95–083 

114TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 114–170 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND 

RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2016 

JUNE 18, 2015.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. CALVERT, from the Committee on Appropriations, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

together with 

MINORITY VIEWS 

[To accompany H.R. 2822] 

The Committee on Appropriations submits the following report in 

explanation of the accompanying bill making appropriations for the 

Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, 

and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 

2016. The bill provides regular annual appropriations for the Department of the Interior (except the Bureau of Reclamation and the 

Central Utah Project), the Environmental Protection Agency, and 

for other related agencies, including the Forest Service, the Indian 

Health Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National 

Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities. 

INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT 

Page number 

Bill Report 

Title I—Department of the Interior: 

Bureau of Land Management ............................................................ 2 8 

United States Fish and Wildlife Service ........................................... 8 12 

National Park Service ......................................................................... 14 23 

United States Geological Survey ....................................................... 18 32 

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management ............................................. 20 33 

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement ......................... 21 34 

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement ................. 24 35 

Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education ............. 26 36 


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Page number 

Bill Report 

Office of the Secretary ........................................................................ 36 41 

Office of Insular Affairs ...................................................................... 38 42 

Office of the Solicitor .......................................................................... 41 43 

Office of Inspector General ................................................................. 41 43 

Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians ......................... 41 44 

Department-wide Programs: 

Wildland Fire Management, Interior Department ........................... 43 44 

FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund, Interior Department 46 45 

Central Hazardous Materials Fund .................................................. 47 46 

Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration ................. 47 46 

Working Capital Fund ........................................................................ 47 46 

General Provisions, Department of the Interior ............................... 49 46 

Title II—Environmental Protection Agency: 61 48 

Science and Technology ...................................................................... 61 49 

Environmental Programs and Management ..................................... 61 51 

Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund ....................... n/a 56 

Office of Inspector General ................................................................. 62 57 

Buildings and Facilities ...................................................................... 62 57 

Hazardous Substance Superfund ....................................................... 63 58 

Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program ............. 64 59 

Inland Oil Spill Programs .................................................................. 64 60 

State and Tribal Assistance Grants .................................................. 65 60 

Administrative Provisions .................................................................. 71 63 

Title III—Related Agencies: 

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture .............................. 74 64 

Wildland Fire Management, Forest Service ..................................... 79 73 

FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund, Forest Service ......... 82 75 

Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services ............................................................................................ 89 75 

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences ..................... 97 77 

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ......................... 98 77 

Other Related Agencies: 

Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Environmental 

Quality .............................................................................................. 99 78 

Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board ........................... 99 78 

Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation ................................... 100 79 

Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts 

Development .................................................................................... 102 80 

Smithsonian Institution ..................................................................... 102 80 

National Gallery of Art ....................................................................... 103 82 

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts ............................ 105 82 

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars ........................ 105 83 

National Endowment for the Arts ..................................................... 106 83 

National Endowment for the Humanities ......................................... 106 85 

Commission of Fine Arts .................................................................... 108 85 

National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs ...................................... 108 86 

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation ....................................... 108 86 

National Capital Planning Commission ............................................ 109 86 

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum .................................... 109 87 

Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission ................................. n/a 87 

Title IV—General Provisions: 109 89 

INTRODUCTION

The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2016 totals $30,170,000,000. 

This amount reflects a $246,000,000 reduction from the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2015 and a $3,092,409,000 reduction from 

the budget request. 


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The amounts in the accompanying bill are reflected by title in 

the table below. 

BUDGET AUTHORITY RECOMMENDED IN BILL BY TITLE 

Activity Budget estimates, 

fiscal year 2016 

Committee bill, 

fiscal year 2016 

Committee bill 

compared with budget estimates 

Title I, Department of the Interior: 

New budget authority ...................................................... $12,024,515,000 $11,369,207,000 ¥$655,308,000 

Title II, Environmental Protection Agency: 

New budget authority ...................................................... $8,591,718,000 $7,422,157,000 ¥$1,169,561,000 

Title III, Related Agencies: 

New budget authority ...................................................... $12,646,176,000 $11,378,636,000 ¥$1,267,540,000 

Title IV, General Provisions: 

New budget authority ...................................................... $0 $0 $0 

Grand total, New budget authority ......................... $33,262,409,000 $30,170,000,000 ¥$3,092,409,000 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT

Members of Congress have provided considerable input in fashioning this bill. In total, 304 Members submitted nearly 3,500 programmatic requests relating to multiple agencies and programs. 

The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee 

takes seriously its oversight responsibility and conducted 14 budget 

hearings this year (including six hearings involving public witnesses and American Indians and Alaska Natives) to carefully review the programs and budgets under its jurisdiction. The Subcommittee held the following oversight hearings: 

Indian Health Service FY16 budget oversight hearing—February 

11, 2015 

Department of the Interior FY16 budget oversight hearing—February 25, 2015 

Environmental Protection Agency FY16 budget oversight hearing—February 26, 2015 

Bureau of Indian Affairs/Bureau of Indian Education FY16 budget oversight hearing—February 27, 2015 

U.S. Forest Service FY16 budget oversight hearing—March 3, 

2015 

Fish and Wildlife Service FY16 budget oversight hearing—March 

17, 2015 

National Park Service FY16 budget oversight hearing—March 

17, 2015 

Public Witnesses—March 18, 2015 (morning) 

Public Witnesses—March 18, 2015 (afternoon) 

Bureau of Land Management FY16 budget oversight hearing— 

March 19, 2015 

American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses—March 24, 

2015 (morning) 

American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses—March 24, 

2015 (afternoon) 

American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses—March 25, 

2015 (morning) 

American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses—March 25, 

2015 (afternoon) 


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In total, 142 individuals representing the Executive Branch, Congress, State, tribal, and local governments, and the general public 

testified before the Subcommittee. In addition to those who testified personally, another 123 individuals and organizations provided 

written testimony for the permanent hearing record. These hearings are contained in eight published volumes totaling almost 9,000 

pages which are publicly available online. 

COST OF WILDLAND FIRE

In seven of the last ten years, the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior have exceeded their wildland fire suppression 

budgets despite being fully funded at the ten-year suppression average for such costs. Fire seasons have grown longer and more destructive, putting people, communities, and ecosystems at greater 

risk. Fire borrowing has now become routine rather than extraordinary. Borrowing from non-fire accounts to pay suppression costs 

results in the Forest Service and Department of the Interior having 

fewer resources available for forest management activities, including hazardous fuels management and other proven efforts, to improve overall forest health and reduce the risk of catastrophic 

wildland fires. 

The Committee maintains that the most catastrophic wildland 

fires should be treated similar to other major natural disasters 

such as floods and hurricanes and funded through the disaster cap 

adjustment established by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (P.L. 

112–25). This common sense reform would allow for a more responsible and stable way to budget for wildland fire costs. 

As Congress continues to debate the best approach for fire budgeting, the Committee has provided robust wildland fire funding in 

its fiscal year 2016 bill. The bill includes a total of $3,584,873,000 

in wildland fire funding for the Department of the Interior and the 

Forest Service, $51,736,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level. Fire suppression accounts (including FLAME) are again fully 

funded at the ten-year average level. Hazardous fuels funding, a 

critical component of an effective overall fire strategy, is maintained at the fiscal year 2015 enacted level of $525,749,000. 

PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES (PILT)

The Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program provides compensation to local governments for the loss of tax revenue resulting 

from the presence of Federal land in their county or State. In 2015, 

49 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of 

Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will receive PILT payments. The Committee includes bill language providing full PILT 

funding for fiscal year 2016. 

WESTERN DROUGHT

The U.S. Drought Monitor confirms that a population of nearly 

55 million in the Western United States is currently affected by 

drought conditions, with significant portions of the States suffering 

from severe to exceptional drought. California has entered a fourth 

consecutive year of drought. 

Drought conditions are difficult to address at the time the 

drought is occurring. A declining water supply puts pressure on 


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regulators and competition between human and environmental 

uses of water is likely to intensify. However, there are steps that 

can be taken to stretch available water supplies. 

Given that drought heightens conflicts over water allocations, the 

Committee directs the Department of the Interior to use all of the 

flexibility and tools available to mitigate the impacts of this 

drought. The Committee notes that reduced water flows during 

times of drought are not the sole source of ecosystem stress, and 

believes that environmental water use can be made more effective 

through adopting new approaches to management. It is not possible to undo all the ecological changes that have occurred over decades of human water and land use. Strategies need to adapt to 

changing conditions in ways that benefit ecosystems as well as 

local economies. 

RECREATION FEE AUTHORITY

Enacted in 2004, the Federal Land Recreation Enhancement Act 

(FLREA) authorized five agencies to collect and expend recreation 

fees on land they manage: the Department of the Interior’s Bureau 

of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department 

of Agriculture’s Forest Service. These fees, which leverage other 

funding sources and complement appropriated funds, fund projects 

that directly benefit the visitor experience. 

The authority for FLREA is scheduled to sunset at the end of the 

current fiscal year. This expiration would impact the Department 

of the Interior’s estimated annual collection of $217 million, of 

which the National Park Service collects nearly $192 million. In 

2014, the recreation fee program collected nearly $279 million from 

the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior combined. 

An extension of recreation fee authority is necessary for land managers to plan for upcoming seasons including selling annual passes, 

hiring seasonal employees, planning projects, organizing volunteers, and accepting reservations. The Committee has included 

within Title IV General Provisions a one-year extension of the current recreation fee authority as requested. 

COST OF LITIGATION

The Committee remains concerned that many of the legitimate 

goals of the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, and 

other agencies under the Committee’s jurisdiction—as well as the 

work of this Committee—are undermined by litigation filed in an 

effort to shift land management decisions from the agencies to the 

courts, regardless of merit. 

Litigation is a significant unbudgeted cost for all agencies. The 

Committee is concerned that, as budgets shrink, agencies are 

forced to settle lawsuits quickly because they don’t have funds 

available to complete court-imposed work. In addition, the courts 

are not concerned whether agencies have funding necessary to 

meet court mandates. As a result, the courts are playing an increasing role in determining how and where agencies use their 

funding. 

Given ongoing concerns, the Department of the Interior, EPA, 

and the Forest Service are directed to provide to the House and 

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able not later than 60 days after enactment of this Act, detailed 

Equal Access to Justice Act fee information as specified in the Consolidated and Further Appropriations Act, 2015. 

STATE WILDLIFE DATA

The Committee is concerned that the Department of the Interior, 

its bureaus, and the Forest Service are not maximizing the opportunity to save funds and leverage States’ on-the-ground wildlife expertise. State wildlife agencies often have the best available science 

on species and retain primary jurisdiction over most wildlife on 

Federal, State, and private lands. The Federal government should 

recognize and fully utilize State resources, including scientific information about species population numbers, conservation status, 

and habitat availability, among other data. The Committee directs 

Federal agencies to cooperatively engage with State wildlife agencies and to use State fish and wildlife data and analyses as a primary source to inform Federal land use, land planning, and related 

natural resource decisions. The agencies should not duplicate analysis of raw data previously prepared by the States. Federal agencies should also provide their data to State wildlife managers to ensure that the most complete data is available to be incorporated 

into all decision support systems. 

REPROGRAMMING GUIDELINES

The following are the procedures governing reprogramming actions for programs and activities funded in the Department of the 

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. 

The Committee reminds the agencies funded in this Act that these 

reprogramming guidelines are in effect, and must be complied with, 

until such time as the Committee modifies them through bill or report language. 

Definitions.—‘‘Reprogramming,’’ as defined in these procedures, 

includes the reallocation of funds from one budget activity, budget 

line item or program area, to another within any appropriation 

funded in this Act. 

For construction, land acquisition, and forest legacy accounts, a 

reprogramming constitutes the reallocation of funds, including unobligated balances, from one construction, land acquisition, or forest legacy project to another such project. 

A reprogramming shall also consist of any significant departure 

from the program described in the agency’s budget justifications. 

This includes proposed reorganizations, especially those of significant national or regional importance, even without a change in 

funding. Any change to the organization table presented in the 

budget justification shall be subject to this requirement. 

General Guidelines for Reprogramming.— (a) A reprogramming should be made only when an unforeseen 

situation arises, and then only if postponement of the project or the 

activity until the next appropriation year would result in actual 

loss or damage. 

(b) Any project or activity, which may be deferred through reprogramming, shall not later be accomplished by means of further 

reprogramming, but instead, funds should again be sought for the 

deferred project or activity through the regular appropriations process. 


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(c) Except under the most urgent situations, reprogramming 

should not be employed to initiate new programs or increase allocations specifically denied or limited by Congress, or to decrease allocations specifically increased by the Congress. 

(d) Reprogramming proposals submitted to the House and Senate 

Committees on Appropriations for approval shall be considered approved 30 calendar days after receipt if the Committees have posed 

no objection. However, agencies will be expected to extend the approval deadline if specifically requested by either Committee. 

Criteria and Exceptions.—A reprogramming must be submitted 

to the Committees in writing prior to implementation if it exceeds 

$1,000,000 annually or results in an increase or decrease of more 

than 10 percent annually in affected programs, with the following 

exceptions: 

(a) With regard to the tribal priority allocations of the Bureau of 

Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, there is no restriction on reprogrammings among these programs. However, the Bureaus shall report on all reprogrammings made during a given fiscal year no later than 60 days after the end of the fiscal year. 

(b) With regard to the EPA, State and Tribal Assistance Grants 

account, the Committee does not require reprogramming requests 

associated with States and Tribes Partnership Grants. 

Assessments.—‘‘Assessment’’ as defined in these procedures shall 

refer to any charges, reserves, or holdbacks applied to a budget activity or budget line item for costs associated with general agency 

administrative costs, overhead costs, working capital expenses, or 

contingencies. 

(a) No assessment shall be levied against any program, budget 

activity, subactivity, budget line item, or project funded by the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act unless such assessment and the basis therefor are presented to the 

Committees on Appropriations in the budget justifications and are 

subsequently approved by the Committees. The explanation for any 

assessment in the budget justification shall show the amount of the 

assessment, the activities assessed, and the purpose of the funds. 

(b) Proposed changes to estimated assessments, as such estimates were presented in annual budget justifications, shall be submitted through the reprogramming process and shall be subject to 

the same dollar and reporting criteria as any other reprogramming. 

(c) The Committee directs that each agency or bureau which utilizes assessments shall submit an annual report to the Committees 

which provides details on the use of all funds assessed from any 

other budget activity, line item, subactivity, or project. 

(d) In no case shall contingency funds or assessments be used to 

finance projects and activities disapproved or limited by Congress, 

or to finance programs or activities that could be foreseen and included in the normal budget review process. 

(e) New programs requested in the budget should not be initiated 

before enactment of the bill without notification to, and the approval of, the Committees on Appropriations. This restriction applies to all such actions regardless of whether a formal reprogramming of funds is required to begin the program. 

Quarterly Reports.—All reprogrammings between budget activities, budget line items, program areas, or the more detailed activity 

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tary thresholds established above, shall be reported to the Committees within 60 days of the end of each quarter and shall include 

cumulative totals for each budget activity, budget line item, or construction, land acquisition, or forest legacy project. 

Land Acquisitions, Easements, and Forest Legacy.—Lands shall 

not be acquired for more than the approved appraised value (as addressed in section 301(3) of Public Law 91–646), unless such acquisitions are submitted to the Committees on Appropriations for approval in compliance with these procedures. 

Land Exchanges.—Land exchanges, wherein the estimated value 

of the Federal lands to be exchanged is greater than $1,000,000, 

shall not be consummated until the Committees have had a 30-day 

period in which to examine the proposed exchange. In addition, the 

Committees shall be provided advance notification of exchanges 

valued between $500,000 and $1,000,000. 

Budget Structure.—The budget activity or line item structure for 

any agency appropriation account shall not be altered without advance approval of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations. 

TITLE I—DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

MANAGEMENT OF LANDS AND RESOURCES

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $970,016,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 1,067,466,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 1,015,046,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +45,030,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥52,420,000 

The Committee recommends $1,015,046,000 for Management of 

Lands and Resources, $45,030,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $52,420,000 below the budget request. A detailed 

table of funding recommendations below the account level is provided at the end of this report. The Committee recommendation includes further details below. The Committee does not accept the 

proposal to transfer funds from various accounts to National Conservation Lands. 

Soil, Water, and Air Management.—The Committee recommends 

$43,239,000 for soil, water, and air management, equal to the fiscal 

year 2015 enacted level and $3,516,000 below the budget request. 

The Colorado River Basin Salinity Program is funded at 

$1,500,000. The Committee urges the Bureau to provide additional 

information, such as a table, in its fiscal year 2017 budget request 

for this program. 

Rangeland Management.—The Committee recommends 

$79,000,000 for rangeland management, equal to the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and $2,556,000 above the budget request. The 

Committee directs the Bureau to focus on reducing the grazing permit backlog and carrying out a systematic program of range monitoring, land health assessments, development and implementation 

of allotment management plans, and adaptive management. The 

Committee rejects the Bureau’s proposal to impose new grazing 

fees. 


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Wild Horse and Burro Management.—The Committee recommends $77,245,000 to implement Public Law 92–195 (16 U.S.C. 

1331 et seq.) requiring the protection, management, and control of 

free-roaming horses and burros on public lands, equal to the fiscal 

year 2015 enacted level and $3,310,000 below the budget request. Within this amount, the Committee recommends $1,000,000 to 

continue to study and test the feasibility of implementing a scientifically sound and humane sterilization program in partnership 

with universities and non-profit organizations. The Committee supports continued research to develop and refine a variety of fertilitycontrol methods, including immunocontraceptives, which allow for 

self-sustaining populations of wild horses and burros while maintaining the genetic viability of the protected herds. 

The Committee also remains concerned about the large number 

of horses that are held in long-term holding. Given the increasing 

costs of operating the program, the Committee encourages BLM to 

increase the development and use of population control measures 

and to begin implementation of the recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences regarding the use of currently available 

fertility control methods while research continues. 

The bill continues a prohibition on funds to implement Section 

1333(b)(2)(C) of Title 16, United States Code, requiring the humane 

destruction of excess animals that are not adopted. The bill also 

continues a general provision within Title I allowing the BLM to 

enter into long-term contracts and agreements for holding facilities 

off the range. 

Wildlife and Fisheries.—The Committee recommends 

$101,911,000 for wildlife and fisheries, $37,043,000 above the fiscal 

year 2015 enacted level and $155,000 below the budget request. 

Within the total provided, the Committee recommends $89,381,000 

for wildlife management. The additional $37,043,000 is intended 

for BLM to implement the sage-grouse conservation plans. The 

Committee recommends $12,530,000 for fisheries management. 

Plant Conservation Program.—The Committee recognizes the Bureau’s efforts to develop a National Seed Strategy in collaboration 

with other Federal agencies, States, industry, and partners and encourages BLM to actively implement the plan. Funding for plant 

conservation activities is provided through a number of accounts. 

The Committee requests that the Bureau provide a recommendation in its fiscal year 2017 budget request regarding the proposal 

to consolidate plant conservation program activities under a single 

budget subactivity. 

The Committee continues to be concerned that the Bureau’s policy of using highly localized genetic varieties of native seeds may 

be unnecessarily limiting, driving up procurement costs, and causing delays in re-seeding areas burned by fire. The Bureau is directed to publish its yearly estimated seed needs by variety to be 

more transparent with the science supporting its policy. The Committee requests additional information on its relationship with the 

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Plant Material Centers and efforts to avoid duplicative expenses and efforts. 

Recreation Management.—The Committee recommends 

$66,961,000 for recreation management, equal to the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and $8,449,000 below the budget request. The 

bill includes a general provision in Title IV prohibiting the use of 


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funds to close areas open to recreational hunting and shooting as 

of January 1, 2013. 

The Committee is concerned about the BLM’s potential development or expansion of new public lands along a portion of the Red 

River between Texas and Oklahoma that are the subject of a longstanding boundary dispute. The Committee directs the Secretary to 

consult with the States and Congress before taking any further action. 

Energy and Minerals.—The Committee recommends 

$143,551,000 for energy and minerals, equal to the fiscal year 2015 

enacted level and $24,652,000 above the budget request. The Committee does not accept the proposal to increase onshore inspection 

fees. 

The Committee is aware that Applications for Permits to Drill 

(APD) fee collections will transition from discretionary funding to 

mandatory funding. In prior years, APD fees were appropriated 

and available for expenditure in advance of collections. However, 

beginning in fiscal year 2016, BLM can access the fees only as they 

are collected. The reliance on realized collections may result in a 

shortfall in funding early in the fiscal year, particularly in the first 

year of the transition. The Committee believes this transition can 

be appropriately accommodated given the flexibility to use base appropriated funding in the Oil and Gas Management program for 

APD permitting program operations. The Committee does not support the proposal to establish a new budget line for these activities 

and instead provides sufficient funding within Oil and Gas Management to maintain the current level of APD program support. 

The Committee believes continuation of the current budget structure, sufficient appropriated funding for processing activities, and 

the ability to reprogram funds as needed, will enable the BLM to 

cover operating costs in early fiscal year 2016. 

Resource Protection and Maintenance.—The Committee recommends $104,049,000 for resource protection and maintenance, 

$8,000,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$16,519,000 below the budget request. 

Resource Management Planning.—The Committee recommends 

$46,125,000 for resource management planning, $8,000,000 above 

the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $13,216,000 below the budget request. Included is $8,000,000 for monitoring in support of the 

greater sage-grouse conservation initiative. The Committee reminds the Bureau not to duplicate existing efforts at the U.S. Geological Survey and in the private sector. 

Law Enforcement.—The Committee recommends $25,325,000 for 

law enforcement, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$170,000 below the budget request. The Bureau is directed to focus 

on visitor safety and archaeological resource protection, and to 

defer to the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security for investigative and other non-emergency matters of 

Federal law not unique to Bureau lands or property. 

Challenge Cost Share.—The Committee recommends $2,400,000 

for the challenge cost share program, $13,000 below the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and $10,016,000 below the budget request. Of 

the funds provided, $300,000 is for long-standing outdoor ethics 

education and stewardship programs designed to help keep America’s public lands healthy, open and accessible for opportunities to 


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enjoy responsible outdoor recreation, especially high-impact activities such as recreational shooting and off-highway vehicle use. 

National Landscape Conservation System.—The Committee recommends $31,819,000 for the national landscape conservation system, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $16,651,000 

below the budget request. The bill includes a general provision in 

Title I prohibiting the use of funds to implement Secretarial Order 

Number 3310 pertaining to wild lands. 

State Office Consolidation.—The Committee directs the Bureau 

not to consolidate the Arizona and New Mexico State offices and reminds the Bureau that office consolidation proposals are subject to 

the Committee’s reprogramming requirements. 

Sage-grouse Conservation.—Over the past three years, Congress, 

the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, 11 western 

States, and other partners have undertaken a major, collaborative 

effort to prevent a listing of the sage-grouse as endangered under 

the Endangered Species Act. As part of that process, the Bureau 

of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) recently released their proposed resource management plans to protect the sage-grouse and the sage-brush ecosystem. The Committee 

is aware some States have serious concerns with the plans, and 

that BLM and USFS appear to have disregarded some of the recommendations the States provided. These include concerns about 

transparency and consultation with the public, the rationale for 

limiting certain activities while fire and invasive species cause 

greater harm to the sage-grouse, lack of fairness in balancing livestock grazing with the management of wild horses and burros, and 

unexplained changes between the draft and final management 

plans. In order for the sage-grouse, communities, and States to 

thrive, all partners must work in good faith. As such, the Committee directs BLM and USFS to closely work with each of the 11 

States and the affected communities to address the issues unique 

to each State and seek to collaboratively resolve all issues. In addition, the Committee directs BLM and USFS to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate on each concern 

raised by a State and the resolution thereof within 30 days after 

the comment period closes on the proposed resource management 

plans. The Committee will continue to monitor the Administration’s actions regarding the sage-grouse, especially the discussions 

between the States and BLM and USFS, and will provide additional direction as needed. 

LAND ACQUISITION

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $19,746,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 38,000,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 7,250,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥12,496,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥30,750,000 

The Committee recommends $7,250,000 for Land Acquisition, $12,496,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$30,750,000 below the budget request. A detailed table of funding 

recommendations below the account level is provided at the end of 

this report. The Committee recommendation includes further details below. 


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The recommendation includes $2,500,000 for land acquisition 

projects included in the fiscal year 2016 budget request. The Bureau is directed to re-prioritize its project list as necessary to focus 

on acquisitions where opportunities for recreation, and local, State, 

and congressional support, are strongest. 

Consistent with other land acquisition accounts funded by this appropriation, the recommendation includes $2,000,000 for acquisitions that improve access to existing Federal public lands via road, 

river, or trail for hunting, fishing, and other public recreation, as 

authorized by law or regulation. The recommendation includes $1,000,000 for inholdings and 

other acquisitions considered by the Bureau to be emergencies or 

hardships. The Bureau is directed to notify the Committee of any 

land acquired with these funds. The Committee defines ‘‘inholding’’ 

as non-Federal land within designated management areas and bordered by not less than 51 percent of Federal public land. 

OREGON AND CALIFORNIA GRANT LANDS

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $113,777,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 107,734,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 110,602,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥3,175,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ +2,868,000 

The Committee recommends $110,602,000 for the Oregon and California grant lands, $3,175,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $2,868,000 above the budget request. A detailed 

table of funding recommendations below the account level is provided at the end of this report. 

RANGE IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee recommends an indefinite appropriation of not 

less than $10,000,000 to be derived from public lands receipts and 

Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act lands grazing receipts, as requested. 

SERVICE CHARGES, DEPOSITS, AND FORFEITURES

The Committee recommends an indefinite appropriation estimated to be $31,050,000 for Service Charges, Deposits, and Forfeitures, as requested. 

MISCELLANEOUS TRUST FUNDS

The Committee recommends an indefinite appropriation estimated to be $24,000,000, as requested for Miscellaneous Trust 

Funds. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

The Committee recommendation includes the requested Administrative Provisions. 

UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is to 

conserve, protect and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats 

for the continuing benefit of people. Although the States are priVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 19, 2015 Jkt 095083 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR170.XXX HR170

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marily responsible for management of fish and wildlife within their 

borders, the Service has been delegated responsibilities for certain 

threatened and endangered species, interjurisdictional fish and migratory bird species, and marine mammals, in addition to managing the National Fish Hatchery System and the National Wildlife Refuge System. 

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $1,207,658,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 1,326,832,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 1,220,343,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +12,685,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥106,489,000 

The Committee recommends $1,220,343,000 for Resource Management, $12,685,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$106,489,000 below the budget request. A detailed table of funding 

recommendations below the account level is provided at the end of 

this report. Proposed internal transfers and program changes for 

fiscal year 2016 are recommended where discussed below. 

Tribal Consultation.—The recommendation does not include the 

proposed consolidation of tribal consultation funding within the 

central office because of recent reports by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and others highlighting the problems caused 

by the centralization of programs for Indian tribes elsewhere within the Department of the Interior. 

Ecological Services.—The recommendation includes $231,920,000 

for the Ecological Services activity. Proposed budget structure 

changes and associated internal transfers are recommended except 

that Recovery should remain a distinct subactivity, as described in 

further detail below. The States and other Service partners have 

raised valid concerns about transparency in the Service’s budget realignment proposal. The Committee recommendation attempts to 

address these specific concerns while at the same time helping the 

Service to achieve efficiencies and cost savings. Nevertheless, the 

Service must improve its ability to account for expenditures to implement certain laws passed by the Congress, particularly the Endangered Species Act (ESA). As a first step, the Service should include in annual budget submissions a crosscut table estimating 

amounts budgeted for implementation of the ESA, by subactivity, 

across the Service’s budget. The Service should also more closely 

align its presentation of authorizing statutes and budget subactivities in annual budget submissions. 

Listing.—The recommendation includes $10,257,000 for foreign 

and domestic listings, responses to petitions to list, and designation 

of critical habitat pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. 

The Committee remains concerned that deadlines imposed by the 

2011 multispecies litigation settlements may be compromising the 

Service’s ability to be thorough in its economic impact analyses, to 

provide fair public notice and opportunity to comment, to base decisions upon the best available scientific evidence, and to be exceptionally transparent with the information upon which its decisions 

are made. The Service is directed to re-evaluate its workplans in 

order to meet these obligations in light of the budget, and to request deadline extensions as necessary. 


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The Committee is concerned about the critical habitat proposal 

for the western distinct population segment of the yellow-billed 

cuckoo, published in the Federal Register on August 15, 2014. The 

proposal designates a Federal flood control reservoir as critical 

habitat. The Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the reservoir, has publicly stated its objection because any compromises in 

the management of the dam and reservoir for flood control purposes ‘‘may increase the risk of loss of human life and cause significant impacts to economics downstream.’’ The Endangered Species 

Act is clear in its directive that the Service must take into consideration the economic impact and any other relevant impact of 

specifying any particular area as critical habitat. The Committee 

maintains that flood control for the purposes of protecting human 

lives and property must not only be taken into consideration but 

must also be off-limits to critical habitat designations. The Service 

is urged to exercise common sense and sound judgment before finalizing the critical habitat rule for the yellow-billed cuckoo. 

The Committee is aware that the Service will be re-opening the 

public comment period for the Big Sandy and Guyandotte crayfish 

and publishing in the Federal Register the methods, results, and 

conclusions of the population surveys underway. The Committee is 

supportive of these efforts to take into consideration any additional 

comments received between June 8, 2015, and the end of the reopened comment period, and to refrain from publishing a final rule 

until April 7, 2016. 

Planning and Consultation.—The recommendation includes 

$100,787,000 for evaluations and permitting of proposed infrastructure and other development projects. The increase requested for 

more timely evaluations and permits is partially funded at 

$1,951,000. The Service is directed to more clearly define timeliness and to update its performance measures beginning with the 

fiscal year 2017 budget request. The request to handle the Service’s 

increased permitting workload in the Gulf as a result of the 2010 

Deepwater Horizon oil spill is partially funded at $500,000. 

The Committee recognizes the important role of Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) in both recovery of species and in providing 

economic certainty and growth to municipalities affected by listed 

species, and encourages the Service to place a priority on working 

with partners making good faith efforts to develop and implement 

responsible HCPs. 

Conservation and Restoration.—The recommendation includes 

$33,396,000 for conservation and restoration activities not specifically directed at the recovery of threatened and endangered species. Coastal Barrier Resources Protection Act implementation is 

funded at $1,390,000 as requested. The National Wetlands Inventory program is funded at $3,721,000, which is $250,000 above the 

fiscal year 2015 enacted level. The sagebrush steppe ecosystem is 

funded at $4,000,000 as requested. The Committee is aware that 

under a court settlement the Fish and Wildlife Service must complete a status review for greater sage-grouse by September 30, 

2015, and make a determination as to whether or not listing greater sage-grouse is warranted. However, such determination has no 

legal force or effect pursuant to section 122 of the Consolidated and 

Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (division F of Public 

Law 113–235; 128 Stat. 2421), any similar provision in this Act, or 


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any continuing resolution carrying forward the terms and conditions from fiscal year 2015 into fiscal year 2016. 

Recovery.—The recommendation includes $87,480,000 for recovery planning and oversight, five-year status reviews, and associated downlisting and delisting activities. The increase requested to 

address the backlog of species that have been identified for potential delisting or downlisting based upon recent five-year reviews is 

fully funded at $7,741,000. The Service is directed to submit annually with its budget request a complete list of all species with completed 5-year reviews recommending downlisting or delisting that 

have not yet been acted on. The recommendation includes the requested increase for ecosystem restoration. The recommendation 

includes $500,000 for annual state-of-the-birds status reporting. 

Not less than $2,000,000 is recommended for the recovery of listed 

bat species impacted by white-nose syndrome. General program activities are funded at $78,878,000 as requested. Notwithstanding 

the reprogramming guidelines in the front of this report, the Service is directed to submit a reprogramming request to the Committee if necessary to comply with the directives below. 

The Service is directed to develop recovery plans for all listed 

species as required by law; to include in each recovery plan measurable recovery goals that the Service, the States, and their partners can strive for; and to report to the Congress on any species 

for which the Secretary finds that a recovery plan will not promote 

the conservation of the species, including the justification. 

The Service is directed to complete all status reviews within the 

five-year period required by law, and, for any determination on the 

basis of such review whether a species should be delisted, 

downlisted, or uplisted, promulgate an associated regulation prior 

to initiating the next status review for such species. 

The Committee is concerned that the Service’s proposed rule to 

change the designation of critical habitat (79 Fed. Reg. 27066) 

could unfairly broaden areas so designated. The Committee is concerned that the Service’s proposed rule to change the definition of 

‘‘adverse modification or destruction’’ (79 Fed. Reg. 27060) could 

preclude the Service from carrying out reasonable and timely section 7 consultations or approving incidental take statements. The 

Service is directed to convene meetings upon request with organizations seeking changes to the proposed rules, and act in good faith 

to address those changes before the finalization, implementation, 

issuance, or publication of the proposed rules. 

