Accelerating Forest Management Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8682
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-27T08:05:38Z
AI-Generated Summary
H.R. 8682: Accelerating Forest Management Act
Purpose
This bill aims to speed up salvage harvesting (removing dead or dying trees after events like fires, insects, or drought) on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It does this by permanently embedding a "categorical exclusion" into law, which skips detailed environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for specific activities. It also extends funding for forest recovery efforts.
Key Provisions
- Categorical Exclusion for Salvage Harvesting (Sec. 2):
- Applies to removing dead/dying trees (and limited live trees for access) in disturbed areas.
- Acreage limits:
| Disturbance Size on BLM Lands | Max Harvest Area | |-------------------------------|------------------| | ≤ 3,000 acres | 1,000 acres | | > 3,000 acres | Lesser of 5,000 acres or 1/3 of disturbed area |
- Must follow existing BLM land use plans.
- Allows:
- Up to 1 mile of new permanent roads (part of BLM's long-term road system).
- Maintenance of existing roads.
- Temporary roads (up to 2.25 miles per 1,000 acres harvested), which must be decommissioned after use to protect soil and water.
- Requires public documentation of protective measures for resources like wildlife habitat (snags/downed wood), erosion control, soil, invasive species, riparian (streamside) areas, and fire use.
- Definitions clarify terms like "dying tree" (likely to die within 2 years per expert judgment), "covered actions" (cutting, removal, burning, seeding), and road types.
- Fund Extension (Sec. 3): Extends the Forest Ecosystem Health and Recovery Fund (from a 2010 law) from 2020 to 2033 for forest health projects.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Codifies a Proposed BLM Rule: Makes permanent a BLM NEPA procedure (proposed April 6, 2026) that previously allowed these exclusions administratively; now it's statutory and harder to change.
- Extends Expired Fund: Updates a prior appropriations act to keep funding available through 2033, preventing lapse.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: BLM can complete salvage work faster (weeks/months vs. years), reducing administrative burden and NEPA litigation delays.
- Citizens and Environment: Quicker removal of dead trees may lower wildfire risks, insect spread, and drought effects in Western U.S. forests; includes safeguards for soil, water, and wildlife.
- Economy/Local Communities: Boosts timber jobs and revenue; benefits rural areas dependent on forest products.
- No Direct International Relations Impact.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM): Primary implementer, gains streamlined processes.
- Timber Industry and Loggers: Easier access to harvestable timber.
- Environmental Groups: Concerned with reduced NEPA oversight, though protections are mandated.
- Local Governments and Residents: Near BLM lands; potential gains from reduced fire risks.
- Wildlife/Conservation Interests: Affected by snag retention and riparian rules.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- NEPA Streamlining: Legally embeds "categorical exclusions" (pre-approved low-impact actions skipping full reviews), balancing efficiency with mandated safeguards; reduces grounds for lawsuits.
- No Constitutional Issues Apparent: Aligns with Congress's authority over federal lands.
- Political Context: Promotes proactive forest management amid growing wildfires/climate concerns; may spark debate over environmental protections vs. urgency.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-05-12: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 2026-05-07: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-05-07: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Accelerating Forest Management Act — issued 2026-05-07 — PDF (6 pages)