H.R. 179 - Proven Forest Management Act of 2025

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Summary

The Proven Forest Management Act of 2025 would expedite forest management activities on National Forest System lands by exempting certain fuel reduction projects from detailed environmental review under federal law. Specifically, projects that do not exceed 10,000 acres (with no more than 3,000 acres of mechanical thinning), are developed collaboratively, and align with existing forest plans would be categorically excluded from these review requirements. This could allow the Forest Service to implement fuel reduction work more quickly.

The bill would also require the Forest Service to pursue multiple ecosystem benefits when conducting forest management activities, unless doing so would be excessively costly. Additionally, it would establish monitoring requirements to track whether management activities achieve their intended post-project conditions. The bill permits the Forest Service and Department of the Interior to enter into contracts with various entities for fuel reduction, erosion control, and reforestation work on both federal and nonfederal lands, and directs coordination with affected parties to improve efficiency across management practices.

This bill has been approved by the House Committee on Natural Resources and is eligible for a floor vote. If enacted, it could accelerate forest management projects aimed at reducing wildfire fuel loads and improving forest health, though it would reduce the environmental review process for these activities.

AI-generated summary

Lifecycle of the Bill

Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.

Apr 4, 2025

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Jul 23, 2025

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 15.

Jul 23, 2025

HearingHouseMarkup

Jul 23, 2025 · 14:00

FC Markup on: • H.R. 178 (Rep. McClintock), To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out activities to suppress wildfires, and for other purposes. • H.R. 179 (Rep. McClintock), “Proven Forest Management Act of 2025” • H.R. 345 (Rep. Harder), “Fire Department Repayment Act of 2025” • H.R. 528 (Rep. Pettersen), “Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act of 2025” • H.R. 839 (Rep. Arrington), To prohibit the implementation of a Land Protection Plan for Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. • H.R. 1045 (Rep. Kennedy of UT), “Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025” • H.R. 1276 (Rep. Comer), To remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky. • H.R. 2290 (Rep. Dingell), “World War II Women’s Memorial Location Act” • H.R. 2294 (Rep. Ezell), To reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009. • H.R. 2302 (Rep. McClintock), “Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Land Transfer Act of 2025” • H.R. 2400 (Rep. LaMalfa), “Pit River Land Transfer Act of 2025” • H.R. 3620 (Rep. Begich), “Southcentral Foundation Land Transfer Act of 2025” • H.R. 3857 (Rep. Hurd), “Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025” • H.R. 4285 (Rep. Maloy), "Semiquincentennial Tourism and Access to Recreation Sites Act" or the "STARS Act."

Committee

House Committee on Natural Resources

View full hearing

Summary

The House Committee on Natural Resources held a markup session on July 23, 2025, to consider 14 bills covering a range of natural resource and public lands issues. The bills addressed several key policy areas: wildfire suppression and forest management through H.R. 178, H.R. 179 (Proven Forest Management Act), and H.R. 528 (Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act); disaster relief for fire departments through H.R. 345 (Fire Department Repayment Act); wildlife refuge management through H.R. 839; water resource forecasting through H.R. 3857 (Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act); coastal observation systems through H.R. 2294; and various land transfer bills affecting tribal nations and local communities in Kentucky, California, and Alaska. No witnesses were listed for this markup session, indicating the committee proceeded directly to consideration of the bills without public testimony. Markups are procedural sessions where committees review and potentially amend legislation before voting on whether to advance bills to the full House floor. The passage of any of these bills through markup does not guarantee they will advance further in the legislative process. Each bill would still require a committee vote to move forward and would face additional procedural steps in the House before becoming law.