulse crops, other legumes, and high-biomass crops. (c) Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research Section 7601 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 ( 7 U.S.C. 5939 (1) in subsection (c)(1)(D), by inserting after environment , including— (i) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience in the agricultural sector; (ii) increasing carbon sequestration; (iii) improving soil health; and (iv) increasing soil carbon levels ; and (2) in subsection (g)(1)(A), by adding at the end the following: (iii) Climate stewardship funding On the date of enactment of the Climate Stewardship Act of 2021 . (d) Sustainable agriculture research and extension projects Section 1621 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 5811 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking and (B) in paragraph (2)(E), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (3) facilitate— (A) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience in the agricultural sector; (B) increasing carbon sequestration; (C) improving soil health; and (D) increasing soil carbon levels. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (j) Funds (1) In general In addition to amounts appropriated under section 1624, on the first October 1 after the date of enactment of the Climate Stewardship Act of 2021 (2) Receipt and acceptance The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under paragraph (1), without further appropriation. (3) Climate stewardship Of the funds made available under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall use not less than 50 percent to conduct projects described in subsection (a)(3). . (e) Organic agriculture research and extension initiative Section 1672B of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 5925b (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (7), by striking and (B) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (9) (A) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience in the agricultural sector; (B) increasing carbon sequestration; (C) improving soil health; and (D) increasing soil carbon levels. ; and (2) in subsection (f)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in subparagraph (C), by striking and (ii) in subparagraph (E), by adding and (iii) by striking subparagraphs (F) and (G); and (iv) by adding at the end the following: (F) on the first October 1 after the date of enactment of the Climate Stewardship Act of 2021 ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (4) Climate stewardship Of the funds made available under paragraph (1)(F), the Secretary shall use not less than 50 percent to support activities under this section for the purposes described in subsection (a)(9). . (f) Appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program Section 310B(i) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1932(i) (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking and (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (E) reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience in the agricultural sector; (F) increase carbon sequestration; (G) improve soil health; and (H) increase soil carbon levels. ; and (2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: (4) Funding (A) In general On the first October 1 after the date of enactment of the Climate Stewardship Act of 2021 (B) Receipt and acceptance The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this subsection the funds transferred under subparagraph (A), without further appropriation. (C) Climate stewardship . (g) Research under Hatch Act The Hatch Act of 1887 is amended by inserting after section 3 ( 7 U.S.C. 361c 3A. Mandatory funding (a) Funding (1) In general In addition to any amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 3, on the first October 1 after the date of enactment of the Climate Stewardship Act of 2021 (2) Receipt and acceptance The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this Act the funds transferred under paragraph (1), without further appropriation. (b) Climate stewardship Of the funds made available under subsection (a)(1), not less than 50 percent shall be used for research relating to— (1) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience in— (A) the agricultural sector; and (B) communities; (2) increasing carbon sequestration; (3) improving soil health; and (4) increasing soil carbon levels. . (h) Activities under Smith-Lever Act The Smith-Lever Act is amended by inserting after section 3 ( 7 U.S.C. 343 3A. Mandatory funding (a) Funding (1) In general In addition to any amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 3, on the first October 1 after the date of enactment of the Climate Stewardship Act of 2021 (2) 1994 Institutions Of the funds transferred under paragraph (1), $19,400,000 shall be for payment on behalf of the 1994 Institutions (as defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 ( 7 U.S.C. 301 Public Law 103–382 (3) Receipt and acceptance The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this Act the funds transferred under paragraph (1), without further appropriation. (b) Climate stewardship Of the funds made available under subsection (a)(1), and of the funds designated for 1994 Institutions under subsection (a)(2), not less than 50 percent shall be used for activities relating to— (1) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience in— (A) the agricultural sector; and (B) communities; (2) increasing carbon sequestration; (3) improving soil health; and (4) increasing soil carbon levels. . (i) Extension at 1890 Land-Grant colleges, including Tuskegee University and the University of the District of Columbia Section 1444 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 ( 7 U.S.C. 3221 (g) Mandatory funding (1) Funding (A) In general In addition to any amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection (a), on the first October 1 after the date of enactment of the Climate Stewardship Act of 2021 (B) Receipt and acceptance The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under subparagraph (A), without further appropriation. (2) Climate stewardship Of the funds made available under paragraph (1)(A), not less than 50 percent shall be used for programs and activities relating to— (A) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience in the agricultural sector; (B) increasing carbon sequestration; (C) improving soil health; and (D) increasing soil carbon levels. . (j) Agricultural research at 1890 land-Grant colleges, including Tuskegee University and the University of the District of Columbia Section 1445 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 ( 7 U.S.C. 3222 (i) Mandatory funding (1) Funding (A) In general In addition to any amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection (a), on the