Sec. 103. Experimental forests
425 words·~2 min read·
/bill/118/s/2991/rs/section-103A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The purposes of this section are— to formally authorize the experimental forests and rangelands on National Forest System land existing on the date of enactment of this Act; and to require that— the network of those experimental forests and rangelands be maintained in perpetuity; and climate resiliency research is continuously conducted within the network. The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service (referred to in this section as the Secretary ), shall establish and manage a network of experimental forests and ranges on National Forest System land (referred to in this section as the network ).
The Secretary shall manage the network for the purposes of— research; technology transfer; and education. The network shall include— each of the forest cover types that occur in the United States, as defined by the Forest Cover Types of the United States and Canada published by the Society of American Forests; an experimental forest that contains forest cover types found in the State of Hawaii; and an experimental forest that contains forest cover types found in the territories of the United States.
Within the network, the Secretary shall conduct research, including research on— seedling establishment, site suitability, and tree planting designs to inform and assist efforts undertaken in the United States to establish stands of trees that are resilient in future climate conditions; and the sources and fates of carbon to construct and improve models of carbon responses to land management practices. All data collected and research findings developed from projects undertaken on the network shall be made readily accessible to the public.
The Secretary may enter into an agreement with a State (including a State forestry agency), an educational institution, or a third party to fund or conduct research on the network. Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing, with respect to the network— the location of the network on National Forest System land; the forest cover types included in the network; and any additional resources needed— to establish or maintain infrastructure in an established experimental forest; or to conduct the research described in subsection (d).
Nothing in this section— modifies, limits, or repeals the applicability of any provision of law (including regulations) to National Forest System land; or precludes the Secretary from authorizing multiple-use activities, including livestock grazing and other authorized uses on land included within the network.