Action Versus No Action Act
3/8/2025, 9:06 AM
Status of Legislation
Purpose and Summary
Action Versus No Action Act
This bill limits the scope of an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for forest management activity on certain public lands to only the following two alternatives: (1) the effects of the forest management activity, and (2) no action.
The bill applies to any EA or EIS prepared by the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior for a forest management activity on public land that is suitable for timber production and that
- occurs on land designated as an insect and disease treatment area under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003,
- is developed through a collaborative process,
- is proposed by a resource advisory committee, or
- is covered by a community wildfire protection plan.
In the case of the alternative of no action, the Forest Service or Interior must consider whether to evaluate
- the effect of no action on forest health, potential losses of life and property, habitat diversity, wildfire potential, insect and disease potential, and timber production; and
- the implications of a resulting decline in forest health, loss of habitat diversity, wildfire, or insect or disease infestation on potential losses of life and property, domestic water supply in the project area, wildlife habitat loss, and other economic and social factors.
The goal of this legislation is to simplify and expedite the decision-making process for forest management activities, ultimately leading to more efficient and effective management of our nation's forests. By limiting the number of alternatives that must be considered, the bill aims to reduce delays and bureaucratic hurdles that can often slow down important forest management projects.
In addition to requiring the consideration of only two alternatives, the bill also includes provisions for other purposes related to collaborative forest management. While the specifics of these additional purposes are not outlined in the summary, it is clear that the overall goal of the bill is to promote collaboration and efficiency in managing our nation's forests. Overall, Bill 119 hr 184 seeks to improve the decision-making process for collaborative forest management activities by limiting the number of alternatives that must be considered. This legislation aims to streamline the process and promote more effective management of our nation's forests.
Comments
Recent Activity
Action Versus No Action Act
This bill limits the scope of an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for forest management acti...
The bill applies to any EA or EIS prepared by the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior for a forest management activity on public land that is suitable for timber production and that
- occurs on land designated as an insect and disease treatment area under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003,
- is developed through a collaborative process,
- is proposed by a resource advisory committee, or
- is covered by a community wildfire protection plan.
In the case of the alternative of no action, the Forest Service or Interior must consider whether to evaluate
- the effect of no action on forest health, potential losses of life and property, habitat diversity, wildfire potential, insect and disease potential, and timber production; and
- the implications of a resulting decline in forest health, loss of habitat diversity, wildfire, or insect or disease infestation on potential losses of life and property, domestic water supply in the project area, wildlife habitat loss, and other economic and social factors.