first October 1 after the date of enactment of the Climate Stewardship Act of 2021 (B) Receipt and acceptance The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under subparagraph (A), without further appropriation. (2) Climate stewardship Of the funds made available under paragraph (1)(A), not less than 50 percent shall be used for research relating to— (A) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience in the agricultural sector; (B) increasing carbon sequestration; (C) improving soil health; and (D) increasing soil carbon levels. . (k) Nonland-Grant colleges of agriculture program Section 1473F of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 ( 7 U.S.C. 3319i (1) in subsection (a)(1)(A), by inserting after agriculture , including— (i) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience in the agricultural sector; (ii) increasing carbon sequestration; (iii) improving soil health; and (iv) increasing soil carbon levels; ; and (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: (b) Funds (1) In general Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030, to remain available until expended. (2) Climate stewardship Of the funds made available under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall use not less than 50 percent to conduct the activities described in clauses (i) through (iv) of subsection (a)(1)(A). . (l) McIntire-Stennis (1) Funds Public Law 87–788 (commonly known as the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act 16 U.S.C. 582a–2 3A. Mandatory funding (a) Funding (1) In general In addition to any amounts authorized to be appropriated under section 3, on the first October 1 after the date of enactment of the Climate Stewardship Act of 2021 (2) Receipt and acceptance The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this Act the funds transferred under paragraph (1), without further appropriation. (b) Climate stewardship Of the funds made available under subsection (a)(1), not less than 50 percent shall be used for activities relating to— (1) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience in the agricultural sector; (2) increasing carbon sequestration; (3) improving soil health; and (4) increasing soil carbon levels. . (m) 1994 Institutions research Section 536 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 ( 7 U.S.C. 301 Public Law 103–382 (d) Mandatory funding (1) In general In addition to any amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection (c), on the first October 1 after the date of enactment of the Climate Stewardship Act of 2021 (2) Receipt and acceptance The Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section the funds transferred under paragraph (1), without further appropriation. (3) Climate stewardship Of the funds made available under paragraph (1), not less than 50 percent shall be used for activities relating to— (A) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing resilience in the agricultural sector; (B) increasing carbon sequestration; (C) improving soil health; and (D) increasing soil carbon levels. . 107. Conservation technical assistance Section 6 of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act ( 16 U.S.C. 590f (1) by striking the section designation and heading and all that follows through There is 6. Funding; Conservation Technical Assistance Fund (a) Funding (1) Mandatory funding Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary of Agriculture shall use to carry out this Act $2,100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030. (2) Authorization of appropriations There are ; (2) in the undesignated matter following paragraph (2) (as so designated) of subsection (a), by striking Appropriations (3) Availability of appropriations for nursery stock Appropriations ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (c) Priority for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers In using amounts made available by subsection (a)(1) for conservation technical assistance under this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall give priority to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 2279(a) . 108. Rural Energy for America Program Section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 ( 7 U.S.C. 8107 (1) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (1)(A)— (i) in clause (i)(II), by striking and (ii) in clause (ii)(III), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: (iii) loan guarantees and grants to agricultural producers, rural small businesses, and farmer-owned cooperatives to carry out solar projects that include the creation of pollinator habitat. ; (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively; (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) Priority In providing loan guarantees and grants under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall give priority to solar projects that include the creation of pollinator habitat. ; and (D) in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)— (i) by striking The amount (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), the amount ; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: (ii) Solar projects The amount of a grant under paragraph (1)(A)(iii) shall not exceed 60 percent of the cost of the activity carried out using funds from the grant, including the cost of the creation of a pollinator habitat. ; and (2) in subsection (f)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in subparagraph (D), by striking and (ii) in subparagraph (E), by striking for fiscal for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2020; (iii) by adding at the end the following: (F) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; (G) $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; (H) $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and (I) $3,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2030. ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (4) Set-asides for socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers Of the funds made available under paragraph (1) for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate— (A) 5 percent to provide assistance under this section to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 2279(a) (B) 5 percent to provide assistance under this section to beginning farmers and ranchers (as defined in that section ( 7 U.S.C. 2279(a) . 109. Local Agriculture Market Program Section 210A(i)(1) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 ( 7 U.S.C. 1627c(i)(1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 110. Soil health equipment grant program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible land The term eligible land (2) Secretary The term Secretary (b) Establishment The Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall award grants to agricultural producers to acquire equipment for the purpose of implementing climate stewardship practices (as defined in section 1240A of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3839aa–1 (c) Priority In providing grants under subsection (b), the Secretary shall give priority to equipment for— (1) projects to carry out nonchemical termination of cover crops; and (2) on-farm composting facilities. (d) Funding (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030. (2) Set-asides for socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers Of the amount made available under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall set aside— (A) 5 percent to provide assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 2279(a) (B) 5 percent to provide assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers (as defined in that section ( 7 U.S.C. 2279(a) 111. Farm and ranch stress assistance network Section 7522 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 5936 (d) Mandatory funding Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030. . 112. Assistance for community food projects Section 25 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2034 (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting including amounts made available under subsection (i) to carry out this section, Act, (B) in paragraph (2)(D), by striking $5,000,000 $25,000,000 (2) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (4), by striking or (B) in paragraph (5)(C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or (C) by adding at the end the following: (6) address food security in urban low-income communities by making those communities more climate resilient through the creation or expansion of urban farms, community gardens, and rooftop gardens that grow produce for personal use or for local sale through farm stands, farmers’ markets, community supported agriculture subscriptions, and other delivery methods. ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (i) Funding Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2030, to remain available until expended. . II Forests 201. Reforestation Trust Fund (a) In general Section 303 of Public Law 96–451 16 U.S.C. 1606a (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking Subject to the Secretary The Secretary (B) by striking paragraph (2); and (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); (2) in subsection (d)— (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)— (i) by striking the subsection designation and all that follows through The Secretary (d) Reforestation by Secretary of Agriculture The Secretary ; and (ii) by striking for (B) in paragraph (1)— (i) by inserting for reforestation (ii) by striking and (C) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (7); (D) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) to the Chief of the Forest Service to reforest, in accordance with subsection (f), National Forest System land— (A) (i) that was subject to a mortality event caused by a high-intensity wildfire, pest infestation, invasive species, disease, or drought or other extreme weather event; or (ii) to reclaim abandoned mine land, an orphaned oil or gas well, or a decommissioned logging road or landing; and (B) that is determined to be in need of active reforestation based on field surveys assessing regeneration potential; (3) to carry out the Reforest America Grant Program established under section 6 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978; (4) to carry out the Forest Stewardship Practice Program established under section 7B of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978; (5) to carry out the urban wood programs established under section 21 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978; (6) to operate the Stewardship Corps established under section 206 of the Climate Stewardship Act of 2021 ; and (E) in paragraph (7) (as so redesignated), by inserting for properly (3) by adding at the end the following: (e) Reforestation by Secretary of the Interior The Secretary of the Interior shall obligate from amounts in the Trust Fund not more than $250,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030, as necessary to reforest, in accordance with subsection (f)— (1) land— (A) (i) that was subject to a mortality event caused by a high-intensity wildfire, pest infestation, invasive species, disease, or drought or other extreme weather event; or (ii) to reclaim abandoned mine land, an orphaned oil or gas well, or a decommissioned logging road or landing; and (B) that is determined to be in need of active reforestation based on field surveys assessing regeneration potential and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management; and (2) land that is determined to be in need of active reforestation and is managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, by planting— (A) to the maximum extent practicable, 12,500,000 trees in each of calendar years 2021 and 2022; (B) to the maximum extent practicable, 25,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2023 and 2024; (C) to the maximum extent practicable, 37,500,000 trees in each of calendar years 2025 and 2026; and (D) to the maximum extent practicable, 50,000,000 trees in— (i) each of calendar years 2027 through 2029; and (ii) the period beginning on January 1, 2030, and ending on September 30, 2030. (f) Reforestation (1) Definition of connectivity In this subsection, the term connectivity (2) Reforestation (A) In general Reforestation under subsections (d)(2) and (e) shall consist of ecologically based site preparation, tree planting, and subsequent management using practices that— (i) are informed by climate change science and the importance of spatial pattern; (ii) enhance forest health, resilience, and biodiversity; and (iii) reduce vulnerability to future forest mortality and catastrophic wildfire. (B) Post-wildfire reforestation In the case of reforestation under subsections (d)(2) and (e), sums available in the Trust Fund shall not be used for post-wildfire salvage logging. (3) Priority In carrying out reforestation under subsections (d)(2) and (e), the Chief of the Forest Service and the Secretary of the Interior, as applicable, shall give priority to planting— (A) that will restore and maintain resilient landscapes; (B) on land on which the planting provides increased habitat connectivity for wildlife; and (C) that will provide the largest potential long-term increase in carbon sequestration. (g) Mandatory funding To carry out paragraphs (2) through (6) of subsection (d) and subsection (e), the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer from the general fund of the Treasury into the Trust Fund $5,500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030. . (b) Regulations Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior shall issue regulations necessary to carry out the amendments made by this section. 