(iv) collection and seeding or planting 
of native vegetation using a manual, me-
chanical, or aerial method; 
(v) seeding of nonnative vegetation 
only for the purpose of emergency sta-
bilization; 
(vi) use of a herbicide, pesticide, or bi-
ological control agent, subject to the condi-
tion that the use shall be in accordance 
with applicable legal requirements, Federal 
agency procedures, and land use plans; 
(vii) targeted or late-season livestock 
grazing to mitigate hazardous fuels and 
control noxious and invasive weeds; 
(viii) temporary removal of wild 
horses or burros in the area in which the 
activity is being carried out to ensure 
treatment objectives are met; 
(ix) temporary suspension of per-
mitted grazing use until restoration treat-
ment objectives are met; 
(x) installation of new, or modification 
of existing, fencing or water sources in-
tended to control use or improve wildlife 
habitat; or 
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(xi) construction of temporary roads. 
(C) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘covered 
vegetation management activity’’ does not in-
clude— 
(i) any activity conducted in a wilder-
ness area or wilderness study area; or 
(ii) any activity for the construction of 
a permanent road or permanent trail. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(3) TEMPORARY ROAD.—The term ‘‘temporary 
road’’ means a road that is— 
(A) authorized— 
(i) by a contract, permit, lease, other 
written authorization; or 
(ii) pursuant to an emergency oper-
ation; 
(B) not intended to be part of the perma-
nent transportation system of a Federal depart-
ment or agency; 
(C) not necessary for long-term resource 
management; and 
(D) designed in accordance with standards 
appropriate for the intended use of the road, 
taking into consideration— 
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(i) safety; 
(ii) the cost of transportation; and 
(iii) impacts to land and resources. 
SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENT OF HABITAT FOR GREATER SAGE- 
GROUSE AND MULE DEER. 
(a) CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall develop one or more categorical exclusions (as 
defined in section 1508.4 of title 40, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations (or a successor regulation)) for cov-
ered vegetative management activities carried out to 
establish or improve habitat for greater sage-grouse 
and mule deer. 
(2) ADMINISTRATION.—In developing and ad-
ministering a categorical exclusion under paragraph 
(1), the Secretary shall— 
(A) be consistent with the National Envi-
ronmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.); 
(B) apply the extraordinary circumstances 
procedures under section 220.6 of title 36, Code 
of Federal Regulations (or successor regula-
tions), in determining whether to use the cat-
egorical exclusion; and 
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(C) consider— 
(i) the relative efficacy of landscape- 
scale habitat projects; 
(ii) the likelihood of continued de-
clines in the populations of greater sage- 
grouse and mule deer in the absence of 
landscape-scale vegetation management; 
and 
(iii) the need for habitat restoration 
activities after wildfire or other natural 
disturbances. 
(b) LONG-TERM MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE.— 
Before commencing any covered vegetative management 
activity that is covered by a categorical exclusion under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop a long-term 
monitoring and maintenance plan, covering at least the 
20-year period beginning on the date of commencement, 
to ensure that management of the treated area does not 
degrade the habitat gains secured by the covered vegeta-
tive management activity. 
(c) DISPOSAL OF VEGETATIVE MATERIAL.—Subject 
to applicable local restrictions, any vegetative material re-
sulting from a covered vegetation management activity 
that is covered by a categorical exclusion under subsection 
(a) may be— 
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(1) used for— 
(A) fuel wood; or 
(B) other products; or 
(2) piled or burned, or both. 
(d) TREATMENT FOR TEMPORARY ROADS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—A temporary road con-
structed in connection with a covered vegetation 
management activity that is a categorical exclusion 
under subsection (a) shall be treated to ensure the 
reestablishment of native vegetative cover by artifi-
cial or natural means, as necessary to minimize ero-
sion from any area disturbed by the construction or 
use of the temporary road. 
(2) REQUIREMENT.—A treatment under para-
graph (1) shall be designed to reestablish vegetative 
cover— 
(A) as soon as practicable; but 
(B) not later than 10 years after the date 
of completion of the applicable covered vegeta-
tion management activity. 
Æ 
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