Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003

Fact Sheet API

Bill Number

HR 1904

Introduced

May 1, 2003

Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 108-148.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

Topics

Administrative procedure Administrative remedies Agricultural colleges Agricultural extension work Agriculture and Food Animals Biological diversity Biomass energy Carbon cycle Citizen participation Civil actions and liability Commerce Congress Congressional reporting requirements Conservation easements Department of Agriculture Economic impact statements Economics and Public Finance Ecosystem management Education Emergency Management Endangered species Energy Energy facilities Environmental assessment Environmental monitoring Environmental Protection Federal aid to Indians Federal aid to water pollution control Federal-Indian relations Federal-local relations Federal-state relations Fire prevention Forest conservation Forest ecology Forest fires Forest health Forest management Forest roads Forestry Forests, forestry, trees Government Operations and Politics Government publicity Grants-in-aid Habitat conservation Heating Higher education Housing and Community Development Indian lands Infrastructure Injunctions Insect control Job creation Judicial review Labor and Employment Land transfers Land use Landowners Law Logging Minorities National forests Nonprofit organizations Old growth forests Pests Potable water Private forests Public Lands and Natural Resources Public meetings Range management Restoration ecology Road construction Rural economic development Small business Small towns Social Welfare Stream conservation Subsidies Transportation and Public Works Tree diseases Trees Urban affairs Urban areas Water quality Water Resources Development Water supply Watersheds West (U.S.) Wetlands Wood

Full Text

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Votes

Summary

Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 - Title I: Hazardous Fuels Reduction on Federal Land - (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System lands, and the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, to plan and conduct hazardous fuel reduction projects (fuel projects) on specified types of Federal lands, including on certain lands that contain threatened and endangered species habitat. Directs the Secretary concerned to fully maintain, or contribute toward the restoration of, the structure and composition of old growth stands according to the pre-fire suppression old growth conditions characteristic of the forest type, taking into account the contribution of the stand to landscape fire adaptation and watershed health, and retaining the large trees contributing to old growth structure.

Directs the Secretary concerned to: (1) establish in certain areas a multiparty monitoring, evaluation, and accountability process to assess ecological and social effects of authorized fuel projects; (2) track, by the degree of severity, acres burned by large wildfires; and (3) develop a process for monitoring the need for maintenance of treated areas, over time, to preserve the forest health benefits achieved.

(Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary concerned to give priority to fuel projects that provide for the protection of communities and watersheds.

(Sec. 104) Requires the Secretary concerned to: (1) plan and conduct fuel projects in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and other applicable laws; (2) analyze alternative options to proposed agency actions, with exceptions for projects in wildland-urban interface areas; and (3) facilitate collaboration among State and local governments, Indian tribes, and interested persons during the preparation of each fuel project in a manner consistent with standards in the Western Governors Association's wildfire management strategy.

(Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue interim and final regulations establishing a process that shall serve as the sole means by which an eligible individual shall be able to seek administrative review regarding a fuel project on Forest Service land.

(Sec. 106) Sets forth special requirements regarding judicial review of fuel projects in U.S. district courts, including injunctive relief.

(Sec. 107) States that nothing in this title shall be construed to affect the use by the Secretary concerned of authorities other than this Act to conduct a fuel project on Federal lands.

(Sec. 108) Authorizes appropriations.

Title II: Biomass - (Sec. 201) Amends the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 to expand certain research by developing new tools for land managers, including tools to estimate the cost to deliver varying quantities of wood to a particular location.

(Sec. 202) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to allow the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service and in collaboration with eligible institutions, to: (1) accelerate adoption of biomass technologies; (2) create community-based enterprises; and (3) establish small-scale business enterprises to make use of biomass. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 203) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to persons that own or operate facilities that use biomass for wood-based products or other commercial purposes to offset the costs incurred to purchase biomass. Authorizes appropriations.

Title III: Watershed Forestry Assistance - (Sec. 302) Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to permit the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service (and, where appropriate, through the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service), to provide assistance to State foresters and State officials, or to Cooperative Extension officials at land grant colleges and universities and specified institutions, for the purpose of expanding State forest capacities and activities to address watershed issues on non-Federal forested lands and potentially forested lands. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop, with relevant parties, a program of technical assistance to protect water quality; and (2) establish a watershed forestry cost-share program. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 303) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to provide assistance to Indian tribes for the purpose of expanding tribal stewardship capacities through tribal forestry best management practices to improve watershed health. Authorizes appropriations.

Title IV: Insect Infestations and Related Diseases - (Sec. 403) Directs the Secretary concerned to establish an accelerated program to plan, conduct, and promote comprehensive and systematic information gathering on forest-damaging insects and associated diseases.

(Sec. 404) Allows the Secretary concerned to conduct applied silvicultural assessments on Federal lands that are infested with forest-damaging insects or that are at risk of such infestation.

(Sec. 405) States that the authority provided to each Secretary in this title is supplemental to, and not in lieu of, any authority provided to the Secretaries in any other law.

(Sec. 406) Authorizes appropriations.

Title V: Healthy Forests Reserve Program - (Sec. 501) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the healthy forests reserve program (the program) within the Forest Service for the purpose of restoring and enhancing forest ecosystems to promote the recovery of threatened and endangered species as well as improve biodiversity and enhance carbon sequestration.

(Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce, to designate rare forest ecosystems to be eligible for the program. Sets forth eligibility criteria (for private lands). Specifies that lands may be enrolled pursuant to: (1) a 10-year cost-share agreement; (2) a 30-year easement; or (3) a long-term easement with a buyback option.

(Sec. 503) Subjects lands enrolled in the program to a restoration plan, which shall be developed jointly by the land owner and the Secretary of Agriculture.

(Sec. 504) Sets forth the payment structures for the various methods of enrollment in the program.

(Sec. 505) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide landowners with the technical assistance necessary to comply with the terms of plans under the program.

(Sec. 506) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide safe harbor under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to landowners who enroll land in the program when such enrollment will result in a net conservation benefit for listed, candidate, or other species.

(Sec. 508) Authorizes appropriations.

Title VI: Miscellaneous - (Sec. 601) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture: (1) to carry out a program to inventory and monitor forest stands and potential forest stands in the National Forest System and (with the consent of the owners) on private forest land; and (2) in carrying out such program, to address issues such as the early detection and assessment of environmental threats and to develop an early warning system for potential catastrophic environmental threats to forests. Authorizes appropriations.

Actions

Dec 3, 2003

Became Public Law No: 108-148.
Dec 3, 2003

Signed by President.
Dec 2, 2003

Presented to President.
Nov 21, 2003

Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Nov 21, 2003

Senate agreed to conference report by Unanimous Consent.
Nov 21, 2003

Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Unanimous Consent.
Nov 21, 2003

Conference report considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S15368-15373)
Nov 21, 2003

Conference papers: message on House action held at the desk in Senate.
Nov 21, 2003

On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 286 - 140 (Roll no. 656).
Nov 21, 2003

Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 21, 2003

Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 286 - 140 (Roll no. 656).
Nov 21, 2003

The previous question was ordered without objection.
Nov 21, 2003

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report to accompany H.R. 1904.
Nov 21, 2003

Mr. Goodlatte brought up conference report H. Rept. 108-386 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 457. (consideration: CR H12159-12172)
Nov 21, 2003

Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Nov 21, 2003

Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Nov 21, 2003

Rule H. Res. 457 passed House.
Nov 20, 2003

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 457 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the conference report to H.R. 1904. All points of order against the conference report and against its consideration are waived. The conference report shall be considered as read.
Nov 20, 2003

Conference papers: Senate report and manager's statement held at the desk in Senate.
Nov 20, 2003

Conference report H. Rept. 108-386 filed. (text of conference report: CR H11686-11698)
Nov 20, 2003

Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 108-386 filed.(text of conference report: CR H11686-11698)
Nov 20, 2003

Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Nov 20, 2003

Senate insists on its amendments, agrees to request for a conference, appoints conferees Cochran; McConnell; Crapo; Domenici; Harkin; Leahy; Daschle.
Nov 6, 2003

The previous question was ordered without objection.
Nov 6, 2003

Mr. Goodlatte moved that the House disagree to the Senate amendments, and request a conference. (consideration: CR H10462-10469)
Nov 6, 2003

Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House requests a conference.
Nov 6, 2003

