(b) FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES DESIGNATED 
FOR CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION.—The forest management 
activities designated as being categorically excluded under 
subsection (a) are— 
(1) the development and approval of a vegeta-
tion management, facility inspection, and operation 
and maintenance plan submitted under section 
512(c)(1) of the Federal Land Policy and Manage-
ment Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1772(c)(1)) by the 
Secretary concerned; and 
(2) the implementation of routine activities con-
ducted under the plan referred to in paragraph (1). 
(c) AVAILABILITY OF CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION.— 
On and after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary concerned may use the categorical exclusion es-
tablished under subsection (a) in accordance with this sec-
tion. 
(d) EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES.—Use of the 
categorical exclusion established under subsection (a) shall 
not be subject to the extraordinary circumstances proce-
dures in section 220.6, title 36, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, or section 1508.4, title 40, Code of Federal Regula-
tions. 
(e) ROADS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:15 Jul 30, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4302.IH
H4302
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(1) EXISTING
ROADS.—The Secretary con-
cerned may carry out necessary maintenance and re-
pair on an existing permanent road for the purposes 
of conducting a forest management activity des-
ignated under subsection (b). 
(2) TEMPORARY
ROADS.—The Secretary con-
cerned shall decommission any temporary road con-
structed for a forest management activity designated 
under subsection (b) not later than 3 years after the 
date on which the action is completed. 
(f) APPLICABLE LAWS.—A forest management activ-
ity designated under subsection (b) shall not be subject 
to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
U.S.C. 1536), section 106 of the National Historic Preser-
vation Act, or any other applicable law. 
SEC. 802. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FOR ACTIVE FOREST 
MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES. 
(a) COORDINATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In conducting forest man-
agement activities, the Secretary concerned shall, as 
appropriate, coordinate with the Administrator and 
State and local agencies and organizations, including 
local fire departments and volunteer groups. 
(2) GOALS.—The coordination of activities 
under subparagraph (1) should aim to increase effi-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:15 Jul 30, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4302.IH
H4302
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
ciencies and maximize the compatibility of manage-
ment practices across public property boundaries. 
(b) MULTIPLE BENEFITS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In conducting forest man-
agement activities, the Secretary concerned shall 
conduct the activities in a manner that, except as 
provided in subsection (a)(2), attains multiple eco-
system benefits, including— 
(A) maintaining biological diversity; 
(B) improving wetland and water quality, 
including in Stream Environment Zones; and 
(C) increasing resilience to changing water 
temperature and precipitation. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding subsection 
(a)(2), the attainment of multiple ecosystem benefits 
shall not be required if the Secretary determines 
that management for multiple ecosystem benefits 
would excessively increase the cost of a program in 
relation to the additional ecosystem benefits gained 
from the management activity. 
(c) GROUND DISTURBANCE.—Consistent with appli-
cable Federal law, the Secretary shall establish post-pro-
gram ground condition criteria for ground disturbance 
caused by forest management activities. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:15 Jul 30, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4302.IH
H4302
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
(d) AVAILABILITY OF CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FOR 
CERTAIN FOREST MANAGEMENT PROJECTS.—A forest 
management activity conducted for the purpose of reduc-
ing forest fuels is categorically excluded from the require-
ments of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) if the forest management activ-
ity— 
(1) notwithstanding section 423 of the Depart-
ment of the Interior, Environment, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 (division E of 
Public Law 111–8; 123 Stat. 748), does not exceed 
10,000 acres, including not more than 3,000 acres 
of mechanical thinning; and 
(2) is developed— 
(A) in coordination with impacted parties, 
specifically including representatives of local 
governments, such as county supervisors or 
county commissioners; and 
(B) in consultation with other interested 
parties. 
SEC. 803. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION TO EXPEDITE CER-
TAIN CRITICAL RESPONSE ACTIONS. 
(a) CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION.—Forest management 
activities described in subsection (b) are a category of ac-
tions hereby designated as being categorically excluded 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:15 Jul 30, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4302.IH
H4302
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS
from the preparation of an environmental assessment or 
an environmental impact statement under section 102 of 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4332). 
(b) FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES DESIGNATED 
FOR CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION.—The forest management 
activities designated under this section for a categorical 
exclusion are forest management activities carried out by 
the Secretary concerned on National Forest System lands 
or public lands where the primary purpose of such activity 
is— 
(1) to address an insect or disease infestation; 
(2) to reduce hazardous fuel loads; 
(3) to protect a municipal water source; 
(4) to maintain, enhance, or modify critical 
habitat to protect it from catastrophic disturbances; 
(5) to increase water yield; 
(6) to facilitate native species restoration; or 
(7) any combination of the purposes specified in 
paragraphs (1) through (6). 
(c) AVAILABILITY OF CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION.— 
On and after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary concerned may use the categorical exclusion es-
tablished under subsection (a) in accordance with this sec-
tion. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:15 Jul 30, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4302.IH
H4302
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with BILLS