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119-hr-8061119th Congress

Forest Resources Accountability Act

Sponsored By: Representative Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

Introduced

Summary

Protects critical winter wildlife habitat in parts of the White River National Forest by banning federal approval of new year‑round roads or utility corridors tied to the Berlaimont Estates access project. It would also direct the Agriculture Secretary to pursue acquisition of the 680‑acre Berlaimont Estates parcel from willing sellers and work with state and local partners to fund that effort.

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  • Residents and visitors would be limited to routes that existed in the March 2023 record of decision. Those routes must be unpaved, seasonal, and subject to special use permit terms.
  • The parcel owner and local governments would face a prohibition on federal easements, special use authorizations, or other approvals for year‑round road or utility corridor access to the 680‑acre parcel.
  • Wildlife and conservation interests would see the bill prioritize protection of defined federal land for winter habitat and require any acquired parcel be managed for wildlife conservation and public enjoyment.
  • The Forest Service could not use federal funds to plan, permit, or build the blocked roads on the specified land, though ongoing use of existing Forest Service roads would remain allowed.
  • The Secretary would be required to coordinate with Colorado, Eagle County, and local land trusts to leverage non‑federal resources and to report on acquisition efforts within 180 days.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Ban new roads and buy parcel

If enacted, the Secretary of Agriculture would be barred from approving easements, special use permits, or other authorizations to open, build, plan, or consider any utility corridor or year-round road described in the March 2023 record of decision or any substantially similar project on the defined Federal land in the White River National Forest. Federal funds could not be used to take those actions to locate a utility corridor or year-round road to access the 680-acre Berlaimont Estates parcel. The bill would limit "adequate access" to routes that existed as of the March 2023 record of decision, are unpaved, seasonal, and are restricted to uses written in a special use permit; existing Forest Service roads in use on the date of enactment could still be used by the Forest Service, the parcel owner, and the public. The Secretary would also be required, to the maximum extent practicable, to acquire the 680-acre parcel from any willing seller by purchase, exchange, or donation, coordinate with Colorado, Eagle County, and local land trusts, and report acquisition efforts to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee within 180 days after enactment. If acquired, the parcel would be added to the White River National Forest and managed for wildlife conservation and public enjoyment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

CO • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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