Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act of 2025
Last recorded step: House, Mar 17, 2026.
Nothing scheduled on the calendars we hold.
This bill would require the Department of the Interior to identify and prioritize reforestation projects on federal and tribal lands.
What it does
This bill would direct the Department of the Interior to establish a program for reforestation and restoration on federal and tribal lands following unplanned disturbances, such as natural disasters. The Department would be required to identify areas unlikely to recover naturally and create a prioritized list of restoration projects for each fiscal year. To carry out these projects, the Department could issue grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, including efforts to ensure the availability of necessary seeds and seedlings.
Who is affected
This bill affects federal agencies responsible for land management, including the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Forest Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs. It also impacts stakeholders associated with Indian Forest Land and Rangeland that require reforestation following unplanned disturbances. Additionally, entities capable of entering into grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements for restoration projects or seed and seedling production are affected by the program's implementation.
Key provisions
- Establishment of post-disaster reforestation and restoration program. The Department of the Interior is directed to implement a program to restore and reforest lands that have experienced unplanned disturbances and are unlikely to regenerate naturally.
- Identification and prioritization of restoration projects. The Department must identify eligible lands across multiple federal agencies and Indian lands, then propose an annual list of prioritized projects for reforestation and restoration.
- Project implementation and resource support. The Department may execute priority projects through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements. This includes supporting efforts to ensure the availability of seeds and seedlings necessary for project objectives.
Fiscal impact
- H.R. 528, Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act of 2025· As reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on September 15, 2025
Effective dates
The bill's provisions regarding the prioritization of reforestation and restoration projects are structured to occur on a fiscal year basis.
Relationship to existing law
The bill expands federal land management authorities by directing the Department of the Interior to coordinate reforestation and restoration efforts across lands administered by the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to facilitate the reforestation and restoration of federal and Indian lands following unplanned disturbances, specifically targeting areas unlikely to regenerate naturally without intervention. It establishes a prioritized program to identify and execute restoration projects through grants, contracts, and efforts to ensure the availability of necessary seeds and seedlings.