202. Reforest America Grant Program The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 is amended by inserting after section 5 ( 16 U.S.C. 2103a 6. Reforest America Grant Program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Community of color The term community of color (A) not less than 50 percent; or (B) is significantly higher than the State average. (2) Eligible cost The term eligible cost (A) the cost of implementing a reforestation project, including by— (i) planning and designing the reforestation activity, including considering relevant science; (ii) establishing tree nurseries; (iii) purchasing trees; and (iv) ecologically based site preparation, including the labor and cost associated with the use of machinery; (B) the cost of maintaining and monitoring planted trees for a period of up to 3 years to ensure successful establishment of the trees; (C) with respect to reforestation in an urban area under subsection (e) in a low income community that has an existing tree canopy cover of not more than 20 percent, not more than 50 percent of the cost of the maintenance of any nearby tree canopy; and (D) any other relevant cost, as determined by the Secretary. (3) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (A) a State agency; (B) a local governmental entity; (C) an Indian Tribe; and (D) a nonprofit organization. (4) Eligible land (A) In general The term eligible land (i) land owned in fee simple by an eligible entity— (I) (aa) for which, at the time of application to the Program under subsection (c), the forest stocking level of the land is less than 25 percent of regional norms for forest properties with comparable tree species and soil characteristics; and (bb) that is in need of active reforestation due to events such as— (AA) high-intensity wildfire; (BB) pest infestation; (CC) invasive species; and (DD) drought and other extreme weather; or (II) that was formerly forest land and has been abandoned or incompletely reclaimed from mining, commercial development, clearing for agriculture, or other nonforest use; and (ii) with respect to reforestation in an urban area under subsection (e), land in that urban area that is owned in fee simple by an eligible entity. (B) Exclusion The term eligible land (i) not later than 5 years before the date on which the eligible entity submits an application under subsection (c); and (ii) that resulted in a forest stocking level described in subparagraph (A)(i)(I)(aa). (5) Indian Tribe The term Indian Tribe 25 U.S.C. 5304 (6) Local governmental entity The term local governmental entity (7) Low income community The term low income community 42 U.S.C. 9902 (8) Nonprofit organization The term nonprofit organization (A) is described in section 170(h)(3) (B) operates in accordance with 1 or more of the purposes described in section 170(h)(4)(A) of that Code. (9) Program The term Program (10) Secretary The term Secretary (11) Urban area The term urban area urban area (b) Establishment (1) In general The Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the Reforest America Grant Program (2) Reforestation In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, award sufficient grants each year to plant— (A) 50,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2021 and 2022; (B) 100,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2023 and 2024; (C) 150,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2025 and 2026; and (D) 250,000,000 trees in— (i) each of calendar years 2027 through 2029; and (ii) the period beginning on January 1, 2030, and ending on September 30, 2030. (c) Applications (1) In general An eligible entity that seeks to receive a grant under the Program shall submit an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including the information described in paragraph (2), to— (A) the State forester or equivalent official of the State in which the eligible entity is located; or (B) in the case of an eligible entity that is an Indian Tribe, an official of the governing body of the Indian Tribe. (2) Contents An application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) the reason that the forest stocking level of the land is less than 25 percent of regional norms for forest properties with comparable tree species and soil characteristics, if applicable; (B) the natural, economic, and environmental benefits of returning the eligible land to forested condition; (C) an estimate of the annual carbon sequestration that will be achieved by the replanted forests, using processes determined by the Secretary; (D) a reforestation plan that includes— (i) a list of expected eligible costs; (ii) a description of the site preparation and the tree species to be planted; (iii) a description of the manner in which the design of the project is informed by climate change science and will enhance forest health, resilience, and biodiversity; (iv) an explanation of the manner in which the land will be maintained for 36 months after planting to ensure successful establishment; and (v) an explanation of the manner in which the land will be managed later than 36 months after planting, including whether that management shall include a timber harvest; (E) in the case of an application for an urban reforestation project under subsection (e)— (i) a description of the manner in which the tree planting shall address disparities in local environmental quality, such as lower tree canopy cover; and (ii) a description of the anticipated community and stakeholder engagement in the project; and (F) any other relevant information required by the Secretary. (3) Applications to Secretary Each official that receives an application under paragraph (1) shall submit the application to the Secretary with a description of the application and any other relevant information that the Secretary may require. (d) Priority (1) Definition of connectivity In this subsection, the term connectivity (2) Priority In awarding grants under the Program, the Secretary shall give priority— (A) to projects that provide the largest potential increase in carbon sequestration per dollar; (B) to projects that provide increased habitat connectivity for wildlife; (C) to projects under which an eligible entity will enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with 1 or more qualified youth or conservation corps (as the term is defined in section 203 of Public Law 91–378 Youth Conservation Corps Act of 1970 16 U.S.C. 1722 (D) in the case of urban reforestation projects under subsection (e), to projects that— (i) are located in a community of color or a low-income community; (ii) are located in a neighborhood with poor local environmental quality, including lower tree canopy cover and higher maximum daytime summer temperatures; (iii) are located