Bill Summary
The "Forest Resources Accountability Act" is a piece of legislation aimed at prohibiting a road construction project within the White River National Forest in Colorado. The Act addresses the significant staffing reductions in the Forest Service, which have led to decreased ability to manage forest resources effectively. The primary findings of Congress highlight challenges in maintaining forest health, reducing wildfire risks, and ensuring wildlife habitat due to limited resources.
The Act specifically prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from approving any easements or road construction projects that would affect a designated 680-acre parcel known as the Berlaimont Estates within the national forest. It emphasizes the need for reasonable access that preserves the integrity of the forest, allowing only existing unpaved seasonal routes for specific uses.
Additionally, the Act prohibits the use of federal funds for any road-related projects in the area and encourages the Secretary to acquire the Berlaimont Estates parcel from willing sellers to enhance wildlife conservation efforts and public enjoyment of the forest. A report detailing the acquisition efforts is mandated within 180 days of enactment. Overall, the legislation aims to protect critical wildlife habitat while addressing management challenges faced by the Forest Service.
Possible Impacts
The legislation outlined in the "Forest Resources Accountability Act" could affect people in various ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Protection of Wildlife Habitat**: By prohibiting road construction in the White River National Forest, the legislation aims to protect critical winter wildlife habitats. This can benefit wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, and local communities who rely on biodiversity for eco-tourism and recreational activities. Improved wildlife habitats can lead to healthier ecosystems, which ultimately enhances the outdoor experience for hikers, bird watchers, and nature lovers.
2. **Impact on Local Economy and Access**: While the legislation protects natural resources, it could also limit economic opportunities related to development and tourism infrastructure. Local businesses that rely on road access for tourism-related activities (such as guided tours, camping, or recreational vehicle rentals) might face challenges if access to certain areas is restricted. This could affect jobs and revenue in the local economy, particularly in areas dependent on outdoor recreation.
3. **Forest Management and Resource Availability**: The findings in the bill highlight that reduced staffing in the Forest Service has led to fewer hazardous fuels reduction projects and maintenance efforts. This legislation's focus on limiting construction projects could mean that existing resources are directed toward more pressing needs, such as wildfire risk reduction. While this prioritization may ultimately protect communities from fire hazards, individuals living near forested areas may experience heightened fire risk in the short term due to the backlog of maintenance and management activities that have been reduced.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8061 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8061
To prohibit a road construction project in the White River National
Forest in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 24, 2026
Mr. Neguse introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To prohibit a road construction project in the White River National
Forest in the State of Colorado, 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. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Forest Resources Accountability
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) Forest Service staffing decreased by 6,000 between
January 20, 2025, and December 31, 2025;
(2) since January 20, 2025, the reduced staffing of the
Forest Service has resulted in--
(A) 40 percent less hazardous fuels reduction
projects nationwide;
(B) 22 percent less trails maintenance projects
nationwide; and
(C) significant reductions to science and research
that inform Forest Service management of timber, fire,
recreation, wildlife, water, and natural resources on
the 193,000,000 acres managed by the Forest Service;
and
(3) with limited staffing resources, the Forest Service
must focus on projects that address public needs, including--
(A) wildfire risk reduction;
(B) forest treatments that reduce insect and
disease infestation;
(C) improving recreation opportunities, including
trail maintenance and permitting recreation trips;
(D) maintaining and improving drinking water
resources;
(E) sustaining healthy wildlife populations and
habitat; and
(F) ensuring scientifically sound stewardship of
the health, diversity, and productivity of United
States forests and grasslands to meet the needs of
present and future generations.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to protect critical winter
wildlife habitat in the Federal land (as defined in section 3).
SEC. 3. PROHIBITION OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN THE WHITE RIVER
NATIONAL FOREST.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means sections
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 of T. 4 S.,
R. 82 W in the White River National Forest in the State of
Colorado.
(2) Parcel.--The term ``parcel'' means the 680-acre parcel
described on page 1 of the record of decision, known as the
Berlaimont Estates parcel.
(3) Record of decision.--The term ``record of decision''
means the record of decision for the Berlaimont Estates Access
Road, dated March 2023.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
(b) Adequate Access.--In providing adequate access to inholdings
within the Federal land, the Secretary shall only provide access to
reasonable and necessary routes that are--
(1) in existence as of the date of the record of decision;
(2) unpaved;
(3) seasonal; and
(4) limited to specific uses set forth in a special use
permit that ensures the access remains subject to enforceable
terms and conditions that will protect the National Forest
System.
(c) Prohibition.--The Secretary shall not approve or issue any
easement, special use authorization, or other authorization to open,
improve, authorize, permit, construct, plan, or otherwise consider any
utility corridor or year-round road described in the record of decision
or any substantially similar road access project on the Federal land.
(d) Additional Prohibitions.--
(1) In general.--No Federal funds may be used to open,
improve, authorize, permit, construct, plan, or otherwise
consider any easement, special use authorization, or other
authorization allowing any utility corridor or year-round road
to be located on the Federal land to access the parcel.
(2) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection prevents the use,
in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, of any
Forest Service road existing on the date of enactment of this
Act by the Forest Service, any owner of the parcel, or the
public.
(e) Land Acquisition From Willing Sellers.--
(1) In general.--To the maximum extent practicable, the
Secretary shall acquire, through purchase, exchange, or
donation, from any willing seller, the parcel.
(2) Coordination.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall coordinate with the State of Colorado, Eagle
County, and local land trusts to leverage non-Federal programs,
authorities, and resources in the efforts to acquire the
parcel.
(3) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report
describing the efforts of the Secretary, the owner of the
parcel, and the entities described in paragraph (2) to--
(A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House
of Representatives.
(4) Incorporation of land.--If the parcel is acquired by
the Secretary, the parcel shall be incorporated into the White
River National Forest and administered for the purposes of
conservation of wildlife and the enjoyment of present and
future generations.
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