(III) proposed by a resource advi-
sory committee (as defined in section 
201 of the Secure Rural Schools and 
Community Self-Determination Act of 
2000 (16 U.S.C. 7121)); and 
(iii) occurs on Federal land or non- 
Federal land with the consent of the non- 
Federal landowner. 
(E) USE OF OTHER AUTHORITIES.—To the 
maximum extent practicable, the Secretary con-
cerned shall use the authorities provided under 
this section in combination with other authori-
ties to carry out Protection Projects, including— 
(i) good neighbor agreements entered 
into under section 8206 of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a); and 
(ii) stewardship contracting projects 
entered into under section 604 of the 
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 
U.S.C. 6591c). 
(F) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—With respect to joint 
Protection Projects and reforestation and reha-
bilitation activities involving the Tribe, nothing 
in this section shall be construed to add any ad-
ditional regulatory requirements onto the Tribe. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—To the maximum extent prac-
ticable, the Secretary concerned shall reduce hazardous fuels 
in no fewer than 3 giant sequoia groves each year. 
SEC. 7. GIANT SEQUOIA REFORESTATION AND REHABILITA-
TION STRATEGY. 
(a) REFORESTATION
AND REHABILITATION STRAT-
EGY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, 
in consultation with the Coalition, shall develop and 
implement a strategy, to be known as the Giant Se-
quoia Reforestation and Rehabilitation Strategy, to 
enhance the reforestation and rehabilitation of giant 
sequoia groves that— 
(A) identifies giant sequoia groves in need 
of natural or artificial regeneration, giving high-
est priority to groves identified under section 
5(a)(1)(A)(i); 
(B) creates a priority list of reforestation 
and rehabilitation activities; 
(C) identifies and addresses— 
(i) barriers to reforestation or rehabili-
tation including— 
(I) regulatory and funding bar-
riers; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(II) seedling shortages or related 
nursery infrastructure capacity con-
straints; 
(III) labor and workforce short-
ages; 
(IV) technology and science gaps; 
and 
(V) site preparation challenges; 
(ii) potential public-private partner-
ship opportunities to complete high-priority 
reforestation or rehabilitation projects; 
(iii) a timeline for addressing the 
backlog of reforestation for giant sequoias in 
the 10-year period after the agreement is 
entered into under section 3; and 
(iv) strategies to ensure genetic diver-
sity across giant sequoia groves; and 
(D) includes program and policy rec-
ommendations needed to improve the efficiency 
or effectiveness of the Strategy. 
(2) ASSESSMENT.—The Secretary may incor-
porate the Strategy into the Assessment under section 
5. 
(b) PRIORITY REFORESTATION PROJECTS AMEND-
MENT.—Section 3(e)(4)(C)(ii)(I) of the Forest and Range- 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
land Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 
1601(e)(4)(C)(ii)(I)) is amended— 
(1) in item (bb), by striking ‘‘and’’; 
(2) in item (cc), by striking the period and in-
serting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(dd) shall include reforest-
ation and rehabilitation activities 
conducted under section 7 of the 
Save Our Sequoias Act.’’. 
(c) IMPLEMENTATION.—Section 4(d)(1) of the Wilder-
ness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)) is amended by inserting 
‘‘Nothing in this Act precludes reforestation (as defined in 
section 2 of the Save our Sequoias Act) activities to reestab-
lish giant sequoias following a wildfire.’’ after the period 
at the end. 
SEC. 8. GIANT SEQUOIA STRIKE TEAMS. 
(a) GIANT SEQUOIA STRIKE TEAMS.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary concerned 
shall each establish a Giant Sequoia Strike Team to 
assist the Secretary concerned with the implementa-
tion of— 
(A) primarily, section 6; and 
(B) secondarily, section 7. 
(2) DUTIES.—Each Strike Team shall— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(A) assist the Secretary concerned with any 
reviews, including analysis under the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.), consultations under the National 
Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 
470 et seq.), and consultations under the Endan-
gered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.); 
(B) implement any necessary site prepara-
tion work in advance of or as part of a Protec-
tion Project or reforestation or rehabilitation ac-
tivity; 
(C) implement Protection Projects under 
section 6; and 
(D) implement reforestation or rehabilita-
tion activities under section 7. 
(3) MEMBERS.—The Secretary concerned may 
appoint no more than 10 individuals each to serve on 
a Strike Team comprised of— 
(A) employees of the Department of the In-
terior; 
(B) employees of the Forest Service; 
(C) private contractors from any nonprofit 
organization, State government, Tribal Govern-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
ment, local government, academic institution, or 
private organization; and 
(D) volunteers from any nonprofit organi-
zation, State government, Tribal Government, 
local government, academic institution, or pri-
vate organization. 
SEC. 9. GIANT SEQUOIA COLLABORATIVE RESTORATION 
GRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with 
the parties to the agreement under section 3, shall establish 
a program to award grants to eligible entities to advance, 
facilitate, or improve giant sequoia health and resiliency. 
(b) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The Secretary may award 
grants under this section to any nonprofit organization, 
Tribal Government, local government, academic institution, 
or private organization to help advance, facilitate, or im-
prove giant sequoia health and resiliency. 
(c) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this section, 
the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that— 
(1) primarily, are likely to have the greatest im-
pact on giant sequoia health and resiliency; and 
(2) secondarily— 
(A) are small businesses or tribal entities, 
particularly in rural areas; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(B) create or support jobs, particularly in 
rural areas. 
(d) USE
OF GRANT FUNDS.—Funds from grants 
awarded under this section shall be used to— 
(1) create, expand, or develop markets for haz-
ardous fuels removed under section 6, including mar-
kets for biomass and biochar; 
(2) facilitate hazardous fuel removal under sec-
tion 6, including by reducing the cost of transporting 
hazardous fuels removed as part of a Protection 
Project; 
(3) expand, enhance, develop, or create facilities 
or land that can store or process hazardous fuels re-
moved under section 6; 
(4) establish, develop, expand, enhance, or im-
prove nursery capacity or infrastructure necessary to 
facilitate the Strategy established under section 7; or 
(5) support tribal management and conservation 
of giant sequoias, including funding for tribal historic 
preservation officers. 
SEC. 10. GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY FOR GIANT SE-
QUOIAS. 
Section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 
U.S.C. 2113a) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(A) in paragraph (3)(A)— 
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘or’’ at 
the end; 
(ii) by redesignating clause (ii) as 
clause (iii); 
(iii) by inserting after clause (i) the 
following: 
‘‘(ii) Kings Canyon National Park, Se-
quoia National Park, and Yosemite Na-
tional Park; or’’; 
(B) in paragraph (4)(A)— 
(i) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(ii) by redesignating clause (iii) as 
clause (iv); 
(iii) by inserting after clause (ii) the 
following: 
‘‘(iii) activities conducted under sec-
tion 6 of the Save Our Sequoias Act;’’; 
(iv) in clause (iv), as so redesignated, 
by striking the period at the end and insert-
ing ‘‘; or’’; and 
(v) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(v) any combination of activities 
specified in clauses (i) through (iv).’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(C) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘or In-
dian tribe’’; and 
(D) in paragraph (10)(B) by striking 
‘‘land.’’ and inserting ‘‘land, Kings Canyon Na-
tional Park, Sequoia National Park, and Yosem-
ite National Park.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ‘‘, In-
dian tribe,’’ after ‘‘Governor’’; 
(B) by amending paragraph (2)(C) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(C) TREATMENT OF REVENUE.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Funds received 
from the sale of timber by a Governor, an 
Indian tribe, or a county under a good 
neighbor agreement shall be retained and 
used by the Governor, Indian tribe, or coun-
ty, as applicable— 
‘‘(I) to carry out authorized res-
toration services under such good 
neighbor agreement; and 
‘‘(II) if there are funds remaining 
after carrying out the services under 
clause (i), to carry out authorized res-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
toration services within the State 
under other good neighbor agreements. 
‘‘(ii) SPECIAL RULE FOR CERTAIN NA-
TIONAL
PARKS.—Funds received from the 
sale of timber by a Governor, an Indian 
tribe, or a county under a good neighbor 
agreement carried out within the bound-
aries of Kings Canyon National Park, Se-
quoia National Park, or Yosemite National 
Park shall be retained and used by the Gov-
ernor, Indian tribe, or county, as applica-
ble— 
‘‘(I) to carry out authorized res-
toration services under such good 
neighbor agreement; 
‘‘(II) if there are funds remaining 
after carrying out the services under 
clause (i), to carry out authorized res-
toration services under other good 
neighbor agreements within the bound-
aries of the park unit in which the ini-
tial good neighbor agreement occurred; 
and 
‘‘(III) if there are no further good 
neighbor agreements to carry out under 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
clause (ii), to transfer to the park unit 
in which the initial good neighbor 
agreement occurred to be used for giant 
sequoia conservation and management. 
