1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Forest Management Improvement Act of 2017 . 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Categorical exclusion The term categorical exclusion means an exclusion from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4332 ) for a category of forest management activities. (2) Forest management activity The term forest management activity means a project or activity carried out by the Secretary on National Forest System land. (3) Forest plan The term forest plan means a land and resource management plan prepared by the Forest Service in accordance with section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 ( 16 U.S.C. 1604 ). (4) National Forest System The term National Forest System has the meaning given the term in section 11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 ( 16 U.S.C. 1609(a) ). (5) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service. 3. Categorical exclusions (a) Establishment of categorical exclusions (1) Early seral habitat creation A categorical exclusion is available to the Secretary to conduct a forest management activity the purpose of which is the creation of an early seral habitat forest. (2) Wildlife habitat improvement A categorical exclusion is available to the Secretary to conduct a forest management activity the purpose of which is the improvement of wildlife habitat. (3) Forest thinning A categorical exclusion is available to the Secretary to conduct a forest management activity the purpose of which is commercial thinning of forest stands on suited timberland, including— (A) the incidental removal of trees for landings, skid trails, and road clearing