The "Fix Our Forests Act" is a legislative proposal focused on a comprehensive approach to forest management that includes designating high-priority wildfire areas, enhancing collaborative forest restoration efforts, reforming forest-related litigation, supporting community wildfire defense programs, leveraging technology for transparency, promoting white oak resilience, and establishing casualty assistance for firefighters.

In this section, the bill defines important terms such as "Director," "fireshed," and "forest plan," which are used throughout the legislation. These definitions clarify roles, areas of responsibility, and specific activities or entities mentioned in the bill to avoid confusion and ensure everyone understands the specifics when these terms are referenced.

For the next five years, certain high-risk areas called "fireshed management areas" will be designated based on wildfire risk criteria, and after that period, these maps will be updated every five years. These areas will be managed to prevent wildfires, may contain both federal and non-federal lands, and this designation process is not subject to environmental policy reviews.

The Fireshed Center is being established by the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Geological Survey to assess wildfire risks, improve data sharing, and coordinate responses to wildland fires using advanced tools like artificial intelligence. It will bring together representatives from various federal agencies and other entities to streamline wildfire management, enhance public safety, support post-fire recovery, and promote cooperation across jurisdictions.

The Fireshed Registry section establishes a publicly accessible website that provides detailed geospatial data on individual firesheds, including information on wildfire exposure, hazardous fuels management activities, and spatial patterns of wildfire exposure. It also outlines requirements for making this data available to communities for wildfire protection planning, maintaining a searchable database of related federal project statuses and costs, and measuring the effectiveness of completed management projects.

The section outlines that within 90 days of a request from a state governor or an Indian Tribe, the responsible Secretary must form an agreement with them to reduce wildfire risks and carry out assessments in specific management areas. Additionally, these agreements can be updated to include more management areas or address new wildfire threats if requested.

In this section, it's explained that the government and specific states or Indian Tribes will work together to assess areas at risk for wildfires, known as firesheds. They will identify risks, prioritize projects to reduce these risks, and involve local governments when requested, using the best science and incorporating traditional knowledge to guide their work.

The bill section outlines a plan for managing firesheds, detailing activities like hazardous fuel management and tree removal, and establishes legal frameworks and partnerships to streamline these projects. It also expands the size of projects permitted under existing forestry laws and increases collaboration between federal and local authorities, including tribal governments.

The section explains that the authority given by this part of the law will end 7 years after the law is enacted.

The section amends the Agricultural Act of 2014 to include "special districts" along with states and Indian tribes in managing forest and land restoration projects under good neighbor agreements. It also extends funding authorization for these projects until 2030 and makes the changes applicable to certain ongoing and future projects.

The section updates the Healthy Forests Restoration Act by allowing forest product infrastructure to grow and extending certain contracts from 10 to 20 years. It introduces a rule for long-term contracts, requiring 10% payment to entities if a contract is canceled or terminated, and defines these contracts as those lasting more than 5 years and made after this rule is enacted.

The section requires the Secretary to create teams to help with reviewing environmental and historic preservation processes more quickly, getting areas ready for fireshed projects, and carrying out those projects. The Secretary can include up to 10 people on these teams, including government employees, private contractors, and volunteers, and this authority will end 7 years after the law is enacted.

Section 114 of the bill focuses on locally-led restoration efforts. It increases the financial threshold for National Forest Management projects from $10,000 to $55,000 and requires annual adjustments based on inflation starting in 2027. Additionally, it mandates the Secretary to start soliciting bids for fireshed management projects within 30 days of the bill's enactment.

The section amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to expand the goals of landscape restoration projects, including recovery from wildfires and enhancement of natural resources. It also specifies updates to wildfire impact considerations and extends certain program requirements through 2030.

The amendments to the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program in the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 include modifications to address standardized monitoring questions, support collaborative processes, and encourage innovative proposals such as using good neighbor agreements and tackling issues like insect and disease management. Additionally, these amendments aim to increase ecological restoration activities, manage firewood and Christmas tree sales, and improve watershed health while extending the program's funding authorization from 2025 through 2030.

