,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #fgj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #bj1 #bjbe,mr4 ,bennet 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,wyden1 ,mr4 ,hickenlooper1 ,mr4 ,gallego1 and ,ms4 ,rosen7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry ,a ,,bill ,to establish an ,outdoor ,restoration ,fund for restoration and resilience projects1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,protect the ,west ,act of #bjbe4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,council ,the term ,council means the ,restoration ,fund ,advisory ,council established by section #d7;a74 7#b7 ,covered authority ,the term covered authority means-- 7,a7 the good neighbor authority established by section #hbjf of the ,agricultural ,act of #bjad 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #baac;a72 7,b7 the ,water ,source ,protection ,program under section #cjc of the ,healthy ,forests ,restoration ,act of #bjjc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #fedb72 7,c7 the ,watershed ,condition ,framework established under section #cjd of the ,healthy ,forests ,restoration ,act of #bjjc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #fedc72 7,d7 the stewardship end result contracting program under section #fjd of the ,healthy ,forests ,restoration ,act of #bjjc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #feia;c72 7,e7 the ,cooperative ,forestry ,assistance ,act of #aigh 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #baja et seq472 7,f7 the ,joint ,chiefs' ,landscape ,restoration ,partnership program2 7,g7 the ,watershed ,protection and ,flood ,prevention ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja et seq472 7,h7 the emergency watershed protection program established under section #djc of the ,agricultural ,credit ,act of #aigh 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #bbjc72 7,i7 the ,collaborative ,forest ,landscape ,restoration ,program established under section #djjc of ,public ,law #aaa-aa 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #gcjc72 7,j7 the legacy roads and trails program of the ,department of ,agriculture2 7,k7 the working lands for wildlife program of the ,department of ,agriculture2 and 7,l7 a conservation program under title ,,xii of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chja et seq471 including the ,regional ,conservation ,partnership program under subtitle ,i of that title 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chga et seq474 7#c7 ,ecological integrity ,the term ecological integrity has the meaning given the term in section #bai4ai of title #cf1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7as in effect on the date of enactment of this ,act74 7#d7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a ,state agency2 7,b7 a unit of local government2 7,c7 a ,tribal government2 7,d7 a regional government or quasi-governmental organization2 7,e7 a special district2 or 7,f7 a nonprofit organization4 7#e7 ,fund ,the term ,fund means the ,outdoor and ,watershed ,restoration ,fund established by section #c7;a74 7#f7 ,grant program ,the term grant program means the restoration and resilience grant program established by section #e7;b74 7#g7 ,restoration ,the term restoration has the meaning given the term in section #bai4ai of title #cf1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7as in effect on the date of enactment of this ,act74 7#h7 ,restoration and resilience project ,the term restoration and resilience project means a project carried out on ,federal land1 non-,federal land1 or both1 that is designed in accordance with the best available science to conduct restoration that measurably improves-- 7,a7 forest conditions2 7,b7 rangeland and native grassland health2 7,c7 watershed function2 or 7,d7 wildlife habitat4 7#i7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,agriculture4 7#aj7 ,wildland-urban interface ,the term wildland-urban interface has the meaning given the term in section #aja of the ,healthy ,forests ,restoration ,act of #bjjc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #feaa74 #c4 ,outdoor and ,watershed ,restoration ,fund 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established in the ,treasury an ,outdoor and ,watershed ,restoration ,fund4 7b7 ,purpose ,the purpose of the ,fund is to provide funding for the grant program and the ,restoration and ,resilience ,partnership ,program under section #f4 7c7 ,use ,amounts in the ,fund shall be used by the ,secretary through a transparent process-- 7#a7 in coordination with the ,council1 to carry out the grant program2 and 7#b7 to carry out the ,restoration and ,resilience ,partnership ,program under section #f4 7d7 ,savings provisions 7#a7 ,complementary programs ,activities carried out under this ,act shall complement1 not duplicate or replace1 existing ,federal conservation1 restoration1 and resilience programs4 7#b7 ,applicable law ,a restoration and resilience project on ,federal land or non-,federal land developed or implemented using amounts provided under this ,act shall be carried out in accordance with applicable law and available authorities4 7e7 ,supplement1 not supplant ,amounts provided under this ,act shall supplement1 not supplant1 any ,federal1 ,state1 or other funds otherwise made available to an eligible entity for activities described in this ,act4 7f7 ,interagency flexibility and leverage ,to facilitate interagency cooperation and enhance the speed and scale of results of activities carried out using amounts in the ,fund-- 7#a7 matching funds or cost-sharing requirements of a covered authority may be satisfied through the contribution of funding from-- 7,a7 #a or more other covered authorities2 or 7,b7 funds appropriated under section #h2 and 7#b7 the ,secretary shall modify1 expand1 or streamline eligibility and verification criteria for covered authorities to maximize flexibility1 speed1 and use of ,federal funds in the most effective manner to achieve outcomes of activities using amounts in the ,fund4 7g7 ,pay-for-,performance contract authority ,in using amounts in the ,fund1 the ,secretary may use a contract1 grant agreement1 or fixed amount award to purchase successfully implemented restoration and resilience project outcomes from qualifying projects1 as determined by the ,secretary1 at a negotiated per-unit price4 7h7 ,acceptance and use of contributions 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 or a designee1 may establish in the ,treasury an account to accept contributions of non-,federal funds for the ,fund4 7#b7 ,deposit and use of contributions ,contributions of non-,federal funds received for the ,fund shall be-- 7,a7 deposited into the account established under paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 available to the ,secretary1 without further appropriation and until expended1 to carry out activities described in subsection 7c74 7i7 ,oversight ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,agriculture shall prepare and submit to the ,committees on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry and ,appropriations of the ,senate and the ,committees on ,agriculture1 ,natural ,resources1 and ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives a report describing the use1 and any abuse or misuse1 as applicable1 of the ,fund by the ,secretary with respect to-- 7#a7 the grant program2 and 7#b7 the ,restoration and ,resilience ,partnership ,program established by section #f4 #d4 ,restoration ,fund ,advisory ,council 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established a ,restoration ,fund ,advisory ,council to provide recommendations to the ,secretary with respect to-- 7#a7 the disbursement of amounts from the ,fund for the grant program2 7#b7 priority-setting for landscapes2 and 7#c7 evaluation and monitoring for restoration and resilience project success4 7b7 ,membership ,the ,council shall be composed of-- 7#a7 the ,secretary2 7#b7 #ab members1 to be appointed by the ,secretary1 of whom-- 7,a7 #c shall be representatives from resource-dependent industries1 including the agriculture1 oil and gas1 outdoor recreation1 or forest products industries2 7,b7 #c shall be national experts from each of the fields of natural resource restoration1 economic development1 and community and climate resilience2 7,c7 #c shall be representatives of conservation1 wildlife1 or watershed organizations2 7,d7 #a shall be a representative of ,state government2 7,e7 #a shall be a representative of a unit of local government2 and 7,f7 #a shall be a representative of a ,tribal government2 and 7#c7 as determined to be necessary by the ,secretary1 not more than #c representatives from other ,federal agencies4 7c7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,council1 shall submit to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,agriculture1 the ,committee on ,natural ,resources1 and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives a report describing-- 7#a7 the status of any restoration and resilience projects that received amounts from the ,fund1 including-- 7,a7 environmental and climate benefits2 7,b7 restoration achievements2 7,c7 attainment of restoration and habitat improvement objectives2 7,d7 jobs created and retained2 7,e7 the growth in outdoor industries that provide capacity to carry out restoration and resilience projects2 and 7,f7 progress towards ,state-1 ,tribal-1 and community-level resilience goals2 and 7#b7 recommendations to improve coordination1 align ,federal1 ,state1 or ,tribal resources or existing authorities1 and expand workforce capacity in outdoor industries that provide capacity to carry out restoration and resilience projects through legislative and administrative changes4 #e4 ,restoration and resilience grant program 7a7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this section are-- 7#a7 to increase the capacity for-- 7,a7 planning1 coordinating1 and monitoring restoration and resilience projects on non-,federal land2 and 7,b7 providing support for collaboration and monitoring on ,federal land2 and 7#b7 to support1 on non-,federal land-- 7,a7 restoration and resilience projects2 7,b7 efforts to improve wildfire resistive construction and reduce risks within the home ignition zone2 and 7,c7 projects to expand equitable outdoor access4 7b7 ,establishment ,there is established a restoration and resilience grant program1 to be administered by the ,secretary1 with the guidance of the ,council1 to provide grants or pay-for-performance contracts from the ,fund to eligible entities for the purposes described in subsection 7a74 7c7 ,regional coordination ,the ,secretary and the ,council shall1 to the maximum extent practicable-- 7#a7 seek input from and coordinate with ,state or regional efforts1 initiatives1 and partnerships to restore ecological integrity on ,federal