Bill Summary
The "Forest Resources Accountability Act" aims to prohibit a specific road construction project in the White River National Forest, Colorado, to protect critical winter wildlife habitats. It highlights concerns regarding decreased staffing levels in the Forest Service, which have led to reduced forest management activities. The Act mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture cannot approve any new roads or utility corridors in the designated federal land, ensuring that any access provided must be limited to existing unpaved, seasonal routes for specific uses. Additionally, it encourages the acquisition of a 680-acre parcel of land from willing sellers to enhance conservation efforts and ensure its incorporation into the National Forest for public benefit. The Secretary is also required to report on the acquisition efforts within 180 days of the Act’s enactment.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the legislation outlined in the "Forest Resources Accountability Act" could affect people:
1. **Wildlife Conservation and Outdoor Recreation**: By prohibiting road construction in the White River National Forest, the legislation aims to protect critical winter wildlife habitats. This could lead to healthier ecosystems and improved wildlife populations, which benefits nature enthusiasts, hikers, bird watchers, and families who enjoy outdoor activities. The protection of these habitats may enhance the overall recreational experience in the area, making it more appealing for visitors who value biodiversity and natural beauty.
2. **Impact on Local Landowners and Developers**: The prohibition on constructing roads and utility corridors may affect local landowners or developers, particularly those who own parcels within or adjacent to the federal land. They may face limitations in accessing their properties or developing real estate projects, such as the Berlaimont Estates parcel. This could lead to potential financial setbacks or increased costs for alternative means of access, which might discourage investment in the area.
3. **Forest Service Staffing and Resource Allocation**: The findings in the legislation highlight a significant reduction in Forest Service staffing and the resulting decrease in forest management projects. This could lead to longer response times for addressing issues such as wildfire risks and forest health, which might affect local communities that rely on the Forest Service for maintaining safe and healthy public lands. Residents may experience increased worries about wildfire threats or declining overall forest health, potentially impacting property values and quality of life in nearby areas.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4180 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4180
To prohibit a road construction project in the White River National
Forest in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 24, 2026
Mr. Bennet introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Energy and 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.
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.
SEC. 3. PROHIBITION OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN THE WHITE RIVER
NATIONAL FOREST.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to protect critical
winter wildlife habitat in the Federal land.
(b) 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.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
(e) 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.
(f) 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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