§6591e Categorical Exclusion for Greater Sage-grouse and Mule Deer Habitat

Summary

Creates a fast approval process under environmental law for certain habitat work on Forest Service or BLM land to protect, restore, or improve greater sage-grouse and mule deer habitat. The agencies had to create this shortcut within 1 year after December 20, 2018. Any use of the shortcut must still follow NEPA and each agency’s rules for “extraordinary circumstances.” If a project is inside the range of both species, it must help both at the same time. Before work starts, a 20-year monitoring and maintenance plan must be made. Projects cannot be larger than 4,500 acres. Temporary roads used for the work can be used for no more than 2 years and must be closed within 3 years after they are no longer needed or the project finishes, and native plants must be reestablished as soon as possible but no later than 10 years. Vegetation cut during work can be used for firewood, other products, piled, or burned when allowed. Covered vegetation management activity — work on Forest Service or BLM land that follows land plans and aims to protect, restore, or improve sage‑grouse or mule deer habitat; examples include cutting or removing conifers and invasive plants, mechanical treatments, controlled burns, seeding or planting, targeted herbicide use, targeted grazing, fence or water improvements, temporary removal of wild horses, and needed road work; it excludes work in wilderness, inventoried roadless areas, places where Congress or a proclamation bans cutting, and building permanent roads. Secretary concerned — the Secretary of Agriculture for National Forest lands and the Secretary of the Interior for public lands. Temporary road — a short‑term road authorized for the project, not meant to be permanent, built and managed to reduce erosion and invasive species.