Summary of H.R. 4041: Yosemite National Park Forest Management Act

Overview

H.R. 4041, the Yosemite National Park Forest Management Act, is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 17, 2025. The main purpose of the bill is to exempt certain forest management activities in Yosemite National Park from the requirements of Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the bill include:

1. NEPA Exemption: The bill would exempt the following forest management activities in Yosemite National Park from the requirements of Section 102 of NEPA:

   • Thinning of forest stands to reduce the risk of wildfire
   • Removal of hazardous fuels to reduce the risk of wildfire
   • Prescribed burning to maintain healthy forest ecosystems

2. Allowed Activities: The exemption would apply to forest management activities that are:

   • Identified in the park's current forest management plan
   • Consistent with the park's general management plan
   • Necessary to protect public health and safety, or the health of the forest ecosystem

3. Reporting Requirement: The National Park Service would be required to submit an annual report to Congress on the forest management activities conducted under the exemption, including details on the location, scope, and ecological impacts of the activities.

Impact

The bill, if enacted, would have the following potential impacts:

• Faster Forest Management: The NEPA exemption would allow the National Park Service to more quickly implement certain forest management activities in Yosemite, without the lengthy environmental review process required by NEPA.

• Reduced Wildfire Risk: The forest management activities enabled by the bill, such as thinning and fuels reduction, could help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in Yosemite National Park.

• Environmental Concerns: Some environmental groups may raise concerns that the NEPA exemption could lead to overly aggressive or damaging forest management practices without proper oversight and environmental review.

• Congressional Oversight: The annual reporting requirement is intended to provide Congress with transparency and accountability regarding the forest management activities conducted under the exemption.