Accelerating Forest Restoration: Local Groups Fund Environmental Reviews on Federal Land.
This law streamlines large-scale forest and public land restoration projects by allowing local communities and interested parties to initially fund the required environmental reviews. This collaborative approach aims to reduce bureaucratic delays and accelerate work on federal lands. Participants who provide funding are reimbursed from project revenues, and those involved in planning gain stronger legal rights in case of lawsuits.
Key points
Allows non-federal groups to propose and front the costs for environmental analysis of major forest restoration projects on federal lands.
Initial funding is repaid using revenues generated by the project itself (e.g., timber sales), but reimbursement is not guaranteed if revenues are insufficient.
Citizens involved in the project planning process gain the right to intervene in related lawsuits and participate fully in settlement talks.
The authority for the government to enter into these agreements is temporary and expires on January 1, 2033.
Expired
Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_199
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Process start date: 2023-02-01