The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on the Judiciary for consideration of secs. 106 and 107 of the House bill, and secs. 105, 106, 1115, and 1116 of the Senate amendment and modifications committed to conference: Sensenbrenner, Smith (TX), and Conyers.
Nov 6, 2003

The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on Resources for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendments, and modifications committed to conference: Pombo, McInnis, Walden (OR), Renzi, Miller, George, and Inslee.
Nov 6, 2003

The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on Agriculture for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendments, and modifications committed to conference: Goodlatte, Boehner, Jenkins, Gutknecht, Hayes, Stenholm, Peterson (MN), and Dooley (CA).
Nov 6, 2003

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 6, 2003

On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H10469)
Nov 6, 2003

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Stenholm motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 1904. The instructions contained in the motion seek to have the House managers, as soon as practicable after the adoption of the motion, meet in open session with the Senate conferees and the House conferees shall file a conference report not later than Thursday, November 13, 2003.
Nov 6, 2003

Mr. Stenholm moved that the House instruct conferees. (consideration: CR H10463; text: CR H10463)
Nov 6, 2003

On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendments, and request a conference Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H10462-10463)
Nov 5, 2003

Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Oct 30, 2003

Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 14. Record Vote Number: 428. (text: CR 10/31/2003 S13719-13734)
Oct 30, 2003

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 14. Record Vote Number: 428.(text: CR 10/31/2003 S13719-13734)
Oct 30, 2003

The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Oct 30, 2003

Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S13600-13611, CR 10/31/2003 S13613-13637)
Oct 29, 2003

Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S13435-13483; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S13435-13449)
Aug 11, 2003

Star Print ordered on the reported bill.
Jul 31, 2003

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 246.
Jul 31, 2003

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Cochran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 108-121.
Jul 24, 2003

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Jul 22, 2003

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
Jun 26, 2003

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Hearings held.
May 21, 2003

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
May 20, 2003

The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 1904.
May 20, 2003

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 20, 2003

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 256 - 170 (Roll no. 200). (text of measure as passed: CR H4292-4298)
May 20, 2003

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 256 - 170 (Roll no. 200).(text of measure as passed: CR H4292-4298)
May 20, 2003

On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 176 - 250 (Roll no. 199).
May 20, 2003

The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
May 20, 2003

Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Udall (NM) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require that the bill be reported back to the House forthwith, with an amendment to strike sections 106 and 107 from the bill.
May 20, 2003

Mr. Udall (NM) moved to recommit with instructions to Judiciary. (consideration: CR H4322-4324; text: CR H4322)
May 20, 2003

The previous question was ordered on the bill, as amended, and on the George Miller (CA) amendment.
May 20, 2003

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 239 the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the George Miller (CA) amendment in the nature of a substitute.
May 20, 2003

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1904.
May 20, 2003

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1904 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Rule provides for one hour of debate in the House, with 30 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Agriculture, 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Resources, and 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. Rule provides that the amendment printed in part A of (H.Rept. 108-109) shall be considered as adopted. Makes in order the amendment printed in part B of (H. Rept. 108-109) if offered by Representative George Miller of California or his ...
May 20, 2003

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 239. (consideration: CR H4287-4324; text of measure as reported in House: CR H4287-4292)
May 20, 2003

Rule H. Res. 239 passed House.
May 19, 2003

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 239 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1904 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Rule provides for one hour of debate in the House, with 30 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Agriculture, 20 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on Resources, and 10 minutes equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill. Rule provides that the amendment printed in part A of (H.Rept. 108-109) shall be considered as adopted. Makes in order the amendment printed in part B of (H. Rept. 108-109) if offered by Representative George Miller of California or his ...
May 16, 2003

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 52.
May 16, 2003

Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 108-96, Part II.
May 14, 2003

Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 13.
May 14, 2003

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 9, 2003

Committee on Resources discharged.
May 9, 2003

Referred sequentially to the House Committee on the Judiciary for a period ending not later than May 16, 2003 for consideration of such provisions of the bill as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(k), rule X.
May 9, 2003

House Committee on Resources Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than May 9, 2003.
May 9, 2003

Reported by the Committee on Agriculture. H. Rept. 108-96, Part I.
May 8, 2003

Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
May 8, 2003

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 2, 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.
May 1, 2003

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
May 1, 2003

Introduced in House

Amendments

Related Bills