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Bill115th CongressFiled Jun 15, 2017Public Lands and Natural Resources
H.R. 2921

National Forest System Vegetation Management Pilot Program Act of 2017

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house without amendment (Oct 31, 2017)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

National Forest System Vegetation Management Pilot Program Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a limited, voluntary pilot program to permit vegetation management projects on National Forest System (NFS) land adjacent to rights-of-way to better protect utility infrastructure from potential passing wildfires.

Program participants must have a right-of-way on NFS land. USDA shall give priority to holders of a right-of-way who have worked with Forest Service fire scientists and used technologies, such as light detection and ranging surveys, to improve utility infrastructure protection prescriptions.

Vegetation management projects will involve limited and selective vegetation management activities, which:

  • shall create the least amount of disturbance necessary to protect utility infrastructure from passing wildfires;
  • may include thinning, fuel reduction, and creation and treatment of shaded fuel breaks;
  • must only take place adjacent to the participant's right-of-way or within 75 feet of it;
  • must not take place in any designated wilderness area, wilderness study area, or inventoried roadless area; and
  • shall be subject to approval by the Forest Service.

Participants shall not be held liable to the federal government for damage that was proximately caused by activities conducted pursuant to an approved vegetation management project, unless:

  • such activities were carried out in a manner that was grossly negligent or that was in violation of criminal law, or
  • the damage was caused by the participant's failure to comply with the specific safety requirements imposed by the Forest Service as a condition of participation in the pilot program.

In order to implement the pilot program in an efficient and expeditious manner, USDA may waive or modify specific provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, including to allow for the development of contracts or agreements on a noncompetitive basis.

USDA may:

  • retain any funds provided to the Forest Service by participants in the pilot program, and
  • use such funds to conduct such program.

The bill states that the authority to conduct the pilot program and any vegetation management projects under such program will expire on December 21, 2027.

What just happenedNov 1, 2017

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

Who’s behind it

Rep. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND-At Large](R-ND)Sponsor
9 cosponsors6 D3 R
Read on Congress.gov
9cosponsors3committees21actions2related bills5subjects
  1. Nov 1, 2017IntroReferral

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

    Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
  2. Oct 31, 2017FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Oct 31, 2017FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8280-8281)

  4. Oct 31, 2017Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8280-8281)

  5. Oct 31, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2921.

  6. Oct 31, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8280-8282)

  7. Oct 31, 2017FloorH30300

    Mr. Crawford moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  8. Oct 19, 2017CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 261.

  9. Oct 19, 2017DischargeH12300

    Committee on Natural Resources discharged.

    Natural Resources Committee
  10. Oct 19, 2017Committee5500

    Committee on Natural Resources discharged.

    Natural Resources Committee
  11. Oct 19, 2017CommitteeH12200

    Reported by the Committee on Agriculture. H. Rept. 115-357, Part I.

    Agriculture Committee
  12. Oct 19, 2017Committee5000

    Reported by the Committee on Agriculture. H. Rept. 115-357, Part I.

    Agriculture Committee
  13. Oct 4, 2017Committee

    Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

    Agriculture Committee
  14. Oct 4, 2017Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Agriculture Committee
  15. Jul 11, 2017Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.

    Forestry Subcommittee
  16. Jun 26, 2017Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

    Federal Lands Subcommittee
  17. Jun 15, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    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.

    Natural Resources Committee
  18. Jun 15, 2017IntroReferralH11100-A

    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.

  19. Jun 15, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    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.

    Agriculture Committee
  20. Jun 15, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  21. Jun 15, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House without amendmentOct 31, 201781

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

National Forest System Vegetation Management Pilot Program Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a limited, voluntary pilot program to permit vegetation management projects on National Forest System (NFS) land adjacent to rights-of-way to better protect utility infrastructure from potential passing wildfires.

Program participants must have a right-of-way on NFS land. USDA shall give priority to holders of a right-of-way who have worked with Forest Service fire scientists and used technologies, such as light detection and ranging surveys, to improve utility infrastructure protection prescriptions.

Vegetation management projects will involve limited and selective vegetation management activities, which:

  • shall create the least amount of disturbance necessary to protect utility infrastructure from passing wildfires;
  • may include thinning, fuel reduction, and creation and treatment of shaded fuel breaks;
  • must only take place adjacent to the participant's right-of-way or within 75 feet of it;
  • must not take place in any designated wilderness area, wilderness study area, or inventoried roadless area; and
  • shall be subject to approval by the Forest Service.

Participants shall not be held liable to the federal government for damage that was proximately caused by activities conducted pursuant to an approved vegetation management project, unless:

  • such activities were carried out in a manner that was grossly negligent or that was in violation of criminal law, or
  • the damage was caused by the participant's failure to comply with the specific safety requirements imposed by the Forest Service as a condition of participation in the pilot program.

In order to implement the pilot program in an efficient and expeditious manner, USDA may waive or modify specific provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, including to allow for the development of contracts or agreements on a noncompetitive basis.

USDA may:

  • retain any funds provided to the Forest Service by participants in the pilot program, and
  • use such funds to conduct such program.

The bill states that the authority to conduct the pilot program and any vegetation management projects under such program will expire on December 21, 2027.

Reported to House without amendment, Part IOct 19, 201728

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

National Forest System Vegetation Management Pilot Program Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a limited, voluntary pilot program to permit vegetation management projects on National Forest System (NFS) land adjacent to rights-of-way to better protect utility infrastructure from potential passing wildfires.

Program participants must have a right-of-way on NFS land. USDA shall give priority to holders of a right-of-way who have worked with Forest Service fire scientists and used technologies, such as light detection and ranging surveys, to improve utility infrastructure protection prescriptions.

Vegetation management projects will involve limited and selective vegetation management activities, which:

  • shall create the least amount of disturbance necessary to protect utility infrastructure from passing wildfires;
  • may include thinning, fuel reduction, and creation and treatment of shaded fuel breaks;
  • must only take place adjacent to the participant's right-of-way or within 75 feet of it;
  • must not take place in any designated wilderness area, wilderness study area, or inventoried roadless area; and
  • shall be subject to approval by the Forest Service.

Participants shall not be held liable to the federal government for damage that was proximately caused by activities conducted pursuant to an approved vegetation management project, unless:

  • such activities were carried out in a manner that was grossly negligent or that was in violation of criminal law, or
  • the damage was caused by the participant's failure to comply with the specific safety requirements imposed by the Forest Service as a condition of participation in the pilot program.

In order to implement the pilot program in an efficient and expeditious manner, USDA may waive or modify specific provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, including to allow for the development of contracts or agreements on a noncompetitive basis.

USDA may:

  • retain any funds provided to the Forest Service by participants in the pilot program, and
  • use such funds to conduct such program.

The bill states that the authority to conduct the pilot program and any vegetation management projects under such program will expire on December 21, 2027.

Introduced in HouseJun 15, 2017

National Forest System Vegetation Management Pilot Program Act of 2017

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a limited, voluntary pilot program to permit vegetation management projects on National Forest System (NFS) land adjacent to rights-of-way to better protect utility infrastructure from potential passing wildfires.

Program participants must have a right-of-way on NFS land. USDA shall give priority to holders of a right-of-way who have worked with Forest Service fire scientists and used technologies, such as light detection and ranging surveys, to improve utility infrastructure protection prescriptions.

Vegetation management projects will involve limited and selective vegetation management activities, which:

  • shall create the least amount of disturbance necessary to protect utility infrastructure from passing wildfires;
  • may include thinning, fuel reduction, and creation and treatment of shaded fuel breaks;
  • must only take place adjacent to the participant's right-of-way or within 75 feet of it;
  • must not take place in any designated wilderness area, wilderness study area, or inventoried roadless area; and
  • shall be subject to approval by the Forest Service.
National Forest System Vegetation Management Pilot Program Act of 2017 — Informed