H.R. 179 — Proven Forest Management Act of 2025

This section establishes requirements and authorities for forest management activities on National Forest System lands administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. Specifically, it (1) directs coordination with impacted parties to increase efficiency and compatibility of management practices; (2) requires such activities to attain multiple ecosystem benefits—including reducing forest fuels, maintaining biological diversity, improving wetland and water quality (including in Stream Environment Zones), and increasing resilience to changing water temperature and precipitation—unless costs are excessive; (3) requires establishment of post-program ground condition criteria for disturbances and monitoring for attainment; (4) provides a categorical exclusion from NEPA for fuel reduction activities not exceeding 10,000 acres (including not more than 3,000 acres of mechanical thinning), notwithstanding prior limits in section 423 of the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-8), if developed in coordination with local governments and other entities and consistent with the relevant forest plan; and (5) authorizes cooperative agreements with qualified entities for fuel reduction, erosion control, reforestation, Stream Environment Zone restoration, and similar activities on federal and non-federal lands. The section defines key terms, including "forest management activity," "National Forest System," "Secretary concerned," and "Stream Environment Zone."