§6591a Designation of treatment areas

Summary

When a State governor asks, the Secretary must, within 60 days after February 7, 2014, pick one or more large treatment areas (like subwatersheds) in at least one national forest in each State that has an insect or disease epidemic. After that 60-day deadline, the Secretary may add more areas as needed. Declining forest health means either a big increase in tree deaths from insects or disease, or dieback from infestation or defoliation. To be chosen, an area must meet one of three tests: the Secretary’s annual forest surveys show declining health; the Forest Service’s National Insect and Disease Risk Map shows a high risk of much more tree mortality in the next 15 years; or hazard trees there pose an immediate threat to public infrastructure, health, or safety. The Secretary may run priority projects on Federal land in those areas to cut the risk from insects and disease, make forests more resilient, or reduce hazardous fuels. Any project with a public scoping notice on or before September 30, 2023 may use certain other legal authorities and will be treated as an authorized hazardous-fuel reduction project. The Secretary must issue two reports about these actions — one not earlier than September 30, 2018, and a second not earlier than September 30, 2024 — showing progress and recommending any changes. Projects must try to keep old-growth and large trees when that helps the forest resist insects and disease.