Summary:
American Land Act

 Authorizes the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, for each of FY2016-FY2021, to offer for competitive sale by auction to eligible entities 8% of the federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management and 8% of the National Forest System land. Includes as an "eligible entity": (1) a U.S. citizen, or (2) a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the United States.

Requires the land to be sold to: (1) be configured to maximize marketability or achieve management objectives, and (2) include the mineral rights for not more than 50% of the total acreage if such inclusion is likely to maximize marketability.

Requires proceeds to be deposited into the Highway Trust Fund.

american land act authorizes departments interior agriculture fy2016 fy2021 offer competitive sale auction eligible entities federal land managed national_forest_system land includes eligible entity citizen corporation partnership created organized laws united_states requires land sold configured maximize achieve management objectives include mineral rights total acreage inclusion likely maximize requires proceeds deposited highway_trust_fund


Summary:
National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2015

TITLE I--DEVELOPMENT OF DOMESTIC SOURCES OF STRATEGIC AND CRITICAL MINERALS

(Sec. 101) Deems a domestic mine that will provide strategic and critical minerals to be an "infrastructure project" as described in Presidential Order "Improving Performance of Federal Permitting and Review of Infrastructure Projects" dated March 22, 2012.

(Sec. 102) Sets forth the responsibilities of the lead agency (federal, state, local, tribal, or Alaska Native Corporation) with responsibility for issuing a mineral exploration or mine permit with respect to project coordination, agency consultation, project proponents, and contractors.

Deems the requirements of National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to have been satisfied if the lead agency determines that any state or federal agency acting pursuant to state or federal statutory or procedural authorities, has or will address specified factors.

Requires the lead agency, if it cannot make such a determination, and at a project proponent's request, together with cooperating and other agencies involved in the permitting process to enter into an agreement with the project proponent that sets time limits for each part of the permitting process.

Applies this Act to any mineral exploration or mine permit for which an application was submitted before enactment of this Act if the applicant so requests in writing. Requires the lead agency to begin implementing this Act with respect to such application within 30 days after receiving such a request.

Requires the lead agency, with respect to strategic and critical minerals within a federally administered unit of the National Forest System, to: (1) exempt from federal regulations governing Special Areas all areas of identified mineral resources in Land Use Designations (other than Non-Development Land Use Designations); (2) apply such exemption to all additional routes and areas that the agency finds necessary to facilitate the construction, operation, maintenance, and restoration of the areas of the identified mineral resources; and (3) continue to apply such exemptions after approval of the Minerals Plan of Operations for the unit.

 (Sec. 103) Declares the priority of the lead agency, in evaluating and issuing any mineral exploration or mine permit, is to maximize mineral resource development while mitigating environmental impacts, so that more of the mineral resource can be brought to the market place.

(Sec. 104) Prescribes the Federal Register notice process for mineral exploration and mining projects. Requires each notice to undergo any required reviews within the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture and to be published in its final form in the Federal Register at least 30 days after its initial preparation, absent any extraordinary circumstance or except as otherwise required by any Act of Congress.

TITLE II--JUDICIAL REVIEW OF AGENCY ACTIONS RELATING TO EXPLORATION AND MINE PERMITS

(Sec. 202) Bars a civil action claiming legal wrong caused by an agency action affecting a mineral exploration or mine permit unless such claim is filed no later than 60 days after the date of the final federal agency action to which it relates.

(Sec. 203) Authorizes the holder of a mineral exploration or mine permit to intervene as of right in any such civil action by a person affecting rights or obligations of the permit holder under the permit.

 (Sec. 204) Requires the court to hear and determine any such civil action as expeditiously as possible.

 (Sec. 205) Prohibits the court from granting or approving prospective relief unless it finds that such relief is narrowly drawn, extends no further than necessary to correct the violation of a legal requirement, and is the least intrusive means necessary to correct such violation.

(Sec. 206) Declares inapplicable to such a civil action specified requirements of the Equal Access to Justice Act relating to award of costs and fees to a prevailing plaintiff. Prohibits payment from the federal government for court costs of a party in such a civil action, including attorneys' fees and expenses.

TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 (Sec. 301) Declares this Act inapplicable to any mineral described in Secretarial Order No. 3324, issued by the Department of the Interior on December 3, 2012, in any area to which the order applies.

national strategic critical minerals production act title development domestic sources strategic critical minerals sec deems domestic provide strategic critical minerals infrastructure project described presidential order improving performance federal permitting review infrastructure projects dated march sec sets forth responsibilities lead agency federal state local tribal alaska_native_corporation responsibility issuing mineral exploration permit respect project coordination agency consultation project contractors deems requirements national_environmental_policy_act satisfied lead agency determines state federal agency acting pursuant state federal statutory procedural authorities address specified factors requires lead agency determination project proponent request cooperating agencies involved permitting process enter agreement project proponent sets time limits permitting process applies act mineral exploration permit application submitted enactment act applicant requests writing requires lead agency begin implementing act respect application days receiving request requires lead agency respect strategic critical minerals federally administered unit national_forest_system exempt federal regulations governing special areas areas identified mineral resources apply exemption additional routes areas agency finds necessary facilitate construction operation maintenance restoration areas identified mineral resources continue apply exemptions approval unit sec declares priority lead agency evaluating issuing mineral exploration permit maximize mineral resource development mitigating environmental impacts mineral resource brought market place sec prescribes federal_register notice process mineral exploration mining projects requires notice undergo required reviews department_of_the_interior_or_the_department_of_agriculture published final form federal_register days initial preparation absent extraordinary circumstance required act congress title judicial review agency actions relating exploration permits sec bars civil action claiming legal wrong caused agency action affecting mineral exploration permit claim filed later days date final federal agency action relates sec authorizes holder mineral exploration permit intervene right civil action person affecting rights obligations permit holder permit sec requires court hear determine civil action expeditiously possible sec prohibits court granting approving prospective relief finds relief narrowly drawn extends necessary correct violation legal requirement intrusive means necessary correct violation sec declares inapplicable civil action specified requirements equal_access justice act relating award costs fees prevailing plaintiff prohibits payment federal government court costs party civil action including attorneys fees expenses title iii miscellaneous provisions sec declares act inapplicable mineral described issued department_of_the_interior december area order applies


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

Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act Extension Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill extends the authority of the Department of the Interior, with respect to federal land management agencies, and the Department of Agriculture, with respect to the Forest Service, to carry out the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act through September 30, 2017.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure act extension act sec bill extends authority department_of_the_interior respect federal land management agencies department_of_agriculture respect forest_service carry federal_lands_recreation_enhancement_act september


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

American Soda Ash Competitiveness Act

 (Sec. 2) Sets at 2%, for a five-year period, the royalty rate on the quantity or gross value of the output of sodium compounds and related products at the point of shipment to market from federal land.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec sets year period royalty rate quantity gross value output sodium compounds related products point shipment market federal land


Summary:
National Park and Wilderness Waters Protection Forever Act

Withdraws federal lands within the Rainy River Drainage Basin in Minnesota from all forms of: (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) operation under the mineral leasing and mineral material laws.

Deems the approval of any lease or permit for activities relating to mining on federal lands in the Basin to be a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. Requires an environmental impact statement conducted for such an action to include consideration of any potential impacts to units of the National Park System (NPS) or land in the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS) located in the Basin. Conditions the issuance or renewal of any such lease or permit on a requirement that the permittee or lessee seasonally monitor water quality on such lands throughout the Basin. Requires all mining activities to be suspended if any mining related contamination is detected in any NPS unit or NWPS land in the Basin until all contamination has been remediated.

Bars a federal agency from approving any mining related activities on federal lands in the Basin until the entity holding a lease or permit for that activity has submitted: (1) an acceptable contamination remediation plan, and (2) a full reclamation and performance bond sufficient to return the affected area to its original condition and treat any potential contamination for 50 years following the conclusion of any mining activities.

Exempts sand, gravel, and granite operations that exist on the date of enactment of this Act.

national park withdraws federal lands river drainage basin minnesota forms entry appropriation disposal public land laws location entry patent mining laws operation mineral leasing mineral material laws deems approval lease permit activities relating mining federal lands basin major federal action significantly affecting quality human environment requires environmental impact statement conducted action include consideration potential impacts units national_park_system nps land national_wilderness_preservation_system nwps located basin conditions issuance renewal lease permit requirement permittee lessee monitor water quality lands basin requires mining activities suspended mining related contamination detected nps unit nwps land basin contamination bars federal agency approving mining related activities federal lands basin entity holding lease permit activity submitted acceptable contamination remediation plan reclamation performance bond sufficient return affected area original condition treat potential contamination years following conclusion mining activities exempts sand gravel granite operations exist date enactment act


Summary:
Red River Private Property Protection Act

 (Sec. 2) This bill declares that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of the Department of the Interior disclaims any right, title, and interest to certain lands along a stretch of the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma (the affected area) located south of the South Bank boundary line.

