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119-hr2709119th CongressWALLET
Save Our Sequoias Act
Sponsored By: Representative Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]
Passed House
Summary
Speeds emergency protection and coordinated stewardship for giant sequoias. This bill would create a unified framework of assessments, rapid Protection Projects, reforestation plans, grants, strike teams, and a philanthropic fund to improve sequoia health and resiliency.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants for sequoia jobs and markets
This bill would set up or expand grants for nonprofits, Tribal governments, local governments, colleges, and private groups. Awards would favor the biggest impact, with extra priority for small businesses and Tribal entities in rural areas and for projects that create or support jobs. Funds would support markets and facilities for removed fuels (like biomass and biochar), lower fuel transport costs, expand nursery capacity, and support Tribal management and Tribal historic preservation officers.
10-year plan to replant groves
This bill would require a Giant Sequoia Reforestation and Rehabilitation Strategy within 6 months. The plan would list groves that need replanting or rehab, with top focus on areas hit by stand‑replacing events. It would tackle barriers such as nursery capacity, workforce, funding, rules, technology, and site prep, and include steps to protect genetic diversity. It would set a timeline to clear the reforestation backlog within 10 years after the main agreement under the bill.
Donor fund with Tribal set-aside
This bill would create a Giant Sequoia Emergency Protection Fund run by national park and forest foundations. The fund would use gifts and bequests and could pay for approved projects without further appropriation. At least 15% would support Tribal management and Tribal historic preservation officers. Foundations would report yearly on deposits, balances, and funded projects starting 1 year after enactment. This authority would end 7 years after enactment.
Faster wildfire risk work in groves
This bill would declare a 7‑year emergency on covered public and National Forest lands so Protection Projects can move faster. Projects would include thinning, mastication, prescribed burns, removal of dead or hazard trees, and actions on insects, disease, invasives, and encroachment. Projects meeting limits (no more than 2,000 acres in groves and no more than 3,000 acres on identified nearby lands, and on federal land or with landowner consent) would skip an EA or EIS, with extraordinary‑circumstances checks. Agencies would post project notices online and share meeting and permitting timelines in English and the main local languages. The Secretary would aim to reduce hazardous fuels in at least three groves each year. Strike Teams of up to 10 people would help with reviews and on‑the‑ground work. The bill would also allow stewardship contracts in Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Yosemite National Parks to promote sequoia health, following National Park Service rules.
Shared sequoia plan with public updates
This bill would formalize a Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition and require the Interior Department to support it. The Coalition would deliver a Giant Sequoia Health and Resiliency Assessment within 6 months and update it each year. The Assessment would use science and Tribal knowledge, flag high‑risk groves, and would not go through NEPA. Annual updates would list project progress and explain any year the goal to reduce fuels in at least three groves was not met. The Secretary would enter or expand a shared stewardship agreement with USDA, California’s Governor, and any requesting Tribe; if no request comes within 90 days, the federal agencies would still sign and later add them on request. The Coalition must allow public observation at least once a year.
Track insects in high-risk groves
This bill would require an insect‑monitoring strategy for high‑risk or previously infested sequoia groves within 1 year. The Secretary would seek public‑private partners and monitoring technology for short‑ and long‑term use. A report to Congress would be due within 2 years with the strategy, results to date, and recommendations to close research gaps and improve resilience.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]
CA • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]
AR • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11]
FL • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]
WA • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
CA • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2]
GA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1]
CA • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40]
CA • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5]
FL • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]
CA • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]
ME • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-5]
CA • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Kiley, Kevin [I-CA-3]
CA • I
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41]
CA • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]
NV • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]
CA • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]
OR • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1]
ID • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]
UT • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]
NV • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]
TN • R
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Rep. Gray, Adam [D-CA-13]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/16/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov