---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 7303"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "7303"
heading: "Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/7303"
units:
  - "Chapter 92 — Forest Landscape Restoration"
---

# §7303. Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4), in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) of the Interior, shall establish a Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration [Program](/usc/16/7302.md?p=2) to select and [fund](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1) ecological restoration treatments for priority forest landscapes in accordance with—
  - (1) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ([16 U.S.C. 1531](/usc/16/1531.md) et seq.);
  - (2) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ([42 U.S.C. 4321](/usc/42/4321.md) et seq.); and
  - (3) any other applicable law.
- (b) **Eligibility criteria—** To be eligible for nomination under [subsection (c)](#c), a collaborative forest landscape restoration [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) shall—
  - (1) be based on a landscape restoration [strategy](/usc/16/7302.md?p=5) that—
    - (A) is complete or substantially complete;
    - (B) identifies and prioritizes ecological restoration treatments for a 10-year period within a landscape that is—
      - (i) at least 50,000 acres;
      - (ii) comprised primarily of forested National Forest System land, but may also include land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, or other Federal, [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), tribal, or private land;
      - (iii) in need of active ecosystem restoration; and
      - (iv) accessible by existing or proposed wood-processing infrastructure at an appropriate scale to use woody biomass and small-diameter wood removed in ecological restoration treatments;
    - (C) incorporates the best available science and scientific application tools in ecological restoration [strategies](/usc/16/7302.md?p=5);
    - (D) fully maintains, or contributes toward the restoration of, the structure and composition of old growth stands according to the pre-fire suppression old growth conditions characteristic of the forest type, [taking](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) into account the contribution of the stand to landscape fire adaptation and watershed health and retaining the large trees contributing to old growth structure;
    - (E) would carry out any forest restoration treatments that reduce hazardous fuels by—
      - (i) focusing on small diameter trees, thinning, strategic fuel breaks, and fire use to modify fire behavior, as measured by the projected reduction of uncharacteristically severe wildfire effects for the forest type (such as adverse soil impacts, tree mortality or other impacts); and
      - (ii) maximizing the retention of large trees, as appropriate for the forest type, to the extent that the trees promote fire-resilient stands; and
    - (F)
      - (i) does not include the establishment of permanent roads; and
      - (ii) would commit funding to decommission all temporary roads constructed to carry out the [strategy](/usc/16/7302.md?p=5);
  - (2) be developed and implemented through a collaborative process that—
    - (A) includes multiple interested [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) representing diverse interests; and
    - (B)
      - (i) is transparent and nonexclusive; or
      - (ii) meets the requirements for a resource [advisory committee](/usc/16/698u–1.md?p=1) under subsections (c) through (f) of [section 7125 of this title](/usc/16/7125.md);[^1]
  - (3) describe plans to—
    - (A) reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire, including through the use of fire for ecological restoration and maintenance and reestablishing natural fire regimes, where appropriate;
    - (B) improve [fish and wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17) habitat, including for endangered, threatened, and sensitive species;
    - (C) maintain or improve water quality and watershed function;
    - (D) prevent, remediate, or control invasions of exotic species;
    - (E) maintain, decommission, and rehabilitate roads and trails;
    - (F) use woody biomass and small-diameter trees produced from [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) implementing the [strategy](/usc/16/7302.md?p=5);
    - (G) report annually on performance, including through performance measures from the plan entitled the “10 Year Comprehensive [Strategy](/usc/16/7302.md?p=5) Implementation Plan” and dated December 2006; and
    - (H) [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) into account any applicable community wildfire protection plan;
  - (4) analyze any anticipated cost savings, including those resulting from—
    - (A) reduced wildfire management costs; and
    - (B) a decrease in the [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) costs of implementing ecological restoration treatments over time;
  - (5) estimate—
    - (A) the annual Federal funding necessary to implement the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3); and
    - (B) the amount of new non-Federal investment for carrying out the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) that would be leveraged;
  - (6) describe the collaborative process through which the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) was developed, including a description of—
    - (A) participation by or consultation with [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), local, and Tribal governments; and
    - (B) any established record of successful collaborative planning and implementation of ecological restoration [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) on National Forest System land and other land included in the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) by the collaborators; and
  - (7) benefit local economies by providing local employment or training opportunities through contracts, grants, or agreements for restoration planning, design, implementation, or monitoring with—
    - (A) local private, nonprofit, or cooperative entities;
    - (B) Youth Conservation Corps crews or related partnerships, with [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), local, and non-profit youth groups;
    - (C) existing or proposed small or micro-businesses, clusters, or incubators; or
    - (D) other entities that will hire or train local people to complete such contracts, grants, or agreements; and
  - (8) be subject to any other requirements that the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4), in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) of the Interior, determines to be necessary for the efficient and effective administration of the [program](/usc/16/7302.md?p=2).
- (c) **Nomination process—**
  - (1) **Submission—** A [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) shall be submitted to—
    - (A) the appropriate Regional Forester; and
    - (B) if actions under the jurisdiction of the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) of the Interior are proposed, the appropriate—
      - (i) [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) Director of the Bureau of Land Management;
      - (ii) Regional Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs; or
      - (iii) other official of the Department of the Interior.
  - (2) **Nomination—**
    - (A) **In general—** A Regional Forester may nominate for selection by the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) any [proposals](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) that meet the eligibility criteria established by [subsection (b)](#b).
    - (B) **Concurrence—** Any [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) nominated by the Regional Forester that proposes actions under the jurisdiction of the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) of the Interior shall include the concurrence of the appropriate—
      - (i) [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) Director of the Bureau of Land Management;
      - (ii) Regional Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs; or
      - (iii) other official of the Department of the Interior.
  - (3) **Documentation—** With respect to each [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) that is nominated under [paragraph (2)](#c-2)—
    - (A) the appropriate Regional Forester shall—
      - (i) include a plan to use Federal [funds](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1) allocated to the region to [fund](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1) those costs of planning and carrying out ecological restoration treatments on National Forest System land, consistent with the [strategy](/usc/16/7302.md?p=5), that would not be covered by amounts transferred to the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) from the [Fund](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1); and
      - (ii) provide evidence that amounts proposed to be transferred to the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) from the [Fund](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1) during the first 2 fiscal years following selection would be used to carry out ecological restoration treatments consistent with the [strategy](/usc/16/7302.md?p=5) during the same fiscal year in which the [funds](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1) are transferred to the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4);
    - (B) if actions under the jurisdiction of the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) of the Interior are proposed, the nomination shall include a plan to [fund](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1) such actions, consistent with the [strategy](/usc/16/7302.md?p=5), by the appropriate—
      - (i) [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) Director of the Bureau of Land Management;
      - (ii) Regional Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs; or
      - (iii) other official of the Department of the Interior; and
    - (C) if actions on land not under the jurisdiction of the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) or the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) of the Interior are proposed, the appropriate Regional Forester shall provide evidence that the landowner intends to participate in, and provide appropriate funding to carry out, the actions.
- (d) **Selection process—**
  - (1) **In general—** After consulting with the advisory panel established under [subsection (e)](#e), the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4), in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) of the Interior, shall, subject to [paragraph (2)](#d-2), select the best [proposals](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) that—
    - (A) have been nominated under [subsection (c)(2)](#c-2); and
    - (B) meet the eligibility criteria established by [subsection (b)](#b).
  - (2) **Criteria—** In selecting [proposals](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) under [paragraph (1)](#d-1), the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) shall give special consideration to—
    - (A) the strength of the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) and [strategy](/usc/16/7302.md?p=5);
    - (B) the strength of the ecological case of the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) and the proposed ecological restoration [strategies](/usc/16/7302.md?p=5);
    - (C) the strength of the collaborative process and the likelihood of successful collaboration throughout implementation;
    - (D) whether the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) is likely to achieve reductions in long-term wildfire management costs;
    - (E) whether the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) would reduce the relative costs of carrying out ecological restoration treatments as a result of the use of woody biomass and small-diameter trees; and
    - (F) whether an appropriate level of non-Federal investment would be leveraged in carrying out the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3).
  - (3) **Limitation—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) may select not more than—
    - (A) 10 [proposals](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) to be funded during any fiscal year;
    - (B) 2 [proposals](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) in any 1 region of the National Forest System to be funded during any fiscal year; and
    - (C) the number of [proposals](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) that the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) determines are likely to receive adequate funding.
  - (4) **Waiver—**
    - (A) **In general—** Subject to [subparagraph (B)](#d-4-B), after consulting with the advisory panel established under [subsection (e)](#e), if the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) determines that a [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) that has been selected under [paragraph (1)](#d-1) and is being carried out continues to meet the eligibility criteria established by [subsection (b)](#b), the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4), on a case-by-case basis, may issue for the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) a 1-time extension of the 10-year period requirement under [paragraph (1)(B)](#d-1-B) of that subsection.
    - (B) **Limitation—** The extension described in [subparagraph (A)](#d-4-A)—
      - (i) shall be for the shortest period of time practicable to complete implementation of the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3), as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4); and
      - (ii) shall not exceed 10 years.
- (e) **Advisory panel—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) shall establish and maintain an advisory panel comprised of not more than 15 members to evaluate, and provide recommendations on, each [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) that has been nominated under [subsection (c)(2)](#c-2).
  - (2) **Representation—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) shall ensure that the membership of the advisory panel is fairly balanced in terms of the points of view represented and the functions to be performed by the advisory panel.
  - (3) **Inclusion—** The advisory panel shall include experts in ecological restoration, fire ecology, fire management, rural economic development, [strategies](/usc/16/7302.md?p=5) for ecological adaptation to climate change, [fish and wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17) ecology, and woody biomass and small-diameter tree utilization.
- (f) **Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund—**
  - (1) **Establishment—** There is established in the Treasury of the United States a [fund](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1), to be known as the “Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration [Fund](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1)”, to be used to pay up to 50 percent of the cost of carrying out and monitoring ecological restoration treatments on National Forest System land for each [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) selected to be carried out under [subsection (d)](#d).
  - (2) **Inclusion—** The cost of carrying out ecological restoration treatments as provided in [paragraph (1)](#f-1) may, as the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) determines to be appropriate, include cancellation and termination costs required to be obligated for contracts to carry out ecological restoration treatments on National Forest System land for each [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) selected to be carried out under [subsection (d)](#d).
  - (3) **Contents—** The [Fund](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1) shall consist of such amounts as are appropriated to the [Fund](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1) under [paragraph (6)](#f-6).
