Why it matters: The U.S. Forest Service is largely understaffed and underfunded given their immense responsibilities as one of the nation’s largest land managers. The Good Neighbor Authority allows states, counties, and tribes to partner with the Forest Service to conduct forest management projects. States, counties, and tribes have a vested interest in the health of our National Forests, and the Good Neighbor Authority program provides the opportunity for these entities to partner with and increase the capacity of the federal government to enhance forest health.
Highlights:
- This week, the House of Representatives returns from a 6-week recess to resume legislative work.
- During this work week, the House will vote on the Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act, R. 1450, a top forestry priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF).
- This bill, led by Congressman Fulcher (ID), will simply allow for Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) projects to take place on non-federal lands, and allows for counties and tribes to retain the revenue generated from GNA forest projects.
Later this week, the House of Representatives will vote on a piece of legislation to modify the Good Neighbor Authority program, known as the Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act, a top forest policy priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). Given the wide-spread support for this common-sense, bipartisan legislation, CSF fully expects this legislation to pass the House.
The Good Neighbor Authority program allows the U.S. Forest Service to enter into partnerships with states, tribes, and counties on forest management and restoration projects to reduce wildfire risk, protect local communities, and enhance wildlife habitats. Unfortunately, the 2018 Farm Bill removed the ability for forest management projects to take place off federal lands, meaning that the adjacent non-federal lands cannot be actively managed under this partnership. H.R. 1450 seeks to reverse the 2018 Farm Bill modification given the importance of managing forest health at the landscape level.
Additionally, under current law, states may collect the revenue generated from conducting the forest management project. However, unlike states, tribes and counties are prohibited from retaining the revenue generated from the forest management project. This means that it is often costly for counties and tribes to conduct a GNA project on federal land and conservation reinvestment opportunities are missed, while their state counterparts can receive the full revenue generated by the GNA project. H.R. 1450 will provide parity among states, tribes, and counties to allow for all parties to retain the revenue generated from GNA projects.
CSF thanks Congressman Fulcher for leading this legislation and thanks the House for voting to pass this legislation. The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