‘‘(iii) TERMINATION
OF
EFFECTIVE-
NESS.—The authority provided by this sub-
paragraph terminates effective October 1, 
2028.’’; 
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘, In-
dian tribe,’’ after ‘‘Governor’’; and 
(D) by amending paragraph (4) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(4) AUTHORIZED
RESTORATION
SERVICES
IN 
CERTAIN
NATIONAL
PARKS.—Authorized restoration 
services occurring in Kings Canyon National Park, 
Sequoia National Park, and Yosemite National Park 
shall be carried out in accordance with section 
100753 of title 54, United States Code.’’. 
(3) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—Section 
8206(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 
2113a(a)) is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ‘‘, 
Indian tribe,’’ after ‘‘Governor’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (5), by inserting ‘‘, In-
dian tribe,’’ after ‘‘Governor’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
SEC. 11. STEWARDSHIP CONTRACTING FOR GIANT SE-
QUOIAS. 
(a) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.—Section 604(a)(2) of 
the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 
6591c(c)) is amended to read— 
‘‘(2) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘Director’ means the 
Director of the Bureau of Land Management with re-
spect to Bureau of Land Management lands and the 
Director of the National Park Service with respect to 
lands within Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia 
National Park, and Yosemite National Park.’’. 
(b) GIANT SEQUOIA STEWARDSHIP CONTRACTS.—Sec-
tion 604(c) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 
(16 U.S.C. 6591c(c)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(8) Promoting the health and resiliency of giant 
sequoias.’’. 
SEC. 12. GIANT SEQUOIA EMERGENCY PROTECTION PRO-
GRAM AND FUND. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1011 of title 54, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘§ 101123. Giant Sequoia Emergency Protection Pro-
gram and Fund 
‘‘(a) GIANT SEQUOIA EMERGENCY PROTECTION PRO-
GRAM.—The National Park Foundation, in coordination 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
the provisions in paragraph (3), for projects and ac-
tivities approved by the Chief of the Forest Service or 
the Director of the National Park Service as appro-
priate, or their designees, to— 
‘‘(A) primarily, support the management 
and conservation of giant sequoias on National 
Park Service and covered National Forest Sys-
tem lands to promote resiliency to wildfires, in-
sects, and drought; and 
‘‘(B) secondarily, support the reforestation 
of giant sequoias on National Park Service and 
covered National Forest System lands impacted 
by wildfire. 
‘‘(3) TRIBAL SUPPORT.—Of the funds provided 
to the National Park Foundation and National Forest 
Foundation under paragraph (2), not less than 15 
percent of such funds shall be used to support tribal 
management and conservation of giant sequoias in-
cluding funding for tribal historic preservation offi-
cers. 
‘‘(c) SUMMARY.—Beginning 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the National Park Foundation 
and National Forest Foundation shall include with their 
annual reports a summary of the status of the program and 
Fund created under this section that includes— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
‘‘(1) a statement of the amounts deposited in the 
Fund during the fiscal year; 
‘‘(2) the amount of the balance remaining in the 
Fund at the end of the fiscal year; and 
‘‘(3) a description of the program and projects 
funded during the fiscal year. 
‘‘(d) COVERED NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS DE-
FINED.—In this section, the term ‘covered National Forest 
System lands’ has the meaning given such term in section 
2 of the Save Our Sequoias Act. 
‘‘(e) TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVENESS.—The author-
ity provided by this section shall terminate 7 years after 
the date of enactment of the Save Our Sequoias Act.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
for chapter 1011 of title 54, United States Code, is amended 
by inserting at the end the following: 
‘‘101123. Giant Sequoia Emergency Protection Program and Fund.’’. 
SEC. 13. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of appro-
priations made in advance for such purposes, the Secretary 
concerned shall allocate up to— 
(1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(2) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(3) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 
through 2028; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00038
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(4) $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2029 
through 2030. 
(b) LIMITATION.—Of the amounts authorized under 
subsection (a), not less than 90 percent of funds shall be 
used to carry out section 6 and section 9 of this Act. 
(c) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this Act affects— 
(1) the allocation of previously appropriated 
funds from prior fiscal years, consistent with applica-
ble laws and regulations; and 
(2) the prerogative of the Secretary concerned to 
establish Departmental funding priorities, consistent 
with applicable laws and regulations. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00039
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
Union Calendar No. 757 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 2989 
[Report No. 118–927, Part I] 
A BILL 
To improve the health and resiliency of giant 
sequoias, and for other purposes. 
DECEMBER 18, 2024 
Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources with 
an amendment 
DECEMBER 18, 2024 
Committee on Agriculture discharged; committed to the 
Committee of the Whole House on the State of the 
Union and ordered to be printed 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:47 Dec 21, 2024
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 6651
Sfmt 6651
E:\BILLS\H2989.RH
H2989
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB