16 U.S.C. § 2113a | Good neighbor authority

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Authorized restoration services

The term “authorized restoration services” means similar and complementary forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services carried out—

(A)

on Federal land, non-Federal land, and land owned by an Indian tribe; and

(B)

by either the Secretary or a Governor or county, as applicable, pursuant to a good neighbor agreement.

(2)

County

The term “county” means—

(A)

the appropriate executive official of an affected county; or

(B)

in any case in which multiple counties are affected, the appropriate executive official of a compact of the affected counties.

(3)

Federal land

(A)

In general

The term “Federal land” means land that is—

(i)

National Forest System land; or

(ii)

section 1702 of title 43 public land (as defined in ); or

(iii)

National Park System land; or

(iv)

National Wildlife Refuge Land.

(B)

Exclusions

The term “Federal land” does not include—

(i)

a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System;

(ii)

Federal land on which the removal of vegetation is prohibited or restricted by Act of Congress or Presidential proclamation (including the applicable implementation plan); or

(iii)

a wilderness study area.

(4)

Forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services

(A)

In general

The term “forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services” means—

(i)

activities to treat insect- and disease-infected trees;

(ii)

activities to reduce hazardous fuels; and

(iii)

any other activities to restore or improve forest, rangeland, and watershed health, including fish and wildlife habitat.

(B)

Exclusions

The term “forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services” does not include—

(i)

construction, reconstruction, repair, or restoration of paved or permanent roads or parking areas, other than the reconstruction, repair, or restoration of a National Forest System, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, or National Wildlife Refuge managed road that is—

(I)

necessary to carry out authorized restoration services pursuant to a good neighbor agreement; and

(II)

March 23, 2018 in the case of a National Forest System road that is determined to be unneeded in accordance with section 212.5(b)(2) of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on ), decommissioned in accordance with subparagraph (A)(iii)—

(aa)

in a manner that is consistent with the applicable travel management plan; and

(bb)

not later than 3 years after the date on which the applicable authorized restoration services project is completed; or

(ii)

construction, alteration, repair or replacement of public buildings or works.

(5)

Good neighbor agreement

The term “good neighbor agreement” means a cooperative agreement or contract (including a sole source contract) entered into between the Secretary and a Governor or county, as applicable, to carry out authorized restoration services under this section.

(6)

Governor

The term “Governor” means the Governor or any other appropriate executive official of an affected State or Indian tribe or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(7)

Indian tribe

section 5304 of title 25The term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given the term in .

(8)

National Forest System road

March 23, 2018The term “National Forest System road” has the meaning given the term in section 212.1 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on ).

(9)

Road

February 7, 2014The term “road” has the meaning given the term in section 212.1 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on ).

(10)

Secretary

The term “Secretary” means—

(A)

the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System land; and

(B)

the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to Bureau of Land Management land.

(b)

Good neighbor agreements

(1)

Good neighbor agreements

(A)

In general

The Secretary may enter into a good neighbor agreement with a Governor or county to carry out authorized restoration services in accordance with this section.

(B)

Public availability

The Secretary shall make each good neighbor agreement available to the public.

(2)

Timber sales

(A)

In general

section 472a of this titleSubsections (d) and (g) of shall not apply to services performed under a good neighbor agreement.

(B)

Approval of silviculture prescriptions and marking guides

The Secretary shall provide or approve all silviculture prescriptions and marking guides to be applied on Federal land in all timber sale projects conducted under this section.

(C)

Treatment of revenue

(i)

In general

Funds received from the sale of timber by a Governor, Indian Tribe, or county under a good neighbor agreement shall be retained and used by the Governor, Indian Tribe, or county, as applicable—

(I)

1 So in original.

to carry out authorized restoration services on  under the good neighbor agreement; and

(II)

2 So in original. Probably should be “subclause (I)”.

if there are funds remaining after carrying out clause (i), to carry out—

(aa)

authorized restoration services under other good neighbor agreements; or

(bb)

authorized recreation services under the Good Neighbor Authority for Recreation Act.

(ii)

Termination of effectiveness

October 1, 2028The authority provided under this subparagraph terminates effective .

(3)

Retention of NEPA responsibilities

42 U.S.C. 4321Any decision required to be made under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( et seq.) with respect to any authorized restoration services to be provided under this section on Federal land shall not be delegated to a Governor or county.

(4)

Receipts

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any payment made by a county to the Secretary under a project conducted under a good neighbor agreement shall not be considered to be monies received from National Forest System, Bureau of Land Management, National Park System, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service land, as applicable.

Pub. L. 113–79, title VIII, § 8206Feb. 7, 2014128 Stat. 921 Pub. L. 115–141, div. O, title II, § 212Mar. 23, 2018132 Stat. 1073 Pub. L. 115–334, title VIIIDec. 20, 2018132 Stat. 4857 Pub. L. 117–328, div. G, title IV, § 439Dec. 29, 2022136 Stat. 4832 Pub. L. 118–42, div. E, title IV, § 443Mar. 9, 2024138 Stat. 297 Pub. L. 118–234, title III, § 351(b)(3)(B)Jan. 4, 2025138 Stat. 2916(, , ; , , ; , §§ 8624, 8704(b), , , 4877; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

section 351 of Pub. L. 118–234 section 8571 of this title Section 351 of Pub. L. 118–234The Good Neighbor Authority for Recreation Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(C)(i)(II)(bb), probably means , which is classified to and defines “authorized recreation services”. contains the heading “Good neighbor authority for recreation”, but no Short Title was enacted.

Pub. L. 91–190Jan. 1, 197083 Stat. 852 section 4321 of Title 42The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (b)(3), is , , , which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§ 4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Codification

Pub. L. 118–42, § 443, which directed amendment of section 8206 of the “Agriculture Act of 2014”, was executed to this section, which is section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Section was enacted as part of the Agricultural Act of 2014, and not as part of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

Pub. L. 118–234Oct. 1, 20242025—Subsec. (b)(2)(C). amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) related to treatment of revenue received from sale of timber by a Governor of a State under a good neighbor agreement, and such authority terminated .

Pub. L. 118–42, § 443(1)2024—Subsec. (a)(3)(A)(iii), (iv). , added cls. (iii) and (iv). See Codification note above.

Pub. L. 118–42, § 443(2)Subsec. (a)(4)(B)(i). , (3), in introductory provisions, substituted a comma for “or” before “Bureau of Land Management” and inserted “, National Park Service, or National Wildlife Refuge” after “Bureau of Land Management”. See Codification note above.

Pub. L. 118–42, § 443(4)Subsec. (b)(2)(C)(ii). , substituted “2024” for “2023”. See Codification note above.

Pub. L. 118–42, § 443(5)Subsec. (b)(4). , (6), substituted a comma for “land or” before “Bureau of Land Management” and inserted “, National Park System, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service” after “Bureau of Land Management”. See Codification note above.

Pub. L. 117–3282022—Subsec. (a)(4)(B)(i). inserted “or Bureau of Land Management managed” after “National Forest System” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(a)(1)2018—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). , substituted “land, non-Federal land, and land owned by an Indian tribe” for “land and non-Federal land”.

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(b)(1)(A)Subsec. (a)(1)(B). , inserted “or county, as applicable,” after “Governor”.

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(b)(1)(C)Subsec. (a)(2). , added par. (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (3).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(3). , redesignated par. (2) as (3). Former par. (3) redesignated (4).

Pub. L. 115–141, § 212(1)Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(i). , substituted “areas, other than the reconstruction, repair, or restoration of a National Forest System road that is—” and subcls. (I) and (II) for “areas; or”.

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(4). , redesignated par. (3) as (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8704(b)(1)March 23, 2018Subsec. (a)(4)(B)(i)(II). , made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to .

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(5). , (D), redesignated par. (4) as (5) and inserted “or county, as applicable,” after “Governor”. Former par. (5) redesignated (6).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(a)(2), inserted “or Indian tribe” after “affected State”.

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(6). , redesignated par. (5) as (6). Former par. (6) redesignated (7).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(a)(4), which directed amendment of subsec. (a) by adding par. (6) after par. (5) “(as so redesignated)”, was executed by making the addition after par. (5), relating to the definition of “Governor”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(a)(3), redesignated par. (6) as (7).

Pub. L. 115–141, § 212(3), added par. (6). Former par. (6) redesignated (7).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(7). , redesignated par. (6) as (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (8).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(a)(3), redesignated par. (6) as (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (8).

Pub. L. 115–141, § 212(2), redesignated par. (6) as (7). Former par. (7) redesignated (8).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8704(b)(2)March 23, 2018Subsec. (a)(8). , made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to .

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(b)(1)(B), redesignated par. (7) as (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (9).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(a)(3), redesignated par. (7) as (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (9).

Pub. L. 115–141, § 212(2), redesignated par. (7) as (8).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(9). , redesignated par. (8) as (9). Former par. (9) redesignated (10).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(a)(3), redesignated par. (8) as (9).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(10). , redesignated par. (9) as (10).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(b)(2)(A)Subsec. (b)(1)(A). , inserted “or county” after “Governor”.

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(b)(2)(B)Subsec. (b)(2)(A). , substituted “good neighbor agreement” for “cooperative agreement or contract entered into under subsection (a)”.

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(c)Subsec. (b)(2)(C). , added subpar. (C).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(b)(2)(C)Subsec. (b)(3). , inserted “or county” after “Governor”.

Pub. L. 115–334, § 8624(b)(2)(D)Subsec. (b)(4). , added par. (4).