US HB528

Secretary of the Interior must annually identify federal lands requiring reforestation and restoration following unplanned disturbances (wildfires, insect infestations, disease, weather events) that are unlikely to recover naturally without assistance

Priority reforestation projects may be carried out through competitively awarded grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and contracts under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act

Covered agencies must conduct outreach to Indian Tribes, states, territories, local governments, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian organizations, institutions of higher education, and adjacent federal agencies

Annual reports to Congress required starting 2 years after enactment, detailing covered lands needing restoration, priority project progress, grants and contracts established, and recommendations for addressing seed/seedling gaps and reforestation backlogs

Applies to lands administered by federal land management agencies and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, including Indian Forest Land and Rangeland