---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 6554"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "6554"
heading: "Applied silvicultural assessments"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/6554"
units:
  - "Chapter 84 — Healthy Forest Restoration"
  - "Subchapter IV — Insect Infestations and Related Diseases"
---

# §6554. Applied silvicultural assessments

- (a) **Assessment efforts—** For information gathering and research purposes, the [Secretary](/usc/16/6511.md?p=14) may conduct [applied silvicultural assessments](/usc/16/6552.md?p=1-A) on [Federal land](/usc/16/6502.md?p=1) that the [Secretary](/usc/16/6511.md?p=14) determines is at risk of infestation by, or is infested with, [forest-damaging insects](/usc/16/6552.md?p=3).
- (b) **Limitations—**
  - (1) **Exclusion of certain areas—** [Subsection (a)](#a) does not apply to—
    - (A) a component of the [National Wilderness Preservation System](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13);
    - (B) any [Federal land](/usc/16/6502.md?p=1) on which, by Act of Congress or Presidential proclamation, the removal of vegetation is restricted or prohibited;
    - (C) a congressionally-designated [wilderness](/usc/16/3102.md?p=13) study [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A); or
    - (D) an [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in which activities under [subsection (a)](#a) would be inconsistent with the applicable land and [resource management plan](/usc/16/6511.md?p=13).
  - (2) **Certain treatment prohibited—** Nothing in [subsection (a)](#a) authorizes the application of insecticides in municipal watersheds or associated riparian [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A).
  - (3) **Peer review—**
    - (A) **In general—** Before being carried out, each [applied silvicultural assessment](/usc/16/6552.md?p=1-A) under this subchapter shall be peer reviewed by scientific experts selected by the [Secretary](/usc/16/6511.md?p=14), which shall include non-Federal experts.
    - (B) **Existing peer review processes—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/6511.md?p=14) may use existing peer review processes to the extent the processes comply with [subparagraph (A)](#b-3-A).
- (c) **Public notice and comment—**
  - (1) **Public notice—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/6511.md?p=14) shall provide notice of each [applied silvicultural assessment](/usc/16/6552.md?p=1-A) proposed to be carried out under this section.
  - (2) **Public comment—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/6511.md?p=14) shall provide an opportunity for public comment before carrying out an applied silviculture assessment under this section.
- (d) **Categorical exclusion—**
  - (1) **In general—** [Applied silvicultural assessment](/usc/16/6552.md?p=1-A) and research treatments carried out under this section on not more than 1,000 acres for an assessment or treatment may be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement and environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ([42 U.S.C. 4321](/usc/42/4321.md) et seq.).
  - (2) **Administration—** [Applied silvicultural assessments](/usc/16/6552.md?p=1-A) and research treatments categorically excluded under [paragraph (1)](#d-1)—
    - (A) shall not be carried out in an [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) that is adjacent to another [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) that is categorically excluded under [paragraph (1)](#d-1) that is being treated with similar methods; and
    - (B) shall be subject to the extraordinary circumstances procedures established by the [Secretary](/usc/16/6511.md?p=14) pursuant to section 1508.4 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.
  - (3) **Maximum categorical exclusion—** The total number of acres categorically excluded under [paragraph (1)](#d-1) shall not exceed 250,000 acres.
  - (4) **No additional findings required—** In accordance with [paragraph (1)](#d-1), the [Secretary](/usc/16/6511.md?p=14) shall not be required to make any findings as to whether an [applied silvicultural assessment](/usc/16/6552.md?p=1-A) [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4), either individually or cumulatively, has a significant effect on the environment.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 108–148, title IV, § 404, Dec. 3, 2003, 117 Stat. 1910.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§ 4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.