 BLM surveys conducted before enactment of this Act shall have no force or effect in determining the South Bank boundary line.

(Sec. 3) The BLM, in identifying the current South Bank boundary line along the affected area, shall commission a new survey that: (1) adheres to the gradient boundary survey method, (2) spans the entire length of the affected area, (3) is conducted by Licensed State Land Surveyors chosen by the Texas General Land Office and each affected federally recognized Indian tribe, and (4) is completed within two years of enactment of this Act.

 The survey, including surveys of individual parcels, shall be submitted to the Texas General Land Office, not to the BLM, for approval, in consultation with the Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office and each affected federally recognized Indian tribe.

 The Texas Land Office shall notify the BLM of its approval of a survey, together with a copy and related field notes.

 The BLM, after receiving this notification, shall notify the landowners adjacent to the surveyed parcel, together with a copy and related field notes.

(Sec. 4) A landowner who receives such a notification and who claims to hold right, title, or interest in the affected area may appeal the survey's determination to an Administrative Law Judge of the Department of the Interior.

A landowner who files such an appeal and is adversely affected by the final decision may file a civil action in the U.S. district court for the district in which the person resides or in which the affected area is located.

(Sec. 5) If the BLM determines that a surveyed parcel is not subject to appeal or judicial review, it shall notify federally recognized Indian tribes with jurisdiction over lands adjacent to the parcel that it shall accept patent applications for that parcel for 210 days. The BLM shall also check at least once every six months the status of any appeals or further judicial reviews related to a parcel that is subject to appeal or further judicial review until it is no longer subject to appeal or further judicial review.

 The BLM may issue to an applicant, on the payment of fair market value per acre, a patent for the surface rights to a parcel of identified federal lands that the applicant (or the applicant's ancestors or grantors) have held in good faith and in peaceful adverse possession for more than 20 years under a claim (including through a state land grant). Such a patent shall:

 reserve to the United States all minerals contained in the parcel, which shall be subject to sale or disposal under leasing and mineral land laws; and recognize the right of U.S. permittees, lessees, or grantees to enter the parcel to prospect for and mine deposits. (Sec. 6) After the period for applications expires, but for only 60 days, the BLM shall offer for purchase the surface rights to the remaining identified federal land located north or south of the vegetation line of the South Bank. The purchase offer shall go first to federally recognized Indian tribes holding reservation or allotment land on June 5, 1906, that possess the right of first refusal, then to specified adjacent landowners located in Oklahoma or Texas for each next right of refusal.

 The bill defines "remaining identified federal lands" as any parcel of identified federal lands:

 not subject to appeal or further judicial review, not determined by an Interior Administrative Law Judge or a federal court to be the property of an adjacent landowner, and not patented or subject to a pending request for a patent. Any such parcel that is not purchased shall be offered by BLM for disposal by a competitive sale for not less than fair market value.

 Any such sale shall be subject to: (1) the condition that all minerals contained in the parcel are reserved to the United States and subject to sale or disposal under applicable leasing and mineral land laws; (2) the condition that permittees, lessees, or grantees have the right to enter the parcel to prospect for and mine deposits; and (3) valid existing state, tribal, and local rights.

(Sec. 7) The BLM may not treat a parcel of identified federal lands as federal land for purposes of a resource management plan if the treatment does not comply with this Act.

sec bill declares bureau_of_land_management blm department_of_the_interior right title interest certain lands stretch red_river texas oklahoma affected area located south boundary line blm surveys conducted enactment act shall force effect determining boundary line sec blm identifying current boundary line affected area shall commission new survey adheres boundary survey method spans entire length affected area conducted chosen affected federally recognized indian tribe completed years enactment act survey including surveys individual parcels shall submitted blm approval consultation affected federally recognized indian tribe shall notify blm approval survey copy related field notes blm receiving notification shall notify landowners adjacent surveyed parcel copy related field notes sec landowner receives notification claims hold right title interest affected area appeal survey determination administrative law judge department_of_the_interior landowner files appeal adversely affected final decision file civil action district court district person resides affected area located sec blm determines surveyed parcel subject appeal judicial review shall notify federally recognized indian tribes jurisdiction lands adjacent parcel shall accept patent applications parcel days blm shall check months status appeals judicial reviews related parcel subject appeal judicial review longer subject appeal judicial review blm issue applicant payment fair market value acre patent surface rights parcel identified federal lands applicant applicant ancestors held good faith peaceful adverse possession years claim including state land grant patent shall reserve united_states minerals contained parcel shall subject sale disposal leasing mineral land laws recognize right permittees lessees grantees enter parcel deposits sec period applications expires days blm shall offer purchase surface rights remaining identified federal land located north south vegetation line purchase offer shall federally recognized indian tribes holding reservation allotment land june possess right refusal specified adjacent landowners located oklahoma texas right refusal bill defines remaining identified federal lands parcel identified federal lands subject appeal judicial review determined interior administrative law judge federal court property adjacent landowner patented subject pending request patent parcel purchased shall offered blm disposal competitive sale fair market value sale shall subject condition minerals contained parcel reserved united_states subject sale disposal applicable leasing mineral land laws condition permittees lessees grantees right enter parcel deposits valid existing state tribal local rights sec blm treat parcel identified federal lands federal land purposes resource management plan treatment comply act


Summary:
Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2015

 Amends the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to rename: (1) the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 as the Public Lands Service Corps Act of 1993, and (2) the Public Lands Corps as the Public Lands Service Corps (the Corps).

 Establishes the Corps in the Department of Commerce (as well as in the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior, as under current law).

Requires: (1) establishment of a department-level office within the Department of the Interior, Forest Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the coordination of Corps activities; and (2) designation of a Corps coordinator for each agency within the Departments of the Interior, of Agriculture, and of Commerce that administers such activities. Establishes an Indian Youth Service Corps liaison.

Permits the enrollment of resource assistants and consulting interns. Sets a maximum enrollment term of two years.

Requires a recruitment program for the Corps.

Instructs the Department concerned, for purposes of training, to take into account training already received by Corps participants enrolled from qualified youth or conservation corps.

Describes the types of natural and cultural resources conservation projects that may be carried out by the Corps.

Authorizes the Corps to provide certain visitor and interpretation services.

Authorizes each Department to make: (1) arrangements for temporary housing for Corps participants in conservation centers, and (2) individual placements of consulting interns to perform management analysis activities for agencies under the Department's jurisdiction carrying out appropriate natural and cultural resources conservation projects.

Authorizes cooperative agreements and competitive grants for Indian tribes and qualified youth or conservation corps to establish Indian Youth Service Corps programs.

Requires the Secretary to issue management guidelines for programs of the Corps.

Revises requirements for: (1) participant living allowances to include certain travel costs; (2) noncompetitive hiring status to cover Indian Youth Service Corps particpants, resource assistants, and consulting interns.

Removes resource assistants from eligibility for national service educational awards.

public_lands_service corps act amends public_lands_corps_act rename public_lands_corps_act public_lands_corps public_lands_service_corps corps department_of_agriculture department_of_the_interior current law requires establishment department level office national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration coordination corps activities designation corps coordinator agency departments interior agriculture commerce administers activities establishes indian_youth_service_corps liaison permits enrollment resource assistants consulting interns sets maximum enrollment term years requires recruitment program corps instructs department concerned purposes training account training received corps participants enrolled qualified youth conservation corps describes types natural cultural resources conservation projects carried corps authorizes corps provide certain visitor interpretation services authorizes department arrangements temporary housing corps participants conservation centers individual placements consulting interns perform management analysis activities agencies department jurisdiction carrying appropriate natural cultural resources conservation projects authorizes cooperative agreements competitive grants indian tribes qualified youth conservation corps establish indian_youth_service_corps programs requires secretary issue management guidelines programs corps revises requirements participant living allowances include certain travel costs noncompetitive hiring status cover indian_youth_service_corps resource assistants consulting interns removes resource assistants eligibility national service educational awards


Summary:
Fostering Opportunities for Resources and Education Spending through Timber Sales Act of 2015 or the FORESTS Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to establish at least one Forest Active Management Area within each unit of the National Forest System designated for sustainable forest management for the production of national forest materials (trees, portions of trees, or forest products) and forest active management revenues (derived from the sale of such materials).

