---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 6592d"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "6592d"
heading: "Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership program"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/6592d"
units:
  - "Chapter 84 — Healthy Forest Restoration"
  - "Subchapter VI — Miscellaneous"
---

# §6592d. Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership program

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Chiefs—** The term “Chiefs” means the Chief of the Forest Service and the Chief of the Natural [Resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8) [Conservation](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) Service.
  - (2) **Eligible activity—** The term “eligible activity” means an activity—
    - (A) to reduce the risk of wildfire;
    - (B) to protect water quality and supply; or
    - (C) to improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species.
  - (3) **Program—** The term “Program” means the Joint [Chiefs](#a-1) Landscape [Restoration](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) [Partnership](/usc/16/8202.md?p=7) program established under [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1).
  - (4) **Secretary—** The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
  - (5) **Wildland-urban interface—** The term “[wildland-urban interface](/usc/16/6513.md?p=d-1-C)” has the meaning given the term in [section 6511 of this title](/usc/16/6511.md).
- (b) **Establishment—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](#a-4) shall establish a Joint [Chiefs](#a-1) Landscape [Restoration](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) [Partnership](/usc/16/8202.md?p=7) [program](#a-3) to improve the health and [resilience](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) of forest landscapes across [National Forest System land](/usc/16/6592c.md?p=a-5) and [State](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2), Tribal, and private land.
  - (2) **Administration—** The [Secretary](#a-4) shall administer the [Program](#a-3) by coordinating [eligible activities](#a-2) conducted on [National Forest System land](/usc/16/6592c.md?p=a-5) and [State](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2), Tribal, or private land across a forest landscape to improve the health and [resilience](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) of the forest landscape by—
    - (A) assisting producers and landowners in implementing [eligible activities](#a-2) on eligible private or Tribal land using the applicable [programs](#a-3) and authorities administered by the Chief of the Natural [Resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8) [Conservation](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) Service under title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 ([16 U.S.C. 3801](/usc/16/3801.md) et seq.), not including the [conservation](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) reserve [program](#a-3) established under subchapter B of [chapter 1](/usc/16/ch1.md) of subtitle D of that title ([16 U.S.C. 3831](/usc/16/3831.md) et seq.); and
    - (B) conducting [eligible activities](#a-2) on [National Forest System land](/usc/16/6592c.md?p=a-5) or assisting landowners in implementing [eligible activities](#a-2) on [State](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2), Tribal, or private land using the applicable [programs](#a-3) and authorities administered by the Chief of the Forest Service.
- (c) **Selection of eligible activities—** The appropriate Regional Forester and [State](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) Conservationist shall jointly submit to the [Chiefs](#a-1) on an annual basis [proposals](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) for [eligible activities](#a-2) under the [Program](#a-3).
- (d) **Evaluation criteria—** In evaluating and selecting [proposals](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) submitted under [subsection (c)](#c), the [Chiefs](#a-1) shall consider—
  - (1) criteria including whether the [proposal](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3)—
    - (A) reduces wildfire risk in a municipal watershed or the [wildland-urban interface](/usc/16/6513.md?p=d-1-C);
    - (B) was developed through a collaborative process with participation from diverse stakeholders;
    - (C) increases forest workforce capacity or forest business infrastructure and development;
    - (D) leverages existing authorities and non-Federal funding;
    - (E) provides measurable outcomes; or
    - (F) supports established [State](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) and regional priorities; and
  - (2) such other criteria relating to the merits of the [proposals](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) as the [Chiefs](#a-1) determine to be appropriate.
- (e) **Outreach—** The [Secretary](#a-4) shall provide—
  - (1) public notice on the websites of the Forest Service and the Natural [Resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8) [Conservation](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) Service describing—
    - (A) the solicitation of [proposals](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) under [subsection (c)](#c); and
    - (B) the criteria for selecting [proposals](/usc/16/7302.md?p=3) in accordance with [subsection (d)](#d); and
  - (2) information relating to the [Program](#a-3) and activities funded under the [Program](#a-3) to [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r), [Indian Tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g), [units](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of local government, and private landowners.
- (f) **Exclusions—** An [eligible activity](#a-2) may not be carried out under the [Program](#a-3)—
  - (1) in a [wilderness](/usc/16/460mmm–1.md?p=6) [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) or designated [wilderness](/usc/16/460mmm–1.md?p=6) study [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A);
  - (2) in an inventoried roadless [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A);
  - (3) on any [Federal land](/usc/16/6502.md?p=1) on which, by Act of Congress or Presidential proclamation, the removal of vegetation is restricted or prohibited; or
  - (4) in an [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) in which the [eligible activity](#a-2) would be inconsistent with the applicable [land and resource management plan](/usc/16/6592c.md?p=a-4).
- (g) **Accountability—**
  - (1) **Initial report—** Not later than 1 year after November 15, 2021, the [Secretary](#a-4) shall submit to Congress a report providing recommendations to Congress relating to the [Program](#a-3), including a review of—
    - (A) funding mechanisms for the [Program](#a-3);
    - (B) staff capacity to carry out the [Program](#a-3);
    - (C) privacy laws applicable to the [Program](#a-3);
    - (D) data collection under the [Program](#a-3);
    - (E) monitoring and outcomes under the [Program](#a-3); and
    - (F) such other matters as the [Secretary](#a-4) considers to be appropriate.
  - (2) **Additional reports—** For each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023, the [Chiefs](#a-1) shall submit to the [Committee](/usc/16/941b.md?p=1) on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the [Committee](/usc/16/941b.md?p=1) on Appropriations of the Senate and the [Committee](/usc/16/941b.md?p=1) on Agriculture and the [Committee](/usc/16/941b.md?p=1) on Appropriations of the House of [Representatives](/usc/16/5609.md?p=13) a report describing [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) for which funding is provided under the [Program](#a-3), including the status and outcomes of those [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4).
- (h) **Funding—**
  - (1) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to the [Secretary](#a-4) to carry out the [Program](#a-3) $90,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
  - (2) **Additional funds—** In [addition](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) to the [funds](/usc/16/1421h.md?p=2) described in [paragraph (1)](#h-1), the [Secretary](#a-4) may obligate available [funds](/usc/16/1421h.md?p=2) from accounts used to carry out the existing Joint [Chiefs](#a-1)’ Landscape [Restoration](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) [Partnership](/usc/16/8202.md?p=7) prior to November 15, 2021, to carry out the [Program](#a-3).
  - (3) **Duration of availability—** [Funds](/usc/16/1421h.md?p=2) made available under [paragraph (1)](#h-1) shall remain available until expended.
  - (4) **Distribution of funds—** Of the [funds](/usc/16/1421h.md?p=2) made available under [paragraph (1)](#h-1)—
    - (A) not less than 40 percent shall be allocated to carry out [eligible activities](#a-2) through the Natural [Resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8) [Conservation](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) Service;
    - (B) not less than 40 percent shall be allocated to carry out [eligible activities](#a-2) through the Forest Service; and
    - (C) the remaining [funds](/usc/16/1421h.md?p=2) shall be allocated by the [Chiefs](#a-1) to the Natural [Resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8) [Conservation](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) Service or the Forest Service—
      - (i) to carry out [eligible activities](#a-2); or
      - (ii) for other purposes, such as technical assistance, [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) development, or local capacity building.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title VIII, § 40808, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1114.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Food Security Act of 1985, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A), is Pub. L. 99–198, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1354. Title XII of the Act is classified principally to chapter 58 (§ 3801 et seq.) of this title. Subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Act is classified generally to subpart B (§ 3831 et seq.) of part I of subchapter IV of chapter 58 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1985 Amendment note set out under section 1281 of Title 7, Agriculture, and Tables.

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and not as part of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 which comprises this chapter.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Wage Rate Requirements

For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

### Definitions

For definition of “Indian Tribe” as used in this section, see section 5304 of Title 25, Indians, as made applicable by section 18701(2) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.