in a neighborhood with high amounts of senior citizens or children; (iv) are located immediately adjacent to large numbers of residents; (v) will collaboratively engage neighbors and community members that will be closely affected by the tree planting in as many aspects of project development and implementation as possible; and (vi) will employ a substantial percentage of the workforce locally, with a focus on engaging unemployed and underemployed persons in communities of color and low-income communities. (e) Urban reforestation (1) In general In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall award sufficient grants each year to projects carried out in urban areas to plant, to the maximum extent practicable— (A) 5,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2021 through 2023; (B) 10,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2024 through 2027; and (C) 15,000,000 trees in each of calendar years 2028 through 2030. (2) Federal share The Secretary shall award a grant to an eligible entity under the Program to conduct a reforestation project in an urban area in an amount equal to not more than 90 percent of the cost of reforesting the eligible land, as determined by the Secretary. (3) Matching requirement As a condition of receiving a grant described in paragraph (2), an eligible entity shall provide, in cash or through in-kind contributions from non-Federal sources, matching funds in an amount equal to not less than 10 percent of the cost of reforesting the eligible land, as determined by the Secretary. (f) Prohibited conversion to nonforest use (1) In general Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), an eligible entity that receives a grant under the Program shall not sell or convert land that was reforested under the Program to nonforest use. (2) Reimbursement of funds An eligible entity that receives a grant under this Program and sells or converts land that was reforested under the Program to nonforest use shall pay to the Federal Government an amount equal to the greater of— (A) the amount of the grant; and (B) the current appraised value of timber stocks on that land. (3) Loss of eligibility An eligible entity that receives a grant under this Program and sells or converts land that was reforested under the Program to nonforest use shall not be eligible for additional grants under the Program. (g) Costs (1) Federal share Unless otherwise provided under this section, the Secretary shall award a grant to an eligible entity under the Program in an amount equal to not more than 75 percent of the cost of reforesting the eligible land, as determined by the Secretary. (2) Matching requirement Unless otherwise provided under this section, as a condition of receiving a grant under the Program, an eligible entity shall provide, in cash or through in-kind contributions from non-Federal sources, matching funds in an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the cost of reforesting the eligible land, as determined by the Secretary. (h) Planting survival An eligible entity that receives a grant under the Program shall— (1) not later than 36 months after planting has been completed using the grant funds, submit to the responsible State or Tribal official, as applicable, a monitoring report that describes project implementation, including the survival rate of all plantings made under the grant; and (2) if the survival rate reported in the monitoring report under paragraph (1) is, after 36 months, less than the required minimum survival rate for the geographic area in which the planting is located, as determined by a State forester or equivalent State or Tribal official, as applicable, replant tree seedlings in a quantity equivalent to half of the original planting, using comparable means to the original planting. (i) Prevailing wage requirement Any contractor or subcontractor entering into a service contract in connection with a project under the Program shall— (1) be treated as a Federal contractor or subcontractor for purposes of chapter 67 McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act of 1965 (2) pay each class of employee employed by the contractor or subcontractor wages and fringe benefits at rates in accordance with prevailing rates for the class in the locality, or, where a collective-bargaining agreement covers the employee, in accordance with the rates provided for in the agreement, including prospective wage increases provided for in the agreement. (j) Report The Secretary shall annually submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report that describes the activities of the Program, including the total amount of carbon sequestered by replanted forests during the year covered by the report. (k) Funding (1) In general Of the funds of the Reforestation Trust Fund established under section 303 of Public Law 96–451 16 U.S.C. 1606a (2) Administrative costs and technical assistance Of the funds used under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall allocate not more than 10 percent for each fiscal year to State foresters or equivalent officials, including equivalent officials of Indian Tribes, for administrative costs and technical assistance under the Program. . 203. Funding for the community forest and open space conservation program In addition to amounts otherwise made available, of the funds of the Reforestation Trust Fund established under section 303 of Public Law 96–451 16 U.S.C. 1606a 16 U.S.C. 2103d 204. Forest Stewardship Practice Program The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 is amended by inserting after section 7A ( 16 U.S.C. 2103d 7B. Forest Stewardship Practice Program (a) In general The Secretary shall establish a Forest Stewardship Practice Program (referred to in this section as the program (b) Practices and payment rates The Secretary shall— (1) establish a schedule of eligible forest practices and payment rates under the program, calibrated to forest type and other relevant considerations; and (2) update the schedule established under paragraph (1) annually with statistical sampling of projects funded under the program. (c) Priority In awarding funding under the program, the Secretary shall give priority to projects that incentivize the largest quantity of carbon sequestration and storage by— (1) increasing timber harvest intervals; and (2) removing less carbon during timber harvest operations. (d) Funding Of the funds of the Reforestation Trust Fund established under section 303 of Public Law 96–451 16 U.S.C. 1606a . 