Expediting Forest Restoration and Recovery Act of 2023

To amend the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to expedite hazardous fuel or insect and disease risk reduction projects on certain National Forest System land, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Expediting Forest Restoration and Recovery Act of 2023 2. Application by Forest Service of authorities to expedite environmental analyses in carrying out hazardous fuel and insect and disease risk reduction projects Section 104 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 ( 16 U.S.C. 6514 (i) Application by Forest Service of authorities To expedite environmental analyses in carrying out hazardous fuel and insect and disease risk reduction projects (1) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Insect and disease treatment area The term insect and disease treatment area (i) is designated by the Secretary as an insect and disease treatment area under this title; or (ii) is designated as at risk or a hazard on the most recent National Insect and Disease Risk Map published by the Forest Service. (B) Secretary The term Secretary (2) Use of authorities In carrying out a hazardous fuel or insect and disease risk reduction project in an insect and disease treatment area authorized under this Act, the Secretary shall— (A) apply the categorical exclusion established by section 603 in the case of a hazardous fuel or insect and disease risk reduction project carried out in an area— (i) designated as suitable for timber production within the applicable forest plan; or (ii) where timber harvest activities are not prohibited; (B) conduct applicable environmental assessments and environmental impact statements in accordance with this section in the case of a hazardous fuel or insect and disease risk reduction project— (i) carried out in an area— (I) outside of an area described in subparagraph (A); or (II) where other significant resource concerns exist, as determined exclusively by the Secretary; or (ii) that is carried out in an area equivalent to not less than a hydrologic unit code 5 watershed, as defined by the United States Geological Survey; and (C) notwithstanding subsection (d), in the case of any other hazardous fuel or insect and disease risk reduction project, in the environmental assessment or environmental impact statement prepared under subsection (b), study, develop, and describe— (i) the proposed agency action; and (ii) the alternative of no action. (3) Priority for reducing risks of insect infestation and wildfire Except where established as a mandatory standard that constrains project and activity decision making in a resource management plan (as defined in section 101(13)(A)) in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, in the case of an insect and disease treatment area, the Secretary shall prioritize reducing the risks of insect and disease infestation and wildfire over other planning objectives. (4) Inclusion of Fire Regime Group IV Notwithstanding section 603(c)(2)(B), the Secretary shall apply the categorical exclusion described in paragraph (2)(A) to areas in Fire Regime Group IV. (5) Excluded areas This subsection shall not apply to— (A) a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System; or (B) an inventoried roadless area, except in the case of an activity that is permitted under— (i) the final rule of the Secretary entitled Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation (ii) a State-specific roadless area conservation rule. (6) Reports The Secretary shall annually make publicly available data describing the acreage treated under hazardous fuel or insect and disease risk reduction projects in insect and disease treatment areas during the previous year. . 3. Good neighbor authority Section 8206(b)(2) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 ( 16 U.S.C. 2113a(b)(2) (C) Treatment of revenue Funds received from the sale of timber by a Governor of a State under a good neighbor agreement shall be retained and used by the Governor— (i) to carry out authorized restoration services under that good neighbor agreement; and (ii) if funds remain after carrying out authorized restoration services under clause (i), to carry out authorized restoration services within the State under other good neighbor agreements. .

Summary: Expediting Forest Restoration and Recovery Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to expedite the environmental review of hazardous fuel or insect and disease risk reduction projects on certain National Forest System land and prioritize reducing the risks of insect infestations and wildfires over other objectives in forest plans. In addition, the bill directs states to retain good neighbor agreement timber sale revenues and use them for certain restoration services.