Bill Summary
This legislation, known as the "Hawai'i National Forest Study Act," was passed by the Senate and House of Representatives to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on available land in Hawai'i that could potentially be included in a National Forest. The purpose of the study is to identify land that can support the conservation of biodiversity, expand research missions, promote shared stewardship with local communities, and support international programs related to forest conservation. The study must be completed within 3 years and must be done in coordination with the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources. The Secretary must consult with various government and nonprofit entities and submit a report of the study's findings to the Senate and House committees. This legislation does not give the Secretary the authority to take any action on privately owned land. The study area includes six Hawaiian islands and the term "undeveloped land" refers to land without structures that could negatively impact the natural values of the area. This legislation was passed by the House of Representatives in December 2020.
Possible Impacts
1. The study may result in the identification of land that is currently being used by communities or indigenous populations. This could lead to displacement and loss of traditional land and cultural practices.
2. If undeveloped land is identified in the study, it may become subject to development and lose its natural or recreational value, impacting the local residents and visitors who use it.
3. Non-profit groups and other organizations may have a say in the use and management of the identified land, potentially causing conflicts or limiting access for certain individuals or groups.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7045 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7045
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 7, 2020
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on lands
that could be included in a National Forest in Hawai'i, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. HAWAI'I NATIONAL FOREST STUDY.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to identify lands within
the study area that would--
(1) support the conservation of biodiversity not found
elsewhere in the National Forest System;
(2) support or expand the research mission of the Institute
of Pacific Islands Forestry;
(3) promote shared stewardship with local communities,
including indigenous populations, the State of Hawai'i, and
non-profit groups; and
(4) support or expand the international programs of the
Forest Service related to conservation of forest ecosystems,
sustainable forestry, protection of threatened, endangered, and
migratory species, controlling the spread of invasive species,
international reforestation, and other forest restoration
efforts.
(b) Study Required.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a study
to identify available land within the study area that could be
included in a National Forest in Hawai'i.
(2) Coordination requirement.--The Secretary shall conduct
the study under paragraph (1) in coordination the Hawai'i
Department of Land and Natural Resources.
(3) Consultation requirement.--In carrying out the study
under paragraph (1), the Secretary--
(A) shall consult with--
(i) the Hawai'i Department of Land and
Natural Resources; and
(ii) the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture;
and
(B) may consult with such other governmental or
nonprofit entities as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(4) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and
the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives that identifies--
(A) available land within the study area that could
be included in a National Forest in Hawai'i;
(B) the ownership of the land within the study
area;
(C) any undeveloped land in the study area that may
be at risk of development; and
(D) any actions that could be carried out to
preserve the open and undeveloped character of the land
within the study area.
(c) Effect.--Nothing in this section authorizes the Secretary to
take any action that would affect the use of any land not owned by the
United States.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Available land.--The term ``available land'' means any
land within the study areas that is--
(A) Federally owned;
(B) managed by a Federal land management agency in
partnership with a non-Federal entity; or
(C) land not described in subparagraph (A) or (B)
that fulfills the purpose of this section, as
determined by the Secretary.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
(3) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means the islands
of Hawai'i, Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i, O'ahu and Kaua'i in the
State of Hawai'i.
(4) Undeveloped land.--The term ``undeveloped land'' means
land--
(A) that is located within the study area;
(B) that is free or primarily free of structures;
and
(C) the development of which is likely to affect
adversely the scenic, research, wildlife, or
recreational value of the study area.
Passed the House of Representatives December 3, 2020.
Attest:
CHERYL L. JOHNSON,
Clerk.