I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8168 
To improve the health and resiliency of giant sequoias, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 22, 2022 
Mr. MCCARTHY (for himself, Mr. PETERS, Mr. WESTERMAN, Mr. COSTA, Mr. 
VALADAO, Mr. PANETTA, Mr. MCCLINTOCK, Mr. GARAMENDI, Mr. 
THOMPSON of Pennsylvania, Mr. THOMPSON of California, Mr. CALVERT, 
Ms. ESHOO, Mr. GARCIA of California, Mr. CORREA, Mr. LAMALFA, Mr. 
BERA, Mr. OBERNOLTE, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Mr. NEWHOUSE, Mr. 
PERLMUTTER, Mr. CURTIS, Mr. SCHRADER, Mr. FULCHER, Mr. 
MALINOWSKI, Mrs. KIM of California, Ms. CONWAY, and Mr. KAHELE) 
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 subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To improve the health and resiliency of giant sequoias, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Save Our Sequoias Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.— 
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Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
Sec. 3. Shared stewardship agreement for giant sequoias. 
Sec. 4. Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition. 
Sec. 5. Giant Sequoia Health and Resiliency Assessment. 
Sec. 6. Giant sequoia emergency response. 
Sec. 7. Giant Sequoia Reforestation and Rehabilitation Strategy. 
Sec. 8. Giant Sequoia Strike Teams. 
Sec. 9. Giant sequoia collaborative restoration grants. 
Sec. 10. Good neighbor authority for giant sequoias. 
Sec. 11. Stewardship contracting for giant sequoias. 
Sec. 12. Giant Sequoia Emergency Protection Program and Fund. 
Sec. 13. Authorization of appropriations. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ASSESSMENT.—The term ‘‘Assessment’’ 
means the Giant Sequoia Health and Resiliency As-
sessment required by section 5. 
(2) COALITION.—The term ‘‘Coalition’’ means 
the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition established under 
section 4. 
(3) COLLABORATIVE PROCESS.—The term ‘‘col-
laborative process’’ means a process relating to the 
management of National Forest System lands or 
public lands by which a project or forest manage-
ment activity is developed and implemented by the 
Secretary concerned through collaboration with mul-
tiple interested persons representing diverse inter-
ests. 
(4) COVERED
NATIONAL
FOREST
SYSTEM 
LANDS.—The term ‘‘covered National Forest System 
lands’’ means the proclaimed National Forest Sys-
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tem lands reserved or withdrawn from the public do-
main of the United States covering the Sequoia Na-
tional Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monu-
ment, Sierra National Forest, and Tahoe National 
Forest. 
(5) GIANT
SEQUOIA.—The term ‘‘giant se-
quoia’’ means a tree of the species Sequoiadendron 
giganteum. 
(6) GROVE-SPECIFIC
HAZARDOUS
FUELS
RE-
DUCTION
PLAN.—The term ‘‘grove-specific haz-
ardous fuels reduction plan’’ means a plan developed 
by the applicable land management agency prior to 
conducting an analysis under the National Environ-
mental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) to ad-
dress hazardous fuels in 1 or more giant sequoia 
groves. 
(7) PROTECTION PROJECT.—The term ‘‘Protec-
tion Project’’ means a Giant Sequoia Protection 
Project carried out under section 6. 
(8) PUBLIC LANDS.—The term ‘‘public lands’’ 
means— 
(A) the Case Mountain Extensive Recre-
ation Management Area in California managed 
by the Bureau of Land Management; and 
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(B) Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia 
National Park, and Yosemite National Park in 
California managed by the National Park Serv-
ice. 
(9) REFORESTATION.—The term ‘‘reforest-
ation’’ means the act of renewing tree cover by es-
tablishing young trees through natural regeneration, 
artificial or natural regeneration with site prepara-
tion, planting or direct seeding, or vegetation com-
petition control following artificial or natural regen-
eration. 
(10) REHABILITATION.—The term ‘‘rehabilita-
tion’’ means any action taken during the 5-year pe-
riod beginning on the last day of a wildland fire to 
repair or improve fire-impacted lands which are un-
likely to recover to management-approved conditions. 
(11) 
RELEVANT
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘relevant Congressional Commit-
tees’’ means— 
(A) the Committees on Natural Resources, 
Agriculture, and Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives; and 
(B) the Committees on Energy and Nat-
ural Resources, Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry, and Appropriations of the Senate. 
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(12) RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL.—The term ‘‘re-
sponsible official’’ means an employee of the Depart-
ment of the Interior or Forest Service who has the 
authority to make and implement a decision on a 
proposed action. 
(13) 
SECRETARY.—The 
term 
‘‘Secretary’’ 
means the Secretary of the Interior. 
(14) 
SECRETARY
CONCERNED.—The 
term 
‘‘Secretary concerned’’ means— 
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with re-
spect to covered National Forest System lands, 
or their designee; and 
(B) the Secretary of the Interior, with re-
spect to public lands, or their designee. 
(15) STRATEGY.—The term ‘‘Strategy’’ means 
the Giant Sequoia Reforestation and Rehabilitation 
Strategy established under section 7. 
(16) STRIKE TEAM.—The term ‘‘Strike Team’’ 
means a Giant Sequoia Strike Team established 
under section 8. 
(17) TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Tribe’’ means the 
Tule River Indian Tribe of the Tule River Reserva-
tion, California. 
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SEC. 3. SHARED STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT FOR GIANT SE-
QUOIAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after re-
ceiving a request from the Governor of the State of Cali-
fornia or the Tribe, the Secretary shall enter into an 
agreement with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Governor 
of the State of California, and the Tribe to jointly carry 
out the following: 
(1) Not later than 30 days after entering into 
the agreement, establish the Giant Sequoia Lands 
Coalition or certify an existing group meeting the re-
quirements of section 4(b) as the Giant Sequoia 
Lands Coalition. 
(2) Not later than 120 days after the Giant Se-
quoia Lands Coalition submits the Assessment under 
section 5, conduct Protection Projects under section 
6. 
(3) Not later than 120 days after entering into 
the agreement, begin implementing the Giant Se-
quoia Reforestation and Rehabilitation Strategy 
under section 7. 
(b) PARTICIPATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary has not re-
ceived a request from the Governor of the State of 
California or the Tribe under subsection (a) before 
the date that is 90 days after the date of enactment 
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of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into the agree-
ment under subsection (a) and jointly implement 
such agreement with the Secretary of Agriculture. 
(2) FUTURE PARTICIPATION.—If the Secretary 
receives a request from the Governor of the State of 
California or the Tribe any time after entering into 
the agreement with the Secretary of Agriculture 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall accept the 
Governor of the State of California or the Tribe as 
a party to such agreement. 
SEC. 4. GIANT SEQUOIA LANDS COALITION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In accordance with the 
timeline and agreement established in section 
3(a)(1), the Secretary, in consultation with the par-
ties to such agreement, shall establish, and appoint 
members to, the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition. 
(2) EXISTING COALITION.—A previously estab-
lished group that meets the membership require-
ments under subsection (b) may be designated by 
the Secretary as the Coalition under paragraph (1) 
if the parties to the agreement established under 
section 3 approve such designation. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
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(1) MEMBERS.—The Secretary shall appoint to 
the Coalition 1 member from each of— 
(A) the National Park Service, rep-
resenting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National 
Parks; 
(B) the National Park Service, rep-
resenting Yosemite National Park; 
(C) the Forest Service, representing Se-
quoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia Na-
tional Monument; 
(D) the Forest Service, representing Sierra 
National Forest; 
(E) the Forest Service, representing Tahoe 
National Forest; 
(F) the Bureau of Land Management, rep-
resenting Case Mountain Extensive Recreation 
Management Area; 
(G) the Tribe, representing the Black 
Mountain Grove; 
(H) the State of California, representing 
Calaveras Big Trees State Park; 
(I) the State of California, representing 
Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest; 
(J) an academic institution with dem-
onstrated experience managing and owning a 
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giant sequoia grove, representing Whitaker’s 
Research Forest; and 
(K) the County of Tulare, California, rep-
resenting Balch Park. 
(2) AFFILIATE PARTNERS.—The Coalition may 
designate organizations or agencies with dem-
onstrated experience and knowledge on giant sequoia 
management and resiliency as affiliate partners of 
the Coalition to enhance the work of the Coalition 
under subsection (c). 
(3) LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
PARTICIPATION.— 
Upon the written request of a local government in 
California whose jurisdictional boundaries encompass 
at least 1 giant sequoia grove, the Secretary shall 
appoint 1 member from such government to serve as 
a member of the Coalition, subject to the same re-
quirements outlined in this section. 
(4) TERM.— 
(A) LENGTH.—The term of an appoint-
ment as a member of the Coalition shall be 5 
years. 
(B) LIMIT.—Members of the Coalition may 
serve no more than 2 terms. 
(5) VACANCY.—The Secretary shall appoint a 
new member to fill a vacancy on the Coalition not 
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(3) facilitate collaboration and coordination on 
Protection Projects, particularly projects that cross 
jurisdictional boundaries; 
(4) facilitate information sharing, including best 
available science as described in section 5(c) and 
mapping resources; and 
(5) support the development and dissemination 
of educational materials and programs that inform 
the public about the threats to the health and resil-
iency of giant sequoia groves and actions being 
taken to reduce the risk to such groves from high- 
severity wildfire, insects, and drought. 
(d) PAY AND EXPENSES.— 
(1) COMPENSATION.— 
(A) FEDERAL EMPLOYEE MEMBERS.—All 
members of the Coalition who are officers or 
employees of the United States shall serve with-
out compensation in addition to that received 
for their services as officers or employees of the 
United States. 
(B) 
NON-FEDERAL
EMPLOYEE
MEM-
BERS.—All members of the Coalition not de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) shall serve without 
compensation. 
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(2) REIMBURSEMENT.—A member of the Coali-
tion may be reimbursed for travel and lodging ex-
penses incurred while attending a meeting of the Co-
alition or any other meeting of members approved 
for reimbursement by the Coalition in the same 
amounts and under the same conditions as Federal 
employees under section 5703 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
(3) EXPENSES.—The Secretary may pay the 
expenses of the Coalition that the Secretary deter-
mines to be reasonable and appropriate. 
(4) ADMINISTRATIVE
SUPPORT, 
TECHNICAL 
SERVICES, AND
STAFF
SUPPORT.—The Secretary 
shall make personnel of the Department of the Inte-
rior available to the Coalition for administrative sup-
port, technical services, development and dissemina-
tion of educational materials, and staff support that 
the Secretary determines necessary to carry out this 
section. 
(e) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—The 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
apply to the Coalition. 
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SEC. 5. GIANT SEQUOIA HEALTH AND RESILIENCY ASSESS-
MENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
first meeting of the Coalition, the Coalition shall submit 
to the relevant Congressional Committees a Giant Sequoia 
Health and Resiliency Assessment that, based on the best 
available science— 
(1) identifies— 
(A) each giant sequoia grove that has ex-
perienced a— 
(i) stand-replacing disturbance; or 
(ii) disturbance but continues to have 
living giant sequoias within the grove, in-
cluding identifying the tree mortality and 
regeneration of giant sequoias within such 
grove; 
(B) each giant sequoia grove that is at 
high risk of experiencing a stand-replacing dis-
turbance; 
(C) lands located near giant sequoia groves 
that are at risk of experiencing high-severity 
wildfires that could adversely impact such giant 
sequoia groves; and 
(D) each giant sequoia grove that has ex-
perienced a disturbance and is unlikely to natu-
rally regenerate and is in need of reforestation; 
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(2) analyzes the resiliency of each giant sequoia 
grove to threats, such as— 
(A) high-severity wildfire; 
(B) insects, including beetle kill; and 
(C) drought; 
(3) with respect to Protection Projects, pro-
poses a list of highest priority Protection Projects to 
be carried out under section 6, giving priority to 
projects located on lands identified under subpara-
graphs (B) and (C) of subsection (a)(1); 
(4) examines how historical, Tribal, or current 
approaches to wildland fire suppression and forest 
management activities across various jurisdictions 
have impacted the health and resiliency of giant se-
quoia groves with respect to— 
(A) high-severity wildfires; 
(B) insects, including beetle kill; and 
(C) drought; and 
(5) includes program and policy recommenda-
tions that address— 
(A) Federal and State policies that impede 
activities to improve the health and resiliency of 
giant sequoias and proposed policy changes to 
address such impediments; 
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(B) new Federal and State policies nec-
essary to increase the pace and scale of treat-
ments that improve the health and resiliency of 
giant sequoias; 
(C) options to enhance communication, co-
ordination, and collaboration, particularly for 
cross-boundary projects, to improve the health 
and resiliency of giant sequoias; and 
(D) research gaps that should be ad-
dressed to improve the best available science on 
the giant sequoias. 
(b) ANNUAL UPDATES.—Not later than 1 year after 
the submission of the Assessment under subsection (a), 
and annually thereafter, the Coalition shall submit an up-
dated Assessment to the relevant Congressional Commit-
tees that— 
(1) includes any new data, information, or best 
available science that has changed or become avail-
able since the previous Assessment was submitted; 
(2) with respect to Protection Projects— 
(A) includes information on the number of 
Protection Projects initiated the previous year 
and the estimated timeline for completing those 
projects; 
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(B) includes information on the number of 
Protection Projects planned in the upcoming 
year and the estimated timeline for completing 
those projects; 
(C) provides status updates and long-term 
monitoring reports on giant sequoia groves 
after the completion of Protection Projects; 
(D) if the Secretary concerned failed to 
initiate at least 1 Protection Project each in the 
previous year, a written explanation that in-
cludes— 
(i) a detailed explanation of what im-
pediments resulted in failing to initiate at 
least 1 Protection Project; 
(ii) a detailed explanation of what ac-
tions the Secretary concerned is taking to 
ensure that at least 1 Protection Project is 
initiated the following year; and 
(iii) recommendations to Congress on 
any policies that need to be changed to as-
sist the Secretary concerned in initiating 
Protection Projects; and 
(3) with respect to reforestation and rehabilita-
tion of giant sequoias— 
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(A) contains updates on the implementa-
tion of the Strategy under section 7, including 
grove-level data on reforestation and rehabilita-
tion activities; and 
(B) provides status updates and moni-
toring reports on giant sequoia groves that have 
experienced natural or artificial regeneration as 
part of the Strategy under section 7. 
(c) DASHBOARD.— 
(1) REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN.—The Coali-
tion shall create and maintain a website that— 
(A) publishes the Assessment, annual up-
dates to the Assessment, and other educational 
materials developed by the Coalition; 
(B) contains searchable information about 
individual giant sequoia groves, including the— 
(i) resiliency of such groves to threats 
described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of 
subsection (a); 
(ii) Protection Projects that have been 
proposed, initiated, or completed in such 
groves; and 
(iii) reforestation and rehabilitation 
activities that have been proposed, initi-
ated, or completed in such groves; and 
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(C) maintains a searchable database to 
track— 
(i) the status of Federal environ-
mental reviews and authorizations for spe-
cific Protection Projects and reforestation 
and rehabilitation activities; and 
(ii) the projected cost of Protection 
Projects and reforestation and rehabilita-
tion activities. 
(2) SEARCHABLE
DATABASE.—The Coalition 
shall include information on the status of Protection 
Projects in the searchable database created under 
paragraph (1)(C), including— 
(A) a comprehensive permitting timetable; 
(B) the status of the compliance of each 
lead agency, cooperating agency, and partici-
pating agency with the permitting timetable; 
(C) any modifications of the permitting 
timetable required under subparagraph (A), in-
cluding an explanation as to why the permitting 
timetable was modified; and 
(D) information about project-related pub-
lic meetings, public hearings, and public com-
ment periods, which shall be presented in 
English and the predominant language of the 
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community or communities most affected by the 
project, as that information becomes available. 
(d) BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE.—In utilizing the best 
available science for the Assessment, the Coalition shall 
include— 
(1) data and peer-reviewed research from aca-
demic institutions with a demonstrated history of 
studying giant sequoias and with experience ana-
lyzing distinct management strategies to improve 
giant sequoia resiliency; 
(2) traditional ecological knowledge from the 
Tribe related to improving the health and resiliency 
of giant sequoia groves; and 
(3) data from Federal, State, Tribal, and local 
governments or agencies. 
(e) TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS.—In carrying out 
this section, the Secretary may enter into memorandums 
of understanding or agreements with other Federal agen-
cies or departments, State or local governments, Tribal 
governments, private entities, or academic institutions to 
improve, with respect to the Assessment, the use and inte-
gration of— 
(1) advanced remote sensing and geospatial 
technologies; 
(2) statistical modeling and analysis; or 
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(3) any other technology the Secretary deter-
mines will benefit the quality of information used in 
the Assessment. 
(f) PLANNING.—The Coalition shall make informa-
tion from this Assessment available to the Secretary con-
cerned and State of California to integrate into the— 
(1) State of California’s Wildfire and Forest 
Resilience Action Plan; and 
(2) Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis 
Strategy (or successor plan). 
(g) RELATION TO THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL 
POLICY ACT OF 1969.—The development and submission 
of the Assessment under subsection (a) shall not be sub-
ject to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
SEC. 6. GIANT SEQUOIA EMERGENCY RESPONSE. 
(a) EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO PROTECT GIANT SE-
QUOIAS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.— 
(A) EMERGENCY
DETERMINATION.—Con-
gress determines that— 
(i) an emergency exists on public 
lands and covered National Forest System 
lands that makes it necessary to carry out 
Protection Projects that take needed ac-
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tions to respond to the threat of wildfires, 
insects, and drought to giant sequoias; and 
(ii) Protection Projects are necessary 
to control the immediate impacts of the 
emergency described in subparagraph (i) 
and are needed to mitigate harm to life, 
property, or important natural or cultural 
resources on public lands and covered Na-
tional Forest System lands. 
(B) APPLICATION.—The emergency deter-
mination established under subparagraph (A) 
shall apply to all public lands and covered Na-
tional Forest System lands. 
(C) EFFECT.—The emergency determina-
tion established under subparagraph (A) shall 
go into effect on the date the Giant Sequoia 
Lands Coalition submits the Assessment under 
section 5. 
(D) EXPIRATION.—The emergency deter-
mination established under subparagraph (A) 
shall expire on the date that is 10 years after 
the effective date of the emergency determina-
tion established in paragraph (C). 
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(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—While the emergency 
determination established under subsection (a) is in 
effect— 
(A) a responsible official may carry out a 
Protection Project described by paragraph (4) 
before initiating— 
(i) an analysis under section 102 of 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332); 
(ii) consultation under section 7 of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
U.S.C. 1536); and 
(iii) consultation under section 106 of 
the National Historic Preservation Act (16 
U.S.C. 470(f)); and 
(B) the rules established under subsections 
(d) and (e) section 40807 of the Infrastructure 
Investment and Jobs Act (16 U.S.C. 6592c(d) 
and (e)) shall apply with respect to Protection 
Projects by substituting ‘‘Protection Projects’’ 
for ‘‘authorized emergency action under this 
section’’ each place it appears in such sub-
sections; and 
(C) Protection Projects shall be subject to 
the requirements of section 106 of title I of the 
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Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 
U.S.C. 6511 et seq.). 
(3) PROTECTION
PROJECTS.—The responsible 
official shall carry out the following forest manage-
ment activities as Protection Projects under the 
emergency determination under this section: 
(A) Activities recommended by the Assess-
ment under section 5. 
(B) Conducting hazardous fuels manage-
ment, including mechanical thinning, mastica-
tion, and prescribed burning. 
(C) Removing hazard trees, dead trees, 
dying trees, or trees at risk of dying, as deter-
mined by the responsible official. 
(D) Removing trees to address over-
stocking or crowding in a forest stand, con-
sistent with the appropriate basal area of the 
forest stand as determined by the responsible 
official. 
(E) Activities included in the applicable 
grove-specific hazardous fuels reduction plan. 
(F) Using chemical treatments to address 
insects and disease and control vegetation com-
petition. 
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(G) Any combination of activities described 
in this paragraph. 
(4) REQUIREMENTS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Protection Projects 
carried out under paragraph (3) and reforest-
ation and rehabilitation activities carried out 
under this Act that are described by subpara-
graph (D) are a category of actions hereby des-
ignated as being categorically excluded from the 
preparation of an environmental assessment or 
an environmental impact statement under sec-
tion 102 of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332). 
(B) AVAILABILITY.—The Secretary con-
cerned shall use the categorical exclusion estab-
lished under subparagraph (A) in accordance 
with this section. 
(C) INTERAGENCY COOPERATION.— 
(i) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that 
Protection Projects carried out under this 
section are consistent with improving the 
health and resiliency of critical habitat for 
threatened and endangered species, includ-
ing the pacific fisher and California spot-
ted owl. 
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(ii) CONSULTATION.—The informal 
consultation 
requirements 
in 
sections 
402.05 of title 50 and 800.12 of title 36, 
Code of Federal Regulations (or a suc-
cessor regulation), shall apply to Protec-
tion Projects. 
(D) 
REQUIREMENTS.—A 
Protection 
Project or reforestation or rehabilitation activity 
is described by this subparagraph if such Pro-
tection Project or reforestation or rehabilitation 
activity— 
(i) covers an area of no more than— 
(I) 2,000 acres within giant se-
quoia groves where a grove-specific 
hazardous fuels reduction plan has 
been developed by the relevant land 
management agency or on lands iden-
tified under section 5(a)(1)(B); and 
(II) 3,000 acres on lands identi-
fied under section 5(a)(1)(C); and 
(ii) was— 
(I) proposed by the Assessment 
under section 5(a)(3); 
(II) developed through a collabo-
rative process; or 
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(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, includ-
ing— 
(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 
rehabilitation activities involving the Tribe, 
nothing in this section shall be construed to add 
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any additional regulatory requirements onto the 
Tribe. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—To the maximum extent 
practicable, the Secretary concerned shall initiate no fewer 
than 1 Protection Project each year. 
SEC. 7. GIANT SEQUOIA REFORESTATION AND REHABILITA-
TION STRATEGY. 
(a) REFORESTATION AND REHABILITATION STRAT-
EGY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In accordance with the 
timeline and agreement established in section 
3(a)(3), the Secretary, in consultation with the par-
ties to such agreement, shall develop and implement 
a strategy, to be known as the Giant Sequoia Refor-
estation 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 
highest priority to groves identified under sec-
tion 5(a)(1)(A)(i); 
(B) creates a priority list of reforestation 
and rehabilitation activities; 
(C) identifies and addresses— 
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(i) barriers to reforestation or reha-
bilitation including— 
(I) regulatory barriers; 
(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. 
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(2) ASSESSMENT.—The Secretary may incor-
porate the Strategy into the Assessment under sec-
tion 5. 
(b) PRIORITY REFORESTATION PROJECTS AMEND-
MENT.—Section 3(e)(4)(C)(ii)(I) of the Forest and 
Rangeland 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 Wil-
derness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)) is amended by inserting 
‘‘Nothing in this Act shall restrict or prohibit the Sec-
retary of the Interior or Secretary of Agriculture from 
conducting reforestation (as such term is defined in sec-
tion 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.— 
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(1) 
ESTABLISHMENT.—The 
Secretary 
con-
cerned shall each establish a Giant Sequoia Strike 
Team to assist the Secretary concerned with the im-
plementation of— 
(A) primarily, section 6; and 
(B) secondarily, section 7. 
(2) DUTIES.—Each Strike Team shall— 
(A) assist the Secretary concerned with 
any reviews, including analysis under the Na-
tional 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 Endangered 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 
activity; 
(C) implement Protection Projects under 
section 6; and 
(D) implement reforestation or rehabilita-
tion activities under section 7. 
