Accelerating Forest Management Act
To codify the categorical exclusion proposed in the National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures for the Bureau of Land Management related to salvage harvesting published on April 6, 2026, and for other purposes.
This bill aims to make a specific type of forest management easier by codifying a rule that exempts certain salvage harvesting activities from detailed environmental reviews. This would allow these activities to proceed more quickly. The bill is linked to a rule published in April 2026 by the Bureau of Land Management, which aims to streamline the process of removing trees that have been damaged by natural disasters or pests.
The bill would mainly affect land managers, forestry professionals, and communities that rely on forest resources. By speeding up the process for certain tree removal activities, it could make it easier for these groups to manage forests and recover from natural disasters more efficiently.
As of May 21, 2026, the bill has been introduced and referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands for further review. A subcommittee hearing has been held to discuss the bill, and it is currently in the early stages of the legislative process.
