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119-hr-168119th CongressWALLET

TORCH Act

Sponsored By: Representative LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1]

In Committee

Summary

Streamlines forest and vegetation management to reduce wildfire risk and speed hazardous-tree removal. This bill would create new categorical exclusions and change authorities so agencies, utilities, and partners can move faster on targeted wildfire-mitigation work.

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  • Communities and forests: It would create a categorical exclusion for high-priority hazard-tree work near National Forest System roads and trails and raise major wildfire-resilience project size from 3,000 acres to 10,000 acres while extending certain cross-boundary authorities into 2030. This aims to speed removal of dangerous trees and larger fuels projects.
  • Utilities and customers: It would authorize more vegetation management, inspection, and maintenance on electric transmission and distribution rights-of-way, allow tree removal up to 50 feet from power lines on federal lands, and establish a categorical exclusion with automatic approvals for many ROW activities while banning new permanent roads.
  • Agencies, tribes, counties, and partners: It would expand Good Neighbor Authority to include tribes and counties, change how timber-sale proceeds are retained and used to prioritize restoration, allow targeted disposal of tree portions without appraisal in extreme risk cases, and limit when agencies must reinitiate Endangered Species Act consultations on land management plans.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Easier small timber sales after disasters

If passed, small timber deals on national forests would get simpler. The dollar line that triggers special sale rules would rise from $10,000 to $50,000. In extreme‑risk situations (wildfire, pests, storms, floods, or drought), the Secretary could dispose of parts of trees or forest products without a formal appraisal, under agency rules. This could speed cleanup and recovery for local operators.

Expand grazing to cut wildfire risk

If enacted, the Forest Service would develop a plan to expand livestock grazing as a wildfire tool with input from permit holders. The plan could speed reviews to allow grazing on vacant allotments during droughts, fires, or other disasters. It could use targeted grazing and more temporary permits to reduce fuels and invasive grasses. It could also use grazing for post‑fire recovery where appropriate.

Faster removal of hazard trees near roads

If enacted, within one year the Secretary of Agriculture would set a NEPA exclusion for high‑priority hazard tree work near roads, trails, and recreation sites. Projects could be up to 3,000 acres and must still pass extraordinary‑circumstance checks. A covered tree would be visibly dangerous, likely to fail, and within 300 feet of an NFS road (levels 3–5), an NFS trail, or a developed site. The exclusion would not apply in wilderness, wilderness study areas, inventoried roadless areas, or where law bars vegetation removal. No permanent roads or trails could be built under this exclusion.

Larger wildfire projects through 2030

If passed, several forest project size limits would rise from 3,000 acres to 10,000 acres. This would cover certain wildfire resilience and fuel‑break projects. The bill would also keep a cross‑boundary wildfire mitigation authority in place through 2030.

Tribes and counties keep timber sale funds

If enacted, Governors, Indian tribes, and counties would be able to keep money from Good Neighbor timber sales. They would have to use it first for restoration under the same agreement. Any leftover funds could support other Good Neighbor restoration work. The change would cover projects started after the 2018 farm law or after this act takes effect.

Fewer Endangered Species Act plan rechecks

If passed, the Forest Service and BLM would not have to restart Endangered Species Act consultations on land plans when a new species is listed or new information appears. This would apply to approved, amended, or revised land management or land use plans. It could speed planning, but it would reduce extra review that might otherwise follow new listings or data.

Faster tree clearing near power lines

If passed, utilities and the Forest Service would be able to manage trees near power lines on federal land faster. Routine plan work would get a NEPA exclusion, except in wilderness, some restricted lands, and inventoried roadless areas. Plans without changes would be auto‑approved 60 days after review; plans with changes after 67 days. New permanent roads would be barred; temporary roads must be closed within 3 years. The hazard‑tree distance would expand from 10 feet to 50 feet. Utilities could be allowed to cut trees under permits and, if they sell wood, send proceeds (minus transport) to the agency. Private landowners would be consulted before hazard‑tree removals on their land.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1]

CA • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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