Black Hills National Forest Preservation and Public Safety Act of 2002

Executive Comment Requested from USDA.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 16, 2002

Black Hills National Forest Preservation and Public Safety Act of 2002 - Declares that the fire hazard associated with deteriorating forest health conditions in the Beaver Park Roadless Area and Norbeck Wildlife Preserve of the Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota, constitutes an emergency circumstance. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to request authority from the appropriate executive branch officials to use alternative expedited arrangements to address such problems.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Thune, John [R-SD-At Large] · R–SD

Committees

Natural Resources Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rep. Cubin, Barbara [R-WY-At Large]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

May 21, 2002
Executive Comment Requested from USDA.
May 21, 2002
Referred to the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health.
May 16, 2002
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
May 16, 2002
Introduced in House
May 16, 2002
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · May 16, 2002 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 19, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.4766 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.4766, 107th Congress: Black Hills National Forest Preservation and Public Safety Act of 2002

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/4766

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2002-05-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/hr4766/BILLS-107hr4766ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-19T17:29:51Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4766 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4766 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.4766, 107th Congress: Black Hills National Forest Preservation and Public Safety Act of 2002

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/4766

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2002-05-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/hr4766/BILLS-107hr4766ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-19T17:29:51Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4766 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4766 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4766, 107th Congress: Black Hills National Forest Preservation and Public Safety Act of 2002

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/4766

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2002-05-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/hr4766/BILLS-107hr4766ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-19T17:29:51Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4766 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4766 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4766, 107th Congress: Black Hills National Forest Preservation and Public Safety Act of 2002

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/4766

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2002-05-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/107/bills/hr4766/BILLS-107hr4766ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-19T17:29:51Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4766 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.