Action Versus No Action Act

This bill narrows what the federal government has to study in environmental reviews for some forest projects on public lands. For qualifying projects, agencies may look at only two choices: do the proposed project, or do nothing. It applies when the land is open for timber and the project is in an insect-and-disease treatment area, was built through a collaborative process, was proposed by a resource advisory committee, or is covered by a community wildfire protection plan .

When reviewing the “do nothing” choice, the agencies should consider likely effects on forest health, wildfire risk, insects and disease, habitat, timber production, and what that could mean for life and property, local water supply, wildlife habitat, and other economic and social factors .

• Who is affected: The Forest Service and the Interior Department when they review certain forest projects on public lands suitable for timber.
• What changes: Reviews are limited to two options—do the project or do nothing—and “do nothing” must consider specific risks and impacts listed above .
• When it applies: During environmental reviews of qualifying forest management projects that meet the listed conditions.