Bill · S. 1050· Senate(119-S-1050)
Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 3/13/2025
- Last activity
- 3/13/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Sponsored by
- Kirsten Gillibrand
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes the Forest Conservation Easement Program to protect and restore forest land and natural resources. The Secretary of Agriculture is required to facilitate the acquisition of forest land easements and forest reserve easements. The program aims to protect working forests, enhance ecosystems, and promote habitat restoration for threatened or endangered species. It provides funding and technical assistance to various eligible entities, including state, local, and tribal governments. Additionally, the bill repeals the Healthy Forests Reserve Program and incorporates its functions into this new program.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+8
The bill establishes a program specifically to protect and restore forest land and natural resources.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+7
The bill prioritizes support for Indian Tribes and provides specific provisions for their land.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+6
The bill enhances the management of forest ecosystems through easements and habitat restoration.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Working Forests: The program seeks to protect the viability and sustainability of working forests by limiting the negative effects of nonforest uses (Section 1267A(b)(1)).
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Habitat Protection for Wildlife: The bill aims to promote the restoration, protection, and improvement of habitats for species that are threatened, endangered, or at-risk (Section 1267A(b)(3)).
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Benefits for Socially Disadvantaged Groups: The Secretary may give priority to applications from socially disadvantaged forest landowners when evaluating forest land easements (Section 1267B(b)(5)) and when evaluating offers for forest reserve easements (Section 1267C(5)).
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Financial Support for Landowners: Landowners participating in the forest reserve easement program may receive financial assistance to carry out activities, practices, and measures necessary to restore or enhance habitats (Section 1267C(e)(3)).
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Increased Federal Investment for Conservation: The program includes a provision for a Federal share of 50 percent of the fair market value of forest land easements, which can increase to 75 percent for land of special environmental significance or land owned by socially disadvantaged forest landowners (Section 1267B(c)(3)(A)).
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Assurances for Conservation Efforts: Landowners who achieve a net conservation benefit through forest reserve easements may be provided with safe harbor or similar protections under the Endangered Species Act (Section 1267C(f)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Land Use: Forest land easements are designed to limit the negative effects of nonforest uses to protect the conservation value of the land (Section 1267A(b)(1)).
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Specific Conditions for Subsurface Development: While subsurface mineral development may be allowed, it is subject to strict conditions, including the requirement for a development plan approved by the Secretary and the reclamation of impacted areas (Section 1267B(c)(2)(D)).
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Limitations on Land Acquisition: The Secretary is prohibited from using program funds to acquire easements on land owned by a Federal agency (excepting certain Indian Tribe land) or land owned in fee title by a State or local government (Section 1267D(a)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+8Improves Public Land Management+6Reduces Carbon Emissions+5Improves Rural Development+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+7Good For Farmers+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Rural Residents+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- 3/13/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi