H.R. 528: Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act of 2025, aims to establish a program for reforesting and restoring lands that have been adversely affected by unplanned disturbances such as wildfires, insect infestations, diseases, or severe weather events. Here are the main components of the bill:

Establishment of a Program

The bill mandates the Secretary of the Interior to create a Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Program. This program shall:

• Identify lands that need reforestation and restoration within one year of the bill's passage and annually thereafter.
• Focus on lands that are unlikely to regenerate naturally without assistance.

Priority Projects

The Secretary is required to consult with relevant agencies to:

• Develop a list of priority reforestation and restoration projects for each fiscal year.
• Implement these projects using several methods, including:
• Grants awarded through a competitive process.
• Contracts.
• Contracts established under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
• Cooperative agreements following the requirements established by the Secretary.
• Support necessary for securing adequate seeds and seedlings for these projects.

Agency Outreach

Covered agencies must engage in outreach activities to various stakeholders, including:

• Indian Tribes
• States and territories
• Local governments
• Organizations representing Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians
• Institutions of higher education
• Federal agencies with relevant land jurisdiction
• Other stakeholders identified by the Secretary

Reporting Requirements

The Secretary is tasked with submitting annual reports to Congress detailing:

• The lands identified for reforestation and restoration.
• Progress made on priority projects.
• Details on grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements related to these projects.
• Outreach efforts conducted to support these initiatives.
• Recommendations to address any gaps in seed and seedling availability or funding.

Definitions

The bill includes specific definitions for key terms such as:

• Covered agency: Federal land management agencies and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
• Covered lands: Federal lands and Indian Forest Land or Rangeland under the administration of covered agencies.
• Unplanned disturbance: Disturbances such as wildfires or extreme weather that disrupt ecosystem balance.

Implementation Timeline

The implementation of this program is to begin within one year of the bill's enactment, with ongoing annual assessments and reports to track progress and adjustments needed to meet the reforestation and restoration goals.

Relevant Companies

• DOW: Dow Chemical Company may be involved in supplying materials for restoration efforts or developing products for land management and sustainability.
• DE: Deere & Company could provide equipment used in reforestation projects, such as tree planting and forest management machinery.
• NTR: Nutrien Ltd. could be involved in providing fertilizers and other materials necessary for healthy reforestation and restoration activities.