TORCH Act has not moved since its introduction on Jan 3, 2025, with no cosponsors
Written by the Congressional Research Service [2]. 247 words.
Targeted Operations to Remove Catastrophic Hazards Act or the TORCH Act This bill establishes requirements concerning forest management on federal land, including provisions to expedite the approval of forest management activities. Specifically, it expands exclusions from environmental review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for certain forest management activities, including by directing the Forest Service to develop a categorical exclusion for forest management activities that mitigate the risks associated with high-priority hazard trees. A categorical exclusion is a class of actions that a federal agency has determined do not significantly affect the quality of the human environment and, thus, do not require an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement. The bill also exempts the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management from the requirement to reinitiate consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 on an approved, amended, or revised land management plan when (1) a new species is listed or critical habitat is designated, or (2) new information reveals that the land management plan may affect a listed species or critical habitat in a manner or to an extent not previously considered. It also creates and modifies requirements related to vegetation management practices and forest management activities, such as activities to reduce wildfire risks. For example, the bill modifies the treatment of certain revenue under good neighbor agreements, which allow federal agencies to partner with state and local governments to carry out certain restoration services.
- Committees
- House Agriculture Committee
House Natural Resources Committee - Policy area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources: 136 of 3,779 bills became law, 113th–118th (3.6%)
- Sponsor
- 3 of 98 bills enacted since 2013
- Text versions
- 1: introduced in house · 2,474 words
- Subjects
- Electric power generation and transmissionEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchFiresForests, forestry, treesIntergovernmental relationsLand use and conservation +3 more
- Latest action
- Apr 4, 2025: Referred to the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture.
- Records
- Congress.gov · Bill text
Each bill appears once, under its strongest link. 3 in all.
Related, per CRS or House · 3
- 119th H.R. 1110 Grazing for Wildfire Risk Reduction Act R · Reported
- 119th H.R. 598 FIR Act R · Introduced
- 119th H.R. 7578 TORCH Act R · Introduced