Bill · S. 4180· Senate(119-S-4180)
Forest Resources Accountability Act
- Introduced
- 3/24/2026
- Last activity
- 3/24/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Michael Bennet
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Forest Resources Accountability Act aims to prohibit a specific road construction project within the White River National Forest in Colorado. The bill seeks to protect critical winter wildlife habitat by preventing the construction or improvement of utility corridors or year-round roads on certain Federal land. It restricts access to inholdings to routes that are unpaved, seasonal, and already in existence. Additionally, the Secretary of Agriculture is directed to acquire the specific Berlaimont Estates parcel from willing sellers if practicable. This acquisition would incorporate the land into the National Forest for conservation and public enjoyment.
Yes
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+8
The bill prohibits the construction of year-round roads and utility corridors to protect critical winter wildlife habitat.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+3
The bill focuses on the conservation and management of the White River National Forest for public enjoyment.
The opposite
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?-5
The bill prohibits the improvement or construction of specific road access projects and utility corridors.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Wildlife Protection: The bill aims to protect critical winter wildlife habitat by prohibiting the construction of year-round roads or utility corridors on specific Federal land (Section 3(a)).
-
Land Conservation: If the Secretary acquires the Berlaimont Estates parcel, it will be incorporated into the White River National Forest to be administered for wildlife conservation and the enjoyment of present and future generations (Section 3(f)(4)).
-
Resource Management Focus: By limiting road projects, the bill aligns with findings that the Forest Service should focus its limited staffing on needs such as wildfire risk reduction, maintaining drinking water, and sustaining healthy wildlife populations (Section 2(2) and 2(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restricted Access: Provisions in the bill limit access to inholdings to only those routes that are unpaved, seasonal, and already in existence as of the March 2023 record of decision (Section 3(c)).
-
Prohibition of Infrastructure: The bill prevents the approval or construction of utility corridors or year-round road access projects on the specified Federal land (Section 3(d) and 3(e)(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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+8Improves Roads And Bridges-5
- 3/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.