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(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 
Interior; 
(B) employees of the Forest Service; 
(C) private contractors from any nonprofit 
organization, State government, Tribal Govern-
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 institu-
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tion, or private organization to help advance, facilitate, or 
improve giant sequoia health and resiliency. 
(c) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this sec-
tion, 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, particularly in 
rural areas; and 
(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 
markets for biomass and biochar; 
(2) facilitate hazardous fuel removal under sec-
tion 6, including by reducing the cost of trans-
porting hazardous fuels removed as part of a Protec-
tion Project; 
(3) expand, enhance, develop, or create perma-
nent or temporary facilities or land that can store or 
process hazardous fuels removed under section 6; 
and 
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(4) establish, develop, expand, enhance, or im-
prove nursery capacity or infrastructure necessary to 
facilitate the Strategy established under section 7. 
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)— 
(A) 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 in-
serting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(v) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(v) any combination of activities 
specified in clauses (i) through (iv).’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (10)(B) by striking 
‘‘land.’’ and inserting ‘‘land, Kings Canyon Na-
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tional Park, Sequoia National Park, and Yo-
semite National Park.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(2), by amending subpara-
graph (C) to read as follows— 
‘‘(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 restora-
tion 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 restoration 
services within the State under other good 
neighbor agreements.’’. 
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 respect to Bureau of Land Management lands 
and the Director of the National Park Service with 
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respect to lands within Kings Canyon National 
Park, Sequoia National Park, and Yosemite Na-
tional Park.’’. 
(b) GIANT SEQUOIA STEWARDSHIP CONTRACTS.— 
Section 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 
PROGRAM.—The National Park Foundation, in coordina-
tion with the National Forest Foundation, shall design 
and implement a comprehensive program to assist and 
promote philanthropic programs of support that benefit— 
‘‘(1) primarily, the management and conserva-
tion of giant sequoias on National Park Service and 
covered National Forest System lands to promote re-
siliency to wildfires, insects, and drought; and 
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‘‘(2) secondarily, the reforestation of giant se-
quoias on National Park Service and covered Na-
tional Forest System lands impacted by wildfire. 
‘‘(b) GIANT
SEQUOIA
EMERGENCY
PROTECTION 
FUND.—The National Park Foundation, in coordination 
with the National Forest Foundation, shall establish a 
joint special account to be known as the Giant Sequoia 
Emergency Protection Fund (referred to as ‘the Fund’ in 
this section), to be administered in support of the program 
established under subsection (a). 
‘‘(1) FUNDS FOR GIANT SEQUOIA EMERGENCY 
PROTECTION.—The following shall apply to the 
Fund: 
‘‘(A) The Fund shall consist of any gifts, 
devises, or bequests that are provided to the 
National Park Foundation or National Forest 
Foundation for such purpose. 
‘‘(B) The National Park Foundation and 
National Forest Foundation shall deposit any 
funds received for the Fund in a federally in-
sured interest-bearing account or may invest 
funds in appropriate security obligations, as 
mutually agreed upon. 
‘‘(C) Any accrued interest or dividends 
earned on funds received for the Fund shall be 
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added to the principal and form a part of the 
Fund. 
‘‘(2) USE OF FUNDS.—Funds shall be available 
to the National Park Foundation and National For-
est Foundation without further appropriation for 
projects and activities approved by the Chief of the 
Forest Service or the Director of the National Park 
Service as appropriate, 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. 
‘‘(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— 
‘‘(1) a statement of the amounts deposited in 
the Fund during the fiscal year; 
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‘‘(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 
DEFINED.—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.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of sec-
tions for chapter of title 54, United States Code, is amend-
ed by inserting at the end the following: 
‘‘Sec. 101123. Giant Sequoia Emergency Protection Program and Fund.’’. 
SEC. 13. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this Act— 
(1) for fiscal year 2024, $10,000,000; 
(2) for fiscal year 2025, $25,000,000; 
(3) for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2028, 
$30,000,000; and 
(4) for each of fiscal years 2029 through 2033, 
$40,000,000. 
(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. 
Æ 
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