TORCH Act

This bill changes federal rules for managing forests and public lands to reduce wildfire risk. It would let the Forest Service skip full environmental reviews for removing hazard trees near roads, trails, and recreation sites on projects up to 3,000 acres, and it would raise the size limit for several other fast-tracked forest projects from 3,000 to 10,000 acres. It would make it easier for electric utilities to remove trees near power lines on federal land, including trees within 50 feet of a line, and would exempt approved utility vegetation work from environmental, endangered species, and historic preservation review. It would also let Indian tribes, states, and counties keep timber sale money under good neighbor agreements. Finally, it would end the requirement that federal land agencies redo endangered species consultation on land plans when a new species is listed or new information appears.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Mike Kennedy Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors