To provide that the final rule titled "Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation" and issued on January 12, 2001 (66 Fed. Reg. 3244) shall have no force or effect and require the Secretary of Agriculture to construct certain roads on National Forest System lands, and for other purposes.

More forest roads, fewer protections

If enacted, the bill would nullify the USDA final rule "Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation" issued January 12, 2001 (66 Fed. Reg. 3244). It would bar the Agriculture Secretary from proposing, finalizing, or enforcing any rule substantially similar to that 2001 roadless rule. The bill would require the Secretary, through the Chief of the Forest Service, to build temporary and permanent roads on National Forest System lands the Secretary finds necessary. Authorized purposes include Forest Service restoration activities; hazardous fuels reduction in an at-risk community, the wildland-urban interface, or a municipal watershed; replacing or decommissioning permanent roads that harm forests, rangelands, or watersheds; and carrying out the intent of the Act of June 4, 1897 (16 U.S.C. 473-482, 551). Road construction would be subject to all applicable environmental requirements, including NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The bill would use existing statutory definitions for "at-risk community," "wildland-urban interface," and "National Forest System." The requirement would take effect upon enactment and does not itself specify funding levels.