The purpose of an Area is to provide a dependable source of:

 payments to states in which a national forest is situated of 25% of specified forest receipts, to be used for the benefit of public schools and public roads; and economic activity through sustainable forest management for each beneficiary county containing System land included within that Area. Forest active management revenues shall be used to make: (1) the 25% payments to states for payment to beneficiary counties for the benefit of public schools and public roads, and (2) deposits into the Knutson-Vandenburg Fund and the salvage sale fund for projects on System land.

This bill amends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to extend:

 through FY2018 authorities for secure payments to states and counties containing federal land, and through FY2020 the authority for special projects on federal land and certain county activities. Receipt by a county of Forest Active Management revenues or stewardship project payments shall be offset against 25% payments to the county.

The original method for calculating 25% payments is restored. Beginning October 1, 2015, a state or territorial legislature may not withhold any portion of a 25% payment from the county or counties in which a national forest is situated.

The maximum duration of a stewardship end resulting contract under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 may extend from 10 to 20 years.

The Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior:

 shall pay to the county or counties in which the project site is situated 25% of the monies retained from a contract or agreement for a stewardship contracting project on federal land under its respective jurisdiction, and may procure the services of non-federal employees to perform activities necessary to ensure a project for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

fostering opportunities resources education spending timber sales act forests act bill directs department_of_agriculture establish unit national_forest_system designated sustainable forest management production national forest materials trees portions trees forest products forest active management revenues derived sale materials purpose area provide dependable source payments states national forest situated specified forest receipts benefit public schools public roads economic activity sustainable forest management beneficiary county containing system land included area forest active management revenues shall payments states payment beneficiary counties benefit public schools public roads deposits salvage sale fund projects system land bill amends secure_rural_schools community self determination act extend fy2018 authorities secure payments states counties containing federal land fy2020 authority special projects federal land certain county activities receipt county revenues stewardship project payments shall offset payments county original method calculating payments restored beginning october state territorial legislature withhold portion payment county counties national forest situated maximum duration stewardship end resulting contract extend years forest_service shall pay county counties project site situated monies retained contract agreement stewardship contracting project federal land respective jurisdiction procure services non federal employees perform activities necessary ensure project compliance national_environmental_policy_act endangered species act


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

Crags, Colorado Land Exchange Act of 2015

(Sec. 4) This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA), if the Broadmoor Hotel, Inc., (BHI) offers to convey to the USDA 320 acres of specified nonfederal land in the Pike National Forest in Teller County, Colorado, and a permanent trail easement for the Barr Trail in El Paso County, Colorado, to accept the offer and convey to BHI 83 acres of specified federal land within the Forest, together with a non-exclusive perpetual access easement for BHI to and from such land on Forest Service Road 371.

The nonexclusive perpetual access easement granted to BHI shall allow: (1) BHI to fully maintain, at its own expense, and use Forest Service Road 371 from its junction with Forest Service Road 368 in accordance with historic BHI use and maintenance patterns; and (2) full and continued public and administrative access and use of FSR 371 in accordance with the existing Forest Service travel management plan, or as it may be revised by USDA.

(Sec. 5) The USDA shall determine the values of the lands to be exchanged through appraisals following specified requirements. The values shall be equal, or if they are not equal, equalized as prescribed by this Act.

The appraised value of the federal land parcel shall not reflect any increase or diminution in value due to the existing special use permit to BHI on the parcel and its improvements.

The Barr Trail easement donation shall not be appraised for purposes of this Act.

(Sec. 6) The lands acquired by the USDA under this Act shall, without further USDA action, be permanently withdrawn from all forms of appropriation and disposal under the public land laws (including the mining and mineral leasing laws) and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1930, except to the extent necessary to permit the disposal of the federal land parcel to BHI.

The land acquired by the USDA under this Act shall become part of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest.

It is the intent of Congress that the land exchange directed by this Act be completed within one year of this Act's enactment.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated act sec bill directs department_of_agriculture usda offers convey usda acres specified nonfederal land colorado permanent trail easement barr trail el_paso_county colorado accept offer convey acres specified federal land forest non exclusive perpetual access easement land forest_service road nonexclusive perpetual access easement granted shall allow fully maintain expense use forest_service road junction forest_service road accordance historic use maintenance patterns continued public administrative access use accordance existing forest_service travel management plan revised usda sec usda shall determine values lands exchanged appraisals following specified requirements values shall equal equal equalized prescribed act appraised value federal land parcel shall reflect increase diminution value existing special use permit parcel improvements easement donation shall appraised purposes act sec lands acquired usda act shall usda action permanently withdrawn forms appropriation disposal public land laws including mining mineral leasing laws geothermal steam act extent necessary permit disposal federal land parcel land acquired usda act shall intent congress land exchange directed act completed year act enactment


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on October 6, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill declares that the approximately one-acre portion of specified land transferred by the United States to Rockingham County, Virginia, that is used for purposes of a child care center, shall not be subject to the use restriction imposed in the deed for the transferred land.

Eliminated is the requirement for the county to include information concerning the use of the transferred land for a child care center in biennial reports to the Department of the Interior.

measure amended reported house october summary version repeated sec bill declares approximately acre portion specified land transferred united_states virginia purposes child care center shall subject use restriction imposed deed transferred land eliminated requirement county include information concerning use transferred land child care center biennial reports department_of_the_interior


Summary:
Self-Sufficient Community Lands Act

 Directs the Department of Agriculture to establish the community forest demonstration area in a state, consisting of National Forest System (NFS) land, at the request of an Advisory Committee appointed by the governor to manage such land in that state.

Conditions establishment of an area upon: (1) inclusion of at least 200,000 acres of NFS land; (2) a state forest practices law applicable to state or privately owned forest land, or established state silvicultural best forest management practices related to clean water, soil quality, wildlife, or forest health; and (3) an agreement between the governor and the county in which the land is located that requires the county, in using area revenues, to continue to meet specified obligations under applicable state law pursuant to the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.

Excludes from a community forest demonstration area land: (1) that is a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, (2) on which the removal of vegetation is specifically prohibited by federal statute, (3) that is a National Monument, or (4) over which administrative jurisdiction was first assumed by the Forest Service under Title III of such Act.

lands act directs department_of_agriculture establish community forest demonstration area state consisting national_forest_system nfs land request advisory_committee appointed governor manage land state conditions establishment area inclusion acres nfs land state forest practices law applicable state privately owned forest land established state silvicultural best forest management practices related clean water soil quality wildlife forest health agreement governor county land located requires county area revenues continue meet specified obligations applicable state law pursuant secure_rural_schools community self determination act excludes community forest demonstration area land component national_wilderness_preservation_system removal vegetation specifically prohibited federal statute national_monument administrative jurisdiction assumed forest_service title iii act


Summary:
Small Lands Tracts Conveyance Act

 Requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for a state (respecting certain public lands) or the Forest Service (respecting certain National Forest System lands) to select an eligible federal lands parcel for conveyance: (1) in response to a request by an adjacent landholder (any holder of non-federal land that shares one or more boundaries with such a parcel and who requests to purchase such a parcel), or (2) upon the recommendation of the BLM District Office or System unit that exercises administration over such parcel.

Directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to each create a process by which an adjacent landholder may request to purchase an eligible parcel. Instructs that such process be open to the public and available on the Internet.

Bars a conveyed eligible parcel from exceeding 160 acres unless the BLM or the Forest Service approves a request for additional acreage. Permits acquisition by an adjacent landholder of only one eligible parcel a year, subject to an exception.

Instructs the BLM or the Forest Service, as consideration for the sale of an eligible parcel, to require a cash payment in an amount equal to at least the fair market value of such parcel, including the mineral estate, being conveyed.

Requires the proceeds collected from such conveyances to be deposited into a special fund established by this Act and distributed annually to each state in which the federal government owns more than 33% of the land area of such state.

Requires, from amounts collected and deposited: (1) 50% of the amount collected from a conveyance to be distributed to the state in which the conveyance took place, and (2) the remaining 50% to be distributed equally between the remaining states identified pursuant to the preceding paragraph.

Requires states receiving such funds to use them only for: (1) purchasing additional eligible parcels consistent with land use management under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act; and (2) complying with requirements under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act), and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

Requires the purchaser of an eligible federal lands parcel under this Act to cover the costs to be incurred, or to reimburse the BLM or the Forest Service for the costs incurred, in carrying out the conveyance.

