Small-diameter Timber and Underutilized Material Act of 2022

Small-diameter Timber and Underutilized Material Act of 2022

This bill addresses the removal of small-diameter trees in fire hazard areas.

Specifically, the bill prohibits the Forest Service (FS) and the Department of the Interior from

• charging a fee to authorize the removal of a small-diameter tree in a fire hazard area, including a fee for a special use permit; or
• recovering any processing or monitoring cost of authorizing such removal.

The FS or Interior may charge a fee for removal of a small-diameter tree of a particular species of tree in a fire hazard area upon determining that the fee is appropriate and disclosing that determination to the public.