The purpose of this chapter is to encourage the collaborative, science-based ecosystem restoration of priority forest landscapes through a process that—

1. (1) encourages ecological, economic, and social sustainability;
2. (2) leverages local resources with national and private resources;
3. (3) facilitates the reduction of wildfire management costs, including through reestablishing natural fire regimes and reducing the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire; and

4. (4) demonstrates the degree to which—

   1. (A) various ecological restoration techniques—

      1. (i) achieve ecological and watershed health objectives; and
      2. (ii) affect wildfire activity and management costs; and
   2. (B) the use of forest restoration byproducts can offset treatment costs while benefitting local rural economies and improving forest health.

(Pub. L. 111–11, title IV, § 4001, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1141.)