Reforestation Act of 2019

To amend the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 to promote reforestation following unplanned events on Federal land, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Reforestation Act of 2019 2. Reforestation following wildfires and other unplanned events (a) Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (1) National forest cover policy (A) In general Section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 ( 16 U.S.C. 1601 (i) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); (ii) by redesignating the second subsection (d) (relating to the policy of Congress regarding forested land in the National Forest System) as subsection (e); and (iii) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated)— (I) in paragraph (2)— (aa) in the first sentence— (AA) by striking 9 of this Act, the Secretary shall annually for eight years following the enactment of this subsection 9, the Secretary shall, annually during each of the 10 years beginning after the date of enactment of the Reforestation Act of 2019 (BB) by striking eight-year 10-year (bb) in the second sentence, by striking such eight-year period the 10-year period (cc) in the third sentence, by striking 1978 2021 (II) in paragraph (3), in the first sentence, by striking subsection (d) subsection (III) by adding at the end the following: (4) Reforestation requirements (A) Definitions In this paragraph: (i) Natural regeneration (I) In general The term natural regeneration (II) Inclusion The term natural regeneration (ii) Priority land The term priority land (I) is unstocked; (II) requires reforestation to meet the objectives of an applicable land management plan; and (III) is unlikely to experience natural regeneration without assistance. (iii) Reforestation The term reforestation (I) natural regeneration; (II) natural regeneration with site preparation; or (III) planting direct seeding, taking into consideration species composition and resilience. (iv) Unplanned event (I) In general The term unplanned event (aa) disrupts ecosystem or forest structure or composition; or (bb) changes resources, substrate availability, or the physical environment. (II) Inclusions The term unplanned event (aa) a wildfire; (bb) an infestation of insects or disease; (cc) a weather event; and (dd) animal damage. (v) Unstocked The term unstocked (B) Requirement Each reforestation activity under this section shall be carried out in accordance with applicable Forest Service management practices and definitions, including those contained in— (i) the amendment numbered 2400–2014–1 to chapter 2470 (relating to silvicultural practices) of the Forest Service document numbered FSM 2400 (relating to forest management) (or a successor amendment or manual); and (ii) section 219.19 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). (C) Reforestation priority (i) In general In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to projects on the priority list described in clause (ii). (ii) Priority list (I) In general The Chief of the Forest Service shall, based on recommendations from regional foresters, create a priority list of reforestation projects that— (aa) primarily take place on priority land; (bb) promote effective reforestation following unplanned events; and (cc) may include activities to ensure adequate and appropriate seed availability. (II) Ranking The Chief of the Forest Service shall rank projects on the priority list under subclause (I) based on— (aa) documentation of an effective reforestation project plan; (bb) the ability to measure the progress and success of the project; and (cc) the ability of a project to provide benefits relating to forest function and health, soil health and productivity, wildlife habitat, improved air and water quality, carbon sequestration potential, resilience, job creation, and enhanced recreational opportunities. . (B) Conforming amendment Section 9 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 ( 16 U.S.C. 2105 (i) by striking section 3(d) subsection (e) of section 3 (ii) by striking 1601(d) 1601 (2) National Forest System program elements Section 9 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 ( 16 U.S.C. 1607 2000 2029 (b) Reforestation Trust Fund Section 303 of Public Law 96–451 16 U.S.C. 1606a (1) in subsection (b)(2), by striking $30,000,000 $60,000,000 (2) in subsection (d)(1)— (A) by striking section 3(d) subsection (e) of section 3 (B) by striking 1601(d) 1601 (c) Stewardship end result contracting projects Section 604(c) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 ( 16 U.S.C. 6591c(c) (8) With respect to projects under subsection (b) entered into only by the Chief, reforestation in accordance with subsection (e)(4)(C)(ii) of section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 ( 16 U.S.C. 1601 . (d) Good neighbor authority Section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 ( 16 U.S.C. 2113a (1) in subsection (a)(4)(A)— (A) in clause (ii), by striking and (B) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and (C) by inserting after clause (ii) the following: (iii) with respect to National Forest System land only, reforestation activities; and ; and (2) in subsection (b)(1), by adding at the end the following: (C) Reforestation priority The Secretary shall enter into good neighbor agreements under this section with respect to forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services described in subsection (a)(4)(A)(iii) in accordance with subsection (e)(4)(C)(ii) of section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 ( 16 U.S.C. 1601 . 3. Report Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and make publicly available on the website of the Forest Service, a report that describes, with respect to the preceding year— (1) an evaluation of the degree to which the Secretary has achieved compliance with the requirements contained in the amendments made by this Act, including, as a result of those amendments, the number of acres covered by reforestation projects that follow unplanned events (such as wildfires); (2) the authorities, expressed by the number of acres replanted, used to replant forests impacted by unplanned events, including through— (A) stewardship contracts under section 604 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 ( 16 U.S.C. 6591c (B) good neighbor agreements under section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 ( 16 U.S.C. 2113a (3) the number of acres of National Forest System land affected by, and the substance of reforestation needs on that land resulting from, unplanned events; and (4) the number of acres in need of reforestation under subsection (e)(1) of section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 ( 16 U.S.C. 1601

Summary: Reforestation Act of 2019 This bill addresses the need for reforestation of National Forest System (NFS) lands following certain unplanned events, including wildfires, weather events, and infestations of insects or diseases. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to transmit to Congress annually, for 10 years, an estimate of the funds needed to replant and otherwise treat an acreage equal to the acreage to be cut over that year plus a sufficient portion of the backlog of lands in need of treatment to eliminate the backlog in the 10-year period. The Forest Service shall create a priority list of projects that promote effective reforestation following specified unplanned events. The bill sets 2029 as the target year for when the renewable resources of the NFS must be operating where there are no longer any backlogs and the major portion of planned intensive multiple-use sustained-yield management procedures must be installed and operating on an environmentally-sound basis. The bill increases the amount that may be transferred to the reforestation trust fund for any fiscal year. The land management goals of Forest Service stewardship end result contracting projects may include reforestation in accordance with the priority list. USDA may enter into good neighbor agreements for reforestation activities in accordance with the priority list.