The cooperative recovery initiative with other Service programs 

is funded at $1,943,000, which is $1,570,000 above the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and $957,000 below the budget request. Funds 

may be transferred to other budget activities within Resource Management, notwithstanding the reprogramming guidelines in the 

front of this report, provided the funds are strictly used for this initiative. 

The recommendation includes $2,500,000 in matching funds for 

recovery actions with non-governmental partners, $2,000,000 above 

the budget request. The Committee recognizes the important role 

that non-governmental partners have played in the recovery of endangered species, such as the California condor and the aplomado 

falcon, and directs the Service to continue to foster these and similar partnerships nationwide. 


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The Committee is concerned that the Service’s interim 4(d) rule 

with respect to the northern long-eared bat, which prescribed habitat conservation measures for certain activities exempted from incidental take prohibitions, unfairly failed to exempt other activities 

that could be conducted in accordance with these same measures. 

The Committee maintains that section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act authorizes the Service to prohibit certain acts on threatened species but does not authorize the Service to prejudge individual activities that may result in such acts. Therefore, the bill includes language directing the Secretary to: (1) amend the current 

interim 4(d) rule for the northern long-eared bat to exempt without 

prejudice any activity that complies with the habitat conservation 

measures prescribed in the rule; and (2) re-initiate a public process 

in accordance with existing law to develop a final 4(d) rule. Recognizing the seriousness of white-nose syndrome and its effect on 

northern long-eared bats and other bat species, and the desire of 

States, industry, research partners, and others to address the disease, the Committee encourages the Service to work collaboratively 

with interested partners on the development of fair interim and 

final 4(d) rules. 

The bill includes language directing the Secretary to re-issue 

final rules delisting recovered gray wolves in Wyoming and the 

Great Lakes, consistent with congressional action on recovered 

gray wolves in Idaho and Montana in the fiscal year 2011 appropriation. The Committee is compelled to act again in order to uphold the integrity of the Endangered Species Act, which hinges 

upon the guarantee that the Federal government will return management to the States once recovery goals are met and scientifically-sound management plans are in place. Upon enactment of 

this Act, the Service is urged to finalize its proposal to delist recovered gray wolves range-wide. 

The Committee understands that the listing of the lesser prairie 

chicken as threatened under the Endangered Species Act gave 

States containing lesser prairie chicken habitats the opportunity to 

implement voluntary range-wide conservation plans. Several States 

are now engaged in voluntary range-wide lesser prairie chicken 

conservation plan implementation. The Committee supports ongoing State management of the lesser prairie chicken and the cooperative efforts between States and the Fish and Wildlife Service to 

fully implement voluntary range-wide conservation plans. 

The Committee directs the Secretary to complete the next fiveyear status review on delta smelt, as required by law, and to include in the next Recovery Report to Congress a determination of 

whether the species is more or less numerous, or unknown, since 

the species was listed. 

Habitat Conservation.—The recommendation includes 

$51,776,000 for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife private lands 

program, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level, of which 

$1,285,000 is for Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups as requested. The recommendation includes $13,375,000 for the Coastal 

Program as requested. 

National Wildlife Refuge System.—The recommendation includes 

$483,054,000 for the National Wildlife Refuge System, $8,852,000 

above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Volunteer partnerships 

are increased by $500,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 


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with the goal of increasing the number of volunteer hours, which 

have declined in recent years. Law enforcement is funded at 

$38,959,000 as requested, $905,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Refuge maintenance is funded at $139,910,000 as requested, $7,412,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. 

Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCPs) are increased by $500,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level with the goal of 

bringing the Service into compliance with the National Wildlife 

Refuge System Improvement Act of 1977, which required a CCP for 

every unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System by 2012 and a 

revision of every CCP at least every 15 years. The Service’s proposal to transform the way it develops CCPs is laudable but is no 

excuse for missing deadlines. The increase for CCPs is partially offset by a reduction of $465,000 from planning for more refuges, in 

order to re-focus the planning program on its higher priority mandates. 

Within 90 days of enactment of this Act, the Service should provide to the Committee any written policies and procedures that relate to the use of animal traps within the National Wildlife Refuge 

System, by State if applicable. The Service is encouraged to comply 

with State regulations for the use of animal traps for non-consumptive management purposes on national wildlife refuges within each 

State. 

Migratory Bird Management.—The recommendation includes 

$47,718,000 for migratory bird management, $1,250,000 above the 

fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Increases include $1,000,000 as requested to take corrective action to improve aviation safety; and 

$250,000 to improve permitting, particularly for bird/livestock conflicts. The Service is commended for its efforts to work with landowners to reduce black vulture predation on livestock. 

Law Enforcement.—The recommendation includes $73,772,000 

for law enforcement, $7,035,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level and $1,651,000 below the budget request. Wildlife trafficking 

is funded at $6,500,000 which is $3,000,000 above the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level. General program activities are funded at 

$64,500,000. The Service is directed to enforce illegal logging violations pursuant to the Lacey Act. 

The Committee has concerns about the application of 50 CFR 

Part 14 to the export of sea urchin and sea cucumber. The Service 

is directed to evaluate whether these types of echinoderms should 

be included in the exceptions to clearance requirements, as part of 

Subpart E, Section 14.55(a) and submit a report to the Committee 

within 60 days of enactment of this Act. Additionally, if the Service 

determines that sea urchin and sea cucumber should not receive an 

exception, the report should include an evaluation of the potential 

application of a 24-hour notice rule to the Service rather than the 

current 48-hour advanced notice that is currently required. 

International Affairs.—The recommendation includes $14,599,000 

for international affairs, including an increase of $93,000 above the 

fiscal year 2015 enacted level for wildlife trafficking as requested. 

The Committee is concerned with the recent increase of illegal 

trade in rhinoceros horns, elephant ivory from Africa, and illegally 

harvested timber, the large sums of money that these products 

command on the black market, and that these activities are providing a significant source of financing for armed insurgencies and 


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groups with links to transnational organized crime and terrorism. 

These activities threaten the stability and development of African 

countries and pose a threat to U.S. security interests. The Committee supports Service programs in particular that focus on: (1) 

site-based law enforcement protection in Africa for the most at-risk 

populations of forest and savannah elephants; (2) development and 

implementation of regional wildlife law enforcement networks in 

Africa and Asia; and (3) training local park guards and other wildlife law enforcement officers. These programs should be carried out 

in coordination with other U.S. agencies, local governments, and 

international conservation partners. The Committee encourages coordination between the Service and the Department of Homeland 

Security at U.S. ports of entry. 

The Committee remains concerned about the Service’s unilateral 

regulatory limitation on the trade and transport of products containing ivory that have legally been in the United States for years 

and in some cases generations, including expensive family heirlooms and rare musical instruments. Therefore, the Committee has 

included a general provision in Title I to maintain the status quo 

for legal domestic ivory trade and transport policies until such time 

as the Service has completed a formal rulemaking process and attempted to address these concerns. 

Fish and Aquatic Conservation.—The recommendation includes 

$52,418,000 for National Fish Hatchery System operations. None of 

the funds may be used to terminate operations or to close any facility of the National Fish Hatchery System. None of the production 

programs listed in the March, 2013, National Fish Hatchery System Strategic Hatchery and Workforce Planning Report may be reduced or terminated without advance, informal consultation with 

affected States and Indian Tribes. General program activities are 

funded at $48,152,000 but does not include the $1,000,000 holdback fund established in fiscal year 2015 without congressional approval. The aquatic animal drug approval partnership program is 

funded at not less than $400,000 as requested. The national wild 

fish health survey program is funded at not less than $930,000 as 

requested. 

The recommendation includes $19,920,000 for Maintenance and 

Equipment as requested, including a $2,000,000 increase above the 

fiscal year 2015 enacted level to address the deferred maintenance 

backlog. The Service is directed to modify its allocation methodology so that increases are directed to facilities with the most severe health and safety deficiencies across the System as a whole, 

rather than by region. 

Aquatic habitat and species conservation programs are funded at 

the fiscal year 2015 enacted level except for Klamath Basin, which 

is funded at the requested level, cooperative management, which is 

reduced by $588,000, and aquatic invasive species State plans, 

which are funded at $2,566,000, which is $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. All other invasive species programs are 

funded at the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. 

Marine Mammals.—The marine mammals program is transferred to Ecological Services as requested. 

Cooperative Landscape Conservation.—The recommendation includes $6,994,000 for landscape conservation cooperatives (LCCs). 

The Committee continues to be concerned about the lack of State 


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and tribal support for LCCs. The Service should focus on areas 

where partnerships are strongest. 

Science Support.—The recommendation includes $11,727,000 for 

science support, of which not less than $2,500,000 shall continue to 

be used to fight white-nose syndrome in bats. The Committee recognizes that scientific support from the U.S. Geological Survey has 

been insufficient in meeting the Service’s needs, and supports rebuilding the Service’s capacity for scientific research and application. However, the Service has used its additional science funding 

in recent years to add a new layer of administrators nationwide, 

which seems unnecessary. The Committee notes that the National 

Fish Hatchery System has been a national leader in the science of 

fish health and fish culture for decades under the existing fisheries 

program leadership structure. The Committee encourages the Service to reconsider its approach to rebuilding its science capacity and 

to propose future increases for science within the budgets of existing programs that need the science, such as fisheries, refuges, migratory birds, and endangered species, if such science is a priority 

for the programs. 

General Operations.—The recommendation funds general operations at the fiscal year 2015 enacted level except for including the 

requested reductions for communication and worker’s compensation, and the requested increase for maintenance of the National 

Conservation Training Center (NCTC). The Service is encouraged 

to continue to make NCTC available, at cost, to other Federal, 

State, tribal, and non-governmental entities for the purposes of 

conservation training. 

CONSTRUCTION

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $15,687,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 20,812,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 13,144,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥2,543,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥7,668,000 

The Committee recommends $13,144,000 for Construction, 

$2,543,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $7,668,000 

below the budget request. A detailed table of funding recommendations below the account level is provided at the end of this report. 

LAND ACQUISITION

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $47,535,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 58,500,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 27,500,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥20,035,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥31,000,000 

The Committee recommends $27,500,000 for land acquisition, 

$20,035,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$31,000,000 below the budget request. The amounts recommended 

by the Committee compared with the budget estimates by activity 

are shown in the table at the end of this report. 

The recommendation includes $9,000,000 for land acquisition 

projects included in the fiscal year 2016 budget request. The Service is directed to re-prioritize its project list as necessary to focus 


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on acquisitions where opportunities for recreation, and local, State, 

and congressional support, are strongest. 

The recommendation includes $2,500,000 for inholdings and 

other acquisitions considered by the Service to be emergencies or 

hardships. The Service is directed to notify the Committee of any 

land acquired with these funds. The Committee defines ‘‘inholding’’ 

as non-Federal land within authorized National Wildlife Refuge 

boundaries and bordered by not less than 51 percent of Federal 

public land. 

Consistent with other land acquisition accounts funded by this 

appropriation, the recommendation includes $2,000,000 for acquisitions that improve access to existing Federal public lands via road, 

river, or trail for hunting, fishing, and other public recreation, as 

authorized by law or regulation. 

In a time when budgetary constraints allow for only a limited 

number of new land acquisition projects, the Committee is encouraged by programs that leverage public/private partnerships for 

land conservation like the Highlands Conservation Act, which has 

a record of more than a 2 to 1 ratio in non-Federal matching funds. 

Therefore, the Committee recommendation includes $3,000,000 for 

the Highlands Conservation Act Grants and directs the Fish and 

Wildlife Service to work with the Highlands States regarding priority projects for fiscal year 2016. 

COOPERATIVE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund provides grants to States and territories for endangered species recovery actions on non-Federal lands and provides funds for non-Federal land acquisition to facilitate habitat protection. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $50,095,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 50,000,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 50,095,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ +95,000 

The Committee recommends $50,095,000 for the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2015 

enacted level and $95,000 above the budget request. A detailed 

table of funding recommendations below the account level is provided at the end of this report. All funding is to be derived from 

the Land and Water Conservation Fund, as requested. 

NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FUND

The National Wildlife Refuge Fund makes payments in lieu of 

taxes based on their fair market value to counties in which Service 

lands are located. Payments to counties in all 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are 

estimated to be $18,712,000 in fiscal year 2016, with $13,228,000 

derived from this appropriation and $5,484,000 from the net refuge 

receipts estimated to be collected in fiscal year 2015. 


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Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $13,228,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 0 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 13,228,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ +13,228,000 

The Committee recommends $13,228,000 for the National Wildlife Refuge Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$13,228,000 above the budget request. The Committee notes the inconsistency with which the Administration proposes full funding 

for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (as is provided elsewhere in this bill) 

and proposes zero funding for the National Wildlife Refuge Fund. 

NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION FUND

The North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989 provided for grants to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the 

United States, Canada, and Mexico for the benefit of wetlands-associated migratory birds and other wildlife. Additional program 

funding comes from fines, penalties, and forfeitures collected under 

the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918; from Federal fuel excise 

taxes on small gasoline engines, as directed by amendments to the 

Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950, to benefit coastal ecosystem projects; and from interest accrued on the fund established under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937. 

Authorization of appropriations expired in fiscal year 2012. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $34,145,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 34,145,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 35,000,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +855,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ +855,000 

The Committee recommends $35,000,000 for the North American 

Wetlands Conservation Fund, $855,000 above the fiscal year 2015 

enacted level and the budget request, and consistent with the reauthorization level proposed in the last Congress. 

NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION

The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 2000 authorized grants for the conservation of neotropical migratory birds in 

the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, with 75 percent of the amounts available to be expended on projects outside 

the United States. Authorization of appropriations expired in fiscal 

year 2010. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $3,660,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 4,160,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 3,660,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥500,000 

The Committee recommends $3,660,000 for neotropical migratory 

bird conservation, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$500,000 below the budget request. 


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MULTINATIONAL SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

The Multinational Species Conservation Fund provides technical 

support and cost-sharing grant assistance to countries to strengthen anti-poaching activities; builds community support for conservation near the species’ habitats; conducts surveys, monitoring, and 

applied research; and provides infrastructure and field equipment 

necessary to conserve habitats. These funds help to leverage work 

with partners and other collaborators to conserve and protect African and Asian elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, great apes and marine turtles and their habitats. Authorizations of appropriations for 

the programs within this Fund have expired. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $9,061,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 11,061,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 9,561,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +500,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥1,500,000 

The Committee recommends $9,561,000 for the Multinational 

Species Conservation Fund, $500,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $1,500,000 below the budget request. A detailed 

table of funding recommendations below the account level is provided at the end of this report. The Committee recognizes that 

international wildlife trafficking has national security implications 

and therefore supports the Service’s interagency and international 

cooperative efforts. The Committee further urges the Service and 

other interested parties to seek to evaluate and reauthorize these 

programs. 

STATE AND TRIBAL WILDLIFE GRANTS

The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program provides Federal 

grant funds to the States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories, and Tribes, to develop and 

implement programs for the benefit of at-risk fish and wildlife that 

are not under Federal jurisdiction. The intent is to avoid the costly 

and time-consuming process entered into through the Endangered 

Species Act or other regulatory actions. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $58,695,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 70,000,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 59,195,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +500,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥10,805,000 

The Committee recommends $59,195,000 for State and Tribal 

Wildlife Grants, $500,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 

and $10,805,000 below the budget request. The increase above the 

enacted level is for State competitive grants. The Service is directed to focus the State competitive grants program on species the 

Service finds to be warranted for listing but precluded because of 

higher priorities, and on species proposed for listing but not yet 

listed. States are encouraged to do the same with the formula 

grants. 


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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

The mission of the National Park Service (Service) is to preserve 

unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the 

national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration 

of this and future generations. Established in 1916, the National 

Park Service has stewardship responsibilities for the protection and 

preservation of the heritage resources of the national park system. 

The system, consisting of 407 separate and distinct units, is recognized globally as a leader in park management and resource preservation. The national park system represents much of the finest 

the Nation has to offer in terms of scenery, historical and archeological relics, and cultural heritage. Through its varied sites, the 

National Park Service attempts to explain America’s history, interpret its culture, preserve examples of its natural ecosystems, and 

provide recreational and educational opportunities for U.S. citizens 

and visitors from all over the world. In addition, the National Park 

Service provides support to tribal, local, and State governments to 

preserve culturally significant, ecologically important, and public 

recreational lands. 

The National Park Service will be 100 years old in 2016, and the 

Service has embarked on a ten-year effort to enhance the national 

parks leading up to this historic celebration. The Committee supports this effort leading to a second century of conservation, environmental stewardship and recreation benefiting millions of visitors from throughout the world. 

OPERATION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $2,275,773,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 2,515,131,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 2,327,811,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +52,038,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥187,320,000 

The Committee recommends $2,327,811,000 for Operation of the 

National Park System (ONPS), $52,038,000 above the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and $187,320,000 below the budget request. The 

amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the budget estimates by activity are shown in the table at the end of this 

report. 

Centennial of the National Park Service.—The Centennial of the 

National Park Service marks the beginning of a second century of 

stewardship, education, conservation, and recreation involving 

some of America’s most treasured spaces. The Committee recognizes the importance of this historic national celebration and is 

committed to its success. 

Accordingly, the Committee provides $52,038,000 in new discretionary funding within the ONPS account to support the Centennial Initiative and related efforts, including funds to address deferred and cyclic maintenance needs. Specifically, the bill provides 

$13,538,000 as requested to support new responsibilities and critical needs across the System including critical operating needs at 

Park Service sites associated with the Civil Rights Movement; 

$8,000,000 as requested to restore seasonal ranger staff and enhance education and interpretive services; and $2,000,000 as requested to support increased volunteer capacity through partner orVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 19, 2015 Jkt 095083 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR170.XXX HR170

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ganizations. The bill also includes $3,500,000 to support the Service’s Civil Rights initiative. Lastly, the bill provides new discretionary funding within ONPS to address deferred maintenance 

needs including $15,000,000 for repair and rehabilitation projects 

and $10,000,000 to address cyclic maintenance needs. These funds 

are supplemented by $20,000,000 provided within the Centennial 

Challenge matching grant program account dedicated to supporting 

signature projects and programs which provide critical visitor services enhancements for parks beyond amounts provided for basic operations. 

Given the scope of the Centennial Initiative, the Committee directs the Service to provide a report, not later than 90 days after 

enactment of this Act, detailing the distribution of funds supporting the Centennial Initiative and the anticipated return on investment on this substantial Federal investment. 

Resource Stewardship.—The bill provides $321,483,000 for resource stewardship. Increases above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level include $1,276,000 as requested to support new responsibilities and critical needs, and $3,000,000 to document and preserve 

Civil Rights history in the National Park System as part of the 

Service’s Civil Rights initiative. The bill also includes $2,000,000 to 

continue zebra and quagga mussel containment, prevention, and 

enforcement. This funding was included in the fiscal year 2015 enacted bill but was not proposed in the budget request. 

Visitor Services.—The bill provides $251,447,000 for visitor services. Increases above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level include 

$2,000,000 as requested to support increased volunteer capacity 

through partner organizations; $4,000,000 as requested to restore 

seasonal ranger staff; $1,961,000 as requested to support new responsibilities and critical needs; and $500,000 as requested to support the Service’s Civil Rights initiative. The bill also includes 

funding for the National Capital Area Performing Arts Program 

which was proposed for termination in the budget request. 

Park Protection.—The bill provides $351,953,000 for park protection. Increases above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level include 

$2,000,000 to restore seasonal ranger staff and $1,151,000 to support new responsibilities and critical needs as requested. 

Facility Maintenance and Operations.—The bill provides 

$731,355,000 for facility maintenance and operations. Increases 

above the fiscal year 2015 enacted bill include $2,000,000 as requested to restore seasonal ranger staff and $7,043,000 as requested to support new responsibilities and critical needs. The recommendation also includes $15,000,000 for repair and rehabilitation projects and $10,000,000 to address cyclic maintenance needs. 

Park Support.—The bill provides $491,569,000 for park support. 

Increases above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level include 

$2,107,000 as requested to support new responsibilities and critical 

needs. 

Additional Guidance.—The Committee recommendation for Operation of the National Park System includes the following additional 

guidance: 

Aquatic Invasive Species.—The Committee remains concerned 

about the spread of quagga and zebra mussels in the West. The 

Committee directs the Secretary of the Interior to continue developing and updating, using the best available science minimum proVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 19, 2015 Jkt 095083 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR170.XXX HR170

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tocols and training techniques for Federal, State, local, and private 

entities, a consistent standard of inspection and decontamination of 

recreational watercraft and equipment, as prescribed in the February 2010 Quagga/Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. 

Waters. 

Further, consistent with fiscal year 2015, the Committee pro- vides the Service with $2,000,000 for quagga and zebra mussel containment, prevention, and enforcement and directs the Service to 

prioritize the decontamination of watercraft and equipment leaving 

the watersheds of contaminated bodies, including Lake Powell and 

Lake Mead. Lastly, the Committee directs the Service to provide, 

not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, a progress report on steps taken in recent years to address this pervasive threat 

to western watersheds. 

White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) in bats.—The Committee remains 

concerned over the effects white-nose syndrome is having on the 

important roles bats perform in ecological functions in parks. The 

Committee provides funds as requested to support the Service’s efforts to control the spread of the disease; protect and better inventory NPS bat and cave resources; expand research and partnerships for research on WNS management; monitor NPS resources 

for WNS; conduct public education about WNS; and standardize 

visitor WNS screening procedures across park units. 

Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA).—The 

Committee understands that the Service is negotiating to extend 

the lease for the temporary headquarters facility of the Mississippi 

National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA). Recognizing the 

temporary nature of the headquarters and the lack of visitor use 

facilities adjacent to the Mississippi river, the Service is directed 

to undertake a study for the development of a permanent headquarters and visitor use facility in close proximity to the existing 

headquarters and the river. 

James A. Garfield Memorial.—The Committee recognizes that 

there are a number of nationally significant presidential legacy 

sites outside of the National Park System. Understanding the historical, educational, cultural, and recreational value these sites 

offer the American public, the Committee believes presidential legacy sites should remain accessible and structurally protected. Recently, several Members of Congress submitted a letter to the Service requesting a study assessing the suitability of the James A. 

Garfield Memorial at Lake View Cemetery for inclusion as an affiliated area. The Committee encourages the Service to conduct an assessment as soon as possible. 

Everglades Restoration.—The Committee notes the substantial 

progress made toward restoration of the Everglades ecosystem and 

continues to support this multi-year effort to preserve one of the 

great ecological treasures of the United States. The Service is directed to work with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and 

relevant Federal agencies (including but not limited to the Bureau 

of Indian Affairs and the Environmental Protection Agency) to develop a range of options to address the water quality issues of the 

L–28 canal system. The Service is to report back to the Committee 

on these options within 180 days of enactment of this Act. 

Further, the Committee encourages the Service to complete the 

land exchange authorized in section 7107(b)(3) of the Omnibus 


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Public Land Management Act of 2009. According to the Service, the 

land exchange supports the mission of the Everglades National 

Park and is vital to the long-term protection of the entire Everglades ecosystem. Completion of the land exchange will ensure that 

important operational phases, such as freshwater storage and sheet 

flow restoration, for the federally funded Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) will not be delayed. 

Golden Spike Sesquicentennial.—The Committee notes that 2019 

marks the sesquicentennial of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad. The Golden Spike National Historic Site in 

Utah celebrates this historic achievement. The Committee urges 

the Service to begin planning, in conjunction with State and local 

governments, the observance of the Golden Spike Sesquicentennial 

and celebration of this milestone in American history. 

Made in America.—The Committee directs the Service to identify 

if authorized concessioners are offering products made in the 

United States, explore viable ways to encourage the sale of American made products, and provide to the Committee the estimated 

economic impact of requiring all authorized concessioners to sell 

only American made goods. 

Intellectual Property.—The Committee directs the Service to provide a report on intellectual property rights that have been lost by 

the Service, and processes that can be undertaken to preserve intellectual property of the Service moving forward. 

Eastern Legacy Study (Lewis and Clark Trail Study).—The Eastern Legacy Study, authorized to determine the feasibility of extending the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, is now two years 

overdue. While the Committee appreciates that the study area is 

approximately 7,400 miles across 14 eastern States and the District 

of Columbia, the Committee directs the Service to work expeditiously to complete the study in a timely fashion and report back 

to the Committee on any impediments to completion. 

NDAA evaluation.—The Committee urges the Service to evaluate 

Section 3040 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘‘Buck’’ McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 and report 

back to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this Act on 

the Service’s evaluation. 

GIS tools.—The Committee is aware of geospatial platforms and 

GIS tools that may be used to support planning, design, repair, 

stewardship, and restoration of national parks’ facilities, recreational assets, and natural and cultural resources. Such platforms and tools have been effectively deployed by the Service and 

other agencies to support conservation and preservation efforts including Chesapeake Bay restoration. The Committee urges the 

Service to provide a report to the Committee not later than 90 days 

after enactment of this Act on how the use of such platforms and 

tools could be expanded by the Service to support planning and 

management. 

Flight 93 Memorial.—Since the terrorist attacks of September 

11, 2001, nearly 2.5 million people have visited the site of the 

Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The 

memorial honors the 40 men and women who died saving the 

White House or U.S. Capitol from a potentially catastrophic terrorist attack. The Committee is pleased by progress of the Visitor 

Center and Learning Center and looks forward to their formal 


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dedication in September, 2015. The bill provides requested funds to 

support operations and maintenance, interpretive staff, and other 

critical needs at the memorial. The Committee remains firmly committed to the timely completion of remaining phases of the Flight 

93 Memorial including construction of the pedestrian trail from the 

Visitor Center to the Wall of Names, and the Tower of Voices. 

U.S. Capitol Concerts.—The Committee continues its longstanding support for funding for the National Capitol Area Performing Arts Program and directs the Service to maintain funding 

for the summer concert series staged on the U.S. Capitol grounds 

at the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. 

Ozark National Scenic Riverways.—The Committee understands 

concerns have been expressed regarding potential access restrictions in certain areas of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The 

Service is directed to work collaboratively with affected parties to 

ensure that implementation of the General Management Plan for 

the Ozark National Scenic Riverways addresses the legitimate concerns of affected stakeholders including, but not limited to, local 

communities and businesses. 

America’s First Frontier.—The Committee urges the Service to 

advance interpretive efforts at existing National Park Service sites 

and in collaboration with other Federal, State, and local agencies, 

including other bureaus within the Department of the Interior, to 

detail the start of westward expansion through the Northwest Territory as America’s First Frontier. Further, the Committee directs 

the Service to report back to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this Act on steps being taken to advance such interpretive collaboration. 

Midwest Region.—The Committee understands that the Midwest 

Region of the National Park Service is conducting a review of the 

operations of Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial and 

River Raisin National Battlefield to determine whether administrative efficiencies can be gained from the two parks sharing certain 

staff resources. Within 90 days of enactment of this Act, the Committee directs the Service to submit a status report of this review 

and provide assurances that both parks will be able to continue to 

carry out their unique missions as directed by Congress in their establishment. 

Yosemite National Park.—The Committee remains concerned 

that visitors to Yosemite Valley may experience a diminished level 

of service as a result of the implementation of the Merced River 

Plan. The Service is directed to work with its concessioners at Yosemite National Park to ensure there is no interruption to visitor 

and recreational services, including bicycle rentals and ice skating, 

as the park implements the Merced River Plan. 

Leasing of Historic Buildings.—Leasing of historic park buildings 

has proven to be an effective public-private partnership that has 

brought private investment to the repair and maintenance of historic park resources. In previous years, the Committee has encouraged the Service to make expanded use of leasing authority. The 

Committee commends the Service for recent steps it has taken to 

increase the utilization of this tool, including establishing a leasing 

manager to oversee and expand the historic leasing program. The 

Committee directs the Service to provide a report, within six 

months of enactment of this Act, detailing its progress towards exVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 19, 2015 Jkt 095083 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR170.XXX HR170

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panding use of this authority. Included in this report should be (1) 

an assessment of how many historic structures are leasable, (2) the 

cost of undertaking a leasing program, and (3) any statutory or regulatory impediments that now inhibit the enhanced use of leasing 

of historic structures. 

Park Partnerships.—Over the past several years and most recently in its explanatory statement accompanying the Consolidated 

and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, the Committee 

has expressed its support for ongoing public-private partnerships 

and strongly encouraged the Service to expand their use. These 

partnerships can leverage Federal dollars and add value to national parks by bringing wide-ranging perspectives to the efficient 

management of park resources. The Committee believes such partnerships, especially with Service nonprofit partners such as friends 

groups and cooperating associations, can be important contributors 

to enhancing the visitor experience. 

Further, the Committee believes there is merit in the Service 

working with qualified partners to cooperatively finance improvements to park facilities and programs, including repairing and rehabilitating facilities and landscapes to reduce the maintenance 

backlog, and providing educational and interpretive programs. The 

Committee commends the Service for efforts thus far made to engage partners and encourages the Service to find ways to further 

engage partners to facilitate the accomplishment of park projects 

consistent with the applicable laws and regulations that govern use 

of Federal appropriations. 

Bill Language.—The Committee has, since 2006, included bill 

language authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to acquire or 

lease property to facilitate the transportation of visitors to and 

from Ellis, Governors, and Liberty Islands, NY and NJ. The language was necessitated by the need to establish a screening process 

for visitors to the Statue of Liberty in the aftermath of the events 

of September 11, 2001. While the location of future, permanent 

screening facilities for the ferry operation to the Statue of Liberty 

and Ellis Island is now uncertain, prior-year bill language is retained as the Service reviews the security risks of alternative sites 

before making final decisions on the future location of permanent 

security screening facilities. The bill also includes language in Title 

I General Provisions addressing (1) the Volunteers in Parks (VIP) 

program, and (2) heritage areas. 

NATIONAL RECREATION AND PRESERVATION

The National Recreation and Preservation account provides for 

outdoor recreation planning, preservation of cultural and national 

heritage resources, technical assistance to Federal, State and local 

agencies, and administration of Historic Preservation Fund grants. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $63,117,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 54,199,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 62,467,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥650,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ +8,268,000 

The Committee recommends $62,467,000 for National Recreation 

and Preservation, $650,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 

and $8,268,000 above the budget request. The amounts recVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 19, 2015 Jkt 095083 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR170.XXX HR170

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ommended by the Committee compared with the budget estimates 

by activity are shown in the table at the end of this report. 

Additional Guidance.—The following additional direction and 

guidance is provided with respect to funding provided within this 

account: 

Heritage Partnership Program (HPP).—The Committee recommends $19,671,000 for the Heritage Partnership Program, 

$650,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. These funds support grants to local non-profit groups in support of historical and 

cultural recognition, preservation and tourism activities. The reduction below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level reflects funding for 

a former heritage area that is now a freestanding Service unit no 

longer funded via the heritage area program. Congress has in recent years expanded from 27 to 49 the number of authorized heritage partnerships, creating additional pressure on available grant 

funding. The National Park Service, as the administrator of the 

program, has developed a funding strategy that ensures newer 

areas receive enough Federal funding to establish themselves to a 

level that may eventually become self-sustaining. Under this approach, older, more established, areas will continue to receive 

funds, but at a level that recognizes the decades of significant Federal financial support these areas have received. Heritage areas 

were never intended to receive Federal funding in perpetuity, yet 

the Committee notes they continue to depend on annual appropriations at sustained historical levels. 

The Committee has in the recent past provided direction for the 

development of self-sufficiency plans, and the Committee fully expects pressure on HPP funding to increase in future years. Accordingly, the Committee directs that participating heritage areas move 

expeditiously to develop plans for long-term self-sustainability. The 

Committee supports the Service’s efforts to allocate funding in a 

manner that moves all heritage areas towards self-sustainability. 

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Grants.— The Committee supports the budget request for the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Grant Program. 

Japanese American Confinement Site Grants.—The Committee 

supports the budget request for the Japanese American Confinement Site Grant Program which leverages proportional funding 

through partnerships with local preservation groups to preserve 

Japanese American World War II confinement sites. 

American Battlefield Protection Program Assistance Grants.—The 

Committee supports the budget request for the American Battlefield Protection Program which assists in the preservation and protection of America’s battlefields through site identification, documentation, planning, interpretation, and educational efforts. 

HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND

The Historic Preservation Fund supports the State historic preservation offices to perform a variety of functions. These include 

State management and administration of existing grant obligations; review and advice on Federal projects and actions; determinations and nominations to the National Register; Tax Act certifications; and technical preservation services. The States also review properties to develop data for planning use. Funding in this 

account also supports direct grants to qualifying organizations for 


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individual preservation projects and for activities in support of heritage tourism and local historic preservation. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $56,410,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 89,910,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 60,910,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +4,500,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥29,000,000 

The Committee recommends $60,910,000 for historic preservation, $4,500,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$29,000,000 below the budget request. 

Additional Guidance.—The following guidance is provided with 

respect to funding provided within this account: 

State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices.—The bill provides 

$46,925,000 for State Historic Preservation Offices and $8,985,000 

for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices. The bill also provides 

$5,000,000 for competitive grants of which $500,000 is for grants 

to underserved communities and $4,500,000 is for competitive 

grants to document, interpret, and preserve historical sites associated with the Civil Rights Movement. 

CONSTRUCTION

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $138,339,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 250,967,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 139,555,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +1,216,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥111,412,000 

The Committee recommends $139,555,000 for Construction, 

$1,216,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$111,412,000 below the budget request. 

Line-Item Construction.—The bill provides $62,894,000 in funding for line-item construction projects. The amount provided fully 

funds the top ten construction projects as prioritized by the Service 

in the fiscal year 2016 budget request. Requests for reprogramming 

will be considered pursuant to the guidelines in the front of the report. 

Bill Language.—The Committee has maintained bill language 

providing that a single procurement may be issued which includes 

the full scope of the project for any project initially funded in fiscal 

year 2016 with a future phase indicated in the NPS five-year Line 

Item Construction program. The solicitation and contract in such 

procurement shall be subject to availability of funds. Executing a 

single contract has the potential to increase economies of scale and 

reduce overall costs. 

LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND

RESCISSION

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. ¥$28,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... ¥30,000,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... ¥28,000,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ +2,000,000 


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The Committee recommends the rescission of the annual contract 

authority provided by 16 U.S.C. 460l–10a. This authority has not 

been used in years and there are no plans to use it in fiscal year 

2016. The Committee does not agree with the Administration’s proposal to permanently cancel the authority. 

LAND ACQUISITION AND STATE ASSISTANCE

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $98,960,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 117,500,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 84,367,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥14,593,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥33,133,000 

The Committee recommends $84,367,000 for Land Acquisition and State Assistance, $14,593,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $33,133,000 below the budget request. In addition 

to the traditional State Conservation Grants, the Committee continues funding for the competitive grant program at the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level of $3,000,000. The recommendation includes 

$9,000,000 for the American Battlefield Protection Program, 

$14,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and the budget request. The amounts recommended by the Committee compared 

with the budget estimates by activity are shown in the table at the 

end of this report. The recommendation includes $9,000,000 for land acquisition 

projects included in the fiscal year 2016 budget request. The Service is directed to re-prioritize its project list as necessary to focus 

on acquisitions where opportunities for recreation, and local, State, 

and congressional support, are strongest. The recommendation includes $4,500,000 for inholdings, donations, and exchanges. The Service is directed to notify the Committee of any land acquired with these funds. The Committee defines ‘‘inholding’’ as non-Federal land within authorized National 

Park Service Unit boundaries and bordered by not less than 51 

percent of Federal public land. 

Consistent with other land acquisition accounts funded by this 

appropriation, the recommendation includes $2,000,000 for acquisitions that improve access to existing Federal public lands via road, 

river, or trail for hunting, fishing, and other public recreation, as 

authorized by law or regulation. 

CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $10,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 50,000,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 20,000,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +10,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥30,000,000 

The Committee provides $20,000,000 for the Centennial Challenge matching grant program, a key component of the Service’s 

Centennial Initiative. The Committee notes that $10,000,000 in 

Centennial Challenge funds provided to the Service in fiscal year 

2015 was matched with $15,900,000 from more than 90 partner organizations nationwide. These funds are now financing 106 projects 

to improve visitor services at more than 100 parks in 31 States and 

the District of Columbia. The Committee commends the Service for 


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its success in garnering non-Federal assistance for the completion 

of these and future projects as the Service approaches its Centennial. 

The Committee understands that funds provided will be matched 

on at least a 1:1 basis and administered under existing Service 

partnership authorities. Funds provided will be dedicated to supporting signature projects and programs which provide critical enhancements for the parks beyond amounts provided for basic operations. The Committee directs that preference be given to projects 

that have a clear and immediate visitor benefit as well as a higher 

partner match. The Committee notes that the Service has a long 

history of working with philanthropic partners and fully supports 

the use of public-private partnerships wherever feasible. 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

The United States Geological Survey (USGS, or ‘‘Survey’’) was 

established by an Act of Congress on March 3, 1879, to support the 

mission of the Department of the Interior and its science requirements. The USGS also works in collaboration with other Federal, 

State, and tribal cooperators to conduct research and provide scientific data and information to describe and understand the Earth; 

minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage 

water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and 

protect our quality of life. The USGS is the Federal government’s 

largest earth-science research agency and the primary source of 

data on the Nation’s surface and ground water resources. Its programs address increasingly complex societal issues such as the development of alternative and unconventional energy resources, 

management of critical ecosystems, understanding and adaptation 

to climate change, and responses to natural and human-induced 

hazards. For more than a century, the diversity of scientific expertise and collaborative partnerships with universities, research institutions, and major public and private laboratories has enabled 

USGS to carry out large-scale, multi-disciplinary investigations and 

provide impartial scientific information to resource managers, planners, policymakers, and the public. 

SURVEYS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND RESEARCH

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $1,045,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 1,194,782,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 1,045,000,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥149,782,000 

The Committee recommends $1,045,000,000 for Surveys, Investigations, and Research, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 

and $149,782,000 below the budget request. The Committee recommendation maintains funding for the Survey recognizing that its 

scientific work is vital to managers at Federal, State, and local levels to inform public policy decisions regarding human health, public 

safety, and national security. 

Ecosystems.—The Committee recommends $154,041,000 for ecosystem programs, $3,000,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level and $22,258,000 below the budget request. 


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Climate and Land Use Change.—The Committee recommends 

$138,975,000 for climate and land use change programs, $3,000,000 

above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $52,853,000 below the 

budget request. The Committee supports the continuation of the 

LandSat program and includes the requested increase of 

$4,300,000 for LandSat 9. In addition, the Committee directs the 

USGS Southeast Center to continue to work on developing strategic decision making approaches to understanding the region’s 

most vulnerable, flood-prone, coastal areas. 

The Committee supports all remaining programs at their fiscal 

year 2015 enacted levels, including the early earthquake warning 

and event characterization program. As such the bill does not include the proposed $1,551,000 reduction for early earthquake warning. 

Further, the Committee continues to be concerned about the lack 

of knowledge and onshore, real-time instrumentation available for 

the Cascadia subduction zone. Scientific understanding of earthquakes and the ocean environment will benefit from collecting offshore data. Therefore, the Committee encourages the Survey to 

plan for offshore monitoring of the Cascadia subduction zone in future budget requests to ensure maximum effectiveness of the earthquake early warning system. In addition, since 1995, the United 

States Geological Survey, in conjunction with State and local emergency management officials, has been working to develop the 

Mount Rainier lahar-warning system. The Committee urges the 

Survey to develop an estimate for the cost to replace or upgrade 

any older technologies, and an estimate for the expansion of the 

lahar-warning system, to encompass all six impacted river valleys. 

The Committee understands that marine geohazards (earthquake-induced tsunamis, landslide-induced tsunamis and subsea 

volcano eruptions) pose a threat to citizens living on the West 

Coast, as well as the submarine areas in U.S. Island Territories 

that contain rich deposits of rare earth minerals and other strategic minerals important to national defense. To better understand 

marine hazard risk and resource availability, the Committee encourages the Survey to work in partnership with other Federal 

agencies and non-governmental organizations where practicable to 

support research and assessments of marine hazards and critical 

minerals on deepwater ships of exploration. 

White-Nose Syndrome in bats.—The Committee provides requested funds to support efforts to understand and respond to 

white-nose syndrome. 

Bill Language.—The bill provides two-year funding authority except for satellite operations and deferred maintenance and capital 

improvement projects, which are no-year authority. Provisos include a funding limitation on surveys on private property and a 

cost-share requirement on topographic mapping and water resources activities in cooperation with States and municipalities. 

BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is responsible for the 

environmentally and economically sound development of the Nation’s offshore energy and mineral resources. The Bureau’s management of these resources helps meet the Nation’s energy needs 

by providing access to—and fair return to the American taxpayer 


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for—offshore energy and mineral resources through strategic planning and resource and economic evaluation. Conventional energy 

activities include development of the Five-Year Outer Continental 

Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program; assessment of mineral resource potential, tracking of inventories of oil and gas reserves, and 

development of production projections; and economic evaluation to 

ensure the receipt of fair value through lease sales and lease terms. 

OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $169,770,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 170,857,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 167,270,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥2,500,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥3,587,000 

The Committee recommends $167,270,000 for Ocean Energy Management, $2,500,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 

and $3,587,000 below the budget request. This amount will be partially offset with the estimated collection of offsetting rental receipts and cost recovery fees totaling $96,622,000. The Committee 

recommendation does not provide funding for National Ocean Policy Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning. 

The Committee continues to include bill language authorizing 

higher minimum rates of basic pay through fiscal year 2017 for petroleum engineers and technicians at the Bureau of Ocean Energy 

Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. 

BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement is responsible for oversight of exploration, development, and production operations for oil, gas, and other marine minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf. Leases in Federal waters off the shores of California, 

Alaska, and the Gulf of Mexico provide about 25 percent of the Nation’s oil production and more than 10 percent of domestic natural 

gas production. The Bureau facilitates the safe and environmentally responsible development of oil and gas and the conservation of offshore resources. The Bureau’s safety and environmental 

compliance activities include oil and gas permitting; facility inspections, regulations and standards development; safety and oil spill 

research; field operations; environmental compliance and enforcement; review of operator oil spill response plans; production and 

development; and operation of a national training center for inspectors and engineers. 

OFFSHORE SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $189,726,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 189,772,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 188,354,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥1,372,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥1,418,000 

The Committee recommends $188,354,000 for Offshore Safety 

and Environmental Enforcement, $1,372,000 below the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and $1,418,000 below the budget request. This 

amount will be partially offset with the estimated collection of offVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 19, 2015 Jkt 095083 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR170.XXX HR170

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setting rental receipts, cost recovery fees and inspection fees totaling $116,207,000. 

OIL SPILL RESEARCH

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $14,899,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 14,899,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 14,899,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ 0 

The Committee recommends $14,899,000 for Oil Spill Research, 

equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and the budget request. 

OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 

(OSM), through its regulation and technology account, regulates 

surface coal mining operations to ensure that the environment is 

reclaimed once mining is completed. The OSM accomplishes this 

mission by providing grants and technical assistance to those 

States that maintain their own regulatory and reclamation programs and by conducting oversight of State programs. Further, the 

OSM administers the regulatory programs in the States that do not 

have their own programs and on Federal and tribal lands. Through 

its Abandoned Mine Land (AML) reclamation program, the OSM 

provides funding for environmental restoration at abandoned coal 

mines based on fees collected from current coal production operations. In their un-reclaimed condition these abandoned sites endanger public health and safety, and prevent the beneficial use of 

land and water resources. Mandatory appropriations provide funding for the abandoned coal mine sites as required under the 2006 

amendments to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act 

(SMCRA). 

REGULATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $122,713,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 128,388,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 123,253,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +540,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥5,135,000 

The Committee recommends $123,253,000 for Regulation and 

Technology, $540,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$5,135,000 below the budget request. The bill funds regulatory 

grants at $68,590,000, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. 

The bill also includes the requested $750,000 increase to support 

electronic permitting. 

The Committee continues to reject the proposal to increase inspections and enhance Federal oversight of State regulatory programs. Delegation of the authority to the States is the cornerstone 

of the surface mining regulatory program, and State regulatory 

programs do not require enhanced Federal oversight to ensure continued implementation of a protective regulatory framework. Accordingly, the Committee has not provided the requested funding 

and FTE increase for those activities within the Regulation and 

Technology account. 


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ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $27,399,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 32,074,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 57,303,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +29,904,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ +25,229,000 

The Committee recommends $57,303,000 for the Abandoned 

Mine Reclamation Fund, $29,904,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $25,229,000 above the budget request. Of the funds 

provided, $27,303,000 shall be derived from the Abandoned Mine 

Reclamation Fund consistent with the fiscal year 2015 appropriation, and $30,000,000 shall be derived from the General Fund. 

The Committee provides $30,000,000 for grants to States for the 

reclamation of abandoned mine lands in conjunction with economic 

and community development and reuse goals. It is the Committee’s 

intent that States shall use these funds to accelerate the remediation of AML sites with economic and community development end 

uses in mind. In doing so, the Committee envisions a collaborative 

partnership between the State AML programs and their respective 

State and local economic and community development programs 

that will explore ways to return legacy coal sites to productive 

reuse. The Committee notes that these grants are provided from 

the General Fund and are therefore separate from the estimated 

$185 million in mandatory payments from the Abandoned Mine 

Land fund in fiscal year 2016. The Committee believes that an incremental approach is warranted to better understand programmatic impacts of proposing criteria changes to the underlying 

law. As such, the Committee expects that State efforts under this 

pilot program will inform future policy discussions, possibly under 

a reauthorization of SMCRA, which the Committee supports. 

Grants shall be provided to the three Appalachian States with 

the largest unfunded needs for the reclamation of Priority 1 and 

Priority 2 sites as delineated in the Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System. State AML programs, in consultation with State economic and community development authorities, shall develop a list 

of eligible AML projects in Appalachian counties that have a nexus 

to economic and community development, and select qualifying 

AML projects that have the potential to create long-term economic 

benefits. State AML programs should consider whether a model 

similar to the Appalachian Regional Commission grants process 

could streamline project selection, and whether an interagency 

agreement or other contracting mechanisms could streamline program implementation. Eligible grant recipients are limited to State 

and local governmental entities who may subcontract project-related activities as appropriate. 

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS AND BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, 

and the Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs (together, 

‘‘Indian Affairs’’) provide services directly or through contracts, 

grants, or compacts to a service population of more than 1.7 million 

American Indians and Alaska Natives who are enrolled members 

of 566 federally recognized Tribes in the 48 contiguous United 

States and Alaska. While the role of the organization has changed 


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significantly in the last four decades in response to a greater emphasis on Indian self-determination, Tribes still look to Indian Affairs for a broad spectrum of services. Programs are funded and operated in a highly decentralized manner, with almost 85 percent of 

all appropriations expended at the local level, and more than 62 

percent of appropriations provided directly to Tribes and tribal organizations through grants, contracts, and compacts. 

In preparation of the fiscal year 2016 budget, the Subcommittee 

held two days of hearings and received testimony from more than 

75 witnesses on a variety of topics pertaining to American Indian 

and Alaska Native programs. The Federal government has a legal 

and moral obligation to provide quality services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. On a nonpartisan basis, the Committee 

continues to protect and, where possible, strengthen the budgets of 

those agencies and programs serving Indian Country in this bill to 

address longstanding needs. 

OPERATION OF INDIAN PROGRAMS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $2,429,236,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 2,660,591,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 2,505,670,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +76,434,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥154,921,000 

The Committee recommends $2,505,670,000 for the operation of Indian programs, $76,434,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level and $154,921,000 below the budget request. Except where indicated below, all budget line items are funded at the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level. A detailed table of funding recommendations 

below the account level is provided at the end of this report. 

Contract Support Costs.—The recommendation includes 

$272,000,000 as requested for full funding of estimated contract 

support costs. Bill language has been added making these funds 

available until expended and protecting against the use of other appropriations to meet unanticipated shortfalls. The Bureau is directed to work with Tribes and tribal organizations to ensure that 

budget estimates continue to be as accurate as possible. 

Road Maintenance.—The recommendation includes $26,693,000 

for road maintenance as requested. The Committee recognizes that 

too many roads on Indian reservations are in poor condition and 

are a significant safety concern. 

Social Services.—The recommendation includes $41,871,000 for 

social services, $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level, 

for expansion of the Tiwahe (Family) Initiative. 

Trust-Natural Resources Management.—The Committee is concerned about tribal communities that face severe challenges to 

their long-term resilience because of risks associated with climate, 

geography, and extreme weather conditions. The Bureau is encouraged to work with at-risk Tribes to identify and expedite the necessary resources to support mitigation and, where necessary, relocation. 

Trust-Real Estate Services.—The recommendation includes 

$125,817,000 for trust-real estate services, $1,185,000 below the 

fiscal year 2015 enacted level. 


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The Committee is concerned about the Department’s goal of placing more than 500,000 acres of land into trust by the end of fiscal 

year 2016. Such a goal incentivizes haste and leads to situations 

such as in Clark County, Washington. On March 9, 2015, the Department took into trust approximately 152 acres in Clark County 

on behalf of the Cowlitz Indian tribe, notwithstanding ongoing litigation in the matter. The Committee directs the Department to: (1) 

report to the Committee within 30 days of enactment of this Act 

on (a) the process it has established for taking the land out of trust 

should the court order the Department to do so; and (b) the cost 

to the Department of taking the land out of trust; and (2) focus not 

on an acre goal but on reducing the current backlog of fee-to-trust 

applications. It is entirely appropriate for the government’s goal to 

be to process those applications as efficiently and fairly as possible. 

The Committee recommends cuts to central and regional oversight 

in light of the program’s current goal. 

Public Safety and Justice.—The recommendation includes 

$357,358,000 for public safety and justice, $4,508,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Tribal Justice and Support is funded 

at $7,245,000, which is $1,000,000 above the budget request, in 

order to increase technical assistance and training in Indian Country to carry out the new provisions of the Violence Against Women 

Reauthorization Act of 2013. Additional increases above the fiscal 

year 2015 enacted level include $1,000,000 for expansion of the 

Tiwahe Initiative, and $1,500,000 for tribal courts. 

For the purpose of addressing the needs of American Indian 

youth in custody at tribal detention centers operated or administered by the BIA, the Committee considers educational and healthrelated services to juveniles in custody to be allowable costs for detention/corrections program funding. 

Community and Economic Development.—The recommendation 

includes the requested amount to establish the Indian Energy 

Service Center. The Bureau is directed to consult with affected 

tribes regarding staffing and related functions of the new office. 

Bureau of Indian Education.—The Committee recommends 

$854,160,000 for Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) system operations and maintenance, $43,629,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $50,304,000 below the budget request. Indian education remains among the Committee’s top priorities because it is 

a fundamental trust responsibility and because elementary and 

secondary students in particular have fallen far behind their peers 

for reasons now well documented by the Government Accountability Office, the Department of Education, and others. 

The Committee recommends $15,520,000 for early child and family development, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. The 

Committee strongly supports early childhood development models 

that address the achievement gap of Indian children primarily located on rural reservations by teaching preschool Indian children 

the skills they need to begin school and offering developmental opportunities for parents. The BIE is directed to publish its report on 

the 2013–14 school year internal review of early childhood education programs in order to improve program direction and transparency. 

The recommendation includes $75,335,000 to fully fund tribal 

grant support costs, as requested, $12,940,000 above the fiscal year 


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2015 enacted level. Fully funding these costs is consistent with the 

policy of fully funding contract support costs, and is instrumental 

for tribal control of schools. 

The recommendation includes $2,000,000 as requested for the development and operation of tribal departments or divisions of education as authorized in 25 U.S.C. 2020. The recommendation includes $1,000,000 to restore juvenile detention education program 

grants. 

The recommendation includes $14,739,000 for the JohnsonO’Malley program. The Bureau is directed to consult with Tribes 

and Congress before proposing any changes in the distribution of 

future funds or in the frequency or method of future counts. 

The Bureau is encouraged to coordinate with the Indian Health 

Service to establish a pilot program integrating preventive dental 

care at schools within the Bureau system. 

The Committee is supportive of standards and curricula that emphasize tribal history, language and culture. As alternative proposals are considered, language immersion should be carefully considered as a serious option for improved language development and 

student outcomes. 

The Committee continues language limiting the expansion of 

grades and schools in the BIE system, including charter schools. 

The intent of the language is to prevent already limited funds from 

being spread further to additional schools and grades. The intent 

is not to limit tribal flexibility at existing schools. Nothing in the 

bill is intended to prohibit a Tribe from converting a tribally-controlled school already in the BIE system to a charter school in accordance with State and Federal law. 

The recommendation continues bill language providing the Secretary with the authority to approve satellite locations of existing 

BIE schools if a Tribe can demonstrate that the establishment of 

such locations would provide comparable levels of education as are 

being offered at such existing BIE schools, and would not significantly increase costs to the Federal Government. The intent is for 

this authority to be exercised only in extraordinary circumstances 

to provide Tribes with additional flexibility regarding where students are educated without compromising how they are educated, 

and to significantly reduce the hardship and expense of transporting students over long distances, all without unduly increasing 

costs that would otherwise unfairly come at the expense of other 

schools in the BIE system. 

The Committee acknowledges the inconsistency that not all tribal 

colleges and universities are forward-funded so as to align with 

academic calendars instead of fiscal calendars. The Administration 

is encouraged to submit a proposal beginning with the fiscal year 

2017 budget submission to transition to forward-funding over a period of three to five years the remaining tribal colleges and universities, including the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development. 

The Committee remains concerned that control of BIE’s budget, 

procurement, hiring, and facilities maintenance and construction 

reside not within BIE but within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and 

the Deputy Assistant Secretary—Management (see Government 

Accountability Office report GAO–13–774). The Secretary is urged 


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to reorganize Indian Affairs so as to improve leadership stability 

and accountability within the BIE. 

Indirect Costs.—The Committee is concerned that a recent Administration policy change with regard to indirect cost reimbursement may not fairly apply to Indian Tribes and tribal organizations. The Secretary is directed to report to the Committee justifying this policy change and in particular its application to tribal 

enrollment activities. 

CONSTRUCTION

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $128,876,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 188,973,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 187,620,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +58,744,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥1,353,000 

The Committee recommends $187,620,000 for Construction, 

$58,744,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$1,353,000 below the budget request. A detailed table of funding 

recommendations below the account level is provided at the end of 

this report. The Committee recommendation includes further details below. 

Education.—The recommendation includes $133,245,000 for Education Construction, as requested, $58,744,000 above the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level. The recommendation reestablishes the budget 

line item for replacement of individual BIE facilities that pose serious health and safety risks to students, as requested. Serious 

health and safety hazards exist at BIE facilities across the country, 

including the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School of the Leech Lake Band 

of Ojibwe. The Secretary is directed to develop a comprehensive 

plan to work with Tribes to repair and replace all substandard educational facilities. The Secretary is urged to consider alternative 

funding mechanisms to supplement appropriations for replacing 

schools and facilities, including the use of bonds. 

Public Safety and Justice.—The Bureau is encouraged to consider 

establishing regional detention centers at new or existing facilities, 

such as the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes’ Justice Center, as it works 

to combat the crime problem in Indian Country. 

Maintenance Shortfalls.—The Bureau is encouraged to request 

full funding for facilities maintenance needs in future budget requests. 

INDIAN LAND AND WATER CLAIM SETTLEMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS

PAYMENTS TO INDIANS

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $35,655,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 67,656,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 65,412,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +29,757,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥2,244,000 

The Committee recommends $65,412,000 for Indian Land and 

Water Claim Settlements and Miscellaneous Payments to Indians, 

$29,757,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$2,244,000 below the budget request. A detailed table of funding 


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recommendations below the account level is provided at the end of 

this report. 

The Committee believes that the resolution of pending Indian 

water rights settlements is critically important to resolve outstanding legal claims against the United States and to provide 

Tribes with clean and reliable water supplies that are fundamental 

to economic growth and self-determination. They also benefit surrounding communities by providing water rights certainty. The 

Committee supports the Department’s efforts to fulfill commitments relating to Indian water rights settlements and its participation in negotiations of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement. 

INDIAN GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $7,731,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 7,748,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 7,731,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... ¥17,000 

The Committee recommends $7,731,000 for the Indian Guaranteed Loan Program Account, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level and $17,000 below the budget request. Unemployment is a serious problem in Indian Country. This program enables Indian 

Tribes and native-owned businesses to secure financing for development projects and for startup and expansion of business operations. 

DEPARTMENTAL OFFICES

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

The Office of the Secretary supports a wide-range of Departmental business, policy, and oversight functions. In September 

2010, Secretarial Order 3306 established the Office of Natural Resources Revenue as part of the reorganization of the former Minerals Management Service (MMS). This revenue collection and 

compliance function is now managed within the Office of the Secretary. 

DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $265,263,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 327,939,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 717,279,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +452,016,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ +389,340,000 

The Committee recommends $717,279,000 for Departmental Operations, $452,016,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$389,340,000 above the budget request. Increases above the fiscal 

year 2015 enacted level include $1,288,000 to support the Office of 

Natural Resources Revenue (ONNR) Onshore Production 

Verification pilot; $2,600,000 as requested for ONNR to help with 

certain Trust responsibilities for the Osage Nation consistent with 

the services ONNR already provides to every other Tribe; and 

$452,000,000 to fully fund the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) 

program for fiscal year 2016. The bill does not provide requested 

funds for the Coastal Resilience Fund. 


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National Monument Designations.—The Department is directed 

to work collaboratively with interested parties, including but not 

limited to, the Congress, States, local communities, tribal governments and others prior to planning, implementing, or making national monument designations. 

Software License Management.—The Committee commends the 

Department for instituting reforms addressing the management of 

software licenses, including the capability to obtain automated reports on demand, to better manage these assets. The Committee 

urges the Department to use these reports to manage software 

spending Department-wide and require its bureaus and smaller offices which include the Office of the Secretary, Office of the Special 

Trustee, Office of Insular Affairs, Office of the Solicitor, and the Office of the Inspector General, to purchase software licenses on contract vehicles that leverage Interior’s economies of scale. The Committee directs the Department to provide a briefing not later than 

180 days after enactment of this Act on efficiencies obtained 

through automated inventories of software licenses in use across 

the Department. 

Bill Language.—The Committee has included bill language providing full funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program for fiscal year 2016. The bill does not include language authorizing the establishment of the Department of the Interior Experienced Services Program. While the Committee supports the Department’s goal of utilizing the skills of older workers to help it accomplish its mission and objectives, the Committee urges the Department to work closely with the authorizing committees of jurisdiction in the House and Senate to achieve this goal within the 

context of the upcoming reauthorization of the Older Americans 

Act. 

INSULAR AFFAIRS

ASSISTANCE TO TERRITORIES

The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) was established on August 4, 

1995, through Secretarial Order No. 3191, which also abolished the 

former Office of Territorial and International Affairs. The OIA has 

important responsibilities to help the United States government 

fulfill its responsibilities to the four U.S. territories of Guam, 

American Samoa (AS), U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and also the 

three freely associated States: the Federated States of Micronesia 

(FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Republic of Palau. The permanent and trust fund payments to the territories and the compact nations provide substantial financial resources to these governments. During fiscal year 2004, financial arrangements for the Compacts of Free Association with the FSM 

and the RMI were implemented. These also included mandatory 

payments for certain activities previously provided in discretionary 

appropriations as well as Compact impact payments of $30,000,000 

per year split among Guam, CNMI, AS, and Hawaii. 


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Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $85,976,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 99,660,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 85,976,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥13,684,000 

The Committee recommends $85,976,000 for Assistance to Territories, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $13,684,000 

below the budget request. A detailed table of funding recommendations below the account level is provided at the end of this report. 

COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $16,465,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 3,318,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 3,318,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥13,147,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ 0 

The Committee recommends $3,318,000 for Compact of Free Association, $13,147,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

equal to the budget request. The Committee expects the Compact 

will be renegotiated and therefore the discretionary stopgap funding will not be necessary in fiscal year 2016. A detailed table of 

funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 

the end of this report. 

OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $65,800,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 69,888,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 65,142,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥658,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥4,746,000 

The Committee recommends $65,142,000 for salaries and expenses of the Office of the Solicitor, $658,000 below the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and $4,746,000 below the budget request. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $50,047,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 52,224,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 50,047,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥2,177,000 

The Committee recommends $50,047,000 for salaries and expenses of the Office of Inspector General, equal to the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and $2,177,000 below the budget request. The 

Office is encouraged to update its 2004 report on Indian detention 

facilities. 


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OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL TRUSTEE FOR AMERICAN INDIANS

FEDERAL TRUST PROGRAMS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Congress has designated the Secretary of the Interior as the 

trustee delegate with responsibility for approximately 55 million 

surface acres of land, 57 million acres of subsurface mineral interests, and nearly $4.4 billion that is held in trust by the Federal 

Government on behalf of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and 

federally recognized Indian Tribes. The Office of the Special Trustee’s trust management of these assets includes conserving, maintaining, accounting, investing, disbursing, and reporting to individual Indians and federally recognized Tribes and tribal organizations on asset transactions generated from sales, leasing and other 

commercial activities on these lands. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $139,029,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 142,978,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 139,029,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥3,949,000 

The Committee recommends $139,029,000 for Federal trust pro- grams, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $3,949,000 

below the budget request. A detailed table of funding recommendations below the account level is provided at the end of this report. 

DEPARTMENT WIDE PROGRAMS 

WILDLAND FIRE

The Department’s Wildland Fire Management and FLAME wildfire suppression reserve accounts support fire activities for the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Fish and 

Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Committee 

recommends a total of $896,795,000 for the Department’s wildland 

fire accounts, including $92,000,000 in the FLAME wildfire suppression reserve fund. This fully funds the fire accounts at the 10- 

year average of expenditures. 

WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $804,779,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 805,495,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 804,795,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +16,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥700,000 

The Committee recommends $804,795,000 for Wildland Fire 

Management at the Department of the Interior, $16,000 above the 

fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $700,000 below the budget request. The detailed allocation of funding for these accounts is included in the table at the end of this report. 

The Committee notes that the budget request included a provision almost identical to legislation that has been developed in the 

House (H.R. 167) and the Senate (S. 235). The budget request proposes to allow wildland fire suppression costs above 70 percent of 

the 10-year average for fire suppression to be paid from within the 


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discretionary budget cap adjustment established for natural disasters, recognizing that wildland fires are a natural disaster akin to 

hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. As the issue of the disaster cap 

adjustment falls outside of the Committee’s jurisdiction, the Committee’s recommendation does not include the request for suppression funding through the disaster cap adjustment. As in recent 

years, suppression operations are fully funded at the 10-year average level within the suppression operations account and the 

FLAME wildfire suppression reserve fund. 

Wildfire Preparedness.—The Committee recommends 

$318,970,000 for Wildfire Preparedness, equal to the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and $4,715,000 below the budget request. The 

Department should immediately notify the Committees on Appropriations if it appears that funding shortfalls may limit needed firefighting capacity. 

Wildfire Suppression Operations.—The Committee recommends 

$291,673,000, for Wildfire Suppression Operations, $16,000 above 

the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $23,102,000 above the budget request. 

Fuels Management.—The Committee recommends $164,000,000 

for the Fuels Management program, equal to the fiscal year 2015 

enacted level and $15,721,000 above the budget request. 

The Department is directed to implement effective treatments in 

frequent fire forests that restore forest resiliency and reduce hazardous fuels. Treatments should be placed to effectively modify fire 

behavior and protect assets at risk including life and property. 

Burned Area Rehabilitation.—The Committee recommends 

$18,035,000 for the Burned Area Rehabilitation program, equal to 

the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $935,000 below the budget 

request. The Committee notes that funding for emergency stabilization is meant to supplement emergency stabilization funding provided under suppression (generally ten percent), not replace it. The 

Committee is also concerned by the delay of emergency stabilization and rehabilitation funds to State and/or regional offices and directs the Department to more quickly allocate these funds so that 

critical work can be completed in a timely manner. Finally, the Department is directed to work with the Bureau of Land Management 

on the seed procurement direction provided in this report. 

The Committee is concerned with the pace of planning and implementation of post-fire rehabilitation by the Department of the 

Interior. The slow pace of rehabilitation leaves communities unable 

to access timber resources and delays the regeneration of Federal 

forests. The Committee directs the Department of the Interior to 

prioritize and expedite planning and implementation of post-fire rehabilitation projects. 

FLAME WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION RESERVE FUND

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $92,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 0 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 92,000,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ +92,000,000 


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The Committee recommends $92,000,000 for the FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $92,000,000 above the budget request. As discussed 

above under the Wildland Fire Management account, the Committee fully funds the 10-year average expenditure for wildfire suppression. 

CENTRAL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FUND

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $10,010,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 10,011,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 10,010,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥1,000 

The Committee recommends $10,010,000 for the Central Hazardous Materials Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 

and $1,000 below the budget request. 

NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND RESTORATION

NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FUND

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $7,767,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 9,236,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 7,689,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥78,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥1,547,000 

The Committee recommends $7,689,000 for the Natural Resource 

Damage Assessment Fund, $78,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $1,547,000 below the budget request. A detailed 

table of funding recommendations below the account level is provided at the end of this report. 

