§6591b Administrative review

Summary

Lets certain forest restoration projects be skipped from the usual, lengthy environmental review and from a special administrative review if they follow the required procedures. The projects must focus on restoring forests while keeping old-growth and large trees when appropriate, use the best available science to restore ecological health (like structure, function, composition, and connectivity), and be planned and carried out through a collaborative, open process with many different interested people. A project can be part of a larger proposal that fits the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program rules. Each project must be no more than 3000 acres. Work is limited to the wildland-urban interface or to areas in Condition Classes 2 or 3 in Fire Regime Groups I, II, or III outside that interface. No new permanent roads are allowed, existing permanent roads may be maintained, and any temporary road must be closed no later than 3 years after the project ends. Projects do not apply to national wilderness areas, lands where cutting is barred by law or presidential order, congressionally designated wilderness study areas, or places where they would conflict with the unit’s land and resource management plan. The public must be notified and given a chance to comment. The Secretary must report each year on acres treated and send the report, starting within 1 year after February 7, 2014 and every year after, to four specified congressional committees and the Government Accountability Office.