Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2023

Hozzl · 2024-02-05T11:45:06Z

Explore the details of House Bill 4197 Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Public Lands and Natural Resources. Stay informed on legislative developments.

2/5/2024, 11:45 AM

Summary of Bill HR 4197

Bill 118 HR 4197, also known as the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2023, aims to reauthorize and strengthen the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP). This program was initially established in 2009 to promote collaborative, science-based forest restoration projects that improve forest health, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, and support local economies.

The bill seeks to extend the CFLRP for an additional five years, providing funding and support for collaborative projects in national forests and grasslands across the country. These projects involve partnerships between federal agencies, state and local governments, tribal nations, non-profit organizations, and private landowners to address forest management challenges and achieve shared conservation goals.

Key provisions of the bill include increasing the funding cap for individual CFLRP projects, expanding the eligibility criteria for participation in the program, and requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to report on the progress and outcomes of CFLRP projects to Congress and the public. The bill also emphasizes the importance of public engagement and stakeholder input in the development and implementation of CFLRP projects. Overall, the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 aims to continue and strengthen the collaborative approach to forest management, with the goal of improving forest health, reducing wildfire risk, and supporting local communities.

Congressional Summary of HR 4197

Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2023

This bill reauthorizes and expands the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration program, which helps fund collaborative and community-based forest management.

To be eligible for support, a collaborative forest landscape restoration proposal must describe plans to prevent, remediate, or control invasions of pathogens.

For each proposal nominated for selection by a Forest Service regional office, the office must provide a federal government staffing plan for providing support to collaboratives.

In selecting proposals, the Department of Agriculture must give special consideration to proposals that seek to

use innovative implementation mechanisms, including conservation finance agreements and good neighbor agreements;
reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire or increase ecological restoration activities within areas across land ownerships and within the wildland-urban interface; and
enhance watershed health and drinking water sources.

The bill increases the number of proposals that may be funded during any fiscal year.

Current Status of Bill HR 4197

Bill HR 4197 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since June 16, 2023. Bill HR 4197 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on June 16, 2023. Bill HR 4197's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry. as of August 21, 2023