I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 297 
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on the establish-
ment of, and the potential land that could be included in, a unit of 
the National Forest System in the State of Hawaii, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 13, 2021 
Mr. CASE (for himself and Mr. KAHELE) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study 
on the establishment of, and the potential land that 
could be included in, a unit of the National Forest Sys-
tem in the State of Hawaii, 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. HAWAII NATIONAL FOREST STUDY. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 
Chief of the Forest Service. 
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(2) STUDY
AREA.—The term ‘‘study area’’ 
means the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, 
Oahu, and Kauai in the State of Hawaii. 
(b) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct 
a study— 
(A) to determine the suitability and feasi-
bility of establishing a unit of the National For-
est System in the study area; and 
(B) to identify available land within the 
study area that could be included in the unit 
described in subparagraph (A). 
(2) COORDINATION
AND
CONSULTATION.—In 
conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall— 
(A) coordinate with the Hawaii Depart-
ment of Land and Natural Resources; and 
(B) consult with the Hawaii Department 
of Agriculture and other interested govern-
mental entities, private and nonprofit organiza-
tions, and any interested individuals. 
(3) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 
(A) consider unique vegetation types that 
occur in the study area and that should be tar-
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geted for inclusion in the unit of the National 
Forest System described in paragraph (1)(A); 
(B) evaluate the ability of the Secretary— 
(i) to improve and protect forest areas 
within the study area; and 
(ii) to secure favorable water flows 
within the study area; 
(C) determine whether the unit of the Na-
tional Forest System described in paragraph 
(1)(A) would expand, enhance, or duplicate— 
(i) resource protection; and 
(ii) visitor-use opportunities; 
(D) consider parcels of an appropriate size 
or location to be capable of economical adminis-
tration as part of the National Forest System 
separately or jointly with the other land identi-
fied under paragraph (1)(B); 
(E) evaluate the willingness of landowners 
to sell or transfer land in the study area to the 
Secretary; 
(F) evaluate the suitability of land in the 
study area for potential selection and designa-
tion as a research natural area or an experi-
mental forest; 
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(G) identify cost estimates for any Federal 
acquisition, development, operation, and main-
tenance that would be needed to establish the 
unit of the National Forest System described in 
paragraph (1)(A); and 
(H) consider other alternatives for the con-
servation, protection, and use of areas within 
the study area by the Federal Government, 
State or local government entities, or private 
and nonprofit organizations. 
(c) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section authorizes the 
Secretary to take any action that would affect the use of 
any land owned by the United States or not owned by the 
United States. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
House of Representatives a report that describes— 
(1) the results of the study; and 
(2) any conclusions and recommendations of the 
Secretary. 
Æ 
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