205. Urban wood programs (a) In general The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 2101 21. Urban wood programs (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Innovative urban wood product The term innovative urban wood product (2) Secretary The term Secretary (3) Wood product The term wood product (A) building material made of wood; (B) a durable home product made of wood; and (C) a woody residue used for bioenergy. (b) Urban wood research and development program (1) Definition of eligible entity In this subsection, the term eligible entity (A) a unit of State, Tribal, or local government; (B) a land-grant college or university (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 ( 7 U.S.C. 3103 (C) a nonprofit organization; and (D) any other entity, as determined by the Secretary. (2) Establishment The Secretary shall establish a program to facilitate the use of innovative urban wood products in incorporated cities and towns in the United States by— (A) conducting performance-driven research and development relating to the potential sources and uses of urban wood products; (B) providing education and technical assistance to eligible entities relating to the potential sources and uses of urban wood products; and (C) awarding grants under paragraph (5). (3) Collaboration In carrying out the program established under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall obtain input and guidance from, and collaborate with— (A) the wood products industry; (B) conservation organizations; (C) community organizations; and (D) institutions of higher education. (4) Research and development, education, and technical assistance The Secretary shall carry out subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) at the Forest Products Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture or through the State and Private Forestry Deputy Area in a manner that meets the needs of municipalities, private companies, trade and technical schools, and other entities that work with urban wood. (5) Grants After obtaining input and guidance from the entities described in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities to conduct research and development and provide education and technical assistance that— (A) increases the use of urban wood; and (B) provides increased employment opportunities in the urban wood industry and related fields. (6) Priorities In carrying out the program established under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall give priority to projects and activities that— (A) (i) identify new products that can be created from urban wood; or (ii) improve on existing processes to produce innovative urban wood products with greater efficiency and quality; (B) facilitate improved commercialization of innovative urban wood products; (C) engage unemployed and underemployed persons in disadvantaged communities in worker training, full-time employment, and incubation of new commercial enterprises; and (D) increase the carbon mitigation benefit of the management of urban wood, as measured by the lifecycle environmental footprint of a wood product or production process, beginning with the collection of raw urban wood materials and ending with the manufacturing process. (7) Timeframe To the maximum extent practicable, the measurable performance goals for the research and development, education, and technical assistance conducted under the program established under paragraph (2) shall be achievable within a 10-year timeframe beginning on the date of establishment of the program. (c) Urban wood building competition Beginning in fiscal year 2021, the Secretary shall carry out an annual competition, in accordance with section 24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 ( 15 U.S.C. 3719 (1) innovative urban wood products and manufacturing processes; or (2) other innovative wood product demonstrations. (d) Funding Of the funds of the Reforestation Trust Fund established under section 303 of Public Law 96–451 16 U.S.C. 1606a . (b) Urban wood innovation grants Section 8643 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 ( 7 U.S.C. 7655d (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) Innovative urban wood product The term innovative urban wood product ; (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking (October 20, 2015)), may (October 20, 2015))— (A) may ; (B) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (B) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, award 1 or more wood innovation grants each year to eligible entities for the purpose of advancing the use of innovative urban wood products. ; and (3) in subsection (c), by striking under subsection (b)(2) for grants under subsection (b)(1)(A) 206. Stewardship Corps (a) In general The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the Secretary Stewardship Corps Stewardship Corps (b) Priority requirement To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall prioritize recruitment for the Stewardship Corps of youth from— (1) low-income communities; (2) indigenous communities; and (3) communities of color. (c) Reforestation and restoration on Federal land To the maximum extent practicable, members of the Stewardship Corps shall perform— (1) (A) in each of calendar years 2021 through 2025, not less than 20 percent of the reforestation required under subsections (d)(2) and (e) of section 303 of Public Law 96–451 16 U.S.C. 1606a (B) in calendar years 2026 and each calendar year thereafter, not less than 40 percent of the reforestation described in subparagraph (A); and (2) (A) in each of calendar years 2021 through 2025, not less than 20 percent of the wetlands restoration required under section 307; and (B) in calendar year 2026 and each calendar year thereafter, not less than 40 percent of the wetlands restoration described in subparagraph (A). (d) Duration of participation An individual shall serve in the Stewardship Corps for not more than 2 years. (e) Housing and care The Secretary shall provide to each member of the Stewardship Corps housing, subsistence, clothing, medical attention (including hospitalization), transportation, and a cash allowance, as determined necessary by the Secretary. (f) Compensation Members of the Stewardship Corps shall be paid at a rate in accordance with the prevailing rate for a similar class of Federal employees in the locality. (g) Job placement The Secretary shall assist members of the Stewardship Corps with obtaining employment in the forest sector and the wetlands restoration sector on the completion of service under the Stewardship Corps. III Coastal wetland 301. Definitions In this title: (1) Administrator The term Administrator (2) Coastal wetland The term coastal wetland (3) Indian Tribe The term Indian Tribe 25 U.S.C. 5304 (4) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education 20 U.S.C. 1001 (5) Natural infrastructure The term natural infrastructure (A) uses, restores, or emulates natural ecological processes; and (B) (i) is created through the action of natural physical, geological, biological, and chemical processes over time; (ii) is created by human design, engineering, and construction to emulate or act in concert with natural processes; or (iii) involves the use of plants, soils, and other natural features, including through the creation, restoration, or preservation of vegetated areas using materials appropriate to the area. (6) Nonprofit organization The term nonprofit organization section 501(c) (7) Program The term Program (8) Restoration The term restoration (A) improving hydrological conditions (such as by removing tidal barriers, improving connectivity, or changing water levels); (B) altering sediment supply (such as through the beneficial use of dredge material, thin-layer spraying, or reconnecting river sediment); (C) changing salinity characteristics; (D) improving water quality (such as by reducing excess nutrients, sedimentation, or contaminants); (E) planting of native plants, removal of invasive species, and other improved management practices; (F) controlling erosion of wetland edges; and (G) enabling future inland migration as sea levels rise, including through the enhancement of adjacent fresh water wetlands. (9) State The term State 302. Coastal and Estuary Resilience Grant Program (a) Establishment The Secretary of Commerce shall establish a program, to be known as the Coastal and Estuary Resilience Grant Program (b) Eligible entities An entity is eligible to apply for a grant under the Program if the entity is an institution of higher education, a nonprofit organization, a State or local government, or an Indian Tribe. (c) Eligible projects A project is eligible for a grant under the Program if the project is designed to reduce net greenhouse gases through one of the following: (1) The sequestration of additional carbon dioxide through— (A) the active restoration of degraded coastal wetland; and (B) the protection of threatened coastal wetland. (2) The halting of ongoing carbon dioxide emissions, and the resumption of the natural rate of carbon capture, through the restoration of drained coastal wetland. (3) The halting of ongoing methane emissions, and the resumption of the natural rate of carbon storage, through the restoration of formerly tidal wetland that has lost tidal connectivity and become fresh wetland (commonly known as impounded wetland (d) Grant evaluation criteria In reviewing applications for grants under the Program, the Secretary shall give priority to projects that exhibit the highest potential to— (1) mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by— (A) reducing greenhouse gas emissions; or (B) capturing and storing greenhouse gases; (2) reinforce ecosystem resilience and adaptation by— (A) preparing for sea level rise in order to reduce vulnerability to sea level rise and erosion; (B) supporting resilience against flooding and sea level rise; or (C) restoring or enhancing ecosystem function; or (3) provide economic and social co-benefits by— (A) reducing the potential impact and damage of storms on the built environment; (B) advancing environmental justice by reducing the disproportionate impacts of environmental hazards on communities of color, indigenous communities, and low-income communities; (C) providing jobs in coastal communities; (D) including elements of natural infrastructure; (E) incorporating collaborative partnerships; or (F) involving local communities in project planning and implementation. (e) Matching funds (1) Inclusion in applications An eligible entity under subsection (b) may include in an application for a grant under the Program a commitment to provide non-Federal resources (including in-kind contributions and volunteer hours) to match the amount of grant. (2) Consideration In reviewing an application for a grant under the Program, the Secretary may consider the inclusion of a commitment under paragraph (1) but may not require such a commitment as a condition of receiving a grant. (f) Eligible costs A grant awarded under the Program shall be available for all phases of the development, implementation, and monitoring of projects that are eligible under subsection (c), including— (1) preliminary community engagement, planning, and prioritization; (2) preliminary design and site assessment, including— (A) assessments of feasibility; (B) planning; and (C) community engagement; (3) final design and permitting; (4) restoration and project implementation; and (5) monitoring, reporting, and stewardship. (g) Reporting (1) In general An entity that receives a grant under the Program for a project shall— (A) collect data on the development and implementation of the project and stewardship following completion of the project; and (B) submit that data to the Administrator for inclusion in the database required by section 303(a). (2) Report after project completion Not later than 1 year after the completion of a project for which a grant is provided under the Program, the entity that received the grant shall submit to the Administrator a report on the outputs, outcomes, and impacts of the project, including with respect to— (A) the amount of area restored; (B) the estimated net climate benefit; (C) benefits to nearby communities; and (D) involvement of partners and communities. (h) Monitoring The Secretary shall establish guidelines providing for monitoring a project for which a grant is provided under the Program for the 10-year period after the grant is awarded. (i) Role of National Fish and Wildlife Foundation In carrying out the Program, the Secretary may consult, partner, or otherwise coordinate with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation established by section 2(a) of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act ( 16 U.S.C. 3701(a) 303. Data collection (a) Database (1) In general The Administrator shall maintain a coastal wetland restoration database to collect information about projects that receive grants under the Program. (2) Design The Administrator shall design the database required by paragraph (1) to collect performance metrics on the development and implementation of projects that receive grants under the Program and stewardship following completion of such projects to evaluate the success of those projects and inform the design of future projects in an adaptive manner. (3) Included metrics The database required by paragraph (1) shall include standardized metrics for reporting such as— (A) acres restored, protected, or created; (B) habitat type; (C) restoration technique; (D) estimated net greenhouse gas reduction effect; (E) jobs created; (F) quantified ecosystem services; and (G) other metrics selected by the Administrator. (4) Public availability The Administrator shall make products of the database publicly available and disseminate important findings to the public. (5) Privacy To protect the privacy of private landowners, the Administrator shall ensure that any data collected from private landowners under this section are anonymized before the data are made publicly available. (b) Inventory of coastal wetland The Administrator shall compile an inventory of coastal wetland. 304. Outreach and technical assistance The Administrator shall establish a technical assistance program to help entities outside of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in all phases of coastal wetland restoration project work, including outreach to potential applicants for grants under section 302. 305. Annual restoration and funding (a) Acreage requirements To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary of Commerce shall award grants under the Program to conduct coastal wetland restoration on 1,500,000 acres over 10 years, as follows: (1) On 50,000 acres in each of fiscal years 2021 and 2022. (2) On 100,000 acres in each of fiscal years 2023 and 2024. (3) On 150,000 acres in each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026. (4) On 225,000 acres in each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030. (b) Funding (1) In general On October 1 of each fiscal year, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of Commerce to provide grants under the Program, to remain available until expended— (A) $1,250,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 and 2022; (B) $2,500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 and 2024; (C) $3,750,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026; and (D) $5,625,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030. (2) Receipt and acceptance The Secretary of Commerce shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to provide grants under the Program in accordance with paragraph (1) the funds transferred under that paragraph, without further appropriation. (c) Supplement not supplant The amount authorized to be appropriated by subsection (a) shall supplement and not supplant other amounts available to the Secretary of Commerce. 306. Prevailing wage requirement Any contractor or subcontractor entering into a service contract in connection with a project under the Program shall— (1) be treated as a Federal contractor or subcontractor for purposes of chapter 67 McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act of 1965 (2) pay each class of employee employed by the contractor or subcontractor wages and fringe benefits at rates in accordance with prevailing rates for the class in the locality, or, where a collective-bargaining agreement covers the employee, in accordance with the rates provided for in the agreement, including prospective wage increases provided for in the agreement. 307. Department of the Interior coastal wetland restoration; funding (a) In general The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct coastal wetland restoration on land managed by the Secretary of the Interior to achieve at least 1 of the following: (1) The sequestration of additional carbon dioxide through— (A) the active restoration of degraded coastal wetland; and (B) the protection of threatened coastal wetland. (2) The halting of ongoing carbon dioxide emissions, and the resumption of the natural rate of carbon capture, through the restoration of drained coastal wetland. (3) The halting of ongoing methane emissions, and the resumption of the natural rate of carbon storage, through the restoration of formerly tidal wetland that has lost tidal connectivity and become fresh wetland (commonly known as impounded wetland (b) Acreage requirements To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary of the Interior shall conduct coastal wetland restoration under subsection (a)— (1) on land managed by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service— (A) on 10,000 acres in each of fiscal years 2021 and 2022; (B) on 20,000 acres in each of fiscal years 2023 and 2024; and (C) on 30,000 acres in fiscal year 2025 and each fiscal year thereafter; and (2) on land managed by the Director of the National Park Service— (A) on 10,000 acres in each of fiscal years 2021 and 2022; (B) on 20,000 acres in each of fiscal years 2023 and 2024; (C) on 40,000 acres in each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026; (D) on 80,000 acres in each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028; and (E) on 160,000 acres in each of fiscal years 2029 and 2030. (c) Funding (1) In general On October 1 of each fiscal year, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of the Interior to carry out this section, to remain available until expended— (A) for coastal wetland restoration on land managed by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service— (i) $250,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 and 2022; (ii) $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 and 2024; and (iii) $750,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030; and (B) for coastal wetland restoration on land managed by the Director of the National Park Service— (i) $250,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 and 2022; (ii) $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 and 2024; (iii) $1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026; (iv) $2,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 and 2028; and (v) $4,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2029 and 2030. (2) Receipt and acceptance The Secretary of the Interior shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall use to carry out this section in accordance with paragraph (1) the funds transferred under that paragraph, without further appropriation.

Summary: Climate Stewardship Act of 2021 This bill provides funding and incentives for states, Indian tribes, local governments, and other entities to carry out climate stewardship practices, including farm and ranch conservation practices, reforestation projects, and wetland restoration projects. For example, the bill extends through FY2030 the Conservation Reserve Program, the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and the Conservation Stewardship Program. It also modifies and increases funding levels for some of these programs. The Forest Service must award cost-share grants to states, Indian tribes, local governments, and nonprofit entities to conduct projects to reforest certain land. The bill also establishes a civilian conservation corps to provide youth from low-income communities, indigenous communities, and communities of color with the academic, vocational, and social skills necessary to pursue long-term, productive careers in the forest sector and the wetland restoration sector. Further, the bill sets forth a grant program for states, Indian tribes, local governments, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit entities to conduct coastal wetland restoration projects, including projects that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.