Excludes categorically a conveyance of an eligible federal lands parcel under this Act from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under NEPA.

(A categorical exclusion under NEPA is a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and which have been found to have no such effect in procedures adopted by a federal agency in implementing environmental regulations and for which, therefore, neither an Environmental Assessment nor an Environmental Impact Statement is required.)

small lands tracts conveyance act requires bureau_of_land_management blm state respecting certain public lands forest_service respecting certain national_forest_system lands select eligible federal lands parcel conveyance response request adjacent holder non federal land shares boundaries parcel requests purchase parcel recommendation unit exercises administration parcel directs department_of_agriculture usda department_of_the_interior create process adjacent request purchase eligible parcel instructs process open public available internet bars conveyed eligible parcel exceeding acres blm forest_service approves request additional acreage permits acquisition adjacent eligible parcel year subject exception instructs blm forest_service consideration sale eligible parcel require cash payment equal fair market value parcel including mineral estate conveyed requires proceeds collected conveyances deposited special fund established act distributed annually state federal government owns land area state requires amounts collected deposited collected conveyance distributed state conveyance took place remaining distributed equally remaining states identified pursuant preceding paragraph requires states receiving funds use purchasing additional eligible parcels consistent land use management federal_land_policy_and_management_act complying requirements endangered species act federal_water_pollution_control_act commonly known clean water act national_environmental_policy_act nepa requires purchaser eligible federal lands parcel act cover costs incurred reimburse blm forest_service costs incurred carrying conveyance excludes categorically conveyance eligible federal lands parcel act requirement prepare environmental assessment environmental impact statement nepa categorical exclusion nepa category actions individually cumulatively significant effect human environment found effect procedures adopted federal agency implementing environmental regulations environmental assessment environmental impact statement required


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 4, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

National Forest Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2015

This bill amends the National Forest Foundation Act to authorize the Department of Agriculture to provide during FY2016-FY2018 matching funds for certain administrative and project expenses incurred by the National Forest Foundation.

measure amended reported house june summary version repeated reauthorization act bill amends authorize department_of_agriculture provide fy2016 fy2018 matching funds certain administrative project expenses incurred


Summary: Directs the Department of the Interior, for National Park System land, and the Department of Agriculture, for land under its jurisdiction, to require any film crew of five persons or fewer to obtain a permit and pay an annual fee of $200 to conduct commercial filming activities or similar projects on such land and waterways.

directs department_of_the_interior national_park_system land department_of_agriculture land jurisdiction require film crew persons fewer obtain permit pay annual fee conduct commercial filming activities similar projects land waterways


Summary:
America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

 Designates specified lands in the following areas of Utah as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Great Basin, (2) Grand Staircase-Escalante, (3) Moab-La Sal Canyons, (4) Henry Mountains, (5) Glen Canyon, (6) San Juan-Anasazi, (7) Canyonlands Basin, (8) San Rafael Swell, and (9) Book Cliffs and Uinta Basin.

Sets forth administrative requirements for: (1) the exchange of state-owned lands within such areas, (2) federal reservation of water rights, (3) measurement of setbacks for roads with wilderness, (4) authorized livestock grazing, and (5) withdrawal of such lands from disposition under certain public land laws.

america red rock wilderness act designates specified lands following areas utah components national_wilderness_preservation_system great_basin grand staircase escalante moab sal canyons henry_mountains glen_canyon san_juan-anasazi san rafael swell book cliffs sets forth administrative requirements exchange state owned lands areas federal reservation water rights measurement setbacks roads wilderness authorized livestock grazing withdrawal lands disposition certain public land laws


Summary:
Continental Divide Wilderness and Recreation Act

 Amends the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 to designate certain federal lands in the White River National Forest in Colorado as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System as follows:

 approximately 6,349 acres identified as the Proposed Ute Pass Wilderness, Proposed Acorn Creek Wilderness, and Proposed Ptarmigan Additions Wilderness; approximately 5,172 acres as the Hoosier Ridge Wilderness; approximately 7,577 acres as the Tenmile Wilderness; approximately 9,338 acres as the Williams Fork Wilderness; approximately 3,942 acres as a part of the Holy Cross Wilderness; and approximately 7,082 acres, identified as the Proposed Freeman Creek Wilderness and Proposed Spraddle Creek Wilderness, as part of the Eagles Nest Wilderness. Designates certain federal lands in such forest, comprising approximately 2,338 acres and identified as the Proposed Spraddle Creek Potential Wilderness as a potential wilderness area, and as specified, to be designated as wilderness and incorporated in and deemed to be a part of the Eagles Nest Wilderness.

Designates certain federal lands in such forest, comprising approximately 11,417 acres, as the Tenmile Recreation Management Area.

Designates certain federal lands in such forest, comprising approximately 5,204 acres, as the Porcupine Gulch Protection Area.

amends colorado wilderness act designate certain federal lands white_river_national_forest colorado components national_wilderness_preservation_system follows approximately acres identified proposed acorn creek wilderness approximately acres ridge wilderness approximately acres wilderness approximately acres approximately acres approximately acres identified proposed creek wilderness designates certain federal lands forest comprising approximately acres identified potential wilderness area specified designated wilderness incorporated deemed designates certain federal lands forest comprising approximately acres designates certain federal lands forest comprising approximately acres


Summary:
National Forest Collaborative Incentive Act of 2015

This bill shall apply whenever the Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Forest Service, with respect to National Forest System lands derived from the public domain, prepares an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for a forest management activity that is:

 developed through a collaborative process, proposed by a resource advisory committee, or covered by a community wildfire protection plan. In such an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, the Forest Service shall study and develop only the forest management activity proposed and the alternative of no action.

Any plaintiffs challenging a forest management activity developed under this Act shall be required to post a bond or other security acceptable to the court. The bill repeals the Merchantable Timber Contracting Pilot Program under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000.

The USDA, with respect to National Forest System land, and the Department of the Interior, with respect to certain land under its jurisdiction, shall ensure that at least 50% of the project funds reserved by a participating county shall be made available only for projects that: (1) include the sale of timber or other forest products, and (2) implement stewardship objectives that enhance forest ecosystems or restore and improve land health and water quality. Repeals the current limitation of such projects to those for road maintenance, decommissioning, or obliteration or for restoration of streams and watersheds.

The membership of a new resource advisory committee (RAC) may lower from 15 to a minimum of 6 during a specified period ending September 30, 2020.

The Forest Service shall conduct a self-sustaining RAC program under which 10 RACs will propose projects intended to accomplish forest management objectives or support community development and generate receipts.

A participating county shall be allowed to use certain funds to: (1) reimburse the county for law enforcement patrols performed on federal land, and (2) cover training costs and equipment purchases directly related to emergency services.

Monies from an agreement or contract for a stewardship end result contracting project under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 shall be available for expenditure without further appropriation to cover up to 25% of the cost of planning additional such projects.

The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund shall be used to pay up to 50% of the costs of planning (as well as, under current law, carrying out and monitoring) ecological restoration treatments on National Forest System land derived from the public domain for each proposal selected under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program.

A State-Supported Forest Management Fund is established in the Treasury to cover the costs of the Forest Service to plan, carry out, and monitor a forest management activity on National Forest System lands developed under this Act.

incentive act bill shall apply department_of_agriculture usda forest_service respect national_forest_system lands derived public domain prepares environmental assessment environmental impact statement pursuant national_environmental_policy_act forest management activity developed collaborative process proposed resource advisory committee covered community wildfire protection plan environmental assessment environmental impact statement forest_service shall study develop forest management activity proposed alternative action plaintiffs challenging forest management activity developed act shall required post bond security acceptable court bill repeals merchantable timber contracting pilot program secure rural schools community self determination act usda respect national_forest_system land department_of_the_interior respect certain land jurisdiction shall ensure project funds reserved participating county shall available projects include sale timber forest products implement stewardship objectives enhance forest ecosystems restore improve land health water quality repeals current limitation projects road maintenance decommissioning restoration streams watersheds membership new resource advisory committee lower minimum specified period ending september forest_service shall conduct self sustaining program propose projects intended accomplish forest management objectives support community development generate receipts participating county shall allowed use certain funds reimburse county law enforcement patrols performed federal land cover training costs equipment purchases directly related emergency services monies agreement contract stewardship end result contracting project shall available expenditure appropriation cover cost planning additional projects shall pay costs planning current law carrying monitoring ecological restoration treatments national_forest_system land derived public domain proposal selected established treasury cover costs forest_service plan carry monitor forest management activity national_forest_system lands developed act


Summary:
Emergency Wildfire and Forest Management Act of 2016

TITLE I--MAJOR DISASTER FOR WILDFIRE ON FEDERAL LAND

 (Sec. 101) The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act is amended to define "major disaster for wildfire on federal lands" to mean any wildfire or wildfires that warrant assistance to supplement the efforts and resources of the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (USDA) on federal lands or on nonfederal lands pursuant to a fire protection agreement or cooperative agreement.

