Save Our Sequoias Act
Sponsored By: Representative Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]
Passed House
Summary
A nationwide, time-limited program to protect giant sequoias by creating a formal shared stewardship partnership and fast-tracking protective projects. This bill would set up a cross-jurisdictional coalition, require health and reforestation planning, authorize emergency protective actions, fund grants and a philanthropic protection fund, and create strike teams and monitoring to speed on-the-ground work.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
10-year sequoia replanting plan
Within 6 months, the Secretary would publish a Giant Sequoia Reforestation and Rehabilitation Strategy. It would list groves that need planting, give top priority to areas hit by stand‑replacing fires, and flag barriers like nursery capacity, labor, and site preparation. It would set a timeline to clear the reforestation backlog within 10 years after the shared stewardship agreement. The bill would also make these sequoia reforestation activities a federal planning priority.
Faster sequoia protection projects for 7 years
If enacted, the bill would declare a 7‑year emergency for sequoia lands. Agencies would carry out Protection Projects to cut hazardous fuels, remove dead or crowded trees, and control insects and disease. Some projects would be excluded from NEPA review if they stay within 2,000 acres in groves or 3,000 acres on other listed lands and follow extraordinary‑circumstances rules. Projects would occur on Federal land or on private land with the owner’s consent, and each project would be posted online. Agencies would aim to reduce fuels in at least three groves each year. Each department would also form a Strike Team of up to 10 people to help with reviews, site prep, and on‑the‑ground work.
Grants and donations for sequoias
The bill would set up or expand grants for sequoia protection and jobs. Nonprofits, Tribal and local governments, schools, and private groups could apply, with priority for high‑impact projects and small rural businesses. Grants would help remove hazardous fuels, lower transport costs, add storage and processing sites, build nursery capacity, and support Tribal management and preservation. It would also create a Giant Sequoia Emergency Protection Fund to collect private gifts. Money would be available for approved projects without more appropriation, with at least 15% for Tribal management. Annual reports would show deposits and spending, and the Fund authority would end after 7 years.
More contracting tools in sequoia parks
The bill would let the National Park Service use stewardship contracts in Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Yosemite National Parks. It would add giant sequoia health and resiliency as a contract purpose. Projects in those parks would still follow National Park Service laws and rules.
Joint sequoia plan and dashboard
The bill would require a shared stewardship agreement among Interior, Agriculture, California, and the Tule River Tribe. Interior would have 90 days to sign after a request, or would sign with Agriculture if no request comes in that time. A Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition would be codified to deliver a Health and Resiliency Assessment in 6 months and update it yearly. A public dashboard would show grove‑level data, project status, permitting timetables, projected costs, and meeting info in English and the main local language. An insect‑monitoring strategy would be due in 1 year and a report to Congress in 2 years. At least one Coalition meeting each year would be open to the public. The Assessment would not go through NEPA review.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Fong, Vince [R-CA-20]
CA • R
Cosponsors
Peters
CA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Costa
CA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]
AR • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Webster (FL)
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
Bishop
GA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
LaMalfa
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
Rutherford
FL • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Obernolte
CA • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]
ME • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
McClintock
CA • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Kiley (CA)
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
Bentz
OR • R
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Fulcher
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
Gray
CA • D
Sponsored 9/16/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov