§ 6554. Applied silvicultural assessments
(a)
Assessment efforts
For information gathering and research purposes, the Secretary may conduct applied silvicultural assessments on Federal land that the Secretary determines is at risk of infestation by, or is infested with, forest-damaging insects.
(b)
Limitations
(1)
Exclusion of certain areas
Subsection (a) does not apply to—
(2)
Certain treatment prohibited
Nothing in subsection (a) authorizes the application of insecticides in municipal watersheds or associated riparian areas.
(c)
Public notice and comment
(d)
Categorical exclusion
(1)
In general
Applied silvicultural assessment and research treatments carried out under this section on not more than 1,000 acres for an assessment or treatment may be categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement and environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(2)
Administration
Applied silvicultural assessments and research treatments categorically excluded under paragraph (1)—
(A)
shall not be carried out in an area that is adjacent to another area that is categorically excluded under paragraph (1) that is being treated with similar methods; and
(B)
shall be subject to the extraordinary circumstances procedures established by the Secretary pursuant to section
1508.4 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations.