H.R. 598 — FIR Act

This section prohibits reinitiation of consultation under section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)) or 50 CFR 402.16 (or successor regulation) on (1) Forest Service land management plans approved, amended, or revised under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 when a new species is listed or critical habitat is designated under the ESA or new information reveals previously unconsidered effects of the plan; and (2) Bureau of Land Management land use plans approved, amended, or revised under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 under the same circumstances. (As background, ESA section 7(a)(2) requires federal agencies to ensure their actions are not likely to jeopardize listed species or adversely modify critical habitat, with reinitiation required under agency regulations for changed circumstances; Forest Service plans govern national forest management, and BLM plans govern public land uses.)