Locally Led Restoration Act of 2025

This bill changes how forest restoration projects and timber sales work on federal lands. Private groups can propose projects to remove wildfire fuels, but at least 10% of what they remove must be dead or dying trees or plants (such as wildfire- or beetle-killed “salvage”). The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management must publicly invite proposals at least once a year and reply within 120 days; if they say no, they can explain why and suggest fixes. They may start any needed environmental review within 120 days after getting a proposal. Projects must offer the best value, follow existing forest plans, and cannot take place in wilderness areas, inventoried roadless areas, or places where removing vegetation is already banned by law.

It also raises the dollar amount that triggers formal advertising for U.S. Forest Service timber sales to $55,000, with the aim of reflecting inflation since the original rule and addressing inflation going forward. Within five years, the Government Accountability Office must report how many proposals were received, how many contracts were signed, and how many acres were thinned or had hazardous fuels reduced.

Key points

• Who is affected: Communities near federal forests; private groups and companies proposing projects; the U.S. Forest Service and BLM.
• What changes: At least 10% of removal must be salvage; yearly public call for proposals; 120-day agency responses; possible environmental review start within 120 days; no projects in wilderness or inventoried roadless areas; “best value” selection; higher timber sale ad threshold of $55,000 .
• When: A federal report is due within five years after the law takes effect.