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119-hr-8682119th CongressWALLET

Accelerating Forest Management Act

Sponsored By: Representative Downing, Troy [R-MT-2]

In Committee

Summary

This bill would create a NEPA categorical exclusion to speed salvage harvesting of dead and dying trees on Bureau of Land Management lands. It defines what counts as a covered salvage action and sets limits, road rules, and required disclosures to shape those projects.

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  • BLM managers could remove dead or dying trees without an environmental assessment or impact statement for covered actions up to 1,000 acres when the disturbance affects 3,000 acres or less, or up to the lesser of 5,000 acres or one-third of the disturbance area when the disturbance exceeds 3,000 acres.
  • Projects may include up to 1 mile of new permanent road and temporary roads at a ratio of 2.25 miles per 1,000 acres, and they allow maintenance and renovation of existing roads. Temporary roads must be decommissioned and stabilized after use.
  • The bill requires disclosure of design features addressing snag and downed wood, erosion control, soil compaction, logging systems, seasonal operating limits, invasive species measures, riparian buffers, prescribed fire constraints, and temporary road decommissioning. It also extends the Forest Ecosystem Health and Recovery Fund through 2033.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Faster salvage logging on BLM lands

If enacted, this bill would let the Bureau of Land Management use a NEPA categorical exclusion for certain salvage harvesting after fire, insects, drought, disease, or other disturbances. The exclusion would cover cutting, yarding, and removing dead or dying trees and related actions listed as "covered actions." Projects would be limited to 1,000 acres when the disturbance affects 3,000 acres or less, or otherwise to the lesser of 5,000 acres or one-third of the disturbance area when the disturbance exceeds 3,000 acres. The bill would allow up to 1 mile of new permanent road, maintenance of existing roads, and temporary roads up to 2.25 miles per 1,000 acres if they are not added to the permanent system and are decommissioned after use. Project documents would have to disclose specific design features and measures that address listed resource concerns (for example snag and downed wood, erosion control, soil compaction, riparian buffers, invasive species controls, seasonal limits, and temporary-road decommissioning).

Extend Forest Recovery Fund authorization

If enacted, the bill would extend the Forest Ecosystem Health and Recovery Fund's authorization through 2033 by replacing each occurrence of "2020" with "2033" in the law text. State and local agencies, Tribal governments, contractors, and small businesses would remain eligible for projects and grants under the Fund for a longer authorization period. Actual grant payments would still depend on separate annual appropriations and program rules.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Downing, Troy [R-MT-2]

MT • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 9/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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