Save Our Sequoias Act

Summary#

This bill creates a coordinated program to protect and restore giant sequoia groves on federal and some adjacent public lands in California. It codifies an existing Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, requires a health and resiliency Assessment, and directs agencies to carry out Protection Projects to reduce hazardous fuels, treat insects and disease, and support reforestation and rehabilitation. The bill establishes a 7-year emergency determination that allows certain protection and reforestation actions to proceed under specified regulatory authorities. It also creates Giant Sequoia Strike Teams, a grants program, an insect monitoring strategy, and a special Fund run by private foundations to accept donations for sequoia work. The bill requires public reporting, a public website dashboard with grove-level data, and gives particular roles to the Tule River Tribe and other partners.

What it means for you#

• Federal land managers, parks, and nearby communities will have a formal shared stewardship agreement and a coalition to coordinate cross-boundary projects.
• Agencies must produce a Giant Sequoia Health and Resiliency Assessment within 6 months and update it yearly; this information will be posted on a public dashboard.
• Protection Projects to reduce hazardous fuels, remove hazard trees, and address insects may be carried out on defined acreages and may use categorical exclusions from full environmental review when they meet the bill's limits and procedures.
• The Secretary(s) are instructed, when practicable, to reduce hazardous fuels in at least 3 giant sequoia groves each year.
• Grants will be available to nonprofits, Tribal governments, local governments, academic institutions, and private organizations for market development, nursery capacity, and Tribal support. The Fund channels private donations to help these activities, and at least 15% of those funds must support Tribal management and conservation.
• Tribal partners, universities, counties, state parks, and local landowners are included as partners in the Coalition and may participate in projects and funding opportunities.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on total cost. The bill does not authorize a specific federal appropriation. It creates the Giant Sequoia Emergency Protection Fund to hold gifts and donations for sequoia projects; those donations are available to specified foundations without further appropriation. The text requires agencies to carry out activities under existing authorities and allows grant programs, but it does not set program funding levels or explicit federal spending amounts.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.