I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8230 
To streamline the permitting process for communications infrastructure on 
National Forest System lands. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 2, 2024 
Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota (for himself and Mr. BACON) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, 
and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be sub-
sequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of 
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To streamline the permitting process for communications 
infrastructure on National Forest System lands. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Facilitating Optimal 
and Rapid Expansion and Siting of Telecommunications 
Act’’ or the ‘‘FOREST Act’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:55 May 30, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8230.IH
H8230
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
SEC. 2. EXEMPTION FOR PREVIOUSLY ANALYZED AREAS OF 
NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The requirements under the Na-
tional Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.) or division A of subtitle 54, United States Code, 
shall not apply to an application for a communications use 
authorization on National Forest System lands, including 
National Forest System lands on which authorized utili-
ties, communications facilities, powerline facilities or roads 
have been installed, if— 
(1) the communications equipment is located in 
or on existing infrastructure; or 
(2) the communications facility is located on 
previously analyzed areas of National Forest System 
lands. 
(b) NO
ADDITIONAL
CONSULTATION
REQUIRED 
UNDER
CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES.—Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, the Secretary shall not be re-
quired to reinitiate consultation of the requirements under 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.) or division A of subtitle 54, United States 
Code, for an application for a communications use author-
ization on previously analyzed areas of National Forest 
System lands if new information concerning a previously 
analyzed area of National Forest Service land becomes 
available. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:55 May 30, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8230.IH
H8230
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COMMUNICATIONS
FACILITY; COMMUNICA-
TIONS USE AUTHORIZATION.—The terms ‘‘commu-
nications facility’’ and ‘‘communications use author-
ization’’ have the meanings given the terms, respec-
tively, in section 8705 of the Agriculture Improve-
ment Act of 2018 (43 U.S.C. 1761a). 
(2) PREVIOUSLY
ANALYZED
AREAS
OF
NA-
TIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS.—The term ‘‘pre-
viously analyzed areas of National Forest System 
lands’’ means any National Forest Service land with 
respect to which the Secretary has— 
(A) granted, issued, and executed a com-
munications use authorization; and 
(B) conducted sufficient environmental or 
historical reviews. 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 
Chief of the Forest Service. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
04:55 May 30, 2024
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H8230.IH
H8230
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB