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Forest Health and Wildfire Risk Reduction Act

USA119th CongressHR-8688| House 
| Updated: 5/21/2026
Jeff Hurd

Jeff Hurd

Republican Representative

Colorado

Cosponsors (3)
Dan Newhouse (Republican)Chuck Edwards (Republican)Michael Lawler (Republican)

Federal Lands Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, known as the Forest Health and Wildfire Risk Reduction Act, aims to streamline certain forest management activities by codifying a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This exclusion exempts specific tree density modification activities from requiring an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, thereby accelerating projects designed to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk. To qualify for this exclusion, activities must be carried out within a treatment area of less than 5,000 acres and cannot involve silvicultural methods intended to regenerate whole stands, such as clearcutting, or vegetation management that converts forest to non-forest cover. The bill defines "covered actions" eligible for this exclusion, which include cutting and removal of commercial and non-commercial trees, chipping or grinding residual slash, and specific group selection silvicultural treatments not exceeding 2-acre patches or 10 percent of the treatment area. Additionally, associated activities like pile burning, underburning, and seeding or planting native species are permitted. Furthermore, the legislation allows for the construction of limited new permanent roads (up to 5 miles) and temporary roads (up to 2.5 miles per 1,000 acres), along with maintenance of existing roads, to facilitate these covered actions. Importantly, it mandates the disclosure of design features in project documentation to address critical resource considerations, such as snag and downed wood, erosion control, soil compaction, invasive species, and riparian area protection, ensuring environmental safeguards are still considered and documented for each project.
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Timeline
May 7, 2026
Introduced in House
May 7, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
May 12, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
May 21, 2026
Subcommittee Hearings Held
  • May 7, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • May 7, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • May 12, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.


  • May 21, 2026
    Subcommittee Hearings Held

Environmental Protection

Forest Health and Wildfire Risk Reduction Act

USA119th CongressHR-8688| House 
| Updated: 5/21/2026
This bill, known as the Forest Health and Wildfire Risk Reduction Act, aims to streamline certain forest management activities by codifying a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This exclusion exempts specific tree density modification activities from requiring an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, thereby accelerating projects designed to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk. To qualify for this exclusion, activities must be carried out within a treatment area of less than 5,000 acres and cannot involve silvicultural methods intended to regenerate whole stands, such as clearcutting, or vegetation management that converts forest to non-forest cover. The bill defines "covered actions" eligible for this exclusion, which include cutting and removal of commercial and non-commercial trees, chipping or grinding residual slash, and specific group selection silvicultural treatments not exceeding 2-acre patches or 10 percent of the treatment area. Additionally, associated activities like pile burning, underburning, and seeding or planting native species are permitted. Furthermore, the legislation allows for the construction of limited new permanent roads (up to 5 miles) and temporary roads (up to 2.5 miles per 1,000 acres), along with maintenance of existing roads, to facilitate these covered actions. Importantly, it mandates the disclosure of design features in project documentation to address critical resource considerations, such as snag and downed wood, erosion control, soil compaction, invasive species, and riparian area protection, ensuring environmental safeguards are still considered and documented for each project.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 7, 2026
Introduced in House
May 7, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
May 12, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
May 21, 2026
Subcommittee Hearings Held
  • May 7, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • May 7, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • May 12, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.


  • May 21, 2026
    Subcommittee Hearings Held
Jeff Hurd

Jeff Hurd

Republican Representative

Colorado

Cosponsors (3)
Dan Newhouse (Republican)Chuck Edwards (Republican)Michael Lawler (Republican)

Federal Lands Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

Environmental Protection

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted