Federal and State Cooperative Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Restoration in Utah.

Sec. 337. Federal and State Cooperative Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Restoration in Utah. (a) Authority.—Until September 30, 2006, the Secretary of Agriculture, via cooperative agreement or contract (including sole source contract) as appropriate, may permit the State Forester of the State of Utah to perform forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services on National Forest System lands in the State of Utah. Restoration services provided are to be on a project to project basis as planned or made ready for implementation under existing authorities of the Forest Service. The types of restoration services that may be contracted under this authority include treatment of insect infected trees, reduction of hazardous fuels, and other activities to restore or improve forest, rangeland, and watershed health including fish and wildlife habitat. (b) State as Agent.—Except as provided in subsection (c), a cooperative agreement or contract under subsection (a) may authorize the State Forester of the State of Utah to serve as agent for the Forest Service in providing services necessary to facilitate the performance and treatment of insect infested trees, reduction of hazardous fuels, and to restore or improve forest, rangeland, and watershed health including fish and wildlife habitat under subsection (a). The services to be performed by the State Forester of Utah may be conducted with subcontracts utilizing State of Utah contract procedures. Subsections (d) and (g) of section 14 of the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 118 STAT. 3103 472a) shall not apply to services performed under a cooperative agreement or contract under subsection (a). (c) Retention of NEPA Responsibilities.—With respect to any treatment activity to restore and improve forest, rangeland, and watershed health including fish and wildlife habitat services on National Forest System lands programmed for treatment by the State Forester of the State of Utah under subsection (a), any decision required to be made under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4821 et seq.) may not be delegated to any officer or employee of the State of Utah.