Proven Forest Management Act of 2025

The "Proven Forest Management Act of 2025" mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior coordinate with impacted parties when conducting forest management activities on National Forest System and public lands. This coordination aims to enhance efficiency and ensure compatibility of management practices across these lands. The bill requires these activities to achieve multiple ecosystem benefits , including reducing forest fuels, maintaining biological diversity, and improving water quality, unless the associated costs are deemed excessive. Furthermore, the legislation directs the Secretary concerned to establish and monitor post-program ground condition criteria for any ground disturbance resulting from forest management. A significant provision creates a categorical exclusion from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for forest fuel reduction activities up to 10,000 acres. This exclusion applies if the activity is developed in coordination with local governments and other interested entities, and is consistent with the relevant forest plan. The bill also authorizes the Secretaries to enter into cooperative agreements with qualified entities for various management activities, including fuel reduction and reforestation, on both federal and non-federal lands.