Management of restoration areas

(a) Purposes The purposes of the restoration areas are— (1) to establish, restore, and maintain fire-resilient forest structures; (2) to enhance the restoration of Federal land; (3) to reduce the threat of uncharacteristic wildfire; (4) to restore historical forest patterns and fire regimes; (5) to protect and restore aquatic habitat and watershed function; (6) to protect and restore wildlife habitat, migration corridors, and connectivity pathways, including for species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), species of conservation concern (as defined in section 219.9(c) of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations), and sensitive species (as defined in Forest Service Manual 2600–Wildlife, Fish, And Sensitive Plant Habitat Management, Chapter 2670–Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Plants and Animals); (7) to facilitate research on impacts of forest restoration activities; (8) to allow visitors to enjoy the scenic, natural, cultural, and wildlife values; (9) to conserve, protect, and enhance the scenic, fish and wildlife, recreational and cultural resources, and other natural resource values; and (10) to maintain and improve ecological functions that provide ecosystem services, including water, clean air, and carbon sequestration. (b) Management (1) In general The Secretary shall manage the restoration areas— (A) in a manner consistent with the purposes described in subsection (a); and (B) in accordance with— (i) the laws (including regulations) and rules applicable to the National Forest System; (ii) this Act; and (iii) any other applicable law (including regulations). (2) Priority Consistent with applicable law and this section, the Secretary shall ensure the implementation of restoration activities are a management priority in the restoration areas. (3) Wildland fire (A) In general Nothing in this section prohibits the Secretary, in cooperation with other Federal, State, and local agencies, as appropriate, from conducting preventative or responsive wildland fire operations in the restoration areas, consistent with the purposes described in subsection (a). (B) Prescribed fire To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall use prescribed burning to achieve the purposes described in subsection (a). (4) Vegetation management (A) In general Nothing in this section prohibits the Secretary from conducting a vegetation management project within a restoration area to enhance the restoration of land in accordance with this paragraph— (i) to ensure forest growth, type, structure, composition, and function are representative of historical variability, disturbance regimes, and projected future climate variability; (ii) to maintain or restore forest ecosystem composition, patterns, and structure; (iii) to improve habitat of threatened or endangered species, species of conservation concern, or sensitive species; (iv) to protect and improve water quality; (v) to improve forest health and reduce the likelihood of insect or disease vectors significantly altering forest composition; and (vi) to protect key recreation infrastructure and resources, including structures, viewsheds, and campgrounds. (B) Requirement A vegetation management project within a restoration area shall be carried out— (i) subject to— (I) such policies and practices as the Secretary determines appropriate; and (II) applicable law (including regulations); and (ii) in a manner consistent with— (I) one or more of the purposes described in subsection (a); and (II) any applicable recovery plan or conservation plan under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). (5) Roads (A) Permanent roads The construction of permanent roads within a restoration area shall be allowed only in areas in which permanent road construction is permitted as of the date of enactment of this Act. (B) Temporary roads (i) Construction The construction of temporary roads within a restoration area shall be allowed only as necessary to implement a vegetation management project carried out in accordance with this section. (ii) Closure (I) In general Temporary roads constructed within a restoration area after the date of enactment of this Act shall not be open for public use. (II) Enforcement The Secretary shall ensure that temporary roads constructed in a restoration area under this section are closed for public use. (iii) Removal Not later than 3 years after the date on which the applicable vegetation management project is completed, the Secretary shall decommission any temporary road constructed to implement the vegetation management project under clause (i). (C) Existing roads (i) Assessment As part of any vegetation management project carried out under paragraph (4), in accordance with clause (ii), the Secretary shall assess the effect of existing roads (as of the date of enactment of this Act) within the project area on aquatic ecosystems. (ii) Contents The Secretary shall ensure that an assessment carried out under clause (i) is consistent with subpart A of part 212 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act). (iii) Decommissioning To the extent practicable, within the restoration areas, the Secretary shall decommission National Forest System roads that the Secretary has determined are unneeded, temporary roads no longer being utilized for project purposes, and unauthorized routes— (I) subject to the availability of appropriations; and (II) in accordance with applicable law. (iv) Exception Nothing in this section prevents the Secretary from rerouting, realigning or relocating a needed permanent road in existence as of the date of enactment of this Act to protect natural resources within a restoration area from degradation, reduce sedimentation, or protect streams. (6) Grazing The grazing of livestock in restoration areas, where established before the date of enactment of this Act, shall be permitted to continue— (A) subject to— (i) such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices as the Secretary considers necessary; and (ii) applicable law; and (B) in a manner consistent with the purposes described in subsection (a). (7) Motorized vehicles The use of motorized vehicles in the restoration areas shall be permitted only on roads, trails, and areas designated for such use. (c) Collaboration In developing and implementing restoration projects in the restoration areas, the Secretary shall consult with collaborative groups with an interest in the restoration areas. (d) Conforming map correction Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in accordance with section 294.11 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), and other applicable law (including regulations), shall modify the maps of inventoried roadless areas to exclude the portions of inventoried roadless areas within the restoration areas.