IRA Section 23001 – National Forest System Restoration and Fuels Reduction Projects

Section 23001 appropriates $2.15 billion to USDA for national forest system restoration and fuels reduction projects. Specifically, the section appropriates the following amounts to USDA:

a. On National Forest System land

1) $1.8 billion for hazardous fuels reduction projects on National Forest System land within the wildland-urban interface;

2) $200 million for vegetation management projects on National Forest System land carried out in accordance with a water source management, watershed protection, or restoration action plan developed under section 303(d)(1) or 304(a)(3) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, 16 U.S.C. § 6542(d)(1), or 16 U.S.C. § 6543(a)(3);

3) $50 million for the protection of old-growth forests on National Forest System land and to complete an inventory of old-growth forests and mature forests within the National Forest System; and

4) $100 million to provide for environmental reviews by the Chief of the Forest Service in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The funds appropriated for hazardous fuel reduction projects and vegetation management projects may not be used for any activity:

1) conducted in a wilderness area or wilderness study area;

2) that includes the construction of a permanent road or motorized trail;

3) includes the construction of a temporary road, except in certain specified cases;

4) that is inconsistent with applicable land management plans;

5) that is inconsistent with specified prohibitions in a Forest Service rule entitled Special Areas, Roadless Area Conservation, or

6) carried out on any land that is not National Forest System land.

The funds appropriated by section 23001 shall remain available until September 30, 2031.