land and non-,federal land2 and 7#b7 complement or support existing ,state or regional efforts1 initiatives1 and partnerships to restore ecological integrity on ,federal land and non-,federal land4 7d7 ,use of funds 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall use amounts in the ,fund to provide capacity grants or pay-for-performance contracts under paragraph 7#b7 and implementation grants or pay-for-performance contracts under paragraph 7#c74 7#b7 ,capacity grants 7,a7 ,in general ,capacity grants or pay-for-performance contracts shall be made available to eligible entities for the purpose described in subsection 7a77#a74 7,b7 ,application 7i7 ,in general ,a grant or pay-for-performance contract under this paragraph may only be made to an eligible entity that submits to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing or accompanied by such additional information as the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,council1 may require1 including the information required under clause 7ii74 7ii7 ,contents ,an application submitted under clause 7i7 shall contain-- 7,i7 a clear and concise expression of interest2 7,,ii7 an explanation for how funds would complement existing ,federal funds2 7,,iii7 a description of how the proposed planning1 coordinating1 or monitoring of restoration and resilience projects would be carried out in accordance with the best available ecological restoration science2 and 7,,iv7 an estimate of the number and duration of jobs that provide capacity to carry out restoration and resilience projects that would be created1 or sustained1 with the funds4 7,c7 ,condition ,to the maximum extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall provide grant-writing training and mentoring opportunities for lower-capacity1 less collaborative experience1 or underserved communities and organizations to help lower the barriers to participation in1 and create more inclusion in and opportunities under1 the grant program4 7#c7 ,implementation grants 7,a7 ,in general ,implementation grants or pay-for-performance contracts shall be made available to eligible entities for the purpose described in subsection 7a77#b74 7,b7 ,application ,a grant or pay-for-performance contract under this paragraph may be made only to an eligible entity that submits to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing or accompanied by such information as the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,council1 may require4 7,c7 ,waiver ,the ,secretary may waive matching requirements under covered authorities for applicants for grants or pay-for-performance contracts under this paragraph representing lower-capacity1 less collaborative experience1 or underserved communities and organizations and rural communities4 7e7 ,priority ,in carrying out the grant program1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,council1 shall give priority to projects that would-- 7#a7 create or sustain jobs1 employ local or regional labor1 or expand the outdoor workforce to provide capacity to carry out restoration and resilience projects or equitable outdoor access through training and education programs2 7#b7 be developed through a collaborative process1 relying on the best available social ecological restoration science1 with multiple stakeholders representing diverse interests2 7#c7 address shared priorities for ,federal and non-,federal partners2 7#d7 advance ,state1 local1 and ,tribal plans relating to forests1 water1 wildlife1 or equitable outdoor access2 7#e7 utilize watershed data analytics to quantify1 prioritize1 and measure expected outcomes from proposed restoration activities2 7#f7 be carried out by or in lower-capacity1 less collaborative experience1 or underserved communities and organizations2 or 7#g7 improve long-term economic security in the geographic region through restoration and resilience projects1 equitable outdoor access1 and the indirect benefits of those projects and access1 particularly in geographic regions transitioning from fossil-fuel extraction4 7f7 ,authorities ,eligible entities may use existing authorities when carrying out a restoration and resilience project1 including a covered authority4 #f4 ,restoration and resilience partnership program 7a7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this section are-- 7#a7 to restore and improve the ecological integrity of forest1 grassland1 and rangeland ecosystems across the ,united ,states in partnership with ,state1 local1 and ,tribal governments2 7#b7 to create or sustain outdoor jobs by reducing the backlog of restoration and resilience projects on ,federal land and non-,federal land2 7#c7 to improve the resilience and carrying capacity of rangelands in the ,united ,states by preventing or mitigating invasive species1 such as cheatgrass1 that contribute to rangeland fire2 and 7#d7 to reduce uncharacteristic wildfires in the highest risk areas of the ,united ,states by carrying out1 in accordance with applicable law1 restoration and resilience projects4 7b7 ,establishment ,there is established a ,restoration and ,resilience ,partnership ,program1 under which the ,secretary shall carry out restoration and resilience projects in partnership areas designated under subsection 7c77#a74 7c7 ,designation of partnership areas 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall designate1 for the purposes of carrying out restoration and resilience projects under subsection 7e71 any areas of ,federal land and non-,federal land that the ,secretary determines to be appropriate4 7#b7 ,submission of partnership areas by ,states and ,tribes 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,governor of a ,state or an authorized representative of an ,indian ,tribe may submit to the ,secretary1 in writing1 a request to designate certain ,federal land or non-,federal land in the ,state or ,indian ,country1 respectively1 for restoration and resilience projects under subsection 7e74 7,b7 ,inclusions ,a written request submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 may include #a or more maps or recommendations4 7d7 ,requirements ,to be eligible for designation under subsection 7c71 an area shall-- 7#a7 have a high or very high wildfire potential as determined by-- 7,a7 the map of the ,forest ,service entitled ,wildfire ,hazard ,potential ,version #bjbj2 7,b7 any other mapping resource or data source approved by the ,secretary that depicts the risk of wildfires2 or 7,c7 fire-risk assessment resources or mapping tools maintained by the applicable ,state2 7#b7 have high-priority wildlife habitat urgently in need of restoration1 as determined by the ,secretary1 in consultation with eligible entities and the applicable ,governor or representative of an ,indian ,tribe2 or 7#c7 in the case of ,federal land1 be in the wildland-urban interface4 7e7 ,restoration and resilience projects 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 the ,secretary shall carry out restoration and resilience projects on land designated under subsection 7c74 7#b7 ,priority ,the ,secretary shall give priority to restoration and resilience projects that would-- 7,a7 focus on the reintroduction of characteristic1 low-intensity fire in frequent fire regime ecosystems2 7,b7 reduce hazardous fuels by focusing on small-diameter trees1 thinning1 and strategic fuel breaks2 7,c7 maximize the retention of old and large trees1 as appropriate for the forest type2 7,d7 measurably improve habitat conditions for at-risk wildlife2 7,e7 measurably improve water quality or water quantity outcomes in waterways that flow through and out of priority areas2 7,f7 establish plans for measuring project success and environmental outcomes2 7,g7 promote community and homeowner involvement in planning and implementing actions to mitigate the risk posed by wildfire in the wildland-urban interface2 7,h7 emphasize proactive wildfire risk mitigation actions in the wildland-urban interface2 and 7,i7 increase fire adaption in communities located within the wildland-urban interface4 7#c7 ,coordination ,the ,secretary shall carry out restoration and resilience projects under this subsection-- 7,a7 on ,federal land1 in coordination with the ,secretary of the ,interior1 as applicable2 and 7,b7 on non-,federal land1 in coordination with eligible entities and other relevant stakeholders1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#d7 ,requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,a restoration and resilience project shall be carried out in accordance with-- 7i7 in the case of a restoration and resilience project carried out on ,federal land1 the management objectives of an applicable land or resource management plan2 and 7ii7 applicable law4 7,b7 ,inclusions ,the ,secretary may use existing authorities when carrying out a restoration and resilience project on land designated under subsection 7c71 including any covered authority4 7,c7 ,exclusions ,a restoration and resilience project may not be carried out-- 7i7 in a wilderness area or designated wilderness study area2 7ii7 to construct a permanent road or trail2 7iii7 on any ,federal land on which1 by an ,act of ,congress or ,presidential proclamation1 the removal of vegetation is restricted or prohibited2 7iv7 in an inventoried roadless area or comparable roadless area defined by a ,state-specific rule2 or 7v7 to remove old growth stands 7as defined in section #ajb7;e77#a7 of the ,healthy ,forests ,restoration ,act of #bjjc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #feab7;e77#a7774 #g4 ,oversight ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report that1 with respect to funding made available by the ,infrastructure ,investment and ,jobs ,act 7,public ,law #aag-eh2 #ace ,stat4 #dbi7 or ,public ,law #aag-afi 7commonly known as the ,inflation ,reduction ,act of #bjbb7 for purposes of forestry-- 7#a7 explains the methodology for priority landscapes set by the ,secretary2 7#b7 describes the metrics the ,secretary is using for measuring performance and outcomes2 and 7#c7 describes the allocation of funds to ,states1 forests1 and ,indian ,tribes4 #h4 ,funding 7a7 ,in general ,there is appropriated1 out of any money in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #fj1jjj1jjj1jjj for the ,fund1 to remain available until expended1 of which-- 7#a7 #bj1jjj1jjj1jjj shall be for the grant program2 and 7#b7 #dj1jjj1jjj1jjj shall be for the ,restoration and ,resilience ,partnership ,program under section #f1 of which not less than #bj1jjj1jjj1jjj shall be for the conduct of restoration and resilience projects on ,federal land under that section4 7b7 ,workforce needs and expenses ,funds made available under subsection 7a77#b7 shall be available for staffing1 salary1 and other workforce needs and expenses relating to the administration of the ,restoration and ,resilience ,partnership ,program under section #f4