Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act

The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act would revise the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to allow states to approve certain accredited, third-party organizations to acquire, hold, and manage conservation easements under the Forest Legacy Program. To be eligible, these organizations must meet criteria tied to federal tax status for conservation purposes, a clean enforcement history, and accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission (or a successor with Secretary approval). The Secretary, at a state's request, would authorize the state to designate eligible organizations to participate in the program, subject to demonstrated abilities to acquire, monitor, and enforce forestland interests in line with the program and the state's assessment of need. The bill also creates reversion conditions that could transfer easements back to the state or to another approved organization if the managing entity fails to meet program responsibilities, the easement is modified improperly, or it is conveyed to an ineligible party. A minor technical correction section updates some cross-references.