A Sampling of FY26 Interior Appropriations Report Language

The House and Senate have marked up their respective FY26 Interior-Environment appropriations bills and published the associated committee reports for both bills. Report language can be enlightening when trying to determine congressional intent – even more than the funding levels in the base bill in many cases. On several issues, House and Senate appropriators are surprisingly aligned:

National Wildland Fire Service Consolidation: Congress Needs More Details

House: “While the Committee is supportive of these objectives, changes in budgetary and management structure spark concerns about impacted agencies’ abilities to consistently meet critical performance benchmarks. Specifically, the Committee notes ongoing challenges in achieving timber volume targets, meeting hazardous fuels reduction goals, and maintaining use of an adequately staffed and red card-certified workforce necessary for wildfire response. The Committee is also concerned about how restructuring would influence the fundamental purpose of the Forest Service, shifting from a commodity focus to conservation.” To ensure these goals are met and that funding is utilized most effectively, prior to the transfer of any resources or authorities, the Committee directs the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study regarding the proposed creation of a consolidated Fire Service…”

Senate: “The Committee is aware of the administration’s proposal to consolidate the wildfire functions across the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior. While nothing in this bill provides the funding or authority necessary for the administration to execute this consolidation, the Committee is interested in understanding more about the administration’s proposal to create a more effective and efficient wildland fire workforce. No later than 120 days after enactment, the Committee directs the Forest Service, in consultation with the Department of the Interior, to provide a report to the Committee on a current capacity and needs study for wildland fire personnel and assets across the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior.”

Tribal Consultation: Agencies Must Do More to Engage Tribes

House: “The Committee continues to stress the importance of agencies conducting ‘‘true’’ and ‘‘meaningful’’ government-to-government consultation with Tribes. While most agency consultations solicit input and feedback from Tribes, the communication is one way, and agencies struggle to provide feedback to Tribes. Tribes report that they do not know whether and how their input is considered and how final allocations and decisions are made. On decisions made in consultation with Tribes, the Committee directs agencies funded in this bill to publish decision rationale in the context of and in reasonable detail to the Tribal input received during consultation.”

Senate: "The Committee encourages the Secretary to engage, as directed, in additional meaningful, consultations with federally recognized Tribes and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Corporations affected by the Final Rule titled 'Special Areas Within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.' The Committee expects improved consultation with Alaska Natives on the North Slope of Alaska, on this rule and other major actions by the Interior Department that impact their economy, well-being, and ancestral lands.”

Hazardous Fuels Management: More Innovation in Wood Utilization

House: “The Committee recognizes the urgent need to significantly increase fire resilience in the wildland urban interface, especially in the Western United States. The Committee strongly encourages the Forest Service to further public-private partnerships using new and innovative technologies to streamline forest stewardship project implementation and wildfire mitigation.”

Senate: "The Committee notes that these efforts can deliver a cost-effective and sustainable path to reduce excessive hazardous fuels loads, foster long-term forest resilience, and potentially aid in carbon storage. The Service must expand its efforts that will open the door to new, widespread uses for wood-based nanotechnology, mass timber and cross-laminated timber, fire-resistant building materials, high-energy efficient wood for energy production, affordable housing, and other promising products."

There are hundreds of other conservation, forest management, wildfire, and other issues addressed in the House and Senate’s FY26 Interior appropriations reports. Be sure to read through the reports closely to determine trends on where Congress is headed on your priorities.