WORKING CAPITAL FUND

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $57,100,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 74,462,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 56,529,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥571,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥17,933,000 

The Committee recommends $56,529,000 for the Working Capital 

Fund, $571,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$17,933,000 below the budget request. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

Section 101 continues a provision providing for emergency transfer authority (intra-bureau) with the approval of the Secretary. 

Section 102 continues a provision providing for emergency transfer authority (Department-wide) with the approval of the Secretary. 

Section 103 continues a provision providing for the use of appropriations for certain services. 

Section 104 continues a provision permitting the transfer of 

funds between the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian 


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Education, and the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians. 

Section 105 continues a provision permitting the redistribution of 

tribal priority allocation and tribal base funds to alleviate funding 

inequities. 

Section 106 continues a provision authorizing the acquisition of 

lands for the purpose of operating and maintaining facilities that 

support visitors to Ellis, Governors, and Liberty Islands, NJ and 

NY. 

Section 107 continues a provision allowing Outer Continental 

Shelf inspection fees to be collected by the Secretary of the Interior. 

Section 108 continues a provision allowing for the reorganization 

of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement only in conformance with Committee reprogramming 

guidelines. 

Section 109 continues a provision allowing the Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) to enter into long-term cooperative agreements 

for long-term care and maintenance of excess wild horses and burros on private land. 

Section 110 continues a provision dealing with the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service’s responsibilities for mass marking of salmonid 

stocks. 

Section 111 modifies a provision addressing BLM actions regarding grazing on public lands. 

Section 112 continues a provision prohibiting funds to implement, administer or enforce Secretarial Order 3310 issued by the 

Secretary of the Interior on December 22, 2010. 

Section 113 continues a provision providing the Secretary of the 

Interior statutory authority to enter into rental or lease agreements that benefit Bureau of Indian Education operated schools. 

Section 114 addresses the National Park Service’s ability to implement the Volunteers in Parks program in anticipation of increased volunteer activity related to the Service’s Centennial in 

2016. 

Section 115 continues a provision allowing the Bureau of Indian 

Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education to more efficiently and effectively perform reimbursable work. 

Section 116 addresses National Heritage Areas. 

Section 117 delays the issuance of further rules for sage-grouse. 

Section 118 continues a provision providing the Secretary of the 

Interior certain offshore pay authority. 

Section 119 continues a provision providing the Secretary of the 

Interior certain onshore pay authority. 

Section 120 maintains the status quo on regulations relating to 

the legal domestic trade and transport of products containing ivory. 

Section 121 directs the Secretary to reissue two final rules removing recovered wolves in Wyoming and the Great Lakes from 

the endangered species list. 

Section 122 protects human activities unrelated to the decline of 

the northern long-eared bat. 

Section 123 modifies 50 CFR 14.21(a)(1) to include echinoderms 

commonly known as sea urchins and sea cucumbers. 


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TITLE II—ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created by Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, which consolidated nine programs 

from five different agencies and departments. Major EPA programs 

include air and water quality, drinking water, hazardous waste, research, pesticides, radiation, toxic substances, enforcement and 

compliance assurance, pollution prevention, Inland oil spill, Superfund, Brownfields, and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank 

program. In addition, EPA provides Federal assistance for wastewater treatment, sewer overflow control, drinking water facilities, 

other water infrastructure projects, and diesel emission reduction 

projects. The Agency is responsible for conducting research and development, establishing environmental standards through the use 

of risk assessment and cost-benefit, monitoring pollution conditions, seeking compliance through enforcement actions, managing 

audits and investigations, and providing technical assistance and 

grant support to States and Tribes, which are delegated authority 

for much of the program implementation. Under existing statutory 

authority, the Agency contributes to specific homeland security efforts and may participate in international environmental activities. 

Among the statutes for which the Environmental Protection 

Agency has sole or significant oversight responsibilities are: 

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. 

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. 

Toxic Substances Control Act. 

Clean Water Act [Federal Water Pollution Control Act]. 

Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. 

Ocean Dumping Act [Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972]. 

Oil Pollution Act of 1990. 

Safe Drinking Water Act [Public Health Service Act (Title XIV)]. 

Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. 

Clean Air Act. 

Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002. 

Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002. 

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). 

Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization 

Act of 2002 (amending CERCLA). 

Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986. 

Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. 

Pollution Prosecution Act of 1990. 

Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2003. 

Energy Policy Act of 2005. 

Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. 

For fiscal year 2016, the Committee recommends $7,422,157,000 

for the Environmental Protection Agency, $717,730,000 below the 

fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $1,169,561,000 below the budget 

request. Comparison to the budget request and fiscal year 2015 enacted levels is shown by account in the table at the end of the report. 

Reprogramming.—The Agency is held to the reprogramming lim- itation of $1,000,000. This limitation will be applied to each proVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 19, 2015 Jkt 095083 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR170.XXX HR170

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gram area in every account at the levels provided in the table at 

the end of this report. This will allow the Agency the flexibility to 

reprogram funds within a set program area. However, where the 

Committee has cited funding levels for certain program projects or 

activities within a program area, the reprogramming limitation 

continues to apply to those funding levels. Further, the Agency 

may not use any amount of de-obligated funds to initiate a new 

program, office, or initiative without the prior approval of the Committee. The other guidelines laid out in the ‘‘Reprogramming 

Guidelines’’ section of this report continue to be in effect. 

Congressional Budget Justification.—The Committee directs the 

Agency to include in future justifications the following items: (1) a 

comprehensive index of programs and activities within the program 

projects; (2) the requested bill language, with changes from the enacted language highlighted, at the beginning of each account section; (3) a justification for every program/project, including those 

proposed for elimination; (4) a comprehensive, detailed explanation 

of all changes within a program project; (5) a table showing consolidations, realignments or other transfers of resources and personnel 

from one program project to another such that the outgoing and receiving program projects offset and clearly illustrate a transfer of 

resources; and, (6) a table listing the budgets and FTE by major 

office within each National Program Management area with pay/ 

non-pay breakouts. Further, if EPA is proposing to change state allocation formulas for the distribution of appropriated funds, then 

EPA should include such proposals in the Congressional justification. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Science and Technology (S&T) account funds all Environmental Protection Agency research (including Superfund research 

activities paid with funds moved into this account from the Hazardous Substance Superfund account). This account includes programs carried out through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements, cooperative research and development agreements, and 

interagency agreements, with other Federal agencies, States, universities, nonprofit organizations, and private business, as well as 

in-house research. It also funds personnel compensation and benefits, travel, supplies and operating expenses, including rent, utilities and security, for all Agency research. Research addresses a 

wide range of environmental and health concerns across all environmental media and encompasses both long-term basic and nearterm applied research to provide the scientific knowledge and technologies necessary for preventing, regulating, and abating pollution, and to anticipate emerging environmental issues. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $734,648,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 769,088,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 704,918,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥29,730,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥64,170,000 

The bill provides $704,918,000 for Science and Technology, 

$29,730,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$64,170,000 below the budget request. The Committee recommends 

that $16,217,000 be paid to this account from the Hazardous SubVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 19, 2015 Jkt 095083 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR170.XXX HR170

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stance Superfund account for ongoing research activities. A detailed table of funding recommendations below the account level is 

provided at the end of this report, and the Committee provides the 

following additional detail by program area: 

Homeland Security.—The Committee recommends $37,122,000 

and rejects the program change for the Climate Ready Water Utilities Initiative. 

Research: Air, Climate and Energy.—The Committee recommends $88,282,000 and does not include funding for proposed 

additional hydraulic fracturing research activities with the Department of Energy and the Department of the Interior. 

Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability.—The Committee 

recommends $126,930,000, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level. The Committee continues to support EPA’s leadership role in 

the creation of a new paradigm for chemical risk assessment based 

on the incorporation of advanced molecular biological and computational methods in lieu of animal toxicity tests. The Committee encourages EPA to continue to expand its support for computational 

approaches in health research to further define toxicity and disease 

pathways and develop tools for their integration into evaluation 

strategies. Fiscal year 2016 funding should be prioritized to expeditiously incorporate these emerging scientifically validated tools in 

EPA risk assessments along with other Agency programs as a way 

to more effectively and efficiently identify risks. 

Research: National Priorities.—The bill provides $4,100,000 

which shall be used for extramural research grants, independent of 

the STAR grant program, to fund high-priority water quality and 

availability research by not-for-profit organizations who often partner with the Agency. Funds shall be awarded competitively with 

priority given to partners proposing research of national scope for 

‘‘Intelligent Water Systems’’ and who provide a 25 percent match. 

The Agency is directed to allocate funds to grantees within 180 

days of enactment of this Act. Further, the Committee provides $3,000,000 for the Agency to 

further research on oil and gas development in the Appalachian 

Basin, of which $2,000,000 is available for extramural funding. 

Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources.—The Committee recommends $102,576,000, and includes no funding for the 

climate research plan that EPA initiated in fiscal year 2015 without Congressional approval. To date Congress has provided nearly 

$30 million to fund EPA’s research to determine whether there is 

a relationship between hydraulic fracturing activities and drinking 

water. The Committee finds this amount to be sufficient to accomplish the requested study and provides no further funding in fiscal 

year 2016. 

Additional Guidance.—The Committee has included the following 

additional guidance with respect to funding provided under this account. 

Validation and Reproducibility of Scientifically Significant Studies.—The National Academy of Sciences has acknowledged that reproducibility of research results is fundamental to the scientific 

process. The Committee understands that EPA is likely to rely on 

the findings of the Zhang et al. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers 

Prev; 2010 Jan; 19(1); 80–88) study for scientifically significant decisions in fiscal year 2016. This study, however, has drawn critiVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 19, 2015 Jkt 095083 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR170.XXX HR170

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cisms about its methods and interpretations. Given the public 

health importance of the findings of this study, validation of the 

findings is crucial. Therefore, EPA is directed to develop a peer-reviewed protocol to replicate the scientific findings of this study. Following development of the protocol, the Agency is directed to issue 

a request for proposals and award a contract to conduct this replication study. Further, EPA is directed to incorporate the results 

of the replication study into any draft or final scientific assessments prior to making such assessments publicly available. 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS AND MANAGEMENT

The Environmental Programs and Management account encompasses a broad range of abatement, prevention, enforcement, and 

compliance activities, and personnel compensation, benefits, travel, 

and expenses for all programs of the Agency except Science and 

Technology, Hazardous Substance Superfund, Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund, Inland Oil Spill Programs, and 

the Office of Inspector General. 

Abatement, prevention, and compliance activities include setting 

environmental standards, issuing permits, monitoring emissions 

and ambient conditions and providing technical and legal assistance toward enforcement, compliance, and oversight. In most cases, 

the States are directly responsible for actual operation of the various environmental programs, and the Agency’s activities include 

oversight and assistance. 

In addition to program costs, this account funds administrative 

costs associated with the operating programs of the Agency, including support for executive direction, policy oversight, resources management, general office and building services for program operations, and direct implementation of Agency environmental programs for headquarters, the ten EPA regional offices, and all nonresearch field operations. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $2,613,679,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 2,841,718,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 2,472,289,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥141,390,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥369,429,000 

The bill provides $2,472,289,000 for Environmental Programs and Management, $141,390,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level and $369,429,000 below the budget request. A detailed table 

of funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 

the end of this report, and the Committee provides the following 

additional detail by program area: 

Brownfields.—The Committee recommends $23,680,000 and does 

not include funding for the Smart Growth program, a voluntary 

interagency partnership established in 2009 without a Congressional mandate. 

Clean Air and Climate.—The Committee recommends 

$247,472,000. Within this amount, the recommendation includes 

$20,036,000 for Federal Stationary Source Regulations, and the 

amount provided does not include funding for EPA’s greenhouse 

gas rules for stationary sources. Within the funds provided, the 

Committee includes a $3,000,000 increase to enhance the efficiency 


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and effectiveness of both preconstruction and operating permitting 

programs. 

Environmental Protection: National Priorities.—The bill provides $12,700,000 for a competitive grant program to provide technical 

assistance for improved water quality or safe drinking water to 

rural and urban communities or individual private well owners. 

The Agency is directed to provide $11,000,000 for grants to qualified not-for-profit organizations, on a national or multi-state regional basis, for on-site training and technical assistance for water 

systems in rural or urban communities. The Agency is also directed 

to provide $1,700,000 for grants to qualified not-for-profit organizations for technical assistance for individual private well owners, 

with priority given to organizations that provide technical and educational assistance to individual private well owners. The Agency 

shall require each grantee to provide a minimum 10 percent match, 

including in-kind contributions. The Agency is directed to allocate 

funds to grantees within 180 days of enactment of this Act. 

Geographic Programs.—The bill provides $403,523,000. The Committee has provided funding for programs that support restoration 

and protection of our nation’s most important water bodies, as protection of these resources continues to be a priority. From within 

the amount provided, the Committee directs the following: 

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.—The Committee recommends 

$300,000,000 for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) 

equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $50,000,000 above 

the budget request. With this funding the Committee has provided 

more than $2 billion to restore the Great Lakes since fiscal year 

2010 and the GLRI continues to be the largest single recipient of 

funds within Geographic Programs. The Agency shall continue to 

follow the direction as provided in House Report 112–589. Further, 

recent algal blooms have emerged as a significant threat to public 

health. As such, the Committee supports a coordinated Federal approach to addressing this issue, including the Agency’s collaboration with NASA, NOAA, and the U.S. Geological Survey to develop 

an early warning indicator system. The Agency is encouraged to 

evaluate whether the Great Lakes Federal Interagency Task Force 

should designate a coordinator to work with Federal, State, tribal, 

and local governments. 

Chesapeake Bay.—The Committee recommends $60,000,000. 

From within the amount provided, $5,000,000 is for nutrient and 

sediment removal grants and $5,000,000 is for small watershed 

grants to control polluted runoff from urban, suburban and agricultural lands. 

Puget Sound.—The Committee recommends $28,000,000. Funds 

shall be allocated in the same manner as directed in House Report 

112–331. The Committee directs EPA to expeditiously obligate 

funds, in a manner consistent with the authority and responsibilities under Section 320 and the National Estuary Program. 

Indoor Air and Radiation.—The Committee recommends 

$29,237,000. The Committee rejects the requested increase to support the uranium mill tailings rulemaking and directs EPA to withdraw the proposed rule as the Committee questions whether EPA 

has enough data to inform a revised standard and proceed with a 

final rule. Should EPA need additional resources for a data collection, the Committee will consider those requests in the future. 


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Using funds provided herein for fiscal year 2016, the Administrator shall conduct a study to survey the level of radon present in 

the Nation’s school buildings consistent with 15 USC 2667. The Administrator shall transmit a report to Congress with the data and 

results of the study and shall share the data and results of the 

study with State, local and tribal school district administrators consistent with the terms and conditions of this Act for posting of reports. The report should identify school districts in high-risk radon 

areas. 

To facilitate an effective school district response in all areas, not 

just those in high-risk areas, an additional $500,000 is provided for 

the distribution of technical guidance. The Administrator shall distribute technical guidance using consensus national standards to 

all school districts to guide their engineering and architecture staff, 

consultants, radon contractors, and other professionals to reduce 

exposure of children to radon. 

Further, using the funds provided, EPA should develop in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 

Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Agriculture, a national awareness campaign to educate 

consumers about radon health impacts. 

Information Exchange/Outreach.—The Committee recommends 

$109,010,000 of which $2,200,000 is for the Administrator’s Immediate Office, $6,100,000 is for the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, and $4,000,000 is for the Office of Public Affairs. The Committee is troubled by reports that the Agency engaged in grassroots lobbying during the public comment period of 

the Clean Water Rule: Definition of ‘Waters of the United States 

(WOTUS).’ The Agency, in possible violation of the Anti-Lobbying 

Act (18 U.S. Code § 1913) and Department of Justice legal opinions, sought out public opinion from stakeholders supportive of the 

WOTUS rule in order to influence the public comment outcome. 

The EPA Administrator later used the skewed results as evidence 

of public support before Congress. The Committee instructs the 

Agency to follow current law and not engage in inappropriate 

grassroots lobbying in Agency communications to the public. 

Legal/Science/Regulatory/Economic Review.—The Committee 

recommends $90,503,000 and does not include funding for the 

Smart Growth Program. The Committee recommends $20,700,000 

for the Office of Policy. 

Operations and Administration.—The Committee recommends 

$480,482,000. The Committee remains concerned about a number 

of management issues that have surfaced over the past year. The 

lack of administrative controls for employee payroll, travel, bonuses, and time and attendance has fostered several instances of 

waste, fraud and abuse of appropriated funds. The Committee continues to be troubled by the Agency’s practice of transferring carryover amounts to fund current year payroll, fixed costs, or contract 

needs. This practice invalidates Agency estimates of fixed cost 

needs and further calls into question the Agency’s management of 

funds. The Committee calls for increased oversight and financial 

management at the Agency and will be closely monitoring adjustments of appropriated funds below the level described in the table 

at the end of the report. 


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Toxics Risk Review and Prevention.—The Committee recommends $89,521,000, $3,000,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $1,816,000 above the budget request. 

Water: Ecosystems.—The Committee recommends $44,980,000. 

From within the amount provided, the recommendation includes 

$16,800,000 to provide $600,000 to each National Estuary Program 

(NEP) funded under Section 320 of the Clean Water Act. The Committee recognizes the role that the San Juan Bay Estuary program 

can serve in environmental restoration projects and encourages 

EPA to coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on 

project planning and implementation in fiscal year 2016. The Committee also provides $300,000 in competitive grants within the 

coastal activities and encourages EPA to work in consultation with 

the NEP directors to identify worthy projects and activities. In addition, the Committee recommends $19,882,000 for the wetlands 

program. The Committee directs EPA to use the funds provided to 

accelerate the processing of mining permits with the Corps of Engineers. Further, the Committee directs EPA, in consultation with 

the Corps of Engineers, to continue to report monthly on the number of Section 404 permits under review according to the directive 

in Division G of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014. 

Water Quality Protection.—The Committee recommends 

$192,550,000. The Committee supports EPA’s efforts to expand 

technical assistance for communities seeking to develop and implement an integrated planning approach to meeting Clean Water Act 

(CWA) requirements. 

From within this amount, the Committee provides $4,400,000 to 

fund the establishment of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program within EPA. In doing so the Committee adheres to the annual statutory cap of $2,200,000 for EPA 

administrative costs since funds within this account are available 

for two years. The Committee believes this offers EPA the flexibility to identify and aggressively hire mission critical talent areas 

at any point during the next two years. The Committee expects 

that EPA will be well positioned to propose and implement the 

fully authorized level for WIFIA loans in fiscal year 2017. 

Additional Guidance.—The Committee has included the following 

additional guidance with respect to funding provided under this account. 

Administrator Priorities.—EPA is directed to submit a report 

within 90 days of enactment of this Act that identifies how any fiscal year 2014 and 2015 funding was used, by account, program 

area, and program project. Each activity funded should include a 

justification for the effort and any anticipated results. 

Ammonium Nitrate.—The Committee understands that EPA is 

considering whether ammonium nitrate should be included in its 

Risk Management Plan (RMP) regulations. Ammonium nitrate 

safety has been regulated since 1971 under standards promulgated 

by OSHA, and the Committee is aware that OSHA is in the process 

of determining whether these standards need to be updated or 

whether other approaches to ensure ammonium nitrate safety are 

necessary. The Committee believes that OSHA’s actions are critical 

to informing EPA decision making, and, therefore, urges EPA to 

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nium nitrate prior to making a determination regarding the need 

for RMP standards for ammonium nitrate. 

Antimicrobial Solutions for Citrus Disease.—The Committee recognizes the importance of antimicrobial crop protection tools in 

combating citrus greening and continues to support EPA’s cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Multi-Agency Coordination Group. 

Artificial Turf.—The Committee is aware of EPA’s previous studies on artificial turf and infill products, and its most recent work 

with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials to further define the safety of these products. The Committee encourages 

the Agency to provide guidance about the safety of crumb rubber 

in artificial turf. 

Carbon Utilization.—The Committee is concerned about the 

EPA’s low prioritization of policies that incentivize the utilization 

of CO2 in the production of valuable products. The Committee understands that there are technologies which have the potential to 

create a market for utility and industrial CO2. The Committee 

strongly encourages the EPA to implement policies which encourage and incentivize the utilization of CO2 to make valuable products. 

Composite Wood Products.—The Formaldehyde Standards for 

Composite-Wood Products Act directed EPA to develop a national 

standard for formaldehyde emissions that replicates the California 

regulations. The Committee urges EPA to finalize a rule on the national formaldehyde standard for composite wood products that is 

consistent with the California regulations for laminated products 

and consistent with the intent of the 2010 Act. 

Conflicts of Interest.—The Committee maintains that clear and 

consistent conflict-of-interest rules are not applied uniformly to the 

members of EPA’s Science Advisory Boards (SABs), and this has 

been a long-standing issue across multiple Administrations that 

EPA has yet to resolve. Further, EPA’s process for selecting independent scientific advisors unnecessarily excludes State, local, private sector and tribal experts in a manner that does not allow for 

a balanced panel of experts and, in fact, ensures a biased process. 

The lack of transparency in how Board members are selected 

erodes the credibility and objectivity of the scientific reviews undertaken by these Boards. 

For fiscal year 2016, the Administrator shall develop a policy 

statement on science quality and integrity that shall be adhered to 

by the SAB and all Board members. EPA’s policies shall include 

not less than 10 percent of membership from States and Tribes 

who are often underrepresented as noted in the May 2014 National 

Academy of Sciences review of EPA’s IRIS program. Should the Administrator decide that financial-related metrics are appropriate to 

identify conflicts-of-interest or bias, then EPA’s policy shall also include an evaluation of potential bias based on receipt of former and 

current Federal grants or public statements or positions as well as 

other appropriate safeguards to ensure balance amongst SAB and 

other advisory board experts. In addition, the policy statement 

shall include direction on the treatment of public comments and responses to such comments. 

When complete, the Committee directs EPA to submit the draft 

policy statement to the National Academy of Sciences for review of 


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the updated conflict of interest policy, policy for committee composition and balance, and eligibility requirements for service on the 

Science Advisory Boards that will ensure fairness and objectivity. 

The National Academy shall determine if the new policies meet the 

intent of the directives above and, if so, shall certify to the Committee on Appropriations that EPA’s conflict of interest policies 

offer a revised, balanced framework. EPA shall suspend all current 

and planned SAB reviews until such documents have been provided 

to the Academy for review. 

E15 outreach.—The Committee directs the Agency to provide a 

report on efforts in fiscal year 2015 and 2016 to establish and implement public educational outreach for proper and EPA-approved 

usage of 15 percent by volume ethanol blended gasoline in accordance with the Misfueling Mitigation Plan and as provided in the 

Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015. 

Exempt Aquifers.—The Committee is concerned that EPA may 

revoke exempt aquifer designations that have been in effect for 

more than 30 years. The Committee directs EPA to work in a collaborative manner with the State of California and the energy producing industry on the information and data requested and procedures for the submission of applications for review and processing. 

Furthermore, the Committee directs EPA to work promptly to review and process applications once submitted to ensure robust oil 

and natural gas production in the State and the resumption of 

timely permitting of new oil and natural gas wells. 

Ozone.—The Committee is aware that the Agency has proposed 

more stringent standards for ozone and that EPA is scheduled to 

issue a final rule in fiscal year 2016. The Committee is also aware 

that the Agency only recently finalized the implementation regulations for States and affected entities to implement the current 2008 

standards, effective April 6, 2015. Further, the Committee is aware 

that the Agency has hundreds of backlogged State Implementation 

Plans pending with the agency for which EPA has not yet completed its review. As such, the Committee has provided resources 

under the Federal Support for Air Quality program to allow EPA 

to address the backlog of operating permits and State Implementation Plans in need of attention, and the Committee has also provided additional resources in the State and Tribal Assistance 

Grants account to assist States and Tribes in areas of non-attainment. The Committee strongly urges EPA to allow States to fully 

implement the 2008 standards before making further changes to 

those standards. 

Worker Protection Standards.—The Committee recognizes the 

importance of agricultural worker protection standards, especially 

for migrant farm workers, children who work on farms and pesticide handlers, and encourages the Agency to engage the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers, farm workers, industry, and 

other interested organizations as it updates its standards. 

HAZARDOUS WASTE ELECTRONIC MANIFEST SYSTEM FUND

This account supports all activities necessary for the development of the system established by the Hazardous Waste Electronic 

Manifest Establishment Act (P.L. 112–195). 


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Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $3,674,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 7,368,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 0 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥3,674,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥7,368,000 

The Committee continues to support the expeditious development 

of a system that would allow for the electronic tracking of hazardous waste shipments pursuant to P.L. 112–195. To date the 

Committee has provided EPA with sufficient funds to develop the 

system consistent with EPA’s initial cost estimates. Before additional funds are appropriated, the Committee directs EPA to work 

with the appropriate Committees to extend the authorization for 

appropriations beyond fiscal year 2015, and to provide a robust justification for any costs that exceed the amounts appropriated 

through fiscal year 2015. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) provides audit, evaluation, 

and investigation products and advisory services to improve the 

performance and integrity of EPA programs and operations. The 

Inspector General (IG) will continue to perform the function of IG 

for the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. This account funds personnel compensation and benefits, travel, and expenses (excluding rent, utilities, and security costs) for the Office 

of Inspector General. In addition to the funds provided under this 

heading, this account receives funds from the Hazardous Substance 

Superfund account. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $41,489,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 50,099,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 40,000,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥1,489,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥10,099,000 

The bill provides $40,000,000, which is $1,489,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $10,099,000 below the budget request. In addition, the Committee recommends $8,459,000 as a 

payment to this account from the Hazardous Substance Superfund 

account. The Inspector General is directed to prioritize funds to 

projects that prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse at the Environmental Protection Agency. 

BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

The Buildings and Facilities account provides for the design and 

construction of EPA-owned facilities as well as for the repair, extension, alteration, and improvement of facilities used by the Agency. The funds are used to correct unsafe conditions, protect health 

and safety of employees and Agency visitors, and prevent deterioration of structures and equipment. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $42,317,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 51,507,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 34,467,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥7,850,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥17,040,000 


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The bill provides $34,467,000, which is $7,850,000 below the fis- cal year 2015 enacted level and $17,040,000 below the budget request. The Committee supports proposed projects that will reduce 

Agency operational and rent costs. EPA should prioritize projects 

based on anticipated cost savings and allocate funds accordingly. 

HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SUPERFUND

The Hazardous Substance Superfund (Superfund) program was 

established in 1980 by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act to clean up emergency 

hazardous materials, spills, and dangerous, uncontrolled, and/or 

abandoned hazardous waste sites. The Superfund Amendments and 

Reauthorization Act (SARA) expanded the program substantially in 

1986, authorizing approximately $8,500,000,000 in revenues over 

five years. In 1990, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act extended the program’s authorization through 1994 for 

$5,100,000,000 with taxing authority through calendar year 1995. 

The Superfund program is operated by EPA subject to annual appropriations from a dedicated trust fund and from general revenues. Enforcement activities are used to identify and induce parties 

responsible for hazardous waste problems to undertake cleanup actions and pay for EPA oversight of those actions. In addition, responsible parties have been required to cover the cost of fund-financed removal and remedial actions undertaken at spills and 

waste sites by Federal and State agencies. Funds are paid from 

this account to the Office of Inspector General and Science and 

Technology accounts for Superfund related activities. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $1,088,769,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 1,153,834,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 1,088,769,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥65,065,000 

The bill provides $1,088,769,000 for the Hazardous Substance 

Superfund program equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$65,065,000 below the budget request. 

Remedial Cleanup.—The Committee recommends $725,558,000. 

While the Committee understands this increase is insufficient to 

eliminate the backlog of unfunded new starts, the Committee expects the Agency to use the additional funds to initiate remediation 

at highly contaminated, orphan sites. Further the Committee expects the additional funding will also support pipeline activities 

such as remedial investigations, feasibility studies, and remedial 

designs which are critical steps prior to construction. The Committee continues to support EPA’s added financial and project management efforts that enable the Agency to de-obligate unused funds 

from sites and redirect those funds to new construction projects. 

Additional Guidance.—The Committee has included the following 

additional guidance with respect to funding provided under this account: 

Financial Assurance.—The Committee directs the Administrator 

to complete a thorough analysis of the capacity of the financial and 

credit markets to provide the necessary instruments (surety bonds, 

letters of credit, insurance, and trusts) for meeting any new financial responsibility requirements pursuant to section 108(b) of the 


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Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S. C. 9608(b)). The Committee provides 

no funds for EPA to develop, propose, finalize, implement, enforce, 

or administer any regulation that would establish any such new financial responsibility requirements until the Administrator demonstrates that such an analysis has been completed. 

Lead at Superfund Sites.—Using the funds provided, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall contract with 

the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of the sources 

of lead in the environment at each designated Superfund site that 

is proximal to a historic surface lead mining district. The study 

shall focus on whether naturally occurring lead, lead-based paint, 

and the consumer use of products containing lead are significant 

sources of lead at such sites. The Administrator shall transmit to 

Congress a report containing the results of the study not later than 

one year after the date of enactment of this Act. 

Superfund Special Accounts.—The Committee supports the steps 

EPA has taken toward the effective, centralized management of 

Superfund special accounts, and appreciates the information included as part of the Congressional Justification. 

LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK TRUST FUND PROGRAM

Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the 

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, authorized the 

establishment of a response program for cleanup of releases from 

leaking underground storage tanks. Owners and operators of facilities with underground tanks must demonstrate financial responsibility and bear initial responsibility for cleanup. The Federal trust 

fund is funded through the imposition of a motor fuel tax of onetenth of a cent per gallon. 

In addition to State resources, the Leaking Underground Storage 

Tanks (LUST) Trust Fund provides funding to clean up sites, enforces necessary corrective actions, and recovers costs expended 

from the Fund for cleanup activities. The underground storage 

tank response program is designed to operate primarily through cooperative agreements with States. Funds are also used for grants 

to non-State entities, including Indian Tribes, under Section 8001 

of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The Energy Policy 

Act of 2005 expanded the authorized activities of the Fund to include the underground storage tank program. In 2006, Congress 

amended section 9508 of the Internal Revenue Code to authorize 

expenditures from the trust fund for prevention and inspection activities. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $91,941,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 95,326,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 91,941,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥3,385,000 

The bill provides $91,941,000 for the Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Trust Fund Program, equal to the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and $3,385,000 below the budget request. 


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INLAND OIL SPILL PROGRAMS

This appropriation, authorized by the Federal Water Pollution 

Control Act, as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, provides 

funds to prepare for and prevent releases of oil and other petroleum products in navigable waterways. In addition, EPA is reimbursed for incident specific response costs through the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund managed by the United States Coast Guard. 

EPA is responsible for directing all cleanup and removal activities posing a threat to public health and the environment; conducting site inspections; providing a means to achieve cleanup activities by private parties; reviewing containment plans at facilities; reviewing area contingency plans; pursuing cost recovery of 

fund-financed cleanups; and conducting research of oil cleanup 

techniques. Funds for this appropriation are provided through the 

Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund which is composed of fees and collections made through provisions of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the 

Comprehensive Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation Act, the 

Deepwater Port Act of 1974, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 

Amendments of 1978, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 

as amended. Pursuant to law, the Trust Fund is managed by the 

United States Coast Guard. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $18,209,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 23,378,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 17,944,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥265,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥5,434,000 

The bill provides $17,944,000 for the Inland Oil Spill program, 

$265,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $5,434,000 

below the budget request. 

STATE AND TRIBAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS

The State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) account provides 

grant funds for programs operated primarily by State, local, tribal 

and other governmental partners. The account includes two broad 

types of funds: (1) Infrastructure Assistance, which is used primarily by local governments for projects supporting environmental 

protection; and, (2) Categorical Grants, which assist State and tribal governments and other environmental partners with the operation of environmental programs. The account also includes specific 

program grants such as competitive Brownfields grants and diesel 

emissions reduction grants. 

In the STAG account, EPA provides funding for infrastructure 

projects through two State Revolving Funds (Clean Water and 

Drinking Water), geographic specific projects in Alaskan Native 

Villages and on the United States-Mexico Border, Brownfields revitalization projects, diesel emission reduction grants, and other targeted infrastructure projects. 

The State Revolving Funds (SRFs) provide Federal financial assistance to protect the Nation’s water resources. The Clean Water 

SRF helps eliminate municipal discharge of untreated or inadequately treated pollutants and thereby helps maintain or restore 

the country’s water to a swimmable and/or fishable quality. The 

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ipal, State, and interstate agencies and tribal governments to plan, 

design, and construct wastewater facilities and other projects, including non-point source, estuary, stormwater, and sewer overflow 

projects. The Safe Drinking Water SRF finances improvements to 

community water systems so that they can achieve compliance with 

the mandates of the Safe Drinking Water Act and continue to protect public health. 

Many of the major Federal environmental statutes include provisions that allow the Federal government, through EPA, to delegate 

to the States and Tribes the day-to-day management of environmental programs or to approve State and Tribal environmental 

programs. The Federal statutes were designed to recognize the 

States as partners and co-regulators, allowing the States to issue 

and enforce permits, carry out inspections and monitoring, and collect data. To assist the States in this task, the statutes also authorized EPA to provide grants to the States and Tribes. These grants, 

which cover every major aspect of environmental protection, include those programs authorized by sections 319 and 106 of the 

Clean Water Act (Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended) (for non-point source pollution and the water quality permits 

programs), sections 105 and 103 of the Clean Air Act (for State and 

Local air quality management programs), section 128 of CERCLA 

(for State and tribal response programs), section 1443(a) of the Safe 

Drinking Water Act (for public water system supervision), and section 3011 of RCRA (for the implementation of State hazardous 

waste programs). 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $3,545,161,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 3,599,400,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 2,979,829,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥565,332,000 

Budget estimate, 2015 ................................................................ ¥619,571,000 

The bill provides $2,979,829,000 for the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account, $565,332,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $619,571,000 below the budget request. The Committee provides the following additional detail by program area: 

Infrastructure Assistance.—The Committee has appropriated 

nearly $25 billion for water and wastewater infrastructure assistance since 2009, and notes that $6 billion is ‘‘revolving’’ and available for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in 

fiscal year 2015 from appropriated funds, State match contributions, loan repayments, and interest. Nevertheless, little progress 

has been made to reduce the known water infrastructure gap. The 

Committee believes that EPA and the States must expeditiously allocate existing funds to projects in order to address the pressing infrastructure needs facing the country. In addition, the Committee 

continues to encourage EPA and water infrastructure stakeholders 

to promote alternate financing mechanisms for water infrastructure at local, State and Federal levels as it is widely accepted that 

Federal financing through the State Revolving Funds remains an 

important yet insufficient tool to address the Nation’s water needs. 

Public-private partnerships, greater access to financing from private activity bonds, and improved asset management are just a few 

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crease investment in a complementary way to Federal appropriations and reduce costs. 

In addition, the Committee continues bill language to allow EPA 

and the States to provide additional forms of subsidy to those communities which cannot afford the below market rates provided by 

an SRF loan. 

The Committee has a history of including a provision affording 

a procurement preference for iron and steel products produced in 

the United States in projects receiving funds from the State revolving fund or, now, the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation 

Act. The Committee clarifies the intent that iron and steel products 

that are substantially transformed in the United States shall be 

considered ‘‘produced in the United States’’ for the purpose of water 

infrastructure projects. 

The Committee emphasizes that any coating processes that are 

applied to the external surface of iron and steel components that 

otherwise qualify under the procurement preference shall not 

render such products ineligible for the procurement preference regardless of where the coating processes occur, provided that final 

assembly of the products occurs in the United States. The Committee directs EPA to consider U.S. manufacturing costs, including 

labor, machining, coating, assembly and testing, when determining 

if a product is primarily iron or steel. 

Diesel Emission Reduction Grants (DERA).—The bill provides 

$50,000,000 for DERA grants. The DERA program is the only EPA 

air program that has been reauthorized by Congress, and at least 

10 million older heavily polluting diesel engines remain in use that 

have yet to be retrofitted, repowered, or replaced. Further, according to the second report to Congress, approximately 70 percent of 

competitive projects have occurred in areas of non-attainment for 

particulate matter and ozone. For fiscal year 2016, the Committee 

directs EPA to continue to make at least 70 percent of DERA 

grants available to improve air quality in non-attainment areas. 

The Committee encourages EPA to provide a third report to Congress prior to January 1, 2016, that includes the analysis requested 

in Public Law 111–364. 

Targeted Airshed Grants.—The bill provides $20,000,000 for targeted airshed grants to reduce air pollution in non-attainment 

areas. These grants shall be distributed on a competitive basis to 

non-attainment areas that EPA determines are ranked as the top 

five most polluted areas relative to annual ozone or particulate 

matter 2.5 standards. To determine these areas, the Agency shall 

use the most recent design values calculated from validated air 

quality data. The Committee notes that these funds are available 

for emission reduction activities deemed necessary for compliance 

with national ambient air quality standards and included in a 

State Implementation Plan submitted to EPA. Not later than the 

end of fiscal year 2016, EPA should provide a report to the Committees on Appropriations that includes a table showing how fiscal 

year 2015 and 2016 funds were allocated. The table should also include grant recipients and metrics for anticipated or actual results. 

Categorical Grants.—For categorical grants to States and other 

environmental partners for the implementation of delegated programs, the bill provides $1,044,829,000. 


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Radon.—The Committee continues to support efforts that raise 

awareness about the associated risks of radon exposure, as ongoing, unmitigated exposures result in over 21,000 radon-induced 

lung cancer deaths per year. Therefore, the Committee provides 

$8,051,000, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Following 

consultation with stakeholders, the Committee finds that the fiscal 

year 2016 radon funds could be more effectively targeted. Of the 

funds provided, the Committee directs $3,000,000 for State efforts 

to promote radon awareness via hospitals, clinics, and other health 

care providers and medical professionals. The Committee encourages States to incorporate radon exposure prevention in cancer control plans developed under the National Comprehensive Cancer 

Control Program. Funding is provided elsewhere in the bill for EPA 

to develop, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Agriculture, a national awareness 

campaign to educate consumers about radon health impacts. 

Further, the bill provides $3,000,000 for State grants for radon 

testing and remediation of schools located in known high-risk 

radon areas. States shall apply consensus national standards and 

use professionals certified to conduct radon testing and remediation. Eligible school districts shall include those in high-risk radon 

areas based on the most current information available to EPA and 

the States. To the extent that this testing data may inform the 

EPA study requested elsewhere in the bill, the Committee encourages EPA and the States to incorporate data from this effort into 

such study. 

Lastly, the Committee provides $2,054,000 for EPA and States to 

offer continuing education and technical support on radon testing 

and mitigation standards, techniques, and best practices for home 

builders, real estate professionals, building code officials, radon 

testers, mitigators and home inspectors. Using these funds, the 

Committee also encourages EPA and the States to convene dialogues involving representatives of home builders, real estate professionals, building code officials, radon testers, mitigators, home 

inspectors, public health officials, and cancer prevention advocates 

to consider whether updated code requirements for State and/or 

local adoption may have merit. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 

(INCLUDING TRANSFER AND RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

The Committee continues bill language carried in prior years 

concerning Tribal Cooperative Authority, the collection and obligation of pesticides fees, and additional transfer authorities for the 

purposes of implementing the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. 

The Committee has included bill language authorizing up to 

$150,000 to be spent for facility repairs at any one time. 

The Committee has included bill language to guide the direction 

of the Agency’s policies and actions related to carbon dioxide emissions from biomass. 

The Committee rescinds $8,000,000 of unobligated grant funds. 


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TITLE III—RELATED AGENCIES 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOREST SERVICE

The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of National 

Forests, Grasslands, and a Tallgrass Prairie, including lands in 44 

States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and cooperates with 

States, other Federal agencies, Tribes and private landowners to 

sustain the Nation’s forests and grasslands. The Forest Service administers a wide variety of programs, including forest and rangeland research, State and private forestry assistance, cooperative 

forest health programs, an international program, National Forest 

System, and wildland fire management. The National Forest System (NFS) includes 155 national forests, 20 National grasslands, 20 

National recreation areas, a National Tallgrass prairie, six National monuments, and six land utilization projects. The NFS is 

managed for multiple uses, beginning with wood, water and forage, 

and expanded under the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act to include recreation, grazing, fish and wildlife habitat management. 

Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request.—The Committee appreciates 

the detailed programmatic information provided by the Forest 

Service in its budget requests to Congress. For the fiscal year 2017 

budget request, the Committee directs the Service to provide 

project statements showing total available funding, justifications of 

increases and decreases, and classifications of objects for each account. This will ensure the Committee receives the same information from the Forest Service as it does from all other USDA agencies and offices and the other agencies funded by Interior and Environment Appropriations Acts. 

Air Asset Integrity.—The Forest Service shall ensure that an Aircraft Structural Integrity Plan or comparable analysis to plan for 

the maintenance of the seven HC–130H aircraft to be transferred 

to the Forest Service pursuant to the fiscal year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 113–66) is developed. Based on this 

analysis, the Forest Service shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations, as part of the annual Congressional justifications, estimated costs for operations and maintenance of the HC–130H aircraft for the current and following five years. 

The Forest Service also shall provide estimated operations and 

maintenance costs for the C–23B Sherpa aircraft to be transferred. 

Not later than 90 days after the Forest Service takes ownership of 

the first HC–130H aircraft, and annually thereafter, the Forest 

Service shall submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations 

on operations and maintenance costs of each HC–130H and C–23B 

Sherpa aircraft transferred pursuant to the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 113–66), as well as light 

fixed-wing aircraft currently owned by the Forest Service, by tail 

number. 

As part of any request for funds to perform modifications to the 

C–23B Sherpa aircraft transferred pursuant to the fiscal year 2014 

National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 113–66), the Forest Service shall provide information on the balances remaining in the 

Working Capital Fund of the Forest Service for light fixed-wing aircraft. 


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In addition, not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, 

the Forest Service shall provide a report to the Committees on Appropriations on the status of efforts to strengthen performance 

metrics on firefighting aviation, with a focus on the performance of 

contracted and agency-owned aviation assets. 

Forest Service Hiring Practices.—The Committee is concerned 

that past ranger district and national forest consolidations have resulted in fewer Forest Service personnel at the district level and 

fewer line officers conducting the day-to-day work that is needed in 

the national forests. As such, the Committee directs the Forest 

Service to place first priority on hiring ranger district-based employees before hiring for forests and regions. The Committee encourages the Service to set a goal of hiring ranger district-based 

employees within four months of a vacancy. 

Bill Language.—The Committee includes the following bill language related to the Forest Service in Title IV General Provisions: 

Section 407, allowing forest management plans to expire if the Forest Service has made a good faith effort to update plans commensurate with appropriated funds; Section 410, regarding timber sales 

of Alaskan western red cedar; Section 419, extending the Federal 

Lands Recreation Enhancement Act for one year; Section 424, prohibiting the use of appropriated funds to close areas open to recreational hunting and shooting as of January 1, 2013; Section 432, 

allowing the Forest Service to renew grazing permits; Section 433, 

making vacant allotments for permittees affected by drought or 

wildfire; and Section 434, prohibiting the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management from requiring relinquishment of all or 

a portion of water rights as a condition for permit renewals (this 

includes all permits issued by the Bureau and the Forest Service 

and is not limited to grazing permits). 

FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $296,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 291,982,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 277,507,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥18,493,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥14,475,000 

The Committee recommends $277,507,000 for Forest and Range- land Research, $18,493,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 

and $14,475,000 below the budget request. 

Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA).—The Committee recommends $70,000,000 for the FIA program, equal to the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and $13,000,000 below the budget request. 

The Committee finds that State forestry agencies and their cooperators are often able to accomplish critical FIA work with equal 

quality at lower costs than the Forest Service. The Forest Service 

is directed to work with State foresters to identify ways to more efficiently deliver the program in all States, including timely inventory updates, and should explore opportunities to work with additional State forestry agencies and their cooperators who can accomplish necessary field work at lower cost. 

Forest Products Laboratory.—The Committee remains concerned 

about the increasing costs of forest management, hazardous fuels 

reduction and forest restoration. As such, it encourages the Forest 

Products Laboratory to focus on strategies to increase markets to 


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offset or alleviate this additional cost. The Committee believes 

green building markets are a growing opportunity for Americangrown wood and continues to encourage the Forest Service to work 

through the science and technology capabilities of the Laboratory 

to position wood as a green building material and improve the performance and affordability of wood-framed construction. 

The Committee encourages the agency to increase its research on 

wood building products that can be used to improve the performance and affordability of wood-framed construction. 

Urban Forest Research.—The Committee encourages the Forest 

Service to support urban forest research initiatives, related social 

and socio-economic research, and cooperative activities that help 

cities monitor and care for their urban forests. The Committee directs the Forest Service to provide information and tools, including 

inventories of urban forests, to help cities, towns, and metropolitan 

areas systematically assess the health and changing conditions of 

their urban forests and to plan strategic actions to sustainably 

maintain these forests. 

Bighorn Sheep Research.—The Forest Service is urged to collaborate with the Bureau of Land Management and the Agricultural 

Research Service on research involving the risk of disease transmission between domestic and bighorn sheep. 

Local Need Research.—The Committee is concerned about the 

lack of localized need research projects currently underway. The 

Committee directs the research stations to focus on the needs of 

the forests and to develop projects in coordination with the National Forest System. 

Northern Long-Eared Bat.—The Committee is encouraged by the 

Forest Service’s research, in partnership with private landowners, 

State agencies, and non-profit organizations, that successfully 

treated northern long-eared and other bat species for white-nose 

syndrome, and directs the Service to allocate $1,000,000 for additional research on this disease. 

STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $232,653,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 236,611,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 220,665,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥11,988,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥15,946,000 

The Committee recommends $220,665,000 for State and Private 

Forestry, $11,988,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$15,946,000 below the budget request. 

Landscape Scale Restoration.—The Committee recommends 

$14,000,000 for Landscape Scale Restoration, equal to the fiscal 

year 2015 level and $9,513,000 below the budget request. 

The Committee supports continuing to use the majority of these 

resources for interstate competitive projects and recommends these 

competitive projects address national priorities of concern. The 

Committee encourages application in priority landscapes as identified in State Forest Action Plans, producing measurable economic, 

ecological and social benefits. 

Forest Health Management.—The Committee recommends 

$99,600,000 for Forest Health Management, $4,977,000 below the 


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fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $76,000 below the budget request. 

Forest Stewardship Program.—The Committee recommends 

$23,036,000 for the Forest Stewardship Program, equal to the fiscal 

year 2015 enacted level and $13,000 below the budget request. 

The Committee recognizes the Forest Stewardship Program is 

undergoing revisions to better align and focus it on delivering onthe-ground outcomes based on the priorities identified in the State 

Forest Action Plans. The Committee is encouraged by this progress 

and urges the agency to continue to deliver on-the-ground results 

on priority resource concerns, to use program resources for the 

most efficient strategies for accomplishing results, to leverage collaborative public-private efforts, and to better engage landowners 

in action that addresses priority resource concerns, especially landowners who are not currently engaged in active management. 

Forest Legacy.—The recommendation includes $50,660,000 for 

Forest Legacy, of which $44,410,000 fully funds the first 13 projects 

in the budget request, and of which not to exceed $6,250,000 may 

be used for program administration. 

Community Forest and Open Space Conservation.—The Committee recommends $1,683,000 for Community Forest and Open 

Space Conservation, $317,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level and equal to the budget request. 

Urban and Community Forestry.—The Committee recommends 

$23,686,000 for Urban and Community Forestry, $4,354,000 below 

the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and equal to the budget request. 

International Forestry.—The Committee recommends $8,000,000 

for International Forestry, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level and $3,996,000 above the budget request. 

The Committee supports the Forest Service’s International Program and recognizes its successful work to advance international 

trade for U.S. timber producers and forestry interests at international policy deliberations, to protect the United States from 

invasive species that threaten our forests, and to recover U.S. migratory waterfowl in decline. The International Program enables 

experts from the Federal government to participate in negotiations 

for trade agreements and assist with forestry work abroad. This 

program plays a large role in protecting the U.S. forest products industry by improving the sustainability and legality of timber management overseas thereby reducing the amount of underpriced and 

illegally harvested timber on the world market. 

NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $1,494,330,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 1,648,314,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 1,490,093,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥4,237,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥158,221,000 

The Committee recommends $1,490,093,000 for the National Forest System, $4,237,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$158,221,000 below the budget request. 

Integrated Resource Restoration.—The Committee notes that 

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quest includes a major restructuring in which several programs are 

combined to form the Integrated Resource Restoration (IRR) budget 

line. The Committee supports the continuation of the pilot project 

established in the fiscal year 2012 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies conference report. The Committee must see demonstrable results from the program, including true management efficiencies, tangible accomplishments, and accountability prior to the 

consideration of expanding IRR nationwide. As such, the Committee rejects the proposed restructuring and continues funding for 

the individual budget line items as in the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015. 

Land Management Planning, Inventory and Monitoring.—The 

Committee recommends $32,020,000 for Land Management Planning and $144,890,000 for Inventory and Monitoring. The Committee does not accept the proposed merging of the Land Management Planning and Inventory and Monitoring line items. 

Recreation, Heritage and Wilderness.—The Committee recommends $256,839,000 for Recreation, Heritage and Wilderness, 

$4,880,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $7,103,000 

below the budget request. Of the funds available to Manage Recreation Operations, $750,000 shall be for the maintenance of rural 

airstrips. The Committee directs the Forest Service to consult with 

Congress, State and local officials, and affected stakeholders prior 

to making a determination to close or terminate the use of any 

rural airstrips. 

The Committee encourages the Service to continue long-standing 

partnerships that support outdoor ethics and stewardship programming. 

The Committee directs the Forest Service to conduct the appropriate analysis regarding any lands that could be incorporated into 

the Granite Chief Wilderness area of the Tahoe National Forest. 

The analysis should take into special consideration the potential effect of expanding the wilderness area on local water agencies, 

households and other water users. The Committee reminds the 

Service of the importance to engage all local stakeholders, including local government institutions, private citizens, and community 

groups, in its analysis. 

The Committee understands that the Service is conducting a wilderness inventory and evaluation for portions of the Inyo, Sierra 

and Sequoia National Forest. Recreation and tourism at these national forests support the economies of many communities near 

these forests. Under current law and regulation, any land recommended by the Forest Service for wilderness protection will significantly restrict access and recreation in these forests, creating de 

facto wilderness without Congressional approval. The Committee 

directs the Service to carefully conduct its analysis, ensuring that 

it takes into full account the economic effects of its decisions, the 

desires and needs of the local communities and their local, State 

and federally elected representatives. 

Grazing Management.—The Committee recommends $55,356,000 

for Grazing Management, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level and $5,650,000 above the budget request. The Committee rejects the proposal to increase fees for grazing. 

The Committee encourages the Forest Service to improve its 

monitoring of grazing permits in allotments where riparian 


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streamside health is a concern for listed or threatened species. The 

Committee also requests each Forest Service region to increase 

transparency and reporting on how their monitoring resources are 

used on the ground to satisfy monitoring requirements or for other 

purposes. 

Forest Products.—The Committee recommends $355,000,000 for 

Forest Products, $15,870,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level. The Committee rejects the proposal to consolidate this budget 

line into the Integrated Resource Restoration program. 

The Committee believes improving implementation and efficiency 

of timber sales is a vital component to forest health. The budget 

request assumes 3.2 billion board feet of timber volume will be sold 

in fiscal year 2016. The Committee recommends $15,870,000 above 

the fiscal year 2015 enacted level for the Forest Products account 

to support an increased level of timber sales and encourages the 

Forest Service to implement larger projects and reduce unit costs. 

The Committee requests the Forest Service provide a report 

within 60 days of enactment of this Act regarding personal-use firewood permits and sales. The report should include historical information regarding the personal use of firewood from national forests 

as well as firewood’s relation to the Federal timber program. 

The Forest Service has identified 58 million acres at high risk to 

catastrophic wildfires. The Committee commends the Service for increasing the acres it has treated but notes that to make a substantial reduction in fire suppression costs many more acres need to be 

treated per year. As such, the Committee directs the Forest Service 

to include hard targets in performance evaluations. In addition, individual ranger districts, where appropriate, should develop a systematic, long-term entry approach to access land in need of treatment. 

Vegetation and Watershed Management.—The Committee recommends $184,716,000 for Vegetation and Watershed Management, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. The Committee 

rejects the proposal to consolidate this budget line into the Integrated Resource Restoration program. 

Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat Management.—The Committee 

recommends $140,466,000 for Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat Management, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. The Committee rejects the proposal to consolidate this budget line into the 

Integrated Resource Restoration program. 

Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund.—The Committee recommends $40,000,000, for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 

and $20,000,000 below the budget request. 

The Committee recognizes the need to ensure forest resiliency 

and support multiple uses on national forest lands. The Committee 

urges the Forest Service to incorporate a variety of landscapes, including wet forests, as it develops future projects for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program. 

The Committee reminds the Forest Service that stewardship contracts are not intended to replace, diminish, or adversely impact 

the Service’s timber sales program. The Committee encourages the 

Service to focus on stewardship contracts that include low per-unit 

costs for timber sales, high-value timber harvesting and hazardous 

fuels reduction measures. 


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Minerals and Geology Management.—The Committee recommends $76,423,000 for Minerals and Geology Management, 

equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $5,734,000 above 

the budget request. 

The Committee expects that the Forest Service will not promulgate regulations under the authority provided by section 2508 of 

Public Law 102–486 regarding certain oil and gas activities where 

the Federal government has acquired an interest in surface lands 

but not in oil and gas deposits that may be present under these 

lands. The Committee intends that the Third Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Minard Run Oil Co. v. U.S. Forest Serv., 670 F.3d 

236 (3d Cir. 2011) will continue to apply to all Forest Service actions regarding oil and gas development of outstanding and reserved mineral rights on the Allegheny National Forest. 

Landownership Management.—The Committee recommends 

$77,730,000 for Landownership Management, equal to the fiscal 

year 2015 enacted level and $6,129,000 above the budget request. 

Law Enforcement Operations.—The Committee recommends 

$126,653,000 for Law Enforcement Operations, equal to the fiscal 

year 2015 enacted level and $623,000 above the budget request. 

The Committee continues to be concerned about the increasing 

incidence of illegal marijuana cultivation on public lands and the 

corresponding effects it has on the environment, forest restoration 

and habitat, employee and public safety, tourism, and communities. 

The Committee believes Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations should be included as an integral participant in the 

annual forest planning process as a means to ensure stronger collaboration among all partners and focused enforcement strategies 

aimed at safety, interdiction and mitigation. 

Valles Caldera National Preserve.—The Committee provides no 

funding for the Preserve. The National Defense Authorization Act, 

2015, transferred responsibility for the Preserve from the Forest 

Service to the Department of the Interior. 

DeSoto National Forest.—The Committee directs the Service to 

provide the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations a report on any closures that occurred between January 1, 2010, and 

June 1, 20151 including the rationale for the closure, in the DeSoto 

National Forest. 

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $360,374,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 341,924,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 357,363,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥3,011,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ +15,439,000 

The Committee recommends $357,363,000 for Capital Improve- ment and Maintenance, $3,011,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $15,439,000 above the budget request. 

Facilities Maintenance and Construction.—The Committee recommends $71,390,000 for Facilities Maintenance and Construction, 

$210,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $305,000 

below the budget request. Specifically, the Committee recommends 


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$55,369,000 for facilities maintenance and $16,021,000 for facilities 

construction. 

Road Maintenance and Construction.—The Committee recommends $165,293,000 for Road Maintenance and Construction, 

$2,801,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$11,031,000 above the budget request. Specifically, the Committee 

recommends $140,653,000 for road maintenance and $24,640,000 

for road construction. 

Should the Forest Service find it necessary within the Gifford 

Pinchot National Forest or any National Forest within the State of 

Washington to either reduce the roads to maintenance level 1 or 

to decommission, the Forest Service should give precedence to the 

reduction of the road to Maintenance Level 1. Decommissioning 

should only be done after final plantation restoration work in Late 

Successional Reserve habitat development, or on a portion of road 

where resource protection cannot be adequately met by closing and 

stabilizing. 

Trail Maintenance and Construction.—The Committee recommends $77,530,000 for Trail Maintenance and Construction, 

equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $4,986,000 below 

the budget request. Specifically, the Committee recommends 

$69,777,000 for trail maintenance and $7,753,000 for trail construction. 

Deferred Maintenance.—The Committee recommends $3,150,000 

for Deferred Maintenance, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level and $30,301,000 below the budget request. 

Legacy Roads and Trail Remediation.—The Committee recommends $40,000,000 for Legacy Roads and Trails, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. The Committee rejects the proposal to 

consolidate this budget line into the Integrated Resource Restoration program. 

LAND ACQUISITION

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $47,500,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 63,000,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 20,000,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥27,500,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥43,000,000 

The Committee recommends $20,000,000 for Land Acquisition, $27,500,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$43,000,000 below the budget request. In addition to the table at 

the end of this report, the recommendation includes the following 

instructions and changes to the budget request: The recommendation includes $9,000,000 for land acquisition 

projects included in the fiscal year 2016 budget request. The Forest 

Service is directed to re-prioritize its project list as necessary to 

focus on acquisitions where opportunities for recreation, and local, 

State, and congressional support, are strongest. The recommendation includes $1,500,000 for inholdings. The 

Service is directed to notify the Committee of any land acquired 

with these funds. The Committee defines ‘‘inholding’’ as non-Federal land within authorized National Forest System boundaries 

and bordered not less than 51 percent by Federal public land. 

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tions that improve access to existing Federal public lands via road, 

river, or trail for hunting, fishing, and other public recreation, as 

authorized by law or regulation. 

ACQUISITION OF LANDS FOR NATIONAL FORESTS SPECIAL ACTS

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $950,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 1,950,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 950,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥1,000,000 

The Committee recommends $950,000 for Acquisition of Lands 

for National Forests Special Acts, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $1,000,000 below the budget request. 

ACQUISITION OF LANDS TO COMPLETE LAND EXCHANGES

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $216,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 216,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 216,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ 0 

The Committee recommends $216,000 for Acquisition of Lands to 

Complete Land Exchanges under the Act of December 4, 1967 (16 

U.S.C. 484a), equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and the 

budget request. 

RANGE BETTERMENT FUND

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $2,320,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 2,320,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 2,320,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ 0 

The Committee recommends $2,320,000, for the Range Betterment Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2015 level and budget request, 

to be derived from grazing receipts from national forests (Public 

Law 94–579) and to be used for range rehabilitation, protection, 

and improvements including seeding, reseeding, fence construction, 

weed control, water development, and fish and wildlife habitat enhancement in 16 western States. 

GIFTS, DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS FOR FOREST AND RANGELAND

RESEARCH

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $45,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 45,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 45,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ 0 

The Committee recommends $45,000 for Gifts, Donations and Bequests for Forest and Rangeland Research, equal to the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and the budget request. 


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MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL FOREST LANDS FOR SUBSISTENCE USES

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $2,500,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... $2,441,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 2,441,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥59,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ 0 

The Committee recommends $2,441,000 for the Management of National Forest Lands for Subsistence Uses in Alaska, $59,000 

below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and equal to the budget 

request. 

WILDLAND FIRE

The Wildland Fire Management and FLAME wildfire suppression reserve accounts support the wildland fire activities of the Forest Service. The Committee recommends a total of $2,688,078,000 

for the Forest Service wildland fire accounts, including 

$315,000,000 in the FLAME wildfire suppression reserve fund. 

This fully funds the fire accounts at the 10-year average of expenditures. 

WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $2,333,298,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 2,354,029,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 2,373,078,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +39,780,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ +19,049,000 

The Committee recommends $2,373,078,000 for Wildland Fire 

Management, $39,780,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 

and $19,049,000 above the budget request. 

The Committee notes that the budget request included a provision almost identical to legislation that has been developed in the 

House (H.R. 167) and the Senate (S. 235). The budget request proposes to allow wildland fire suppression costs above 70 percent of 

the 10-year average for fire suppression to be paid from within the 

discretionary budget cap adjustment established for natural disasters, recognizing that wildland fires are a natural disaster akin to 

hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. As the issue of the disaster cap 

adjustment falls outside the Committee’s jurisdiction, this Committee’s recommendation does not include the request for suppression 

funding through the disaster cap adjustment. As in recent years, 

suppression operations are fully funded at the 10-year average 

level within the suppression operations account and the FLAME 

wildfire suppression reserve fund. 

Satellite Technologies.—The Committee encourages the Forest 

Service to consider the potential use of existing commercial satellite technology to provide early warning, mitigation and response 

capabilities for wildland fires and to determine whether such technology may provide a low-cost early warning capability to save 

lives and property. 

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.—The Committee is aware of the successful firefighting demonstration performed by an unmanned helicopter at a Federal Aviation Administration unmanned aircraft 


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system test site in November 2014 and urges the Service to continue to evaluate the effectiveness of this technology and its potential integration into the aviation asset modernization plan. 

Partnerships.—The Committee recognizes the severe threat of 

wildfire to communities and natural resources within the Wildland 

Urban Interface. The Committee maintains that limited Federal 

budgets require innovative approaches that directly improve the capacity and capability of firefighters and communities to respond to 

and fight wildland fires. The Committee directs the Service to utilize regional partnerships to implement cost-shared approaches to 

install fire suppression response and suppression infrastructure as 

well as to coordinate programs that emphasize collaborative management of such programs. Priority should be given to on-going 

programs that have demonstrated the ability to implement such 

approaches. 

Wildfire Preparedness.—The Committee recommends 

$1,082,620,000 for Wildfire Preparedness, $63,220,000 below the 

fiscal year 2015 enacted level and equal to the budget request. 

Wildfire Suppression Operations.—The Committee recommends 

$811,000,000 for Wildfire Suppression Operations, $103,000,000 

above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $16,466,000 above the 

budget request. The Committee recommendation fully meets the 

10-year average expenditure on all suppression activities. 

Hazardous Fuels.—The Committee recommends $361,749,000 for 

hazardous fuels reduction, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level and $2,623,000 above the budget request, and includes 

$5,000,000 for biomass utilization grants. The Committee recommends prioritizing funding for proactive hazardous fuels management and fire mitigation. 

The Forest Service is directed to implement effective treatments 

in frequent fire forests that restore forest resiliency and reduce 

hazardous fuels. Treatments should be placed to effectively modify 

fire behavior and protect assets at risk including life and property. 

The Committee continues to be concerned with the pace of planning and implementation of post-fire rehabilitation by the Forest 

Service. The slow pace of rehabilitation leaves communities unable 

to access timber resources and delays the regeneration of Federal 

forests. The Committee directs the Forest Service to prioritize and 

expedite planning and implementation of post-fire rehabilitation 

projects. 

Fire Plan Research and Development.—The Committee recommends $19,795,000 for Fire Plan Research and Development, 

equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $25,000 below the 

budget request. 

Joint Fire Science Program.—The Committee recommends 

$6,914,000 for the Joint Fire Science Program, equal to the fiscal 

year 2015 enacted level and $3,000 below the budget request. 

State Fire Assistance.—The Committee recommends $78,000,000 

for State Fire Assistance, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level and $12,000 below the budget request. 

Volunteer Fire Assistance.—The Committee recommends 

$13,000,000 for Volunteer Fire Assistance, equal to the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and the budget request. 


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FLAME WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION RESERVE FUND

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $303,060,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 0 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 315,000,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +11,940,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ +315,000,000 

The Committee recommends $315,000,000 for the FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund, $11,940,000 above the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and $315,000,000 above the budget request. As 

discussed above under Wildland Fire Management, the Committee 

fully funds the 10-year average expenditure for wildfire suppression. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS, FOREST SERVICE

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

The Committee has included administrative provisions as requested, unless otherwise stated below. 

The Committee continues the administrative provision regarding 

Wildland Fire Management and the FLAME Wildfire Suppression 

Reserve Fund as included in the Consolidated and Further Appropriations Act, 2015. 

The Committee retains the administrative provision regarding 

reprogramming authority. 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE

The provision of Federal health services to Indians is based on 

a relationship between Indian Tribes and the U.S. Government 

first set forth in the 1830s by the U.S. Supreme Court under Chief 

Justice John Marshall. Numerous treaties, statutes, constitutional 

provisions, and international laws have reconfirmed this relationship. Principal among these is the Snyder Act of 1921, which provides the basic authority for most Indian health services provided 

by the Federal government to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The Indian Health Service (IHS) provides direct health care 

services in 28 hospitals, 61 health centers, three school health centers, and 34 health stations. Tribes and tribal groups, through contracts and compacts with the IHS, operate 17 hospitals, 249 health 

centers, six school health centers, and 70 health stations (including 

164 Alaska Native village clinics). 

INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $4,182,147,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 4,463,260,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 4,321,539,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +139,392,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥141,721,000 

The Committee recommends $4,321,539,000 for Indian Health 

Services, $139,392,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$141,721,000 below the budget request. In addition to the table at 


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the end of this report, the recommendation includes the following 

instructions and changes to the budget request: 

Staffing for New Facilities.—The recommendation includes 

$16,222,000 for the staffing of newly opened health facilities, as requested. Funds for the staffing of new facilities are limited to facilities funded through the Health Care Facilities Construction Priority System or the Joint Venture Construction Program that have 

opened in fiscal year 2015 or will open in fiscal year 2016. None 

of these funds may be allocated to a facility until such facility has 

achieved beneficial occupancy status. 

Dental Health.—The recommendation includes $178,959,000 for 

dental health, $4,977,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. 

The Service is encouraged to coordinate with the Bureau of Indian 

Education to establish a pilot program integrating preventive dental care at schools within the Bureau system. 

Purchased/Referred Care (formerly Contract Health Services).— The recommendation includes $935,726,000 for Purchased/Referred 

Care. The Committee urges the Service, Tribes, and the congressional authorizing committees to make reasonable and expeditious 

progress to address the concerns and recommendations made by 

the Government Accountability Office (GAO), most notably with regard to unfair allocations, third-party overbilling, and under-enrollment in other qualifying Federal programs. 

The Committee urges the Service to work expeditiously with the 

relevant Congressional authorizing committees to enact authorization for the Service to cap payment rates for non-hospital services, 

as recommended by the Government Accountability Office (GAO 

13–272). Failure to do so costs the program an estimated $30 million annually that could be used to purchase more services. 

Contract Support Costs.—The recommendation includes 

$717,970,000 as requested for full funding of estimated contract 

support costs. Bill language has been added making these funds 

available until expended and protecting against the use of other appropriations to meet unanticipated shortfalls. The Service is directed to work with Tribes and tribal organizations to ensure that 

budget estimates continue to be as accurate as possible. 

Eligibility.—The Committee recognizes the Federal government’s 

trust responsibility for providing healthcare for American Indians 

and Alaska Natives. The Committee is aware that the definition of 

who is an ‘‘Indian’’ is inconsistent across various Federal health 

programs, which has led to confusion, increased paperwork and 

even differing determinations of health benefits within Indian families themselves. The Committee therefore directs the Department 

of Health and Human Services, the Indian Health Service, and the 

Department of the Treasury to work together to establish a consistent definition of an ‘‘Indian’’ for purposes of providing health 

benefits. 

Urban Indian Health.—The recommendation includes 

$44,410,000 for Urban Indian Health, $806,000 above the fiscal 

year 2015 enacted level and the budget request. The agency is directed to include current services estimates for Urban Indian 

Health in future budget requests. The Committee notes the agency’s failure to report the results of the needs assessment directed 

by House Report 111–180. Therefore the recommendation includes 

a reduction to the Service leadership budget, along with bill lanVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 19, 2015 Jkt 095083 PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR170.XXX HR170

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guage requiring a program strategic plan developed in consultation 

with urban Indians and the National Academy of Public Administration. 

Shortage of Health Care Providers.—The Service is encouraged to 

work with Tribes and health care organizations to find creative 

ways to address the Service’s health care provider shortage, including improvements to the credentialing process. 

INDIAN HEALTH FACILITIES

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $460,234,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 639,725,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 466,329,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +6,095,000 

Budget estimate, 2015 ................................................................ ¥173,396,000 

The Committee recommends $466,329,000 for Indian Health Facilities, $6,095,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$173,396,000 below the budget request. In addition to the table at 

the end of this report, the recommendation includes the following 

instructions: 

Staffing for New Facilities.—The recommendation includes 

$1,584,000 for the staffing of newly opened health facilities as requested. The stipulations included in the Indian Health Services 

account regarding the allocation of funds pertains to this account 

as well. 

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, an 

agency within the National Institutes of Health, was authorized in 

section 311(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 

Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 and in section 126(g) of 

the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 to 

conduct certain research and worker training activities associated 

with the nation’s Hazardous Substance Superfund program. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $77,349,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 77,349,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 77,349,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ 0 

The Committee recommends $77,349,000 for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, equal to the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and the budget request. 

AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY

TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), 

an agency in the Department of Health and Human Services, was 

created in section 104(i) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. The Agency’s mission is to serve the public through responsive public health actions 

to promote healthy and safe environments and prevent harmful 

toxic exposures. ATSDR assesses hazardous exposures in commuVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 19, 2015 Jkt 095083 PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR170.XXX HR170

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nities near toxic waste sites and advises the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other government agencies, community 

groups and industry partners on actions needed to protect people’s 

health. In addition, ATSDR conducts toxicological and applied research to support environmental assessments, supports health surveillance systems and registries, develops and disseminates information on hazardous substances, provides education and training 

on hazardous exposures, and responds to environmental emergencies. Through a national network of scientists and public health 

practitioners in State health departments, regional EPA offices and 

headquarters, ATSDR helps to protect people from acute toxic exposures that occur from hazardous leaks and spills, environmentrelated poisonings, and natural and terrorism-related disasters. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $74,691,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 74,691,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 74,691,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ 0 

The Committee recommends $74,691,000 for the Agency for Toxic 

Substances and Disease Registry, equal to the fiscal year 2015 level 

and the budget request. 

OTHER RELATED AGENCIES 

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND OFFICE OF

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) was established by 

Congress under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 

(NEPA). The Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ), which provides professional and administrative staff for the Council, was established in the Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 1970. 

The Council on Environmental Quality has statutory responsibility 

for overseeing Federal agency implementation of the requirements 

of NEPA. CEQ also assists in coordinating environmental programs 

among the Federal agencies in the Executive Branch. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $3,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 3,015,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 3,000,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥15,000 

The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for the Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Environmental Quality, equal to 

the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $15,000 below the budget request. 

CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is 

an independent Federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents. The board members are appointed by the 


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President and confirmed by the Senate. The CSB conducts rootcause investigations of chemical accidents at fixed industrial facilities. Root causes are usually deficiencies in safety management 

systems, but can be any factor that would have prevented the accident if that factor had not occurred. Other accident causes often involve equipment failures, human errors, unforeseen chemical reactions or other hazards. CSB does not issue fines or citations, but 

does make recommendations to plants, regulatory agencies such as 

the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, industry organizations, and labor 

groups. Congress designed the CSB to be non-regulatory and independent of other agencies so that its investigations might, where 

appropriate, review the effectiveness of regulations and regulatory 

enforcement. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $11,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 12,271,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 11,000,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥1,271,000 

The Committee recommends $11,000,000 for Salaries and Expenses of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, 

equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $1,271,000 below 

the budget request. 

OFFICE OF NAVAJO AND HOPI INDIAN RELOCATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

The Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation was established 

by Public Law 93–531 to plan and conduct relocation activities associated with the settlement of a land dispute between the Navajo 

Nation and the Hopi Tribe. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $7,341,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 8,400,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 7,341,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥1,059,000 

The Committee recommends $7,341,000 for the Office of Navajo 

and Hopi Indian Relocation, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level and $1,059,000 below the budget request. Of this amount, 

$200,000 shall be transferred to the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General to continue auditing the program. Members of the Committee recently traveled to the lands in dispute and 

met with members of the Hopi Tribe and the Navajo Nation to better understand the issues. The Committee will be working to bring 

this program to an expeditious and fair end in the near future. 


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INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE CULTURE AND

ARTS DEVELOPMENT

2015 PAYMENT TO THE INSTITUTE

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $9,469,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 11,619,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 9,469,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥2,150,000 

The Committee recommends $9,469,000 in direct appropriations 

for the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture 

and Arts Development, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 

and $2,150,000 below the budget request. The Committee encourages the Institute to submit a budget request beginning with fiscal 

year 2017, in coordination with other tribal colleges and universities, to transition appropriations to a school calendar as opposed 

to a fiscal calendar, over a period of three to five years. 

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum and 

research complex, with 19 museums and galleries, numerous research centers, libraries, archives, and the National Zoological 

Park. Funded by both private and Federal sources, the Smithsonian is unique in the Federal establishment. Created by an Act of 

Congress in 1846 to carry out the trust included in James 

Smithson’s will, it has been engaged for 169 years in the ‘‘increase 

and diffusion of knowledge.’’ Last year, the Smithsonian attracted 

over 27 million visits to its museums, galleries, and zoological park. 

Additional millions also view Smithsonian traveling exhibitions 

and participate in the annual Folklife Festival on the National 

Mall. As custodian of the National Collections, the Smithsonian is 

responsible for more than 138 million art objects, natural history 

specimens, and artifacts. These scientific and cultural collections 

are a vital resource for global research and conservation efforts. 

The collections are displayed for the enjoyment and education of 

visitors and are available for research by the staff of the Institution 

and by thousands of visiting students, scientists, and historians 

each year. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $675,343,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 735,825,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 680,422,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +5,079,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥55,403,000 

The Committee recommends $680,422,000 for Salaries and Expenses of the Smithsonian Institution, $5,079,000 above the fiscal 

year 2015 enacted level and $55,403,000 below the budget request. 

Additional Guidance.—The following additional direction and 

guidance is provided with respect to funding provided within this 

account: 

Collections Care.—The Committee maintains its longstanding 

commitment to the preservation of priceless, irreplaceable Smithsonian Institution collections and has provided funds, as requested, 


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for the collections care initiative. The Committee is pleased by continuing efforts to improve the long-term inventory, preservation, 

and storage of historical collections including the military uniform 

collection at the National Museum of American History. 

National Museum of African American History and Culture.— 

The Committee maintains its support for the National Museum of 

African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) and recognizes 

the need to address a number of funding priorities in advance of 

the museum’s opening in 2016. 

Science Education.—STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is critical to our country’s capacity to 

innovate and better prepare our Nation’s young people for the high 

technology jobs of tomorrow. The Committee remains concerned by 

the lack of coordination and communication of STEM activities, 

budgets, and achievements across the Federal government. The 

Committee has not included requested funding for STEM engagement believing funds should be directed to higher priority needs 

within the Institution. 

Latino Programs, Exhibitions, Collections and Public Outreach.— 

The Committee supports the Smithsonian Latino Center’s goal of 

promoting the inclusion of Latino contributions in Smithsonian Institution programs, exhibitions, collections and public outreach. 

The Committee urges collaboration among interested parties to advance these goals more fully by utilizing existing Smithsonian Institution museum locations for the expansion of the Smithsonian 

Latino Center’s programming, exhibition and collection space. The 

Committee has provided funds, as requested, to support the Institution’s Latino initiatives. 

Ocean Education and Research.—The Smithsonian is encouraged 

to work with Executive Branch agencies, including NOAA, and 

other relevant organizations to further education related to America’s oceans and to advance research in marine science. 

FACILITIES CAPITAL

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $144,198,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 200,000,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 139,119,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥5,079,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥60,881,000 

The Committee recommends $139,119,000 for Facilities Capital, 

$5,079,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$60,881,000 below the budget request. 

The Committee supports revitalization of Smithsonian Institution facilities and the planning and design of future projects. The 

Committee has provided funds to continue ongoing revitalization 

projects at the National Museum of Natural History, National Zoological Park, National Museum of American History, National Air 

and Space Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, 

Museum Support Center, and the Suitland Collections Facility. The 

Committee urges the Smithsonian to use remaining revitalization 

funds provided to support the highest priority projects on the Facilities Capital Program list. 


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NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

The National Gallery of Art is one of the world’s great galleries. 

Its magnificent works of art, displayed for the benefit of millions 

of visitors annually, and its two iconic buildings and sculpture garden, serve as an example of a successful cooperative endeavor between private individuals and institutions and the Federal government. With the special exhibitions shown in the Gallery, and 

through the many exhibitions which travel across the country, the 

Gallery brings great art treasures to Washington, D.C., and to the 

Nation. Through its educational and teacher training programs and 

its website, the Gallery provides art history materials, rich online 

educational materials, direct loans, and broadcast programs to millions of Americans in every State. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $119,500,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 126,660,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 119,500,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥7,160,000 

The Committee recommends $119,500,000 for Salaries and Expenses of the National Gallery of Art, equal to the fiscal year 2015 

enacted level and $7,160,000 below the budget request. 

Bill Language.—The Committee has included bill language, as 

requested, specifying the amount provided for Special Exhibitions. 

REPAIR, RESTORATION AND RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $19,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 26,000,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 19,000,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥7,000,000 

The Committee recommends $19,000,000 for Repair, Restoration 

and Renovation of buildings at the National Gallery of Art, equal 

to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $7,000,000 below the 

budget request. 

Bill Language.—The Committee has included bill language, as 

requested, relating to lease agreements of no more than 10 years 

that addresses space needs created by ongoing renovations in the 

Master Facilities Plan. 

JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a living 

memorial to the late President Kennedy and is the National Center 

for the Performing Arts. The Center houses nine stages and seven 

theaters which have a total of more than 7,300 seats. The Center 

consists of over 1.5 million square feet of usable floor space with 

visitation averaging 8,000 on a daily basis. The support systems in 

the building often operate at capacity 18 hours a day, seven days 

a week, 365 days a year. 


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OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $22,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 21,660,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 21,660,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥340,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ 0 

The Committee recommends $21,660,000 for Operations and 

Maintenance, $340,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

equal to the budget request. 

CAPITAL REPAIR AND RESTORATION

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $10,800,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 14,740,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 11,140,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... +340,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥3,600,000 

The Committee recommends $11,140,000 for Capital Repair and 

Restoration $340,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$3,600,000 below the budget request. 

WOODROW WILSON INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR SCHOLARS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars promotes 

policy-relevant research and dialogue to increase understanding 

and enhance the capabilities and knowledge of leaders, citizens, 

and institutions worldwide. The Center hosts scholars and policy 

makers to do their own advanced study, research and writing and 

facilitates debate and discussions among scholars, public officials, 

journalists and business leaders from across the country on relevant, major long-term issues facing this Nation and the world. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $10,500,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 10,420,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 10,420,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥80,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ 0 

The Committee recommends $10,420,000 for Salaries and Expenses of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 

$80,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and equal to the 

budget request. 

NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $146,021,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 147,949,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 146,021,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥1,928,000 


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The Committee recommends $146,021,000 for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 

level and $1,928,000 below the budget request. 

Consistent with the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, no funds have been provided for the ‘‘Our 

Town’’ initiative. The Committee believes direct grant funding can 

be better utilized supporting other effective priorities including arts 

therapy and engagement treatment programs for service members. 

The Committee supports the NEA’s participation in the National 

Initiative on Arts and the Military, a collaborative effort involving 

Federal agencies, the military, and nonprofit and private sector 

partners working to advance the policy, research, and practice of 

arts therapy for military veterans and their families. 

Further, the Committee commends the NEA for its collaboration 

with the Walter Reed National Military Center in creating the 

NEA/Walter Reed Healing Arts Partnership. Since 2011, this 

unique partnership has supported creative and innovative arts 

therapies for service members returning from Afghanistan and 

Iraq. This collaborative relationship has also resulted in clinical research at the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Brain Injury Clinic 

in Virginia to evaluate the potential health benefits of creative arts 

therapy interventions for troops including service members with 

Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress. 

The Committee values greatly the longstanding collaborative relationship between the NEA and the States. State Arts Agencies 

support the arts for communities at the grassroots level regardless 

of their geographic location, providing much of their funding to 

smaller organizations, community groups, and schools rather than 

well-established arts organizations. 

The Committee remains committed to supporting proven national 

initiatives with broad geographic reach. The Big Read, Challenge 

America, and Shakespeare in American Communities are among 

the cost-effective grant programs with broad, bipartisan Congressional support that meet these criteria, supporting the NEA’s goal 

of extending the arts to underserved populations in both urban and 

rural communities across the United States. 

Bill Language.—Each year, the Committee provides in bill language specific guidelines under which the Endowment is directed 

to distribute taxpayer dollars in support of the arts. With the exception of established honorific programs, grant funding to individual artists is strictly prohibited. The Committee directs that priority be given to providing services or grant funding for projects, 

productions, or programs that encourage public knowledge, education, understanding, and appreciation of the arts. Any reduction 

in support to the States for arts education should be no more than 

proportional to other funding decreases taken in other NEA programs. 

Reforms originally instituted by the Committee in P.L. 108–447 

relating to grant guidelines and program priorities are fully restated in Sections 413 and 414 of the bill. The Committee expects 

the NEA to adhere to them fully. These reforms maintain broad bipartisan support and continue to serve well both the NEA and the 

public. 


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NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES

GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION (INCLUDING MATCHING GRANTS)

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $146,021,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 147,942,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 146,021,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥1,921,000 

The Committee recommends a total of $146,021,000 for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), equal to the fiscal 

year 2015 enacted level and $1,921,000 below the budget request. 

The Committee commends the NEH for its support of grant programs like the Warrior-Scholar Project to benefit veterans and 

service members transitioning to civilian life. Within funds provided, the Committee encourages the NEH to prioritize efforts to 

connect the humanities to the experience of veterans and provide 

educational opportunities for these American heroes. 

The Committee commends the NEH Federal/State Partnership 

for its ongoing, successful collaboration with State humanities 

councils in each of the 50 states as well as Washington, D.C., the 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American 

Samoa. Every NEH dollar received by a council is matched by a 

local contribution. In recent years, the proportion of NEH program 

funds supporting the work of State humanities councils has grown 

to nearly 40 percent. The Committee urges the NEH to provide 

program funding to support the work of State humanities councils 

consistent with the guidance provided in the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015. 

COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS

The Commission of Fine Arts was established in 1910 to advise 

the Federal government on matters pertaining to the design of national symbols, and particularly to guide the architectural development of Washington, D.C. The Commission’s work includes advice 

on designs for parks, public buildings, public art, as well as the design of national monuments, coins and medals, and overseas American military cemeteries. In addition, the Commission conducts design reviews of semipublic and private structures within the Old 

Georgetown Historic District and within certain areas of the National Capital that are adjacent to areas of Federal interest. The 

Commission reviews approximately 700 projects annually. The 

Commission also administers the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs program. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $2,524,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 2,653,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 2,524,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥129,000 

The Committee recommends $2,524,000 for Salaries and Expenses of the Commission of Fine Arts, equal to the fiscal year 

2015 enacted level and $129,000 below the budget request. 


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NATIONAL CAPITAL ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $2,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 2,000,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 2,000,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ 0 

The National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs (NCACA) program was established in Public Law 99–190 to support organizations that perform, exhibit, and/or present the arts in the Nation’s 

Capital. The Committee recommends $2,000,000, equal to the fiscal 

year 2015 enacted level and the budget request. 

Bill Language.—The bill does not include requested language addressing limitations on grant recipient eligibility. The Committee 

directs the program to provide a report, not later than 90 days 

after enactment of this Act, detailing the potential future impact 

of inclusion of such bill language on those arts and cultural affairs 

organizations that received NCACA grant funding in fiscal year 

2015. 

ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HISTORIC PRESERVATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 established the 

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). The ACHP was 

granted permanent authorization as part of the National Historic 

Preservation Act Amendments of 2006 (Public Law 109–453). The 

ACHP promotes the preservation, enhancement, and productive 

use of our nation’s historic resources and advises the President and 

Congress on national historic preservation policy. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $6,204,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 6,080,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 6,080,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥124,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ 0 

The Committee recommends $6,080,000 for Salaries and Expenses of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), 

$124,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and equal to the 

budget request. 

NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The National Capital Planning Act of 1952 designated the National Capital Planning Commission as the central planning agency 

for the Federal government in the National Capital Region. The 

three major functions of the Commission are to prepare and adopt 

the Federal elements of the National Capital Comprehensive Plan; 

prepare an annual report on a five-year projection of the Federal 

Capital Improvement Program; and review plans and proposals 

submitted to the Commission. 


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Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $7,948,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 8,348,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 7,948,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥400,000 

The Committee recommends $7,948,000 for Salaries and Expenses of the National Capital Planning Commission, equal to the 

fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $400,000 below the budget request. 

UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

In 1980, Congress passed legislation creating a 65-member Holocaust Memorial Council with the mandate to create and oversee a 

living memorial/museum to victims of the Holocaust. The museum 

opened in April 1993. Construction costs for the museum came 

solely from donated funds raised by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial 

Museum Campaign, and appropriated funds were used for planning and development of programmatic components, overall administrative support, and annual commemorative observances. Since 

the opening of the museum, appropriated funds have been provided 

to pay for the ongoing operating costs of the museum as authorized 

by Public Law 102–529 and Public Law 106–292. Private funds 

support educational outreach throughout the United States. 

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $52,385,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 54,959,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 52,385,000 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥2,574,000 

The Committee recommends $52,385,000 for the Holocaust Memorial Museum, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 

$2,574,000 below the budget request. 

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER MEMORIAL COMMISSION

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission was created by 

Congress in 1999 through Public Law 106–79 for the purpose of establishing a permanent national memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe in 

World War II and 34th President of the United States. The Commission consists of 12 members including four members of the 

House of Representatives, four Senators, and four private citizens 

appointed by the President. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $1,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 2,000,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 0 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... ¥1,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥2,000,000 

The bill does not include funding for the Salaries and Expenses 

account. 


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The Committee strongly supports the construction of a permanent memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower. However, the Commission’s ongoing indifference to the views of the Eisenhower family, 

and the resulting lack of consensus on the memorial design, remain 

an area of significant concern. It is inconceivable and unacceptable 

to the Committee that a memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower could 

be designed, approved, and built without the active support of the 

Eisenhower family. Legitimate issues raised by the Eisenhower 

family over the size, scope, and values reflected in the memorial’s 

design have been routinely disregarded even as the Commission 

has continued to aggressively pursue required project approvals. 

Accordingly, the Committee believes a ‘‘reset’’ is necessary in 

order for the project to continue. Such a reset should include 1) an 

open competition and selection and approval of a new design utilizing the existing designated memorial site that includes the participation of the Eisenhower family and other partners in the planning and approval process and, 2) the appointment of new Commission staff. 

The Committee notes with concern both the number of consultants under contract with the Commission and the amount paid to 

these consultants. The Committee has learned that, to date, the 

Commission has paid contract staff and consultants nearly 

$7,000,000 from the salaries and expenses account. Additional 

amounts, including $16,000,000 for the memorial’s architect and 

design firm, have been paid from the construction account. The 

Committee understands that some contract expenses which had 

been paid from the salaries and expenses account are now being 

paid using previously appropriated construction account funds. 

The Committee further understands that the unobligated balance 

for the Salary and Expenses account is presently more than 

$1,000,000. The Committee believes additional review of these 

Commission expenditures is necessary and, therefore, directs the 

Commission to provide not later than 30 days after enactment of 

this Act, a list of all paid contractors and consultants to the Commission since fiscal year 2011, their function, contract amount, payment amounts made to each to date, and whether payments to 

such contractors or consultants have been paid from the Salaries 

and Expenses account or the Construction account. 

Also worth noting is the Commission’s anemic fundraising 

record. In spite of paying a fundraising consultant $1,400,000 over 

the last four years, the Commission has raised less than $450,000 

to date (including $300,000 from a single donor). This leaves the 

Commission well behind its fundraising goal to complete the memorial. The Eisenhower family, whose support is critical to raising 

funds, has indicated its willingness and desire to assist with fundraising should a memorial be built that more closely reflects the Eisenhower family’s values. 

Given these concerns, the Committee strongly urges the authorizers of jurisdiction in the House and Senate to work expeditiously 

on legislation to authorize an open, public, and transparent new 

design process that is collaborative and involves the various constituencies as partners including, but not limited to, the Congress, 

the Eisenhower family, the Eisenhower Commission, the National 

Park Service, the Commission on Fine Arts, and the National CapVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 19, 2015 Jkt 095083 PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR170.XXX HR170

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itol Planning Commission. Such legislation should direct the appointment of a new Commission staff. 

In the interim, the Committee directs that monthly expenditures 

by the Commission shall be limited to payroll, rent, utilities and 

other fixed costs associated with essential daily operations of the 

Commission only. No funds previously appropriated shall be used 

for travel-related expenses. The Committee also directs the Commission to submit to the Committees on Appropriations a monthly 

report on all expenditures from amounts previously appropriated. 

CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION

Appropriation enacted, 2015 .............................................................. $0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ....................................................................... 68,200,000 

Recommended, 2016 ........................................................................... 0 

Comparison: 

Appropriation, 2015 .................................................................... 0 

Budget estimate, 2016 ................................................................ ¥68,200,000 

The bill does not include funding for the Capital Construction account. No additional funding will be provided until a public competition for a new design occurs utilizing the existing designated 

memorial site. The Committee continues bill language maintaining 

the approved site of the memorial and preventing construction of 

the memorial to begin until all necessary construction funds have 

been appropriated. 

TITLE IV—GENERAL PROVISIONS 

Section 401 continues a provision prohibiting activities to promote public support or opposition to legislative proposals. 

Section 402 continues a provision providing for annual appropriations unless expressly provided otherwise in this Act. 

Section 403 continues a provision providing restrictions on departmental assessments unless approved by the Committees on Appropriations. 

Section 404 continues a limitation on accepting and processing 

applications for patents and on the patenting of Federal lands; permits processing of grandfathered applications; and permits thirdparty contractors to process grandfathered applications. 

Section 405 continues a provision regarding the payment of contract support costs for fiscal year 2014 and prior years. 

Section 406 addresses the payment of contract support costs for 

fiscal year 2016. 

Section 407 continues a provision allowing Forest Service land 

management plans to be more than 15 years old if the Secretary 

is acting in good faith to update such plans and prohibiting the use 

of funds to implement new wilderness directives under the planning rule. 

Section 408 continues a provision limiting preleasing, leasing, 

and related activities within the boundaries of National Monuments. 

Section 409 continues a provision which restricts funding for acquisition of land from being used for declarations of taking or complaints in condemnation. 

Section 410 continues a provision addressing timber sales involving Alaskan western red cedar. 


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Section 411 continues a provision which prohibits no-bid contracts and grants except under certain circumstances. 

Section 412 continues a provision which requires public disclosure of certain reports. 

Section 413 continues a provision which delineates the grant 

guidelines for the National Endowment for the Arts. 

Section 414 continues a provision which delineates the program 

priorities for the programs managed by the National Endowment 

for the Arts. 

Section 415 continues a provision requiring the Department of 

the Interior, the EPA, the Forest Service, and the Indian Health 

Service to provide the Committees on Appropriations a quarterly 

report on the status of balances of appropriations. 

Section 416 requires the President to submit a report to the 

Committees on Appropriations no later than 120 days after the fiscal year 2017 budget is submitted to Congress describing in detail 

all Federal agency obligations and expenditures for climate change 

programs and activities in fiscal years 2015 and 2016. 

Section 417 continues a provision prohibiting the use of funds to 

promulgate or implement any regulation requiring the issuance of 

permits under title V of the Clean Air Act for carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapor, or methane emissions. 

Section 418 continues a provision prohibiting the use of funds to 

implement any provision in a rule if that provision requires mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from manure management systems. 

Section 419 provides a one-year extension of the current recreation fee authority. 

Section 420 continues a provision from the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 modifying authorities relating to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission. 

Section 421 prohibits the use of funds to regulate the lead content of ammunition or fishing tackle. 

Section 422 prohibits the use of funds to develop, adopt, implement, administer, or enforce a change or supplement to a rule or 

guidance documents pertaining to the definition of waters under 

the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. 

Section 423 prohibits the use of funds to develop, carry out, implement, or enforce proposed regulations published on June 18, 

2010. 

Section 424 prohibits the use of funds to limit recreational shooting and hunting on Federal and public lands except for public safety. 

Section 425 prohibits the use of funds for the National Ocean 

Policy developed under Executive Order 13547. 

Section 426 prohibits EPA from using funds to implement, administer, or enforce the lead renovation rule until EPA has approved a commercially available lead test kit. 

Section 427 prohibits EPA from using funds to develop, propose, 

finalize, implement, enforce, or administer any regulation that 

would establish new financial responsibility requirements under 

CERCLA. 

Section 428 prohibits EPA from using funds to develop, issue, implement, or enforce any greenhouse gas New Source Performance 


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Standards on any new or existing source that is an electric utility 

generating unit. 

Section 429 prohibits the use of funds from making any change 

to the regulations in effect on October 1, 2012, pertaining to the 

definitions of the terms ‘‘fill material’’ or ‘‘discharge of fill material’’. 

Section 430 continues a provision through fiscal year 2017 authorizing the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to consider local contractors when awarding contracts for 

certain activities on public lands. 

Section 431 extends the authorization for the Chesapeake Bay 

Initiative. 

Section 432 extends certain authorities through fiscal year 2016 

allowing the Forest Service to renew grazing permits. 

Section 433 makes available vacant allotments for permittees impacted by drought or wildland fire. 

Section 434 clarifies the protection of water rights with regard to 

Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management permits. 

Section 435 limits the use of funds for status changes of certain 

chemicals. 

Section 436 sets requirements for the use of American iron and 

steel for certain loans and grants. 

Section 437 prohibits the use of funds pertaining to certain updates to the social cost of carbon. 

Section 438 prohibits the use of finds to revise primary and secondary standards for ozone until at least 85 percent of counties in 

nonattahunent achieve compliance with previous standards. 

Section 439 prohibits the use of funds for certain activities related to the final rule on hydraulic fracturing on Federal and Indian Lands. 

Section 440 establishes a Spending Reduction Account in the bill. 

BILL-WIDE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The following items are included in accordance with various requirements of the Rules of the House of Representatives: 


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STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following is a statement of general performance goals and objectives for which this measure authorizes funding: 

The Committee on Appropriations considers program performance, including a program’s success in developing and attaining 

outcome-related goals and objectives, in developing funding recommendations. 

RESCISSION OF FUNDS

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following table is submitted describing the 

rescission recommended in the accompanying bill: 

Department and activity: 

Amounts recommended for rescission: 

Department of the Interior: Land and Water Conservation 

Fund (contract authority) ............................................................... $28,000,000. 

Environmental Protection Agency: STAG ................................. $8,000,000. 

TRANSFERS OF FUNDS

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following table is submitted describing the 

transfer of funds in the accompanying bill. 


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DISCLOSURE OF EARMARKS AND CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED

SPENDING ITEMS

Neither the bill nor the report contains any Congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined by 

clause 9 of rule XXI. 

COMPLIANCE WITH RULE XIII, CL. 3(e) (RAMSEYER RULE) 

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italics, 

existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman): 

CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012 

(Public Law 112-74) 

AN ACT Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, 

and for other purposes. 

* * * * * * * 

DIVISION E—DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012 

TITLE I 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

* * * * * * * 

BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION OPERATED SCHOOLS

SEC. 115. (a)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or 

Federal regulation, including section 586(c) of title 40, United 

States Code, the Director of the BIE, or the Director’s designee, is 

authorized to enter into agreements with public and private persons and entities that provide for such persons and entities to rent 

or lease the land or facilities of a Bureau-operated school for such 

periods of time as the school is Bureau operated, in exchange for 

a consideration (in the form of funds) that benefits the school, as 

determined by the head of the school. 

(2) Funds received under paragraph (1) shall be retained by 

the school and used for school purposes otherwise authorized by 

law. Any funds received under paragraph (1) are hereby made 

available until expended for such purposes, notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, United States Code. 

(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow for the 

diminishment of, or otherwise affect, the appropriation of funds to 

the budget accounts for the operation and maintenance of Bureauoperated schools. No funds shall be withheld from the distribution 


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to the budget of any Bureau-operated school due to the receipt by 

the school of a benefit in accordance with this section. 

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of title 5, United States 

Code, or any regulation promulgated under such title, education 

personnel who are under the direction and supervision of the Secretary of the Interior may participate in a fundraising activity for 

the benefit of a Bureau-operated school in an official capacity as 

part of their official duties. When participating in such an official 

capacity, the employee may use the employee’s official title, position, and authority. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed 

to authorize participation in political activity (as such term is used 

in section 7324 of title 5, United States Code) otherwise prohibited 

by law. 

(c) The Secretary of the Interior shall promulgate regulations 

to carry out this section not later than 16 months after the date 

of the enactment of this Act. Such regulations shall include— 

(1) standards for the appropriate use of Bureau-operated 

school lands and facilities by third parties under a rental or 

lease agreement; 

(2) provisions for the establishment and administration of 

mechanisms for the acceptance of consideration for the use and 

benefit of a school in accordance with this section (including, 

in appropriate cases, the establishment and administration of 

trust funds); 

(3) accountability standards to ensure ethical conduct; and 

(4) provisions for monitoring the amount and terms of consideration received, the manner in which the consideration is 

used, and any results achieved by such use. 

(d) Provisions of this section shall apply to fiscal years 2012 

through ø2017¿ 2027. 

* * * * * * * 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT ACTIONS REGARDING GRAZING ON

PUBLIC LANDS

SEC. 122. (a) EXHAUSTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW RE- QUIRED.— 

(1) For øfiscal years 2012 through 2016¿ fiscal year 2012 

and each fiscal year thereafter, a person may bring a civil action challenging a decision of the Bureau of Land Management 

concerning grazing on public lands (as defined in section 103(e) 

of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 

U.S.C. 1702(e))) in a Federal district court only if the person 

has exhausted the administrative hearings and appeals procedures established by the Department of the Interior, including 

having filed a timely appeal and a request for stay. 

(2) An issue may be considered in the judicial review of a 

decision referred to in paragraph (1) only if the issue was 

raised in the administrative review process described in such 

paragraph. 

(3) An exception to the requirement of exhausting the administrative review process before seeking judicial review shall 

be available if a Federal court finds that the agency failed or 

was unable to make information timely available during the 

administrative review process for issues of material fact. For 


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the purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘‘timely’’ means within 120 calendar days after the date that the challenge to the 

agency action or amendment at issue is received for administrative review. 

(b) ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION OF CERTAIN EXISTING PERMITS

OR LEASES.— 

(1) During fiscal year 2012 and thereafter, the Secretary of 

the Interior shall accept the donation of any valid existing permits or leases authorizing grazing on public lands within the 

California Desert Conservation Area. With respect to each permit or lease donated under this paragraph, the Secretary shall 

terminate the grazing permit or lease, ensure a permanent end 

(except as provided in paragraph (2)), to grazing on the land 

covered by the permit or lease, and make the land available for 

mitigation by allocating the forage to wildlife use consistent 

with any applicable Habitat Conservation Plan, section 

10(a)(1)(B) permit, or section 7 consultation under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). 

(2) If the land covered by a permit or lease donated under 

paragraph (1) is also covered by another valid existing permit 

or lease that is not donated under such paragraph, the Secretary of the Interior shall reduce the authorized grazing level 

on the land covered by the permit or lease to reflect the donation of the permit or lease under paragraph (1). To ensure that 

there is a permanent reduction in the level of grazing on the 

land covered by a permit or lease donated under paragraph (1), 

the Secretary shall not allow grazing use to exceed the authorized level under the remaining valid existing permit or lease 

that is not donated. 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE IV 

GENERAL PROVISIONS 

* * * * * * * 

CONTRACTING AUTHORITIES

SEC. 412. In awarding a Federal contract with funds made 

available by this Act, notwithstanding Federal Government procurement and contracting laws, the Secretary of Agriculture and 

the Secretary of the Interior (the ‘‘Secretaries’’) may, in evaluating 

bids and proposals, through øfiscal year 2015,¿ fiscal year 2017, 

give consideration to local contractors who are from, and who provide employment and training for, dislocated and displaced workers 

in an economically disadvantaged rural community, including those 

historically timber-dependent areas that have been affected by reduced timber harvesting on Federal lands and other forest-dependent rural communities isolated from significant alternative employment opportunities: Provided, That notwithstanding Federal Government procurement and contracting laws the Secretaries may 

award contracts, grants or cooperative agreements to local nonprofit entities, Youth Conservation Corps or related partnerships 

with State, local or non-profit youth groups, or small or micro-business or disadvantaged business: Provided further, That the conVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 19, 2015 Jkt 095083 PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR170.XXX HR170

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tract, grant, or cooperative agreement is for forest hazardous fuels 

reduction, watershed or water quality monitoring or restoration, 

wildlife or fish population monitoring, road decommissioning, trail 

maintenance or improvement, or habitat restoration or management: Provided further, That the terms ‘‘rural community’’ and 

‘‘economically disadvantaged’’ shall have the same meanings as in 

section 2374 of Public Law 101-624 (16 U.S.C. 6612): Provided further, That the Secretaries shall develop guidance to implement this 

section: Provided further, That nothing in this section shall be construed as relieving the Secretaries of any duty under applicable 

procurement laws, except as provided in this section. 

* * * * * * * 

SECTION 102301 OF TITLE 54, UNITED STATES CODE 

§ 102301. Volunteers in parks program 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary may recruit, train, and accept, without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 

of title 5 or regulations prescribed under that chapter or subchapter, the services of individuals without compensation as volunteers for or in aid of interpretive functions or other visitor services 

or activities in and related to System units and related areas. In 

accepting those services, the Secretary shall not permit the use of 

volunteers in hazardous duty or law enforcement work or in policymaking processes, or to displace any employee. The services of individuals whom the Secretary determines are skilled in performing 

hazardous activities may be accepted. 

(b) INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.—The Secretary may provide for incidental expenses of volunteers, such as transportation, uniforms, 

lodging, and subsistence. 

(c) FEDERAL EMPLOYEE STATUS FOR VOLUNTEERS.— 

(1) EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF VOLUNTEERS.—Except as otherwise provided in this section, a volunteer shall not be 

deemed a Federal employee and shall not be subject to the provisions of law relating to Federal employment, including those 

relating to hours of work, rates of compensation, leave, unemployment compensation, and Federal employee benefits. 

(2) TORT CLAIMS.—For the purpose of sections 1346(b) and 

2401(b) and chapter 171 of title 28, a volunteer under this 

chapter shall be deemed a Federal employee. 

(3) VOLUNTEERS DEEMED CIVIL EMPLOYEES.—For the purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, volunteers under 

this chapter shall be deemed civil employees of the United 

States within the meaning of the term ‘‘employee’’ as defined 

in section 8101 of title 5, and subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 

5 shall apply. 

(4) COMPENSATION FOR LOSSES AND DAMAGES.—For the 

purpose of claims relating to damage to, or loss of, personal 

property of a volunteer incident to volunteer service, a volunteer under this chapter shall be deemed a Federal employee, 

and section 3721 of title 31 shall apply. 


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(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 

to be appropriated to carry out this section not more than 

ø$3,500,000¿ $7,000,000 for each fiscal year. 

ACT OF OCTOBER 11, 2000 

(Public Law 106-291) 

AN ACT Making appropriations for the Department of the Interior and related 

agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes. 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE I—DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

* * * * * * * 

GENERAL PROVISIONS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

SEC. 157. (a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the 

‘‘Wheeling National Heritage Area Act of 2000’’. 

(b) FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.— 

(1) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that— 

(A) the area in an around Wheeling, West Virginia, 

possesses important historical, cultural, and natural resources, representing major heritage themes of transportation, commerce and industry, and Victorian culture in 

the United States; 

(B) the City of Wheeling has played an important part 

in the settlement of this country by serving as— 

(i) the western terminus of the National Road of 

the early 1800’s; 

(ii) the ‘‘Crossroads of America’’ throughout the 

nineteenth century; 

(iii) one of the few major inland ports in the nineteenth century; and 

(iv) the site for the establishment of the Restored 

State of Virginia, and later the State of West Virginia, 

during the Civil War and as the first capital of the 

new State of West Virginia; 

(C) the City of Wheeling has also played an important 

role in the industrial and commercial heritage of the 

United States, through the development and maintenance 

of many industries crucial to the Nation’s expansion, including iron and steel, textile manufacturing, boat building, glass manufacturing, and stogie and chewing tobacco 

manufacturing facilities, many of which are industries that 

continue to play an important role in the national economy; 

(D) the city of Wheeling has retained its national heritage themes with the designations of the old custom house 

(now Independence Hall) and the historic suspension 

bridge as National Historic Landmarks; with five historic 

districts; and many individual properties in the Wheeling 


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area listed or eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places; 

(E) the heritage themes and number and diversity of 

Wheeling’s remaining resources should be appropriately 

retained, enhanced, and interpreted for the education, benefit, and inspiration of the people of the United States; and 

(F) in 1992 a comprehensive plan for the development 

and administration of the Wheeling National Heritage 

Area was completed for the National Park Service, the 

City of Wheeling, and the Wheeling National Task Force, 

including— 

(i) an inventory of the national and cultural resources in the City of Wheeling; 

(ii) criteria for preserving and interpreting significant natural and historic resources; 

(iii) a strategy for the conservation, preservation, 

and reuse of the historical and cultural resources in 

the City of Wheeling and the surrounding region; and 

(iv) an implementation agenda by which the State 

of West Virginia and local governments can coordinate 

their resources as well as a complete description of the 

management entity responsible for implementing the 

comprehensive plan. 

(2) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this section are— 

(A) to recognize the special importance of the history 

and development of the Wheeling area in the cultural heritage of the Nation; 

(B) to provide a framework to assist the City of Wheeling and other public and private entities and individuals 

in the appropriate preservation, enhancement, and interpretation of significant resources in the Wheeling area emblematic of Wheeling’s contributions to the Nation’s cultural heritage; 

(C) to allow for limited Federal, State and local capital 

contributions for planning and infrastructure investments 

to complete the Wheeling National Heritage Area, in partnership with the State of West Virginia, the City of Wheeling, and other appropriate public and private entities; and 

(D) to provide for an economically self-sustaining National Heritage Area not dependent on Federal financial 

assistance beyond the initial years necessary to establish 

the heritage area. 

(c) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section— 

(1) the term ‘‘city’’ means the City of Wheeling; 

(2) the term ‘‘heritage area’’ means the Wheeling National 

Heritage Area established in subsection (d); 

(3) the term ‘‘plan’’ means the ‘‘Plan for the Wheeling National Heritage Area’’ dated August, 1992; 

(4) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of the Interior; and 

(5) the term ‘‘State’’ means the State of West Virginia. 

(d) WHEELING NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.— (1) ESTABLISHMENT.—In furtherance of the purposes of 

this section, there is established in the State of West Virginia 

the Wheeling National Heritage Area, as generally depicted on 


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the map entitled ‘‘Boundary Map, Wheeling National Heritage 

Area, Wheeling, West Virginia’’ and dated March, 1994. The 

map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the 

appropriate offices of the National Park Service. 

(2) MANAGEMENT ENTITY.— 

(A) The management entity for the heritage area shall 

be the Wheeling National Heritage Corporation, a nonprofit corporation chartered in the State of West Virginia. 

(B) To the extent consistent with this section, the 

management entity shall manage the heritage area in accordance with the plan. 

(e) DUTIES OF THE MANAGEMENT ENTITY.— 

(1) MISSION.— 

(A) The primary mission of the management entity 

shall be— 

(i) to implement and coordinate the recommendations contained in the plan; 

(ii) ensure integrated operation of the heritage 

area; and 

(iii) conserve and interpret the historic and cultural resources of the heritage area. 

(B) The management entity shall also direct and coordinate the diverse conservation, development, programming, educational, and interpretive activities within the 

heritage area. 

(2) RECOGNITION OF PLAN.—The management entity shall 

work with the State of West Virginia and local governments to 

ensure that the plan is formally adopted by the City and recognized by the State. 

(3) IMPLEMENTATION.—To the extent practicable, the management entity shall— 

(A) implement the recommendations contained in the 

plan in a timely manner pursuant to the schedule identified in the plan; 

(B) coordinate its activities with the City, the State, 

and the Secretary; 

(C) ensure the conservation and interpretation of the 

heritage area’s historical, cultural, and natural resources, 

including— 

(i) assisting the City and the State in the preservation of sites, buildings, and objects within the heritage area which are listed or eligible for listing on the 

National Register of Historic Places; 

(ii) assisting the City, the State, or a nonprofit organization in the restoration of any historic building 

in the heritage area; 

(iii) increasing public awareness of and appreciation for the natural, cultural, and historic resources of 

the heritage area; 

(iv) assisting the State or City in designing, establishing, and maintaining appropriate interpretive facilities and exhibits in the heritage area; 

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ological, and geologic resources and sites in the heritage area; and 

(vi) encouraging the City and other local governments to adopt land use policies consistent with the 

goals of the plan, and to take actions to implement 

those policies; 

(D) encourage intergovernmental cooperation in the 

achievement of these objectives; 

(E) develop recommendations for design standards 

within the heritage area; and 

(F) seek to create public-private partnerships to finance projects and initiatives within the heritage area. 

(4) AUTHORITIES.—The management entity may, for the 

purposes of implementing the plan, use Federal funds made 

available by this section to— 

(A) make grants to the State, City, or other appropriate public or private organizations, entities, or persons; 

(B) enter into cooperative agreements with, or provide 

technical assistance to Federal agencies, the State, City or 

other appropriate public or private organizations, entities, 

or persons; 

(C) hire and compensate such staff as the management entity deems necessary; 

(D) obtain money from any source under any program 

or law requiring the recipient of such money to make a 

contribution in order to receive such money; 

(E) spend funds on promotion and marketing consistent with the resources and associated values of the heritage area in order to promote increased visitation; and 

(F) contract for goods and services. 

(5) ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY.— 

(A) Except as provided in paragraph (B), the management entity may not acquire any real property or interest 

therein within the heritage area, other than the leasing of 

facilities. 

(B)(i) Subject to subparagraph (ii), the management 

entity may acquire real property, or an interest therein, 

within the heritage area by gift or devise, or by purchase 

from a willing seller with money which was donated, bequeathed, appropriated, or otherwise made available to the 

management entity on the condition that such money be 

used to purchase real property, or interest therein, within 

the heritage area. 

(ii) Any real property or interest therein acquired 

by the management entity pursuant to this paragraph 

shall be conveyed in perpetuity by the management 

entity to an appropriate public or private entity, as determined by the management entity. Any such conveyance shall be made as soon as practicable after acquisition, without consideration, and on the condition 

that the real property or interest therein so conveyed 

shall be used for public purposes. 

(6) REVISION OF PLAN.—Within 18 months after the date of 

enactment, the management entity shall submit to the SecVerDate Sep 11 2014 05:22 Jun 19, 2015 Jkt 095083 PO 00000 Frm 00107 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR170.XXX HR170

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retary a revised plan. Such revision shall include, but not be 

limited to— 

(A) a review of the implementation agenda for the heritage area; 

(B) projected capital costs; and 

(C) plans for partnership initiatives and expansion of 

community support. 

(f) DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.— 

(1) INTERPRETIVE SUPPORT.—The Secretary may, upon request of the management entity, provide appropriate interpretive, planning, educational, staffing, exhibits, and other material or support for the heritage area, consistent with the plan 

and as appropriate to the resources and associated values of 

the heritage area. 

(2) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary may upon request of the management entity and consistent with the plan, 

provide technical assistance to the management entity. 

(3) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS AND GRANTS.—The Secretary may, in consultation with the management entity and 

consistent with the management plan, make grants to, and 

enter into cooperative agreements with the management entity, the State, City, non-profit organization or any person. 

(3) PLAN AMENDMENTS.—No amendments to the plan may 

be made unless approved by the Secretary. The Secretary shall 

consult with the management entity in reviewing any proposed 

amendments. 

(g) DUTIES OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Any Federal department, agency, or other entity conducting or supporting activities directly affecting the heritage area shall— 

(1) consult with the Secretary and the management entity 

with respect to such activities. 

(2) cooperate with the Secretary and the management entity in carrying out their duties under this Act, and to the extent 

practicable, coordinate such activities directly with the duties 

of the Secretary and the management entity. 

(3) to the extent practicable, conduct or support such activities in a manner which the management entity determines 

will not have an adverse effect on the heritage area. 

(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated to 

carry out this section ø$11,000,000¿ $13,000,000, except that 

not more than $1,000,000 may be appropriated to carry out 

this section for any fiscal year. 

(2) MATCHING FUNDS.—Federal funding provided under 

this section shall be matched at least 25 percent by other funds 

or in-kind services. 

(i) SUNSET.—The Secretary may not make any grant or provide 

any assistance under this section after September 30, 2021. 

* * * * * * * 


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PUBLIC LAW 104–333 

AN ACT To provide for the administration of certain Presidio properties at minimal 

cost to the Federal taxpayer, and for other purposes. 

* * * * * * * 

DIVISION II 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE II—TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR 

HERITAGE AREA 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 208. SUNSET. 

The Secretary may not make any grant or provide any assistance under this title after September 30, ø2015¿ 2017. 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE III—AUGUSTA CANAL NATIONAL 

HERITAGE AREA 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 310. SUNSET. 

The Secretary may not make any grant or provide any assistance under this title after September 30, ø2015¿ 2017. 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE IV—STEEL INDUSTRY HERITAGE 

PROJECT 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 409. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated under 

this title not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. Not more 

than a total of ø$15,000,000¿ $17,000,000 may be appropriated for 

the Heritage Area under this title. 

(b) 50 PERCENT MATCH.—Federal funding provided under this 

title, after the designation of this Heritage Area, may not exceed 

50 percent of the total cost of any assistance or grant provided or 

authorized under this title. 

* * * * * * * 


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TITLE V—ESSEX NATIONAL HERITAGE 

AREA 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 508. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated under 

this title not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. Not more 

than a total of ø$15,000,000¿ $17,000,000 may be appropriated for 

the Area under this title. 

(b) 50 PERCENT MATCH.—Federal funding provided under this 

title, after the designation of the Area, may not exceed 50 percent 

of the total cost of any assistance or grant provided or authorized 

under this title. 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE VI—SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL 

HERITAGE CORRIDOR 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 607. SUNSET. 

The Secretary may not make any grant or provide any assistance under this title after September 30, ø2015¿ 2017. 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE VIII—OHIO & ERIE CANAL 

NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 810. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated under 

this title not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. Not more 

than a total of ø$15,000,000¿ $17,000,000 may be appropriated for 

the corridor under this title. 

(b) 50 PERCENT MATCH.—Federal funding provided under this 

title, after the designation of this corridor, may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of any assistance or grant provided or authorized under this title. 

* * * * * * * 

PUBLIC LAW 113–76 

* * * * * * * 


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DIVISION G—DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2014 

TITLE I 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

* * * * * * * 

OFFSHORE PAY AUTHORITY EXTENSION

SEC. 117. For fiscal years 2014 øand 2015¿ through 2017, 

funds made available in this title for the Bureau of Ocean Energy 

Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement may be used by the Secretary of the Interior to establish 

higher minimum rates of basic pay described in section 121(c) of division E of Public Law 112-74 (125 Stat. 1012). 

* * * * * * * 

ONSHORE PAY AUTHORITY

SEC. 123. For fiscal years 2014 øand 2015¿ through 2017, funds made available in this title for the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Affairs may be used by the Secretary of the Interior to establish higher minimum rates of basic 

pay for employees of the Department of the Interior carrying out 

the inspection and regulation of onshore oil and gas operations on 

public lands in the Petroleum Engineer (GS-0881) and Petroleum 

Engineering Technician (G-0802) job series at grades 5 through 14 

at rates no greater than 25 percent above the minimum rates of 

basic pay normally scheduled, and such higher rates shall be consistent with subsections (e) through (h) of section 5305 of title 5, 

United States Code. 

* * * * * * * 

SECTION 810 OF THE FEDERAL LANDS RECREATION 

ENHANCEMENT ACT 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 810. SUNSET PROVISION. 

The authority of the Secretary to carry out this Act shall terminate ø10 years after the date of the enactment of this Act¿ on 

September 30, 2017. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2000 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE VIII 

GENERAL PROVISIONS 

* * * * * * * 


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SEC. 8162. DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER MEMORIAL. (a) FINDINGS.— 

Congress finds that— 

(1) the people of the United States feel a deep debt of gratitude to Dwight D. Eisenhower, who served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe in World War II and 

subsequently as 34th President of the United States; and 

(2) an appropriate permanent memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower should be created to perpetuate his memory and his 

contributions to the United States. 

(b) COMMISSION.—There is established a commission to be 

known as the ‘‘Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission’’ (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Commission’’). 

(c) MEMBERSHIP.—The Commission shall be composed of— 

(1) four persons appointed by the President, not more than 

two of whom may be members of the same political party; 

(2) four Members of the Senate appointed by the President 

Pro Tempore of the Senate in consultation with the Majority 

Leader and Minority Leader of the Senate, of which not more 

than two appointees may be members of the same political 

party; and 

(3) four Members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives in consultation with the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the 

House of Representatives, of which not more than two appointees may be members of the same political party. 

(d) CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.—The members of the Commission 

shall select a Chair and Vice Chair of the Commission. The Chair 

and Vice Chair shall not be members of the same political party. 

(e) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Commission shall not affect its powers if a quorum is present, but shall be filled in the 

same manner as the original appointment. 

(f) MEETINGS.— 

(1) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 45 days after the 

date on which a majority of the members of the Commission 

have been appointed, the Commission shall hold its first meeting. 

(2) SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet 

at the call of the Chair. 

(g) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the Commission 

shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number of members may 

hold hearings. 

(h) NO COMPENSATION.—A member of the Commission shall 

serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses 

incurred in carrying out the duties of the Commission. 

(i) DUTIES.—The Commission shall consider and formulate 

plans for such a permanent memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower, including its nature, design, construction, and location. 

(j) POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.— 

(A) POWERS.—The Commission may— 

(i) make such expenditures for services and materials for the purpose of carrying out this section as the 

Commission considers advisable from funds appropriated or received as gifts for that purpose; 


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(ii) solicit and accept contributions to be used in 

carrying out this section or to be used in connection 

with the construction or other expenses of the memorial; 

(iii) hold hearings and enter into contracts; 

(iv) enter into contracts for specialized or professional services as necessary to carry out this section; 

and 

(v) take such actions as are necessary to carry out 

this section. 

(B) SPECIALIZED OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.—Services 

under subparagraph (A)(iv) may be— 

(i) obtained without regard to the provisions of 

title 5, United States Code, including section 3109 of 

that title; and 

(ii) may be paid without regard to the provisions 

of title 5, United States Code, including chapter 51 

and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title. 

(2) GIFTS OF PROPERTY.—The Commission may accept gifts 

of real or personal property to be used in carrying out this section, including to be used in connection with the construction 

or other expenses of the memorial. 

(3) FEDERAL COOPERATION.—At the request of the Commission, a Federal department or agency may provide any information or other assistance to the Commission that the head of 

the Federal department or agency determines to be appropriate. 

(4) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—If authorized by the Commission, 

any member or agent of the Commission may take any action that the Commission is authorized to take under this 

section. 

(B) ARCHITECT.—The Commission may appoint an architect as an agent of the Commission to— 

(i) represent the Commission on various governmental source selection and planning boards on the selection of the firms that will design and construct the 

memorial; and 

(ii) perform other duties as designated by the 

Chairperson of the Commission. 

(C) TREATMENT.—An authorized member or agent of 

the Commission (including an individual appointed under 

subparagraph (B)) providing services to the Commission 

shall be considered an employee of the Federal Government in the performance of those services for the purposes 

of chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, relating to 

tort claims. 

(5) TRAVEL.—Each member of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while 

away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission. 

(k) REPORTS.—The Commission shall— 


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(1) report the plans under subsection (i), together with recommendations, to the President and the Congress at the earliest practicable date; and 

(2) in the interim, make annual reports on its progress to 

the President and the Congress. 

(l) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAWS.—The Federal Advisory 

Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission. 

(m) AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH MEMORIAL.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may establish a permanent memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower on land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior in the District of Columbia or its environs. 

(2) COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARDS FOR COMMEMORATIVE

WORKS.—The establishment of the memorial shall be in accordance with the Commemorative Works Act (40 U.S.C. 1001 et 

seq.). 

(3) EXPIRATION.—Any reference in section 8903(e) of title 

40, U.S.C. to the expiration at the end of, or extension beyond, 

a 7-year period shall be considered to be a reference to an expiration on, or extension beyond, øSeptember 30, 2015¿ September 30, 2016. 

(n) MEMORIAL FUND.— 

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is created in the Treasury a 

fund for the memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower that includes 

amounts contributed under subsection (j)(2). 

(2) USE OF FUND.—The fund shall be used for the expenses 

of establishing the memorial. 

(3) INTEREST.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall credit 

to the fund the interest on obligations held in the fund. 

(o) STAFF AND SUPPORT SERVICES.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.— 

(A) POWERS.—The Commission may— 

(i) make such expenditures for services and materials for the purpose of carrying out this section as the 

Commission considers advisable from funds appropriated or received as gifts for that purpose; 

(ii) solicit and accept contributions to be used in 

carrying out this section or to be used in connection 

with the construction or other expenses of the memorial; 

(iii) hold hearings and enter into contracts; 

(iv) enter into contracts for specialized or professional services as necessary to carry out this section; 

and 

(v) take such actions as are necessary to carry out 

this section. 

(B) SPECIALIZED OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.—Services 

under subparagraph (A)(iv) may be— 

(i) obtained without regard to the provisions of 

title 5, United States Code, including section 3109 of 

that title; and 

(ii) may be paid without regard to the provisions 

of title 5, United States Code, including chapter 51 

and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title. 


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(2) GIFTS OF PROPERTY.—The Commission may accept gifts 

of real or personal property to be used in carrying out this section, including to be used in connection with the construction 

or other expenses of the memorial. 

(3) FEDERAL COOPERATION.—At the request of the Commission, a Federal department or agency may provide any information or other assistance to the Commission that the head of 

the Federal department or agency determines to be appropriate. 

(4) POWERS OF MEMBERS AND AGENTS.— (A) IN GENERAL.—If authorized by the Commission, 

any member or agent of the Commission may take any action that the Commission is authorized to take under this 

section. 

(B) ARCHITECT.—The Commission may appoint an architect as an agent of the Commission to— 

(i) represent the Commission on various governmental source selection and planning boards on the selection of the firms that will design and construct the 

memorial; and 

(ii) perform other duties as designated by the 

Chairperson of the Commission. 

(C) TREATMENT.—An authorized member or agent of 

the Commission (including an individual appointed under 

subparagraph (B)) providing services to the Commission 

shall be considered an employee of the Federal Government in the performance of those services for the purposes 

of chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, relating to 

tort claims. 

(5) TRAVEL.—Each member of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while 

away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission. 

(p) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 

to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this section. 

(q) APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS.—In addition to amounts provided elsewhere in this Act, there is appropriated to the Commission $300,000, to remain available until expended. 

* * * * * * * 

CHESAPEAKE BAY INITIATIVE ACT OF 1998 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE V—CHESAPEAKE BAY INITIATIVE 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 502. CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS AND WATERTRAILS. 

(a) CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS AND WATERTRAILS NETWORK.— 


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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior (referredto 

in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’), in cooperation with 

theAdministrator of the Environmental Protection Agency 

(referredto in this section as the ‘‘Administrator’’), shall provide 

technicaland financial assistance, in cooperation with other 

Federalagencies, State and local governments, nonprofit organizations,and the private sector— 

(A) to identify, conserve, restore, and interpret natural,recreational, historical, and cultural resources within 

theChesapeake Bay Watershed; 

(B) to identify and utilize the collective resources 

asChesapeake Bay Gateways sites for enhancing public 

educationof and access to the Chesapeake Bay; 

(C) to link the Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites 

withtrails, tour roads, scenic byways, and other 

connectionsas determined by the Secretary; 

(D) to develop and establish Chesapeake 

BayWatertrails comprising water routes and connections 

toChesapeake Bay Gateways sites and other land 

resourceswithin the Chesapeake Bay Watershed; and 

(E) to create a network of Chesapeake Bay 

Gatewayssites and Chesapeake Bay Watertrails. 

(2) COMPONENTS.—Components of the Chesapeake 

BayGateways and Watertrails Network may include— 

(A) State or Federal parks or refuges; 

(B) historic seaports; 

(C) archaeological, cultural, historical, or 

recreationalsites; or 

(D) other public access and interpretive sites 

asselected by the Secretary. 

(b) CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS GRANTS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in cooperation with 

theAdministrator, shall establish a Chesapeake Bay 

GatewaysGrants Assistance Program to aid State and local 

governments,local communities, nonprofit organizations, and 

the private sectorin conserving, restoring, and interpreting important historic,cultural, recreational, and natural resources 

within the ChesapeakeBay Watershed. 

(2) CRITERIA.—The Secretary, in cooperation with 

theAdministrator, shall develop appropriate eligibility,prioritization, and review criteria for grants under this 

section. 

(3) MATCHING FUNDS AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.— 

Agrant under this section— 

(A) shall not exceed 50 percent of eligible project costs; 

(B) shall be made on the condition that nonFederalsources, including in-kind contributions of services 

or inaterials,provide the remainder of eligible projekt costs; 

and 

(C) shall be made on the condition that not morethan 

10 percent of all eligible project costs be used 

foradministrative expenses. 


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(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 

to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for eachof 

fiscal years 1999 through ø2015¿ 2017. 

* * * * * * * 

CHANGES IN APPLICATION OF EXISTING LAW

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the following statements are submitted 

describing the effect of provisions in the accompanying bill, which 

directly or indirectly change the application of existing law. In most 

instances these provisions have been included in prior appropriations Acts. 

The bill includes the following changes in application of existing 

law: 

OVERALL BILL

Providing that certain appropriations remain available until expended or extends the availability of funds beyond the fiscal year 

where programs or projects are continuing but for which legislation 

does not specifically authorize such extended availability. This authority tends to result in savings by preventing the practice of committing funds on low priority projects at the end of the fiscal year 

to avoid losing the funds. 

Limiting, in certain instances, the obligation of funds for particular functions or programs. These limitations include restrictions 

on the obligation of funds for administrative expenses, travel expenses, the use of consultants, and programmatic areas within the 

overall jurisdiction of a particular agency. 

Limiting official entertainment or reception and representation 

expenses for selected agencies in the bill. 

Continuing ongoing activities of those Federal agencies, which require annual authorization or additional legislation, which has not 

been enacted. 

TITLE I—DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

MANAGEMENT OF LANDS AND RESOURCES

Providing funds to the Bureau for the management of lands and 

resources. 

Providing funds to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 

under certain conditions. 

Permitting the use of fees for processing applications for permit 

to drill. 

Permitting the use of mining fee collections for program operations. 

Permitting the use of fees from communication site rentals. 

LAND ACQUISITION

Providing that the appropriation shall be derived from the Land 

and Water Conservation Fund. 


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OREGON AND CALIFORNIA GRANT LANDS

Providing funds for the Oregon and California Grant Lands. 

Authorizing the transfer of certain collections from the Oregon 

and California Land Grants Fund to the Treasury. 

RANGE IMPROVEMENTS

Allowing certain funds to be transferred to the Department of the 

Interior for range improvements. 

SERVICE CHARGES, DEPOSITS, AND FORFEITURES

Allowing the use of certain collected funds for certain administrative costs and operation of termination of certain facilities. 

Allowing the use of funds on any damaged public lands. 

Authorizing the Secretary to use monies from forfeitures, compromises or settlements for improvement, protection and rehabilitation of public lands under certain conditions. 

MISCELLANEOUS TRUST FUNDS

Allowing certain contributed funds to be advanced for administrative costs and other activities of the Bureau. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Permitting the Bureau to enter into agreements with public and 

private entities, including States. 

Permitting the Bureau to manage improvements to which the 

United States has title. 

Permitting the payment of rewards for information on violations 

of law on Bureau lands. 

Providing for cost-sharing arrangements for printing services. 

Permitting the Bureau to conduct certain projects for State governments on a reimbursable basis. 

Prohibiting the use of funds for the destruction of wild horses 

and burros. 

UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Limiting funds for certain Endangered Species Act programs. 

LAND ACQUISITION

Providing that the appropriation shall be derived from the Land 

and Water Conservation Fund. 

Providing that funding for projects may not be used for administrative costs. 

COOPERATIVE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

Providing that the appropriation shall be derived from the Land 

and Water Conservation Fund. 

STATE AND TRIBAL WILDLIFE GRANTS

Providing for a State and Tribal wildlife grants program. 


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ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Providing that programs may be carried out by direct expenditure, contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and reimbursable 

agreements with public and private entities. 

Providing for repair of damage to public roads. 

Providing options for the purchase of land not to exceed $1. 

Permitting cost-shared arrangements for printing services. 

Permitting the acceptance of donated aircraft. 

Providing that fees collected for non-toxic shot review and approval shall be available without further appropriation for the expenses of non-toxic shot review related expenses. 

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

OPERATION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

Designating funds for Everglades restoration. 

Providing for repair, rehabilitation and maintenance of National 

Park Service assets. 

NATIONAL RECREATION AND PRESERVATION

Providing for expenses not otherwise provided for. 

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

Providing for expenses derived from the Historic Preservation 

Fund. 

CONSTRUCTION

Providing funds for construction, improvements, repair or replacement of physical facilities including modified water deliveries 

to Everglades National Park with certain restrictions. 

Providing that a single procurement may be issued for any 

project funded in fiscal year 2015 with a future phase indicated in 

the National Park Service 5-year Line Item Construction Plan. 

LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND

Rescinding Land and Water Conservation Fund contract authority. 

LAND ACQUISITION AND STATE ASSISTANCE

Providing that the appropriation shall be derived from the Land 

and Water Conservation Fund. 

CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE

Providing funds for Centennial Challenge projects with no less 

than 50 percent of the cost of each project derived from non-Federal sources. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Allowing certain franchise fees to be available for expenditure 

without further appropriation to extinguish or reduce liability for 

certain possessory interests. 

Providing for the retention of administrative costs under certain 

Land and Water Conservation Fund programs. 


