Forest Resources Accountability Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 8061 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8061 To prohibit a road construction project in the White River National Forest in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 24, 2026 Mr. Neguse introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To prohibit a road construction project in the White River National Forest in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Forest Resources Accountability Act''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE. (a) Findings.--Congress finds that-- (1) Forest Service staffing decreased by 6,000 between January 20, 2025, and December 31, 2025; (2) since January 20, 2025, the reduced staffing of the Forest Service has resulted in-- (A) 40 percent less hazardous fuels reduction projects nationwide; (B) 22 percent less trails maintenance projects nationwide; and (C) significant reductions to science and research that inform Forest Service management of timber, fire, recreation, wildlife, water, and natural resources on the 193,000,000 acres managed by the Forest Service; and (3) with limited staffing resources, the Forest Service must focus on projects that address public needs, including-- (A) wildfire risk reduction; (B) forest treatments that reduce insect and disease infestation; (C) improving recreation opportunities, including trail maintenance and permitting recreation trips; (D) maintaining and improving drinking water resources; (E) sustaining healthy wildlife populations and habitat; and (F) ensuring scientifically sound stewardship of the heal