Bill Overview
Title: A bill to amend the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to authorize certain construction activities on public lands, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill provides for the construction of nurseries on public lands. Using funds made available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to restore native vegetation and mitigate environmental hazards on mined land on federal and nonfederal lands, the Department of the Interior shall carry out a pilot program to establish and operate nurseries on lands under its jurisdiction. Likewise, the Forest Service shall carry out a pilot program to establish and operate nurseries on National Forest System lands. Interior shall carry out its pilot program in (1) four of the eleven contiguous Western states, and (2) one state that is not one of the eleven contiguous Western states. The Forest Service shall carry out its pilot program in (1) four of the eleven contiguous Western states; and (2) one state, including Vermont, that is not one of the eleven contiguous Western states.
Sponsors: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Target Audience
Population: People benefiting from nurseries and vegetation restoration on US public lands
Estimated Size: 500000
- The bill targets the restoration of native vegetation, which benefits ecosystems and biodiversity, impacting people who value environmental conservation.
- The nurseries on public lands can provide jobs, thereby impacting local economies and communities located near these lands.
- The pilot program will initially be implemented in nine states, indicating a specific geographic impact area.
- Public lands visitors in these states might experience changes in landscape and increased access to native plants in the future.
- Communities near public and National Forest System lands could benefit from improved environmental conditions.
Reasoning
- When considering the distribution of interviews, it's important to incorporate a mix of individuals from states included in the pilot program comprehensively. This means including residents from both the contiguous Western states and the additional state chosen outside the West.
- We need to focus on individuals who live near public and National Forest System lands since they are more likely to be directly impacted by these nurseries.
- The budget limitations imply that while positive impacts could be significant, they may be concentrated geographically and demographically. Hence, we should include a spectrum of possible impacts from high to none.
- Given the target population, it would be prudent to involve individuals connected to environmental causes either through their occupations or personal interests.
- Since the policy might create new employment opportunities, representation from individuals involved in job markets related to environmental management or retail of native plants should be included.
- Finally, not all individuals in the targeted geographic areas will be impacted equally, allowing inclusion of those with minimal or no perceived impact.
Simulated Interviews
Ecologist (California)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will help restore crucial habitats.
- Native plant nurseries will provide necessary resources for my research and conservation work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Park Ranger (Arizona)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic about the job opportunities this could bring to our community.
- Plant nurseries will definitely enrich the forest ecosystems I help manage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Teacher (Vermont)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I'm retired, I'm glad this program supports our natural environment.
- It’s heartening to see efforts put into restoring our lands for future generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Nursery Owner (Utah)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with my business goals and could increase demand.
- More public awareness of native plants is beneficial for everyone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Graduate Student (Montana)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm interested in the long-term data these nurseries can provide for my research.
- It could offer new learning opportunities and internships.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Librarian (New Mexico)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It seems like a good initiative, but I don’t see a direct impact on my life.
- New visitor programs might evolve, which our library could help promote.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Tour Guide (Colorado)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the new nurseries mean more green areas for my tours.
- If native plants flourish, it could draw more visitors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Environmental Advocacy Lawyer (Nevada)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support these actions as they could lead to necessary legal reforms in environmental protection.
- It’s a positive step towards sustainable land use policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Farmer (Wyoming)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Providing native plants could affect crop rotations or wildlife in unforeseen ways.
- I hope the nurseries won't interfere with current land use.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Homemaker (Texas)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The environmental improvements sound beneficial.
- I'm curious if this means more learning opportunities for local schools about native plants.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 3: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 5: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The use of existing Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding reduces the need for new appropriations.
- Pilot programs allow for scalability; successful outcomes can justify expanded investment.
- Risk of environmental factors affecting nursery operations and plant growth.