  - (4) **Expenditures from Fund—**
    - (A) **In general—** On request by the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4), the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) of the Treasury shall transfer from the [Fund](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1) to the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) such amounts as the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) determines are appropriate, in accordance with [paragraph (1)](#f-1).
    - (B) **Limitation—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) shall not expend money from the [Fund](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1) on any 1 [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3)—
      - (i) during a period of more than 10 fiscal years; or
      - (ii) in excess of $4,000,000 in any 1 fiscal year.
    - (C) **Exception—** The limitation described in [subparagraph (B)(i)](#f-4-B-i) shall not apply to a [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) for which a 1-time extension is granted under [subsection (d)(4)](#d-4).
  - (5) **Accounting and reporting system—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) shall establish an accounting and reporting system for the [Fund](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1).
  - (6) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to the [Fund](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1) $80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain available until expended.
- (g) **Program implementation and monitoring—**
  - (1) **Work plan—** Not later than 180 days after the date on which a [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) is selected to be carried out, the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) shall create, in collaboration with the interested [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b), an implementation work plan and budget to implement the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) that includes—
    - (A) a description of the manner in which the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) would be implemented to achieve ecological and community economic benefit, including capacity building to accomplish restoration;
    - (B) a business plan that addresses—
      - (i) the anticipated [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) treatment cost reductions over 10 years;
      - (ii) the anticipated costs for infrastructure needed for the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3);
      - (iii) the projected sustainability of the supply of woody biomass and small-diameter trees removed in ecological restoration treatments; and
      - (iv) the projected local economic benefits of the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3);
    - (C) documentation of the non-Federal investment in the priority landscape, including the sources and uses of the investments; and
    - (D) a plan to decommission any temporary roads established to carry out the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3).
  - (2) **Project implementation—** Amounts transferred to the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) from the [Fund](/usc/16/7302.md?p=1) shall be used to carry out ecological restoration treatments that are—
    - (A) consistent with the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) and [strategy](/usc/16/7302.md?p=5); and
    - (B) identified through the collaborative process described in [subsection (b)(2)](#b-2).
  - (3) **Annual report—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4), in collaboration with the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) of the Interior and interested [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b), shall prepare an annual report on the accomplishments of each selected [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) that includes—
    - (A) a description of all acres (or other appropriate [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4)) treated and restored through [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) implementing the [strategy](/usc/16/7302.md?p=5);
    - (B) an evaluation of progress, including performance measures and how prior year evaluations have contributed to improved [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) performance;
    - (C) a description of community benefits achieved, including any local economic benefits;
    - (D) the results of the multiparty monitoring, evaluation, and accountability process under [paragraph (4)](#g-4); and
    - (E) a summary of the costs of—
      - (i) treatments; and
      - (ii) relevant fire management activities.
  - (4) **Multiparty monitoring—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) shall, in collaboration with the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) of the Interior and interested [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b), use a multiparty monitoring, evaluation, and accountability process to assess the positive or negative ecological, social, and economic effects of [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) implementing a selected [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) for not less than 15 years after [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) implementation commences.
- (h) **Report—** Not later than 5 years after the first fiscal year in which funding is made available to carry out ecological restoration [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) under the [program](/usc/16/7302.md?p=2), and every 5 years thereafter, the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4), in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/16/7302.md?p=4) of the Interior, shall submit a report on the [program](/usc/16/7302.md?p=2), including an assessment of whether, and to what extent, the [program](/usc/16/7302.md?p=2) is fulfilling the purposes of this chapter, to—
  - (1) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate;
  - (2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
  - (3) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate;
  - (4) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives;
  - (5) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
  - (6) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–11, title IV, § 4003, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1141; Pub. L. 115–334, title VIII, § 8629, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4865.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884, which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§ 1531 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1531 of this title and Tables.

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), 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.

Section 7125 of this title, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B)(ii), was in the original “section 205 of Public Law 106–393 (16 U.S.C. 500 note)” and was translated as referring to section 205 of Pub. L. 106–393 as added by Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title VI, § 601(a), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3905, which is classified to section 7125 of this title. A prior section 205 of Pub. L. 106–393 containing substantially similar provisions was set out in a note under section 500 of this title prior to repeal by Pub. L. 110–343, div. C, title VI, § 601(a), Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3893.

### Amendments

2018—Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 115–334, § 8629(a), added par. (4).

Subsec. (f)(4)(C). Pub. L. 115–334, § 8629(b), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (f)(6). Pub. L. 115–334, § 8629(c), substituted “$80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023” for “$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2019”.

Subsec. (h)(3) to (6). Pub. L. 115–334, § 8629(d), added pars. (3) and (6) and redesignated former pars. (3) and (4) as (4) and (5), respectively.