The section outlines a plan for using livestock grazing to help reduce wildfire risks. This includes allowing grazing on unused land during natural disasters, using targeted grazing techniques, issuing temporary permits to manage plant growth, employing grazing for recovery after fires, and utilizing all legal authorities available.

The section revises the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to include new definitions and guidelines for projects aimed at protecting and restoring watersheds. It emphasizes collaboration with non-Federal partners, prioritizes projects that mitigate environmental risks like droughts and wildfires, and encourages the use of nature-based solutions. Additionally, it requires water source management plans to be scientifically sound and aligned with existing forest plans.

The section makes changes to the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 by removing the words “protection and” from specific parts of the law related to watershed conditions.

The section outlines rules for courts reviewing legal challenges to certain government actions related to environmental projects. It states that courts cannot stop an agency's action unless it poses significant environmental harm and no other remedies exist, and it sets specific time limits and participation requirements for filing lawsuits.

The bill section outlines that the Secretary is not required to restart consultations on forest or land management plans when a new species is listed or when new information about effects on species or habitats comes to light, unless stipulated by the Endangered Species Act. This applies to both the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management plans under specified acts.

The Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Program is an initiative set up by various federal agencies to help reduce the risk and damage of wildfires in communities, including tribal areas, by promoting research, supporting fire-resistant building practices, and encouraging partnerships for managing hazardous fuels. The program also offers a simplified portal for applying for related disaster and management grants, and it will end seven years after its inception.

The Community Wildfire Defense Research Program is a new initiative aimed at improving the wildfire-resistance of structures and communities. It will focus on using affordable building materials, enhancing home defenses, designing better subdivisions, and other innovations, with a special competition for innovative designs that can be widely used. This program will end seven years after the law is enacted, and efforts will be coordinated to avoid duplicating work with the Department of Energy.

The text describes changes to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act related to managing vegetation near electric power lines and working with private landowners. It updates the distance for managing hazard trees, involves private landowners in decisions about removing trees from their land, and outlines a process for reviewing and approving plans, including specific timelines and steps for feedback if a plan is modified.

This section establishes a categorical exclusion for certain forest management activities related to electric utility lines, meaning they do not require an environmental assessment or impact statement, except in restricted areas like wilderness preservation systems. It also restricts the creation of permanent roads and mandates the decommissioning of temporary roads within three years of completing the activities.

The "Seeds of Success strategy" mandates that within two years, the Secretaries along with the Secretary of Defense create and execute a plan to bolster the domestic seed supply chain. This plan includes promoting native plant growth, aiding wildfire recovery efforts, expanding seed storage, and improving seed permit processes, with a report on its development to be submitted to Congress.

The section establishes a program led by the Secretary of the Interior, collaborating with other federal agencies and stakeholders, to identify and support projects for reforesting and restoring U.S. lands affected by unexpected disturbances. The program requires consultation with various groups, yearly updates to Congress, and ensures that efforts do not duplicate those in other related sections, with a sunset clause ending the authority after seven years.

The section describes the requirement for the Secretaries to develop standard procedures for the payment timelines related to fire suppression cost share agreements under the Reciprocal Fire Protection Act. It also emphasizes aligning these agreements with cooperative fire protection agreements and mandates timely reimbursement to local fire departments, ideally within a year of a fire suppression event.

The bill section focuses on promoting and researching biochar, a carbonized biomass, by establishing a program for demonstration projects and providing grants for research. These efforts aim to enhance biochar's development, commercial viability, and environmental benefits, with a particular emphasis on its potential in creating jobs, aiding forest health, and improving agricultural practices.

The section mandates that starting from the next fiscal year, the Secretary must report to Congress the number of federal land acres where hazardous fuels reduction activities, like cutting down vegetation to prevent wildfires, were done. This report must include details such as the location of these lands, their wildfire risk level, and the cost and effectiveness of these activities. Additionally, standardized procedures are required to ensure accurate data collection, and a study will be conducted to evaluate the implementation of these requirements. No extra money is authorized for these tasks.

