Forest Resources Accountability Act

Protect Berlaimont parcel and limit roads

If enacted, the bill would define the Federal land and the 680-acre Berlaimont Estates parcel in the White River National Forest (record of decision, March 2023). The Secretary of Agriculture would be directed to try to acquire the parcel from willing sellers by purchase, exchange, or donation and must report acquisition efforts to two congressional committees within 180 days. The bill would bar the Secretary from approving easements, special use authorizations, or Federal funding for any utility corridor or year-round road described in the record of decision or any substantially similar project to access the parcel. The bill would also require any allowed access to inholdings to use only routes that existed when the record of decision was made, are unpaved and seasonal, and are limited to specific uses under enforceable special use permits; use of Forest Service roads that existed on the date of enactment would still be allowed under law.