Locally Led Restoration Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 3637
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 3637Public Lands and Natural Resources
Locally Led Restoration Act of 2025
INTRO MAY 29· LAST ACTION MAY 29
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
3BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to speed up and expand efforts to reduce wildfire risks in federal forests, a growing concern in many parts of the country. By allowing private entities to propose projects and requiring faster government responses, it could lead to more rapid removal of hazardous fuels like dead trees and brush, potentially preventing catastrophic wildfires and protecting homes and communities.
If this bill becomes law, we might see more 'stewardship projects' where private groups help manage forests, and potentially quicker timber sales for smaller amounts, which could help local economies. If it doesn't pass, the current, potentially slower processes for forest management and hazard fuel removal would remain in place, which some argue might contribute to continued high wildfire risk.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Allows private individuals or groups to propose 'stewardship contracting projects' to the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management for wildfire hazard fuel removal.
This provision expands who can initiate forest management projects, potentially increasing the number and speed of wildfire risk reduction efforts.
PROVISION 02
Requires that proposed stewardship projects include the removal of vegetation, with at least 10% of that material being 'salvage' (dead or dying wood).
This ensures that projects focus on removing high-risk materials that contribute to intense wildfires and promotes utilization of dead timber.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that federal agencies respond to private project proposals within 120 days and initiate environmental reviews within the same timeframe.
This sets deadlines to streamline the approval process for forest restoration projects, aiming to reduce delays.
PROVISION 04
Prohibits these stewardship projects from taking place in National Wilderness Preservation System areas or inventoried roadless areas.
This protects certain sensitive and untouched federal lands from potential logging or vegetation removal activities under this new process.
PROVISION 05
Increases the threshold for publicly advertised timber sales from $10,000 to $55,000 and ties it to annual inflation adjustments.
This adjustment aims to reflect modern costs and allows smaller timber sales to proceed more efficiently, potentially supporting local logging operations.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural 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.
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to speed up and expand efforts to reduce wildfire risks in federal forests, a growing concern in many parts of the country. By allowing private entities to propose projects and requiring faster government responses, it could lead to more rapid removal of hazardous fuels like dead trees and brush, potentially preventing catastrophic wildfires and protecting homes and communities.
If this bill becomes law, we might see more 'stewardship projects' where private groups help manage forests, and potentially quicker timber sales for smaller amounts, which could help local economies. If it doesn't pass, the current, potentially slower processes for forest management and hazard fuel removal would remain in place, which some argue might contribute to continued high wildfire risk.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Allows private individuals or groups to propose 'stewardship contracting projects' to the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management for wildfire hazard fuel removal.
This provision expands who can initiate forest management projects, potentially increasing the number and speed of wildfire risk reduction efforts.
med
Requires that proposed stewardship projects include the removal of vegetation, with at least 10% of that material being 'salvage' (dead or dying wood).
This ensures that projects focus on removing high-risk materials that contribute to intense wildfires and promotes utilization of dead timber.
high
Mandates that federal agencies respond to private project proposals within 120 days and initiate environmental reviews within the same timeframe.
This sets deadlines to streamline the approval process for forest restoration projects, aiming to reduce delays.
high
Prohibits these stewardship projects from taking place in National Wilderness Preservation System areas or inventoried roadless areas.
This protects certain sensitive and untouched federal lands from potential logging or vegetation removal activities under this new process.
med
Increases the threshold for publicly advertised timber sales from $10,000 to $55,000 and ties it to annual inflation adjustments.
This adjustment aims to reflect modern costs and allows smaller timber sales to proceed more efficiently, potentially supporting local logging operations.
Chief and Director shall publicly notice the opportunity to submit proposals for stewardship contracting projects.
Not later than 120 days after receiving such a proposal
Chief and Director shall provide a response to a stewardship contracting project proposal.
Not later than 120 days after the date on which a private person or other public or private entity submits a proposal
Chief or Director may issue public notice of initiation of any necessary environmental review for a proposed project.
Not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress on project proposals, contracts, and acres treated.
Beginning the first year after the date of enactment of the Locally Led Restoration Act of 2025
The $55,000 timber sale threshold shall be adjusted annually by the Secretary for changes in the Consumer Price Index.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Wildfire hazard fuel removal
The process of removing flammable materials like dead trees, brush, and undergrowth from forests to reduce the intensity and spread of potential wildfires.
Salvage
Vegetation, typically dead or dying trees, that is removed from a forest. This can include wood killed by wildfires, insects (like beetles), or other natural causes.
Advertised timber sales
Timber sales from federal lands that must be publicly announced and opened for competitive bidding to ensure fairness and transparency, usually for sales above a certain dollar amount.
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
A federal law aimed at reducing wildfire risks and improving forest health on federal lands through projects that remove hazardous fuels and restore ecosystems.
National Forest Management Act of 1976
A federal law that governs the administration of national forests, including requirements for forest planning, timber harvesting, and other resource management activities.
National Wilderness Preservation System
A network of federal lands designated by Congress as wilderness, where human activity is restricted to protect their natural and undeveloped character.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
MAY 29, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
MAY 29, 25
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Natural 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.
Specific areas within national forests that have been identified as undeveloped and generally lacking permanent roads, often managed to preserve their wild character.