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Allowing National Park Service funds to be transferred to the 

Federal Highway Administration for purposes authorized under 23 

U.S.C. 204 for reasonable administrative support costs. 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

SURVEYS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND RESEARCH

Providing funds to classify lands as to their mineral and water 

resources. 

Providing funds to give engineering supervision to power permittees and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensees. 

Limiting funds for the conduct of new surveys on private property without permission. 

Limiting funds for cooperative topographic mapping or water resource data collection and investigations. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Allowing funds to be used for certain contracting, technical services, construction, maintenance, acquisition, and representation expenses. 

Permitting the use of certain contracts, grants, and cooperative 

agreements. 

Recognizing students and recent graduates as Federal employees 

for the purposes of travel and work injury compensation. 

BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Permitting funds for mineral leasing and environmental study; 

enforcing laws and contracts; and for matching grants. 

Providing that funds may be used which shall be derived from 

non-refundable cost recovery fees collected in 2014. 

Permitting the use of certain excess receipts from Outer Continental Shelf leasing activities. 

Providing for reasonable expenses related to volunteer beach and 

marine cleanup activities. 

Prohibiting the use of funds for regulating non-lease holders. 

BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT

Permitting funds for mineral leasing and environmental study; 

enforcing laws and contracts; and for matching grants. 

Providing that funds may be used which shall be derived from 

non-refundable cost recovery fees collected in 2014. 

Permitting the use of certain excess receipts from Outer Continental Shelf leasing activities. 

Permitting the use of funds derived from non-refundable inspection fees collecting in 2014. 

Requiring that not less than 50 percent of inspection fees expended be used on personnel, expanding capacity and reviewing applications for permit to drill. 

OIL SPILL RESEARCH

Providing that funds shall be derived from the Oil Spill Liability 

Trust Fund. 


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OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

REGULATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Permitting payment to State and tribal personnel for travel and 

per diem expenses for training. 

Permitting the use of certain offsetting collections from permit 

fees. 

ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND

Allowing the use of debt recovery to pay for debt collection. 

Allowing that certain funds made available under title IV of Public Law 95–87 may be used for any required non-Federal share of 

the cost of certain projects. 

Allowing funds to be used for travel expenses of State and tribal 

personnel while attending certain OSM training. 

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS AND BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION

OPERATION OF INDIAN PROGRAMS

Limiting funds for official reception and representation expenses. 

Limiting funds for welfare assistance payments, except for disaster relief. 

Allowing tribal priority allocation funds to be used for unmet 

welfare assistance costs. 

Providing forward-funding for school operations of Bureau-funded schools and other education programs. 

Providing that limited funds shall be available until expended for 

certain purposes. 

Allowing the transfer of certain forestry funds. 

Allowing the use of funds to purchase uniforms or other identifying articles of clothing for personnel. 

CONSTRUCTION

Providing for the transfer of Navajo irrigation project funds to 

the Bureau of Reclamation. 

Providing that six percent of Federal Highway Trust Fund contract authority may be used for construction management costs. 

Providing Safety of Dams funds on a non-reimbursable basis. 

Requiring the use of administrative and cost accounting principles for certain school construction projects and exempting such 

projects from certain requirements. 

Requiring conformance with building codes and health and safety 

standards. 

Specifying the procedure for dispute resolution. 

Limiting the control of construction projects when certain time 

frames have not been met. 

Allowing reimbursement of construction costs from the Office of 

Special Trustee. 

INDIAN GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Limiting funds for administrative expenses and for subsidizing 

total loan principal. 


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ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Allowing the use of funds for direct expenditure, contracts, cooperative agreements, compacts, and grants. 

Allowing contracting for the San Carlos Irrigation Project. 

Limiting the use of funds for certain contracts, grants and cooperative agreements. 

Allowing Tribes to return appropriated funds. 

Prohibiting funding of Alaska schools. 

Limiting the number of schools and the expansion of grade levels 

in individual schools. 

Specifying distribution of indirect and administrative costs for 

certain Tribes. 

Prohibiting the implementation of a new tribal recognition rule. 

DEPARTMENTAL OFFICES

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Allowing the use of certain funds for official reception and representation expenses. 

Permitting payments to former Bureau of Mines workers. 

Designating funds for mineral revenue management activities. 

Designating funds for consolidated appraisal services to be derived from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. 

Designating funds for mineral revenue management activities. 

Allowing certain refunds of overpayments in connection with certain Indian leases. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Allowing certain payments authorized for the Payments in Lieu 

of Taxes Program to be retained for administrative expenses. 

Providing that no Payments in Lieu of Taxes Program payment 

be made to otherwise eligible units of local government if the computed amount of the payment is less than $100. 

Providing that a payment made to a unit of general local government for fiscal year 2016 may be reduced by the Secretary to correct overpayments, and increased by the Secretary to correct underpayments, to such unit of local government for the previous fiscal year. 

Extending funding for Payment in Lieu of Taxes. 

INSULAR AFFAIRS

ASSISTANCE TO TERRITORIES

Designating funds for various programs and for salaries and expenses of the Office of Insular Affairs. 

Allowing audits of the financial transactions of the Territorial 

and Insular governments by the GAO. 

Providing grant funding under certain terms of the Agreement of 

the Special Representatives on Future United States Financial Assistance for the Northern Mariana Islands. 

Providing for capital infrastructure in various Territories. 

Allowing appropriations for disaster assistance to be used as nonFederal matching funds for hazard mitigation grants. 


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COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION

Providing grants to Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS, INSULAR AFFAIRS

Allowing, at the request of the Governor of Guam, for certain discretionary or mandatory funds to be used to assist securing certain 

rural electrification loans through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL TRUSTEE FOR AMERICAN INDIANS

FEDERAL TRUST PROGRAMS

Limiting the amount of funding available for the historical accounting of Indian trust fund accounts. 

Allowing transfers to other Department of the Interior accounts. 

Providing no-year funding for certain Indian Self-Determination 

Act grants. 

Exempting quarterly statements for Indian trust accounts $15 or 

less. 

Requiring annual statements and records maintenance for Indian 

trust accounts. 

Limiting use of funds to correct administrative errors in Indian 

trust accounts. 

Permitting the use of recoveries from erroneous payments pursuant to Indian trust accounts. 

DEPARTMENT-WIDE PROGRAMS 

WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

Providing funds for wildland fire management. 

Designating funds for renovation or construction of fire facilities 

and designating funds for Wildfire suppression operations. 

Permitting the repayments of funds transferred from other accounts for firefighting. 

Designating funds for hazardous fuels and burned area rehabilitation. 

Permitting the use of funds for lodging and subsistence of firefighters. 

Permitting the use of grants, contracts and cooperative agreements for hazardous fuels reduction, including cost-sharing and 

local assistance. 

Permitting cost-sharing of cooperative agreements with non-Federal entities under certain circumstances. 

Providing for local competition for hazardous fuel reduction activities. 

Permitting reimbursement to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

and the National Marine Fisheries Service for consultation activities under the Endangered Species Act. 

Providing certain terms for leases of real property with local governments. 

Providing for the transfer of funds between the Department of 

the Interior and the Department of Agriculture for wildland fire 

management. 


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Providing funds for support of Federal emergency response actions. 

Allowing for international forestry assistance to or through the 

Department of State. 

FLAME WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION RESERVE FUND

Providing funds for the FLAME fund. 

CENTRAL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FUND

Providing funds for response action, including associated activities, performed pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. 

WORKING CAPITAL FUND

Allowing funds for the financial and business management system and information technology improvement. 

Prohibiting use of funds to establish reserves in the working capital fund with exceptions. 

Allowing assessments for reasonable charges for training services 

at the National Indian Program Center and use of these funds 

under certain conditions. 

Providing space and related facilities or the lease of related facilities, equipment or professional services of the National Indian Program Training Center to state, local and Tribal employees or other 

persons for cultural, educational or recreational activities. 

Providing that the Secretary may enter into grants and cooperative agreements to support the Office of Natural Resource Revenue’s collection and disbursement of royalties, fees, and other mineral revenue proceeds, as authorized by law. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

Allowing acquisition of certain aircraft. 

Allowing the sale of existing aircraft with proceeds used to offset 

the purchase price of replacement aircraft. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Allowing transfer of funds for certain reconstruction of facilities, 

aircraft or utilities in emergency situations. 

Allowing transfer of funds in certain emergency situations, including wildfires and oil spill response, if other funds provided in 

other accounts will be exhausted within 30 days and a supplemental appropriation is requested as promptly as possible. 

Permitting the Department to use limited funding for certain 

services. 

Permitting the transfer of funds between the Bureau of Indian 

Affairs and the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians and 

limiting amounts for historical accounting activities. 

Authorizing the redistribution of Tribal Priority Allocation funds 

to address unmet needs. 

Authorizing the acquisition of lands and leases for Ellis, Governors and Liberty Islands. 

Providing the authority for the Secretary to collect nonrefundable 

inspection fees. 


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Permitting the reorganization of the Bureau of Ocean Energy 

Management, Enforcement and Regulation. 

Permitting the Secretary of the Interior to enter into long-term 

agreements for wild horse and burro holding facilities. 

Requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to mark hatchery 

salmon. 

Addressing BLM actions regarding grazing on public lands. 

Prohibiting the use of funds to implement, administer or enforce 

Secretarial Order 3310. 

Providing the Secretary of the Interior statutory authority to 

enter into rental or lease agreements that benefit Bureau of Indian 

Education operated schools. 

Authorizing funds for the Volunteers in Parks program. 

Authorizing Indian Affairs to record obligations against accounts 

receivable, provided that total obligations do not exceed total budgetary resources. 

Providing authorities for heritage areas. 

Limiting funds for a proposed rule for sage-grouse pursuant to 

the Endangered Species Act. 

Extending authority to pay certain offshore petroleum-related 

personnel at a higher rate. 

Extending authority to pay certain onshore petroleum-related 

personnel at a higher rate. 

Maintaining the status quo on regulations relating to the legal 

domestic trade and transport of products containing ivory. 

Requiring the reissuance of certain final rules and prohibiting 

such rules from further judicial review. 

Requiring that an interim rule pursuant to section 4(d) of the 

Endangered Species Act be amended. 

Modifying Section 14.21(a)(1) of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, to include echinoderms commonly known as sea urchins and 

sea cucumbers. 

TITLE II—ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Providing for operating expenses in support of research and development. 

Designating funding for National Priorities research as specified 

in the explanatory statement to this Act. 

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS AND MANAGEMENT

Allowing hire and maintenance of passenger motor vehicles and 

operation of aircraft and purchase of reprints and library memberships in societies or associations which issue publications to members only or at a price to members lower than to subscribers who 

are not members. 

Limiting amounts for official representation and reception expenses. 

Providing two-year funding availability for administrative costs 

of Brownfields program. 

Designating funding for National Priorities as specified in the explanatory statement to this Act. 


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HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SUPERFUND

Allowing distribution of funds to purchase services from other 

agencies under certain circumstances. 

Providing for the transfer of funds within certain agency accounts. 

LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK PROGRAM

Providing for grants to Federally-recognized Indian Tribes. 

STATE AND TRIBAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS

Limiting funding amounts for certain programs. 

Specifying funding for capitalization grants for the Clean Water 

and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and allowing certain 

amounts for additional subsidies. 

Designating funds for specific sections of law. 

Providing certain grants under authority of Section 103, Clean 

Air Act. 

Providing waivers for certain uses of Clean Water and Drinking 

Water State Revolving Funds for State administrative costs for 

grants to federally-recognized Indian Tribes and grants to specific 

Territories and Freely Associated States. 

Requiring that 10 percent Clean Water and 20 percent of Drinking Water funds shall be used by States for forgiveness of principal 

or negative interest loans. 

Prohibiting the use of funds for jurisdictions that permit development or construction of additional colonia areas. 

Providing funding for environmental information exchange network initiatives grants, statistical surveys of water resources and 

enhancements to State monitoring programs, tribal grants, and underground storage tank projects. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Allowing awards of grants to federally-recognized Indian Tribes. 

Authorizing the collection and obligation of pesticide registration 

service fees. 

Allowing the transfer of funds from the ‘‘Environmental Programs and Management’’ account to support the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and providing for certain interagency agreements and grants to various entities in support of this effort. 

Providing amounts for construction, alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and renovation of facilities. 

Rescinding unobligated grants. 

Providing for grants to federally recognized Tribes. 

TITLE III—RELATED AGENCIES 

FOREST SERVICE

FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

Providing funds for forest and rangeland research. 

Designating funds for the forest inventory and analysis program. 


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STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY

Providing for forest health management, including treatments of 

certain pests or invasive plants, and for restoring damaged forests, 

and for cooperative forestry, education and land conservation activities, and conducting an international program. 

Providing that the appropriation for the Forest Legacy program 

shall be derived from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. 

NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM

Providing funds for the National Forest System. 

Depositing funds in the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund. 

Designating funds for forest products. 

Designating funds in the Integrated Resource Restoration pilot 

program. 

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

Providing funds for construction, reconstruction, and maintenance and acquisition of buildings and other facilities and infrastructure; and for construction, capital improvement, decommissioning, and maintenance of forest roads and trails. 

Requiring that funds becoming available in fiscal year 2016 for 

the road and trails fund (16 U.S.C. 501) shall be transferred to the 

Treasury. 

Providing for the transfer of funds to the National Forest System 

for the Integrated Resource Restoration pilot program. 

LAND ACQUISITION

Providing that the appropriation shall be derived from the Land 

and Water Conservation Fund. 

ACQUISITION OF LANDS FOR NATIONAL FORESTS SPECIAL ACTS

Requiring that funding for the program is derived from forest receipts. 

ACQUISITION OF LANDS TO COMPLETE LAND EXCHANGES

Requiring that funding for the program is derived from funds deposited by State, county, or municipal governments and non-Federal parties pursuant to Land Sale and Exchange Acts. 

RANGE BETTERMENT FUND

Providing that fifty percent of monies received for grazing fees 

shall be used for range improvements and limiting administrative 

expenses to six percent. 

GIFTS, DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS

Providing for gifts, donations and bequest per Federal law. 

MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL FORESTS FOR SUBSISTENCE USES

Providing funds for subsistence uses per the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. 


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WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

Permitting the use of funds for emergency rehabilitation and restoration and hazardous fuels reduction to support emergency response and wildfire suppression. 

Allowing the use of wildland fire funds to repay advances from 

other accounts. 

Allowing reimbursement of States for certain wildfire emergency 

activities. 

Designating funds for the Joint Fire Sciences Program and extending authorities for Fire Science Research. 

Allowing funds to be available for emergency rehabilitation, hazardous fuels reduction and emergency response. 

Designating funds for suppression, hazardous fuels reduction and 

national fire plan research. 

Designating funds for State fire assistance and volunteer fire assistance Federal and State and private lands. 

Providing for cooperative agreements and grants. 

Allowing funds available for Community Forest Restoration Act 

to be used on non-Federal land. 

Limiting the transfer of wildland fire management funds between the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture. 

Designating the use of hazardous fuels reduction funds for biomass grants. 

Providing that funds transferred from the FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund shall be assessed for cost pools. 

Permitting the transfer of funds for the Integrated Resources 

Restoration pilot. 

FLAME WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION RESERVE FUND

Providing funds for the FLAME fund and authorizing transfers 

under certain conditions. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Permitting the purchase of passenger motor vehicles and proceeds from the sale of aircraft may be used to purchase replacement aircraft. 

Allowing funds for certain employment contracts. 

Allowing funds to be used for purchase and alteration of buildings. 

Allowing for acquisition of certain lands and interests. 

Allowing expenses for certain volunteer activities. 

Providing for the cost of uniforms. 

Providing for debt collections on certain contracts. 

Allowing transfer of funds in certain emergency situations if all 

other funds provided for wildfire suppression will be obligated 

within 30 days and the Secretary notifies the Committees. 

Allowing funds to be used through the Agency for International 

Development for work in foreign countries and to support other forestry activities outside of the United States. 

Allowing the Forest Service, acting for the International Program, to sign certain funding agreements with foreign governments 

and institutions as well as with certain domestic agencies. 


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Authorizing the expenditure or transfer of funds for wild horse 

and burro activities. 

Prohibiting the transfer of funds under the Department of Agriculture transfer authority under certain conditions. 

Limiting the transfer of funds for the Working Capital Fund and 

Department Reimbursable Program (also known as Greenbook 

charges). 

Limiting funds to support the Youth Conservation Corps and 

Public Lands Corps. 

Limiting the use of funds for official reception and representation 

expenses. 

Providing for matching funds for the National Forest Foundation. 

Providing for matching funds for the National Fish and Wildlife 

Foundation. 

Allowing funds to be used for technical assistance for certain 

rural communities. 

Allowing funds for payments to counties in the Columbia River 

Gorge National Scenic Area. 

Allowing funds to be used for the Older Americans Act. 

Permitting funding assessments for facilities maintenance, rent, 

utilities, and other support services. 

Limiting funds to reimburse the Office of General Counsel at the 

Department of Agriculture. 

Permitting eligible employees to be considered a Federal Employee. 

INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE

INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES

Providing that tribal contract and grant funding is deemed obligated at the time of grant or contract award and remains available 

until expended. 

Providing no-year funds for contract medical care including the 

Indian Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund. 

Providing for loan repayment under sections 104 and 108 of the 

Indian Health Care Improvement Act with certain conditions and 

making the funds available for certain other purposes. 

Providing that certain contracts and grants may be performed in 

two fiscal years. 

Providing for use of collections and reporting of collections under 

Title IV of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. 

Providing no-year funding for scholarship funds. 

Providing for the collection of individually identifiable health information relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act by the 

Bureau of Indian Affairs. 

Permitting the use of Indian Health Care Improvement Fund 

monies for facilities improvement and providing no-year funding 

availability. 

Providing that certain funds are made available until expended. 

INDIAN HEALTH FACILITIES

Providing that facilities funds may be used to purchase land, 

modular buildings and trailers. 

Providing for TRANSAM equipment to be purchased from the 

Department of Defense. 


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Prohibiting the use of funds for sanitation facilities for new 

homes funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Allowing for the purchase of ambulances. 

Providing for a demolition fund. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Providing for per diem expenses for senior level positions. 

Providing for payments for telephone service in private residences in the field, purchase of motor vehicles, aircraft and reprints. 

Providing for purchase and erection of modular buildings. 

Providing funds for uniforms. 

Allowing funding to be used for attendance at professional meetings. 

Providing that health care may be extended to non-Indians at Indian Health Service facilities, subject to charges, and for the expenditure of collected funds. 

Providing for transfers of funds from the Department of Housing 

and Urban Development to the Indian Health Service. 

Prohibiting limitations on certain Federal travel and transportation expenses. 

Allowing de-obligation and re-obligation of funds applied to selfgovernance funding agreements. 

Prohibiting the expenditure of funds to implement new eligibility 

regulations. 

Permitting certain reimbursements for goods and services provided to Tribes. 

Providing that reimbursements for training, technical assistance, 

or services include total costs. 

Providing that a strategic plan be developed for the Urban Indian Health Program in consultation with the National Academy of 

Public Administration. 

AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND DISEASE REGISTRY TOXIC

SUBSTANCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH

Providing for the conduct of health studies, testing, and monitoring. 

Providing deadlines for health assessments and studies. 

Limiting the number of toxicological profiles. 

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND OFFICE OF

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Limiting the use of funds for official reception and representation 

expenses. 

Designating the appointment and duties of the chairman. 

OFFICE OF NAVAJO AND HOPI INDIAN RELOCATION

Providing for the transfer of funds to the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General. 


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CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD

Permitting use of funds for hire of passenger vehicles, uniforms 

or allowances, and limiting the use of funds for per diem expenses 

and the number of senior level positions. 

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Limiting certain lease terms. 

Providing for purchase of passenger vehicles and certain rental, 

repair and cleaning of uniforms. 

Designating funds for certain programs including the National 

Museum of African American History and Culture and providing 

no-year funds. 

Providing that funds may be used to support American overseas 

research centers. 

Allowing for advance payments to independent contractors performing research services or participating in official Smithsonian 

presentations. 

FACILITIES CAPITAL

Designating funds for maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and 

construction and for consultant services. 

NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Allowing payment in advance for membership in library, museum, and art associations or societies. 

Allowing for purchase, repair, and cleaning of uniforms for 

guards and employees and allowances therefor. 

Allowing purchase or rental of devices for protecting buildings 

and contents thereof, and maintenance, alteration, improvement, 

and repair of buildings, approaches, and grounds. 

Providing for restoration and repair of works of art by contract 

under certain circumstances. 

Providing no-year funds for special exhibitions. 

REPAIR, RESTORATION, AND RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS

Providing lease agreements of no more than 10 years addressing 

space needs created by renovations under the Master Facilities 

Plan. 

Permitting the Gallery to perform work by contract under certain 

circumstances. 

JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

Providing funds to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Kennedy Center for operational and maintenance 

costs. 


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CAPITAL REPAIR AND RESTORATION

Providing funds to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Kennedy Center for facility repair. 

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Providing funds for the support of projects and productions in the 

arts, including arts education and public outreach activities. 

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES

GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Specifying funds to carry out the matching grants program. 

Allowing obligation of National Endowment for the Humanities 

current and prior year funds from gifts, bequests, and devises of 

money for which equal amounts have not previously been appropriated. 

Administrative Provisions, National Foundation on the Arts and 

the Humanities Prohibiting the use of funds for grants and contracts which do not include the text of 18 U.S.C. 1913. 

Prohibiting the use of appropriated funds and permitting the use 

of non-appropriated funds for reception expenses. 

Allowing the chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts 

to approve small grants under certain circumstances. 

COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Permitting the charging and use of fees for its publications and 

accepting gifts related to the history of the Nation’s Capital. 

NATIONAL CAPITAL ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

Providing funding for the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs. 

NATIONAL CAPITAL PLANNING COMMISSION

Providing funding for the National Capital Planning Commission. 

Providing that one-quarter of one percent may be used for official 

reception and representational expenses. 

UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

Designating funds for equipment replacement. 

Designating funds for repair, rehabilitation and for exhibition design and production and providing no year availability for these 

funds. 

TITLE IV—GENERAL PROVISIONS 

Prohibiting the use of funds to promote or oppose legislative proposals on which Congressional action is incomplete. 

Providing for annual appropriations unless expressly provided 

otherwise in this Act. 


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Providing for reprogramming procedures, disclosure of administrative expenses, assessments and requirements for operating 

plans. 

Continuing a limitation on accepting and processing applications 

for patents and on the patenting of Federal lands; permitting processing of grandfathered applications; and permitting third-party 

contractors to process grandfathered applications. 

Limiting the use of funds for contract support costs on Indian 

contracts. 

Allowing the extension of forest plans and prohibiting funds for 

the revised Chapter 70 of the Forest Service Handbook related to 

wilderness per the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 

Planning Act. 

Limiting leasing and preleasing activities within National Monuments. 

Limiting takings for acquisition of lands except under certain 

conditions. 

Modifying a provision addressing timber sales involving Alaskan 

Red Cedar. 

Prohibiting funds to enter into certain no-bid contracts except 

under certain conditions. 

Requiring reports to Congress to be posted on public agency 

websites. 

Continuing a provision that delineates grant guidelines for the 

National Endowment for the Arts. 

Continuing a provision that delineates program priorities for the 

programs managed by the National Endowment for the Arts. 

Requiring that the Department of the Interior, the EPA, the Forest Service, and the Indian Health Service provide the Committees 

on Appropriations a quarterly report on the status of balances of 

appropriations. 

Requiring a government-wide report regarding expenditures on 

climate change. 

Continuing a provision prohibiting the use of funds to promulgate or implement any regulation requiring the issuance of permits 

under title V of the Clean Air Act for carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, 

water vapor, or methane emissions. 

Continuing a provision prohibiting the use of funds to implement 

any provision in a rule if that provision requires mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from manure management systems. 

Providing a one-year extension of the Federal Lands Recreation 

Enhancement Act. 

Modifying authorities relating to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission. 

Prohibiting the use of funds to regulate the lead content of ammunition or fishing tackle. 

Prohibiting the use of funds to develop, adopt, implement, administer, or enforce a change or supplement to a rule or guidance 

documents pertaining to the definition of waters under the Federal 

Water Pollution Control Act. 

Prohibiting the use of funds to develop, carry out, implement, or 

enforce proposed regulations published on June 18, 2010. 

Prohibiting the use of funds to limit recreational shooting and 

hunting on Federal and public lands except for public safety. 


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Prohibiting the use of funds to implement the National Ocean 

Policy under Executive Order 13547. 

Prohibiting EPA from using funds to implement, administer, or 

enforce the lead renovation rule until EPA has approved a commercially available lead test kit. 

Prohibiting EPA from using funds to develop, propose, finalize, 

implement, enforce, or administer any regulation that would establish new financial responsibility requirements under CERCLA. 

Prohibiting the use of funds to develop, issue, implement, or enforce any greenhouse gas New Source Performance Standards on 

any new or existing source that is an electric utility generating 

unit. 

Prohibiting the use of funds from making any change to the regulations in effect on October 1, 2012, pertaining to the definitions 

of the terms ‘‘fill material’’ or ‘‘discharge of fill material’’. 

Continuing a provision through fiscal year 2017 authorizing the 

Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to consider local contractors when awarding contracts for certain activities on public lands. 

Extending the authority for the Chesapeake Bay Initiative. 

Extending the maximum authorized term for grazing permits 

and leases. 

Making available vacant grazing allotments for permittees impacted by drought or wildfire. 

Clarifying the protection of water rights with regard to Forest 

Service and Bureau of Land Management permits. 

Limiting the use of funds for status changes of certain chemicals. 

Applying requirements for the use of American iron and steel for 

certain loans and grants. 

Prohibiting the use of funds pertaining to certain updates to the 

social cost of carbon. 

Prohibiting the use of funds to revise primary and secondary 

standards for ozone until at least 85 percent of counties in nonattainment achieve compliance with previous standards. 

Prohibiting the use of funds for certain activities related to the 

final rule on hydraulic fracturing on Federal and Indian Lands. 

Establishing a Spending Reduction Account in the bill. 

APPROPRIATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(B) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the following table lists the appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not authorized by law: 


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COMPARISON WITH BUDGET RESOLUTION

Section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (Public Law 93–344), as amended, requires that the report accompanying a bill providing new budget 

authority contain a statement detailing how the authority compares with the reports submitted under section 302 of the Act for 

the most recently agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget for 

the fiscal year. This information follows: 


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FIVE-YEAR OUTLAY PROJECTIONS

In compliance with section 308(a)(1)(B) of the Congressional 

Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93–344), as amended, the following 

table contains five-year projections associated with the budget authority provided in the accompanying bill: 


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ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

In accordance with section 308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional 

Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93–344), as amended, the financial 

assistance to State and local governments is as follows: 


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PROGRAM DUPLICATION

No provision of this bill establishes or reauthorizes a program of 

the Federal government known to be duplicative of another Federal 

program, a program that was included in any report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 

of Public Law 111–139, or a program related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. 

DIRECTED RULE MAKING

Pursuant to section 3(1) of H. Res. 5 (114th Congress), the Committee estimates that the bill directs three rule makings in section 

121 and section 122. 

TABLE OF FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS

The following table provides the amounts recommended by the 

Committee compared with the budget estimates by account. 


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(197) 

MINORITY VIEWS 

The FY 2016 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill falls far short of what is needed to advance the preservation of America’s natural and cultural heritage and to protect 

the environment and public health. It is the latest in a series of 

measures that drastically short-changes job-creating investments 

and vital environmental protections while carrying a laundry list 

of special interest policy riders and funding limitations that threaten the environment and public health and safety. As a result, we 

cannot support the bill in its current form. 

We appreciate that even as Chairman Calvert grappled with an 

inadequate subcommittee allocation, he carried out his work in a 

sincere and collaborative manner. The chairman is to be commended for his diligence in chairing 14 budget hearings where we 

received the testimony of nearly 150 witnesses. 

The subcommittee’s 302(b) allocation for FY 2016 is $246 million 

below the FY 2015 enacted level. When added to the cuts of the 

past five years, the bill is more than $2 billion below the FY 2010 

enacted level. Moreover, when adjusted for inflation, this bill provides less than the appropriated levels in FY 2005. The majority’s 

refusal to adopt a sufficient overall budget allocation for discretionary investments has led to a bill that severely underfunds far 

too many priorities. 

The current budget caps have put a stranglehold on the appropriations process that is dangerously eroding the committee’s ability to meet its responsibilities to the American people. The President proposed to end sequestration through a more reasonable and 

realistic budget, but the majority has yet to engage in finding a 

workable solution. 

As a result of the majority’s budget decisions, nearly all the 

agencies and programs funded under this bill are either flat-funded 

or receive cuts. This is despite the fact that environmental challenges continue to grow and threats from invasive species, drought, 

wildland fire, and climate change become more complex and more 

expensive. 

These funding decisions will harm the environment, undermine 

efforts to conserve our natural and cultural heritage, and limit our 

ability to meet our bipartisan commitment to improve the social 

and economic well-being of Native Americans. 

This year we received compelling testimony on the unmet needs 

in Indian Country, especially in the areas of education and health. 

Yet, the bill’s inadequate budget allocation means that many Native American programs would receive far less funding than the 

President requested. 

2016 marks the Centennial of the National Park Service (NPS). 

However, even with park visitation at a record high, this bill fails 

to adequately invest in the National Park System and severely 


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underfunds programs to enhance national parks as part of the NPS 

Centennial and preserve and interpret America’s history as part of 

the Civil Rights Initiative. 

The pattern of shortchanging important programs is continued 

with the Land and Water Conservation Fund, where funding is cut 

by more than 25% below the FY 2015 enacted level. Wildlife programs are underfunded as well, with cuts or flat funding to programs that assist in the recovery of species or help prevent their 

listing in the first place. Funding decisions such as these set the 

Endangered Species Act up to fail. 

We remain troubled by the majority’s continued assault year 

after year on the programs carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The most significant funding cut in the bill 

is again to the EPA, which would receive $718 million less than the 

FY 2015 enacted level, a 9% cut. This would be on top of the nearly 

20% cut the agency has received over the past four years. 

The funding and policy decisions made in this bill threaten the 

quality of the very air we breathe and water we drink. And the 

consequences will be negatively felt in communities across this nation. 

The more than half billion dollar cut to the Clean Water and 

Safe Drinking Water Revolving Funds undermines programs that 

protect our drinking water, prevent the spread of disease, and create jobs in our communities. 

Rapidly escalating wildland fire costs are taking a larger and 

larger share of the funding available under the bill. Total fire costs 

in the bill are now nearly $4 billion or 13.2% of all funding. We 

need some relief from these mounting costs. Our colleague, Rep. 

Mike Simpson, has proposed the best solution: funding major 

wildland fire costs under the existing disaster relief budget cap. 

We are disappointed that the committee did not adopt the 

amendment offered by Rep. McCollum to fund a portion of the FY 

2016 wildland fire budget under the disaster relief budget cap. This 

approach has been endorsed by the administration, a diverse array 

of groups, and compliments bipartisan legislation that was introduced in this Congress and the last Congress. An added benefit of 

the amendment is that it would have freed up $407 million in the 

bill to put towards the clean water and safe drinking water revolving funds. 

We strongly oppose the numerous special interest riders and 

funding limitations included in this bill. These provisions don’t belong in the bill. They only serve to undermine our nation’s bedrock 

environmental laws, endanger public health and safety, and deny 

the impact that climate change is having on our planet. 

These provisions would substantially modify environmental and 

natural resource management policy, including making permanent 

changes in law and blocking implementation and enforcement of 

current and proposed rules. They should not be slipped into appropriations bills. 

Rep. McCollum’s amendment, which was not adopted, would 

have stricken 24 of these riders and funding limitations from the 

bill, many of whose genesis was from stand-alone legislation that 

has repeatedly failed to be enacted into law. Suspending Clean Air 

and Clean Water Act enforcement, obstructing the listing of certain 


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species under the Endangered Species Act, and blocking proposals 

to address greenhouse gas emissions are just a few examples of 

these problematic provisions. 

Among other amendments, there was an effort by Rep. Lowey to 

strip language from the bill that stops the EPA from implementing 

its lead abatement rule. The dangers from exposure to lead-based 

paint and lead contaminated dust are well established. The fact 

that this amendment was defeated places the health of millions of 

Americans, especially children, at risk. 

We are more than willing to support a bill that includes adequate funding levels to grow our economy, protect our environment, 

and refrains from including special interest riders and funding limitations. 

We are hopeful that as this bill moves through the legislative 

process it’s funding and policy shortfalls can be corrected. We stand 

ready to work with the chairman and others to make improvements to the bill so that in the end we can have a legislative product that can garner bipartisan support. 

NITA M. LOWEY. 

BETTY MCCOLLUM. 

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