S.449 - Expediting Forest Restoration and Recovery Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
S.449, the Expediting Forest Restoration and Recovery Act of 2025, amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003. It aims to expedite hazardous fuel and insect/disease risk reduction projects on National Forest System lands. The bill instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize these projects and streamline environmental analyses.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely lead to faster implementation of forest management projects designed to reduce wildfire risk and combat insect infestations. This could result in healthier forests and reduced risk to communities near these forests. It also modifies revenue usage from timber sales under 'Good Neighbor Agreements'.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced wildfire risk in and around National Forest System lands.
- Improved forest health and resilience to insect infestations and diseases.
- Streamlined environmental review processes for certain projects, potentially saving time and resources.
- Increased collaboration with states through amendments to Good Neighbor Agreements.
- Potential economic benefits from timber sales and restoration activities.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for unintended environmental consequences due to expedited environmental reviews.
- Possible conflicts with other resource management objectives if insect/disease/fire risk reduction is prioritized too heavily.
- Concerns from environmental groups about weakening environmental protections.
- Risk of overlooking local ecological conditions in favor of broad categorical exclusions.
- Potential for increased timber harvesting in sensitive areas.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with Congress's power under Article I, Section 8, which grants them the authority to make rules and regulations regarding federal lands. The focus on environmental protection and resource management also aligns with the general welfare clause of the Constitution. However, the delegation of authority to the Secretary of Agriculture requires careful consideration to ensure it doesn't violate the non-delegation doctrine.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).