 (Sec. 102) A process is established for declaration of a major disaster for wildfire on federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the National Park Service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Forest Service. Either Interior (for federal land under its jurisdiction) or USDA (for Forest Service land) may request the President to start such a process, and the President in turn may transfer funds to them to conduct wildfire suppression operations on the lands affected.

The President shall establish a wildfire suppression operations account for wildfires on federal lands, whose funds shall be transferred to the wildfire suppression subactivity of the Wildland Fire Management Account.

If transferred amounts are used to conduct wildfire suppression operations on non-federal land, the appropriate Department shall secure reimbursement for the cost of such operations and transfer the amounts received to the wildfire suppression operations account.

The appropriate Department shall report to Congress annually on:

 the risk-based factors that influenced management decisions regarding wildfire suppression operations of the federal land management agencies under its jurisdiction; a statistically significant sample of large fires; total expenditures for wildfire suppression operations of the federal land management agencies under its jurisdiction, and lessons learned. (Sec. 103) No funds may be transferred to or from the wildfire suppression subactivity of the Wildland Fire Management account or the FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund account of the federal land management agencies to or from any other account or subactivity of those agencies that is not used to cover the cost of wildfire suppression operations.

TITLE II--EXPEDITED ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND AVAILABILITY OF CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS TO EXPEDITE FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

 (Sec. 201) This section shall apply whenever the Department concerned, either USDA with respect to National Forest System (NFS) land or Interior with respect to public lands, prepares an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for a forest management activity that:

 is developed through a collaborative process; or is covered by a community wildfire protection plan. The primary purpose of which is:

 the reduction of hazardous fuels, the reduction of fuel connectivity through the installation of fuel and fire breaks, the restoration of forest health and resilience, the protection of a municipal water supply system, or a combination of two or more such purposes. In such an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, the Department concerned shall study, develop, and describe only these two alternatives:

 the forest management activity proposed, and the alternative of no action. In the case of the alternative of no action, the Department concerned shall evaluate:

 the effect of no action on forest health, habitat diversity, wildfire potential, insect and disease potential, and other economic and social factors; and the implications of a resulting decline in forest health, loss of habitat diversity, wildfire, or insect or disease infestation on domestic water costs, wildlife habitat loss, and other economic and social factors. (Sec. 202) A categorical exclusion is made available to the Department concerned to propose a forest management activity on NFS land or public land when the activity is developed and implemented through a collaborative process and the primary purpose of the activity is to:

 address an insect or disease infestation; reduce hazardous fuels; protect a municipal water supply system; maintain, enhance, or modify critical habitat to protect it from catastrophic events; increase water yield; or any combination of such purposes. (A "categorical exclusion" is defined under this bill as an exclusion from further analysis and documentation in an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under the NEPA for a project or activity relating to the management of NFS land or public land.)

A forest management activity covered by this categorical exclusion may not contain harvest units exceeding a total of 3,000 acres.

 A forest management activity covered by this categorical exclusion shall be based upon the best available scientific information and subject to section 206 of this bill (consideration of resource conditions for extraordinary circumstances).

 (Sec. 203) A categorical exclusion is also made available to the Department concerned to carry out a salvage operation as part of the restoration of NFS land or public land following a catastrophic event.

This kind of salvage operation may not contain harvest units exceeding a total of 3,000 acres either, nor may it exceed one-third of the area impacted by the catastrophic event.

This kind of salvage operation shall be subject to section 206.

 (Sec. 204) A categorical exclusion is made available to the Department concerned to carry out a forest management activity on NFS land or public land which is developed and implemented through a collaborative process and when its primary purpose is to modify, improve, enhance, or create early successional forests for wildlife habitat improvement and other purposes, consistent with the applicable forest plan.

The Department concerned shall design a forest management activity under this section to meet early successional forest goals so as to maximize production and regeneration of priority species, as identified in the forest plan and consistent with the capability of the activity site.

A forest management activity covered by such a categorical exclusion may not contain harvest units exceeding a total of 3,000 acres.

A forest management activity covered by this categorical exclusion shall be:

 based on the best available scientific information, and subject to section 206. (Sec. 205) A categorical exclusion is made available to the Department concerned to carry out specified forest management activities on NFS land or public land which are developed and implemented through a collaborative process and whose primary purpose is to:

 improve forest health, restore forest health, reduce the risk of wildfire, or achieve state wildlife population goals. A forest management activity covered by this categorical exclusion:

 may not contain harvest units exceeding a total of 3,000 acres, and shall be based on the best available scientific information. A forest management activity covered by this categorical exclusion shall be subject to section 206.

(Sec. 206) The extraordinary circumstances procedures under a specified federal regulation (or a successor regulation) shall apply to a proposal for:

 a forest management activity that is categorically excluded under this title, or a project that is categorically excluded under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2013. In determining whether extraordinary circumstances preclude a proposal for such an activity or project, the Department concerned shall consider the beneficial effect of the proposed activity or project on sensitive species.

The Department concerned shall not determine that extraordinary circumstances preclude such a proposal from being categorically excluded if there is a reasonable beneficial effect or reasonably foreseeable beneficial effect of the proposed activity or project on sensitive species.

Uncertainty with respect to the degree of the beneficial effect of a proposed activity or project on sensitive species shall not preclude the use of a categorical exclusion.

(Sec. 207) A forest management activity covered by a categorical exclusion granted by this title shall be conducted consistent with the forest plan applicable to the NFS land or public land covered by that activity.

(Sec. 208) Forest management activities carried out under this title shall not include the construction of any new permanent roads.

The Department concerned may carry out necessary maintenance of, repairs to, or reconstruction of, an existing permanent road for purposes of this title.

The Department concerned shall decommission any temporary road constructed under this title within three years of the completion of the project.

(Sec. 209) This title does not apply to:

 a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, any federal land on which the removal of vegetation is prohibited by an Act of Congress, a congressionally designated wilderness study area, or an area in which the activities authorized under this title would be inconsistent with the applicable resource management plan. TITLE III--TRIBAL FORESTRY PARTICIPATION AND PROTECTION (Sec. 301) Interior shall take specified administrative action under the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 within 120 days of receiving a request from an Indian Tribe to enter into an agreement or contract to carry out a project to protect Indian forest land or rangeland (including bordering or adjacent federal land). Interior shall (under current law, may) issue a notice of denial to the Tribe if the request is denied.

 (Sec. 302) The Department concerned, at the request of an Indian Tribe, may treat federal forest land as Indian forest land for purposes of planning and conducting forest land management activities under the National Indian Forest Resources Management Act if the federal forest land is located within, or mostly within, a geographic area presenting a feature or involving circumstances principally relevant to that Indian tribe.

The Department concerned and the Tribe, as part of an agreement to treat federal land as Indian forest land, shall:

 provide for continued public access (with possible exceptions), continue sharing revenue generated by the federal forest land with state and local governments, comply with applicable prohibitions on the export of unprocessed logs harvested from the federal forest land, recognize all right-of way agreements in effect on federal forest land before tribal forest land management activities commence, and ensure that any commercial timber removed from the federal forest land is sold on a competitive bid basis. (Sec. 303) Interior and USDA may carry out demonstration projects under which federally recognized Indian tribes or tribal organizations may contract to perform administrative, management, and other functions of programs of the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 through contracts entered into under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.

TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

(Sec. 402) The State-Supported Forest Management Fund is established in the Treasury to cover costs to plan, carry out, and monitor a forest management activity on NFS land or public land that is developed through a collaborative process, proposed by a resource advisory committee, or covered by a community wildfire protection plan.

The Fund shall consist of such amounts as may be: (1) contributed by an eligible entity for deposit into the Fund, (2) appropriated to the Fund, or (3) generated by forest management activities carried out using amounts in the Fund.

An "eligible entity" is:

 a state or political subdivision containing NFS land or public land, a publicly chartered utility serving at least one state or its political subdivision, a rural electric company, and any other entity appropriate for participation in the Fund. In making a contribution, an eligible entity may:

 specify the NFS land or public land for which the contribution may be expended; and limit the types of forest management activities for which the contribution may be expended. The Knutson-Vandenberg Act shall apply to any forest management activity carried out using amounts from the Fund.

The Fund shall terminate on September 30, 2018.

 (Sec. 403) Courts reviewing an agency action shall balance short- and long-term impacts of forest management activities in considering injunctive relief.

(Sec. 404) USDA shall establish a competitive grant program to provide financial and technical assistance to:

 encourage active forest management on cross-boundary priority forest landscapes, including land owned by beginning and previously unengaged forest owners, in order to maintain forest health; protect forests from natural threats and wildfire; enhance public benefits from forests; conserve and manage working forest landscapes for multiple values and uses; and advance priorities in statewide forest assessment and resource strategies. To become eligible to receive a grant, an applicant shall submit to USDA, through the state forester or appropriate state agency, a state and private forest landscape-scale restoration proposal (that includes specified criteria) based on a restoration strategy that is:

 complete or substantially complete, for a multiyear period, composed of nonindustrial private forest land or state forest land, accessible by wood-processing infrastructure, and based on the best available science. In making grants under the program, USDA shall give priority to plans that:

 further a statewide forest assessment and resource strategy; promote cross boundary landscape collaboration; and leverage public and private resources. The Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and relevant stakeholders shall collaborate and consult on an ongoing basis regarding the administration of the program and identify other applicable resources towards landscape-scale restoration.

As a condition for receiving a grant under the program, USDA shall require the grant recipient to furnish funds or in-kind support from nonfederal sources in an amount that is at least equal to the amount furnished by the federal government.

USDA may, in making grants under the program, consider coordination with and proximity to other landscape-scale projects on other land under its jurisdiction, the jurisdiction of Interior, or the jurisdiction of a state governor.

USDA shall report to Congress on the status of the development, execution, and administration of selected projects, accounting of program funding expenditures, and specific accomplishments that have resulted from landscape-scale projects.

The State and Private Forest Landscape-Scale Restoration Fund is established in the Treasury to be used by USDA to make grants.

The bill authorizes appropriations for such Fund through FY2018.

(Sec. 405) USDA shall establish within the Forest Service a pilot arbitration program to designate specified projects for an alternative dispute resolution process to replace the judicial review of those projects.

USDA shall establish a process for the designation of projects under the program and publish a description of that process in the Federal Register.

No more than 10 projects may be designated for the program in any applicable calendar year.

The authority of USDA to designate a project under the program terminates on October 1, 2018.

An individual or entity:

 may file a demand for arbitration of a project that has been designated for the program in accordance with specified federal law; and if such a demand for arbitration is filed, shall include in the demand a proposal for an alternative to the project describing each modification sought with respect to the project. A demand for arbitration may only be filed by an individual or entity that has participated in a collaborative process or has proposed the project with a resource advisory committee.

An arbitrator shall make a decision on each demand for arbitration by selecting only:

 the project, as approved by USDA; or a proposal submitted by an individual or entity for an alternative to the project, as described in this section. An arbitrator may not modify any proposal contained in a demand for arbitration under the program.

A decision made by an arbitrator under the program shall be:

 based only on the administrative record of the project; within the authority of USDA; consistent with each applicable forest plan; and binding; Arbitration under the program shall be conducted according to the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association.

A decision made by an arbitrator under the program shall not be considered to be a major federal action and shall not be subject to judicial review, except as provided under specified federal law.

(Sec. 406) USDA shall establish a NFS accelerated landscape restoration pilot program for the restoration or maintenance of designated landscapes.

The Forest Service shall designate at least 10 landscape-scale areas within the NFS for the program.

Each designated landscape shall:

 include at least 75,000 acres, but not more than 1 million acres; be identified by a collaborative group; not include any inventoried roadless area; and include forests that are not in a state of forest health, are at an increased risk of high-severity wildfire, or are at an increased risk of an insect or disease infection. In designating landscape-scale areas for the program, USDA shall:

 prioritize landscape-scale areas in which social, ecological, and economic conditions support landscape-scale restoration; and consider certain ecological and economic factors and other specified factors. USDA shall publish in the Federal Register:

 a notice of the process for the designation of landscape-scale areas under the program, and a specified final notice with respect to each designated landscape. USDA shall prepare a specified landscape-scale environmental impact statement for each designated landscape for purposes of complying with the NEPA.

The bill authorizes appropriations through FY2018.

(Sec. 407) The bill designates specified federal lands in the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee as wilderness and as additions to the National Wilderness Preservation System.

(Sec. 408) The bill amends the Small Tracts Act of 1983 (the Act) to permit the sale, exchange, or interchange under such Act of NFS lands the sale or exchange of which is not practicable under any other authority of the USDA which have a value determined to be not more than $500,000.

 Those lands permitted to be sold, exchanged, or interchanged under the Act include:

 parcels of 40 acres or less which are determined to be physically isolated, to be inaccessible, or to have lost their National Forest character; parcels of 10 acres or less which are not eligible for conveyance under such Act, but which are encroached upon by permanent habitable improvements for which there is no evidence that the encroachment was intentional or negligent; and parcels used as a cemetery (including a parcel of at least one acre adjacent to the parcel used as a cemetery), a landfill, or a sewage treatment plant under a special use authorization issued by the USDA. Any proceeds under this section shall be deposited in the special fund established under the Sisk Act and made available for:

 the acquisition of land or interests in land for administrative sites for the NFS in the state from which the amounts were derived; the acquisition of land or interests in land for inclusion in the NFS in that state, including those which enhance opportunities for recreational access; the performance of deferred maintenance on administrative sites for the NFS in that state or other deferred maintenance activities in that state which enhance opportunities for recreational access; and the reimbursement of the USDA for costs incurred in preparing a competitive sale conducted under the authority of the Act. (Sec. 409) The bill amends the Forest Service Facility Realignment and Enhancement Act of 2005 to extend the authority of the USDA to initiate conveyances of Forest Service administrative sites under such Act through FY2018.

(Sec. 410) Federal agencies shall not authorize a prescribed burn on federal lands if, for the county or contiguous county in which the federal land is located, the national fire danger rating system indicates an extreme fire danger level.

However, a federal agency may authorize a prescribed burn under such a condition if the agency coordinates it with applicable state government and local fire officials.

At the end of every fiscal year, the Forest Service shall submit a report that describes:

 the number and locations of prescribed burns during that fiscal year, and each prescribed burn during that year that was authorized by a federal agency pursuant to this section. (Sec. 411) USDA shall not designate any land in the Nantahala National Forest or the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina as a wilderness study area until the affected counties approve the designation.

TITLE V--KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST LAND CONVEYANCE

Kisatchie National Forest Land Conveyance Act of 2016

(Sec. 502) This section sets forth a finding of Congress that it is in the public interest to authorize the conveyance of certain federal land in the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana for market value consideration.

(Sec. 504) USDA may convey, by quitclaim deed, specified federal land in Winn Parish, Louisiana, at public or private sale, including competitive sale by auction, bid, or other methods.

USDA shall convey, by quitclaim deed, portions of such land to Collins Camp Properties, Inc.

USDA may:

 configure the federal land to be conveyed so as to maximize the marketability of the conveyance or to achieve management objectives, and establish any terms and conditions for conveyances under this title that are in the public interest. Consideration for a conveyance of federal land under this title shall be in cash and in an amount that is equal to the market value of the land being conveyed.

The market value of the federal land to be conveyed shall be determined as follows:

 for the federal land to be conveyed to Collins Camp Properties, by a specified appraisal; or if conveyed by a method other than the methods specified in this section, by competitive sale. In any conveyance of federal land under this title to Collins Camp Properties, or any occupant residing on the federal land under a special use permit issued by the Forest Service, USDA shall meet disclosure requirements for hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants, but shall not otherwise be required to remediate or abate them.

As a condition of the conveyance, Collins Camp Properties, or any such occupant that acquires the federal land shall agree to indemnify and hold harmless the United States for costs associated with the remediation or abatement of any hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants on the acquired land.

Nothing in this section otherwise affects the application of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to conveyances of federal lands under this title.

(Sec. 505) USDA shall deposit the proceeds from the conveyances of the federal lands in the fund established under the Sisk Act.

USDA may use the deposited amounts from such fund for the acquisition of land and interests in land in the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana.

(Sec. 506) As a condition of a conveyance of federal land to Collins Camp Properties, USDA shall require Collins Camp Properties to pay at closing reasonable appraisal costs and the cost of any administrative and environmental analyses required by law.