The section establishes a pilot program to test and demonstrate new technologies for preventing and managing wildfires, involving public and private partnerships, including federal agencies and private entities. The program prioritizes innovative technologies and requires annual reporting to assess technology deployment, costs, and effectiveness, with the program set to end seven years after the act's enactment.

The section requires the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a study within three years on the Forest Service's wildland firefighting effectiveness, the transparency in its financial processes, and the possibility of creating a new federal agency to manage wildland fires. A report with the study's findings must be submitted to Congress.

The Chief of the Forest Service is required to conduct a study within 5 years to evaluate possible sites in at least three states for a new Western headquarters and assess the benefits of establishing it, such as better customer service and cost savings. A report of the study's findings must be submitted to Congress.

The section outlines the obligations of the Secretary related to maintaining and updating forest plans. It requires ensuring plans comply with specific legal requirements, prioritizing updates for non-compliant plans, making information publicly accessible, and reporting to Congress about plan status and updates. If the Secretary does not act promptly and within available resources, a court may order an accelerated update of the plan.

The section mandates that within 90 days of the law's passing, the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior, along with certain aviation boards, evaluate how well a container aerial firefighting system works in controlling wildfires. A report of their findings must be submitted to Congressional Committees within 120 days.

The section requires the Secretary, through the Chief of the Forest Service, to conduct a study within one year on the causes, effects, and solutions for pine beetle infestations in the Northeastern U.S. It also mandates that a report with the study results be submitted to the relevant Congressional Committees.

In Section 309, the Secretary may allow electrical utilities to cut and remove trees or vegetation near utility lines on National Forest lands if it complies with management plans and environmental laws, without requiring a separate timber sale. If the utility sells the removed material, they must give the proceeds to the Forest Service, minus transportation costs. However, selling the removed material is not mandatory.

The White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition is being set up as a group made up of government bodies and private organizations to help restore white oak trees in the U.S. Their tasks include coordinating restoration efforts, improving related policies, enhancing communication among landowners, and supporting research and outreach activities. The coalition may get funding and resources from the government, and the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture will provide necessary support.

The bill section creates a pilot program where the Forest Service will start five projects to restore white oak trees in national forests. At least three of these projects must be in forests reserved or withdrawn from the public domain, and the program's authority will end seven years after the law is enacted.

The Department of the Interior is tasked with evaluating its lands to determine the presence and restoration potential of white oak forests and must report the findings. Following the report, they will initiate five pilot projects to restore white oak, can form cooperative agreements to help with these efforts, and these activities will end after seven years.

The section establishes the "White Oak and Upland Oak Habitat Regeneration Program" to enhance the growth of white oak in the U.S. by using science and partnerships, coordinating with Federal and State entities, and managing restoration projects. A voluntary grant and assistance program will be overseen by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which will manage funds to ensure the program’s success, with a termination of authority set for seven years after enactment.

The bill section requires the Secretary, through the Chief of the Forest Service, to create and implement a national strategy within one year to increase tree nursery capacity across various sectors to address seedling shortages. This strategy must be based on the best available science and should identify regional needs, opportunities to boost seedling diversity, and obstacles to increasing nursery capacity.

The Secretary is allowed to work with Indian Tribes or institutions like land grant colleges to research different aspects of white oak trees, including their genetic diversity and reforestation methods. This effort will involve studying resistant genes, growth characteristics, and the economic impacts of managing white oak forests, and will end seven years after the law's enactment.

The Secretary of Agriculture, through coordination with various agencies, will initiate a program aimed at revitalizing white oak forests by replanting, managing existing trees, providing assistance to landowners, and improving nursery and seedling resources. This initiative will end 7 years from the date the law is enacted.

The section gives the Secretary of the Interior and another Secretary the authority to use their powers together with other laws to perform projects like good neighbor agreements and stewardship contracting projects, which are updated by this Act.

The Wildland Fire Management Casualty Assistance Program is designed to help families of firefighters and wildland fire support personnel who are injured, become ill, or die while on duty. It includes providing notifications, covering travel expenses, offering case management, and informing them about benefits, without changing existing benefits for line-of-duty deaths.