An offer by Collins Camp Properties for acquiring the federal land must be accompanied by a written statement from each holder of a Forest Service special use authorization with respect to such land specifying that the holder agrees to relinquish that authorization upon the conveyance of such land to Collins Camp Properties.

If a holder of such a special use authorization fails to furnish such a written statement, USDA shall require, as a condition of the conveyance, that Collins Camp Properties administer that authorization in accordance with its terms until it expires.

TITLE VI--CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FOREST LAND ADJUSTMENT

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Land Adjustment Act of 2016

(Sec. 602) This title sets forth findings with respect to certain NFS land in Georgia.

(Sec. 604) USDA may: (1) sell or exchange all right, title, and interest of the United States in 30 tracts of NFS land in Georgia totaling approximately 3,841 acres; (2) modify the boundaries of such lands based on land management considerations; and (3) reserve any rights-of-way or other rights or interests in land sold or exchanged under this section that is considered necessary for management purposes or to protect the public interest.

USDA shall convey by quitclaim deed land sold or exchanged under in this section.

 USDA may not sell or exchange land under this section for less than market value, as determined by an appraisal or through a competitive bidding process.

Such an appraisal shall be:

 consistent with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions or the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, and subject to USDA's approval. Consideration for sales of land or equalization of exchanges under this section shall be paid in cash.

USDA may accept a cash equalization payment that exceeds 25% of the value of the land to be exchanged.

USDA may:

 sell land under this section at public or private sale, including competitive sale by auction, bid, or otherwise, according to any terms, conditions, or procedures that are in the best interest of the United States; make public or private solicitations for the sale or exchange of land; reject any offer that is not adequate or in the public interest; use a broker or other third party in the sales or exchanges of land; and from the proceeds of such a sale or exchange, pay reasonable commissions or fees, if applicable. (Sec. 605) USDA shall deposit the proceeds or a cash equalization payment of a sale or exchange of land in the fund established under the Sisk Act.

Amounts deposited into such fund shall be made available to USDA only for the acquisition of land for the NFS in Georgia.

Nothing in this title authorizes the use of the amounts deposited into such fund for the acquisition of land without the landowner's written consent.

forest management act title major disaster wildfire federal land sec robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance act amended define major disaster wildfire federal lands mean wildfire wildfires warrant assistance supplement efforts resources department_of_the_interior_or_the_department_of_agriculture usda federal lands nonfederal lands pursuant fire protection agreement cooperative agreement sec process established declaration major disaster wildfire federal lands managed bureau_of_land_management blm national_park_service bureau_of_indian_affairs fish wildlife service forest_service interior federal land jurisdiction usda forest_service land request president start process president turn transfer funds conduct wildfire suppression operations lands affected president shall establish wildfire suppression operations account wildfires federal lands funds shall transferred wildfire suppression transferred amounts conduct wildfire suppression operations non federal land appropriate department shall secure reimbursement cost operations transfer amounts received wildfire suppression operations account appropriate department shall report congress annually risk based factors influenced management decisions wildfire suppression operations federal land management agencies jurisdiction statistically significant sample large fires total expenditures wildfire suppression operations federal land management agencies jurisdiction lessons learned sec funds transferred wildfire suppression wildland_fire_management account account federal land management agencies account agencies cover cost wildfire suppression operations title expedited environmental analysis availability categorical exclusions expedite forest management activities sec section shall apply department concerned usda respect national_forest_system nfs land interior respect public lands prepares environmental assessment environmental impact statement pursuant national_environmental_policy_act nepa forest management activity developed collaborative process covered community wildfire protection plan primary purpose reduction hazardous fuels reduction fuel connectivity installation fuel fire breaks restoration forest health resilience protection municipal water supply system combination purposes environmental assessment environmental impact statement department concerned shall study develop describe alternatives forest management activity proposed alternative action case alternative action department concerned shall evaluate effect action forest health habitat diversity wildfire potential insect disease potential economic social factors implications resulting decline forest health loss habitat diversity wildfire insect disease infestation domestic water costs wildlife habitat loss economic social factors sec categorical exclusion available department concerned propose forest management activity nfs land public land activity developed implemented collaborative process primary purpose activity address insect disease infestation reduce hazardous fuels protect municipal water supply system maintain enhance modify critical habitat protect catastrophic events increase water yield combination purposes categorical exclusion defined bill exclusion analysis documentation environmental assessment environmental impact statement nepa project activity relating management nfs land public land forest management activity covered categorical exclusion contain harvest units exceeding total acres forest management activity covered categorical exclusion shall based best available scientific information subject section bill consideration resource conditions extraordinary circumstances sec categorical exclusion available department concerned carry salvage operation restoration nfs land public land following catastrophic event kind salvage operation contain harvest units exceeding total acres exceed area impacted catastrophic event kind salvage operation shall subject section sec categorical exclusion available department concerned carry forest management activity nfs land public land developed implemented collaborative process primary purpose modify improve enhance create early forests wildlife habitat improvement purposes consistent applicable forest plan department concerned shall design forest management activity section meet early forest goals maximize production regeneration priority species identified forest plan consistent capability activity site forest management activity covered categorical exclusion contain harvest units exceeding total acres forest management activity covered categorical exclusion shall based best available scientific information subject section sec categorical exclusion available department concerned carry specified forest management activities nfs land public land developed implemented collaborative process primary purpose improve forest health restore forest health reduce risk wildfire achieve state wildlife population goals forest management activity covered categorical exclusion contain harvest units exceeding total acres shall based best available scientific information forest management activity covered categorical exclusion shall subject section sec extraordinary circumstances procedures specified federal regulation successor regulation shall apply proposal forest management activity categorically excluded title project categorically excluded healthy forests restoration act determining extraordinary circumstances preclude proposal activity project department concerned shall consider beneficial effect proposed activity project sensitive species department concerned shall determine extraordinary circumstances preclude proposal categorically excluded reasonable beneficial effect reasonably foreseeable beneficial effect proposed activity project sensitive species uncertainty respect degree beneficial effect proposed activity project sensitive species shall preclude use categorical exclusion sec forest management activity covered categorical exclusion granted title shall conducted consistent forest plan applicable nfs land public land covered activity sec forest management activities carried title shall include construction new permanent roads department concerned carry necessary maintenance repairs reconstruction existing permanent road purposes title department concerned shall decommission temporary road constructed title years completion project sec title apply component national_wilderness_preservation_system federal land removal vegetation prohibited act congress congressionally designated wilderness study area area activities authorized title inconsistent applicable resource management plan title iii tribal forestry participation protection sec interior shall specified administrative action tribal_forest_protection act days receiving request indian tribe enter agreement contract carry project protect indian forest land rangeland including bordering adjacent federal land interior shall current law issue notice denial tribe request denied sec department concerned request indian tribe treat federal forest land indian forest land purposes planning conducting forest land management activities federal forest land located geographic area presenting feature involving circumstances principally relevant indian tribe department concerned tribe agreement treat federal land indian forest land shall provide continued public access possible exceptions continue sharing revenue generated federal forest land state local governments comply applicable prohibitions export unprocessed logs harvested federal forest land recognize right way agreements effect federal forest land tribal forest land management activities commence ensure commercial timber removed federal forest land sold competitive bid basis sec interior usda carry demonstration projects federally recognized indian tribes tribal organizations contract perform administrative management functions programs tribal_forest_protection act contracts entered indian_self-determination_and_education assistance act title miscellaneous forest management activities sec established treasury cover costs plan carry monitor forest management activity nfs land public land developed collaborative process proposed resource advisory committee covered community wildfire protection plan fund shall consist amounts contributed eligible entity deposit fund appropriated fund generated forest management activities carried amounts fund eligible entity state political subdivision containing nfs land public land publicly chartered utility serving state political subdivision rural electric company entity appropriate participation fund making contribution eligible entity specify nfs land public land contribution expended limit types forest management activities contribution expended shall apply forest management activity carried amounts fund fund shall terminate september sec courts reviewing agency action shall balance short- long term impacts forest management activities considering injunctive relief sec usda shall establish competitive grant program provide financial technical assistance encourage active forest management cross boundary priority forest landscapes including land owned beginning previously forest owners order maintain forest health protect forests natural threats wildfire enhance public benefits forests conserve manage working forest landscapes multiple values uses advance priorities statewide forest assessment resource strategies eligible receive grant applicant shall submit usda state forester appropriate state agency state private forest landscape scale restoration proposal includes specified criteria based restoration strategy complete substantially complete multiyear period composed nonindustrial private forest land state forest land accessible wood processing infrastructure based best available science making grants program usda shall priority plans statewide forest assessment resource strategy promote cross boundary landscape collaboration leverage public private resources forest_service natural_resources_conservation_service relevant stakeholders shall collaborate consult ongoing basis administration program identify applicable resources landscape scale restoration condition receiving grant program usda shall require grant recipient furnish funds kind support nonfederal sources equal furnished federal government usda making grants program consider coordination proximity landscape scale projects land jurisdiction jurisdiction interior jurisdiction state governor usda shall report congress status development execution administration selected projects accounting program funding expenditures specific accomplishments resulted landscape scale projects state private forest landscape scale restoration fund established treasury usda grants bill authorizes appropriations fund fy2018 sec usda shall establish forest_service pilot arbitration program designate specified projects alternative dispute resolution process replace judicial review projects usda shall establish process designation projects program publish description process federal_register projects designated program applicable calendar year authority usda designate project program terminates october individual entity file demand arbitration project designated program accordance specified federal law demand arbitration filed shall include demand proposal alternative project describing modification sought respect project demand arbitration filed individual entity participated collaborative process proposed project resource advisory committee arbitrator shall decision demand arbitration selecting project approved usda proposal submitted individual entity alternative project described section arbitrator modify proposal contained demand arbitration program decision arbitrator program shall based administrative record project authority usda consistent applicable forest plan binding arbitration program shall conducted according rules procedures decision arbitrator program shall considered major federal action shall subject judicial review provided specified federal law sec usda shall establish nfs accelerated landscape restoration pilot program restoration maintenance designated landscapes forest_service shall designate landscape scale areas nfs program designated landscape shall include acres million acres identified collaborative group include inventoried roadless area include forests state forest health increased risk high severity wildfire increased risk insect disease infection designating landscape scale areas program usda shall prioritize landscape scale areas social ecological economic conditions support landscape scale restoration consider certain ecological economic factors specified factors usda shall publish federal_register notice process designation landscape scale areas program specified final notice respect designated landscape usda shall prepare specified landscape scale environmental impact statement designated landscape purposes complying nepa bill authorizes appropriations fy2018 sec bill designates specified federal lands cherokee_national_forest tennessee wilderness additions national_wilderness_preservation_system sec bill amends small tracts act act permit sale exchange interchange act nfs lands sale exchange practicable authority usda value determined lands permitted sold exchanged act include parcels acres determined physically isolated inaccessible lost national_forest character parcels acres eligible conveyance act permanent habitable improvements evidence encroachment intentional negligent parcels cemetery including parcel acre adjacent parcel cemetery landfill sewage treatment plant special use authorization issued usda proceeds section shall deposited special fund established sisk act available acquisition land interests land administrative sites nfs state amounts derived acquisition land interests land inclusion nfs state including enhance opportunities recreational access performance deferred maintenance administrative sites nfs state deferred maintenance activities state enhance opportunities recreational access reimbursement usda costs incurred preparing competitive sale conducted authority act sec bill amends extend authority usda initiate conveyances forest_service administrative sites act fy2018 sec federal agencies shall authorize prescribed burn federal lands county contiguous county federal land located national fire danger rating system indicates extreme fire danger level federal agency authorize prescribed burn condition agency coordinates applicable state government local fire officials end fiscal year forest_service shall submit report describes number locations prescribed burns fiscal year prescribed burn year authorized federal agency pursuant section sec usda shall designate land north_carolina wilderness study area affected counties approve designation title national forest land conveyance national forest land conveyance act sec section sets forth finding congress public interest authorize conveyance certain federal land kisatchie_national_forest louisiana market value consideration sec usda convey quitclaim deed specified federal land winn parish louisiana public private sale including competitive sale auction bid methods usda shall convey quitclaim deed portions land usda federal land conveyed maximize conveyance achieve management objectives establish terms conditions conveyances title public interest consideration conveyance federal land title shall cash equal market value land conveyed market value federal land conveyed shall determined follows federal land conveyed collins_camp_properties specified appraisal conveyed method methods specified section competitive sale conveyance federal land title collins_camp_properties occupant residing federal land special use permit issued forest_service usda shall meet disclosure requirements hazardous substances pollutants contaminants shall required remediate abate condition conveyance collins_camp_properties occupant acquires federal land shall agree indemnify hold harmless united_states costs associated remediation abatement hazardous substances pollutants contaminants acquired land section affects application conveyances federal lands title sec usda shall deposit proceeds conveyances federal lands fund established sisk act usda use deposited amounts fund acquisition land interests land kisatchie_national_forest louisiana sec condition conveyance federal land collins_camp_properties usda shall require collins_camp_properties pay closing reasonable appraisal costs cost administrative environmental analyses required law offer collins_camp_properties acquiring federal land accompanied written statement holder forest_service special use authorization respect land specifying holder agrees relinquish authorization conveyance land collins_camp_properties holder special use authorization fails furnish written statement usda shall require condition conveyance collins_camp_properties administer authorization accordance terms expires title sec title sets forth findings respect certain nfs land georgia sec usda sell exchange right title interest united_states tracts nfs land georgia totaling approximately acres modify boundaries lands based land management considerations reserve rights way rights interests land sold exchanged section considered necessary management purposes protect public interest usda shall convey quitclaim deed land sold exchanged section usda sell exchange land section market value determined appraisal competitive bidding process appraisal shall consistent uniform appraisal standards federal land acquisitions subject usda approval consideration sales land equalization exchanges section shall paid cash usda accept cash equalization payment exceeds value land exchanged usda sell land section public private sale including competitive sale auction bid according terms conditions procedures best interest united_states public private solicitations sale exchange land reject offer adequate public interest use broker party sales exchanges land proceeds sale exchange pay reasonable commissions fees applicable sec usda shall deposit proceeds cash equalization payment sale exchange land fund established sisk act amounts deposited fund shall available usda acquisition land nfs georgia title authorizes use amounts deposited fund acquisition land landowner written consent


Summary:
National Discovery Trails Act of 2015

 Amends the National Trails System Act to establish as part of the national trails system national discovery trails, which shall be extended, continuous interstate trails located to provide for outdoor recreation and travel and to connect representative examples of America's trails and communities.

Authorizes the designation of such trails on federal lands and, with the owner's consent, on non-federal lands.

 Designates as a national discovery trail the 6,000-mile American Discovery Trail extending from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, splitting into northern and southern routes at Cincinnati, Ohio, and rejoining at Denver, Colorado.

Sets forth requirements for designation of a trail as a national discovery trail.

Requires the appropriate Department for each national discovery trail to: (1) administer the trail in cooperation with a competent trailwide volunteer-based organization; and (2) submit a comprehensive plan for the trail's protection, management, development, and use.

amends national_trails_system_act establish national trails system national discovery trails shall extended continuous interstate trails located provide outdoor recreation travel connect representative examples america trails communities authorizes designation trails federal lands owner consent non federal lands designates national discovery trail mile american discovery trail extending delaware point reyes california northern southern routes ohio denver colorado sets forth requirements designation trail national discovery trail requires appropriate department national discovery trail administer trail cooperation competent volunteer based organization submit comprehensive plan trail protection management development use


Summary:
Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 2015

 Designates certain federal land in the Olympic National Forest in the state of Washington as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Designates certain other land, identified on the same map as such proposed areas, as potential wilderness.

Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate as wild, scenic, or recreational rivers specified segments of the following rivers in the state of Washington:

 Elwha River; Dungeness River; Big Quilcene River; Dosewallips River; Duckabush River; Hamma Hamma River; South Fork Skokomish River; Middle Fork Satsop River; West Fork Satsop River; Wynoochee River; East Fork Humptulips River; West Fork Humptulips River; Quinault River; Queets River; Hoh River; Bogachiel River; South Fork Calawah River; Sol Duc River; and Lyre River. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to take necessary measures to control fire, insects, and diseases in the wilderness areas designated by this Act.

Withdraws the federal land within the boundaries of the designated river segments from: (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.

wild olympics wilderness wild scenic rivers act designates certain federal land state washington wilderness components national_wilderness_preservation_system designates certain land identified map proposed areas potential wilderness amends wild scenic rivers act designate wild scenic recreational rivers specified segments following rivers state washington river river authorizes department_of_agriculture necessary measures control fire insects diseases wilderness areas designated act withdraws federal land boundaries designated river segments entry appropriation disposal public land laws location entry patent mining laws disposition laws relating mineral geothermal leasing mineral materials