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[House Report 114-632]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

114th Congress }                                             { Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session    }                                             { 114-632

======================================================================
 
     DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                       APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2017

                                _______
                                

 June 21, 2016.--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

                            DISSENTING VIEWS

                        [To accompany H.R. 5538]

    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, 2017. 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.

                                CONTENTS

                                                            Page number

                                                            Bill Report
Title I--Department of the Interior:
        Bureau of Land Management..........................     2
                                                                      9
        United States Fish and Wildlife Service............     8
                                                                     13
         National Park Service.............................    15
                                                                     23
        United States Geological Survey....................    20
                                                                     35
        Bureau of Ocean Energy Management..................    22
                                                                     38
         Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement....    24
                                                                     38
         Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and 
            Enforcement....................................    26
                                                                     39
         Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian 
            Education......................................    29
                                                                     41
         Office of the Secretary...........................    38
                                                                     48
         Insular Affairs...................................    40
                                                                     49
         Office of the Solicitor...........................    43
                                                                     50
         Office of Inspector General.......................    43
                                                                     51
        Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians.    44
                                                                     51
         Department-wide Programs:
        Wildland Fire Management, Interior Department......    46
                                                                     52
        FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund, Interior 
            Department.....................................    49
                                                                     53
        Central Hazardous Materials Fund...................    50
                                                                     53
        Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration.    50
                                                                     53
        Working Capital Fund...............................    50
                                                                     54
        General Provisions, Department of the Interior.....    52
                                                                     54
Title II--Environmental Protection Agency:
        Science and Technology.............................    68
                                                                     57
        Environmental Programs and Management..............    69
                                                                     59
        Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund....    70
                                                                     66
        Office of Inspector General........................    71
                                                                     67
        Buildings and Facilities...........................    71
                                                                     66
        Hazardous Substance Superfund......................    71
                                                                     68
        Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program    72
                                                                     69
        Inland Oil Spill Programs..........................    73
                                                                     70
        State and Tribal Assistance Grants.................    73
                                                                     70
        Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program 
            Account........................................    80
                                                                     73
        Administrative Provisions..........................    81
                                                                     74
Title III--Related Agencies:
        Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.....    84
                                                                     74
        Wildland Fire Management, Forest Service...........    89
                                                                     85
        FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund, Forest 
            Service........................................    93
                                                                     86
        Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health 
            and Human Services.............................   101
                                                                     87
        National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences   109
                                                                     90
        Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry...   110
                                                                     91
        Other Related Agencies:
        Council on Environmental Quality and Office of 
            Environmental Quality..........................   111
                                                                     91
        Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.....   112
                                                                     92
        Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation........   113
                                                                     93
        Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native 
            Culture and Arts Development...................   114
                                                                     94
        Smithsonian Institution............................   114
                                                                     94
        National Gallery of Art............................   116
                                                                     97
        John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.....   117
                                                                     98
        Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars...   118
                                                                     99
        National Endowment for the Arts....................   118
                                                                     99
        National Endowment for the Humanities..............   119
                                                                    101
        Commission of Fine Arts............................   120
                                                                    101
        National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs.........   121
                                                                    102
        Advisory Council on Historic Preservation..........   121
                                                                    102
        National Capital Planning Commission...............   121
                                                                    103
        United States Holocaust Memorial Museum............   122
                                                                    103
        Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission...........   n/a
                                                                    104
Title IV--General Provisions:..............................   122
                                                                    105

                              INTRODUCTION

    The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2017 totals 
$32,095,000,000. This amount reflects a $63,859,000 reduction 
from the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2016 and a 
$1,019,444,000 reduction from the budget request.
    The amounts in the accompanying bill are reflected by title 
in the table below.

             BUDGET AUTHORITY RECOMMENDED IN BILL BY TITLE

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Committee bill
                        Activity                         Budget estimates,   Committee bill,     compared with
                                                          fiscal year 2017   fiscal year 2017   budget estimates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I, Department of the Interior:
    New budget authority...............................    $12,180,509,000    $12,049,905,000      -$130,604,000
Title II, Environmental Protection Agency:
    New budget authority...............................     $8,267,199,000     $7,976,018,000      -$291,181,000
Title III, Related Agencies:
    New budget authority...............................    $12,666,736,000    $12,069,077,000      -$597,659,000
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
Title IV, General Provisions:
    New budget authority...............................                 $0                 $0                 $0
        Grand total, New budget authority..............    $33,114,444,000    $32,095,000,000    -$1,019,444,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Committee Oversight

    Members of Congress have provided considerable input in 
fashioning this bill. In total, 382 Members submitted nearly 
5,300 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 and briefings this year (including 
four hearings involving American Indians and Alaska Natives) to 
carefully review the programs and budgets under its 
jurisdiction. The Subcommittee held the following oversight 
hearings:
    U.S. Forest Service FY17 budget oversight hearing--February 
24, 2016
    Indian Health Service FY17 budget oversight hearing--
February 25, 2016
    Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation FY17 budget 
oversight hearing--February 25, 2016
    Department of the Interior FY17 budget oversight hearing--
March 2, 2016
    Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement FY17 
budget oversight hearing--March 3, 2016
    Bureau of Land Management FY17 budget oversight hearing--
March 3, 2016
    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service FY17 budget oversight 
hearing--March 15, 2016
    National Park Service FY17 budget oversight hearing--March 
16, 2016
    Bureau of Indian Affairs/Bureau of Indian Education FY17 
budget oversight hearing--March 16, 2016
    American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--March 17, 
2016 (morning)
    American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--March 17, 
2016 (afternoon)
    American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--March 18, 
2016 (morning)
    American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--March 18, 
2016 (afternoon)
    Environmental Protection Agency FY17 budget oversight 
hearing--March 22, 2016
    Smithsonian Institution FY17 budget oversight hearing--
March 23, 2016
    In total, 97 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 in person, another 112 organizations or 
coalitions provided written testimony for the hearing record 
which is publicly available online.

                         COST OF WILDLAND FIRE

    In seven of the last ten years, wildland fire suppression 
costs have exceeded estimated 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 continues to believe the most catastrophic 
wildland fires should be addressed in a fashion 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.
    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 of the Committee's jurisdiction, the 
Committee's recommendation does not include the request for 
suppression funding through the disaster cap adjustment.
    As Congress continues to debate the best approach for fire 
budgeting, the Committee has provided robust wildland fire 
funding in its fiscal year 2017 bill. The bill includes a total 
of $3,852,708,000 in wildland fire funding for the Department 
of the Interior and the Forest Service. Fire suppression 
accounts (including FLAME) are fully funded at the ten-year 
average level. Hazardous fuels reduction program funding, a 
critical component of an effective overall fire strategy, is 
funded at $575,000,000, which is $30,000,000 above the fiscal 
year 2016 level.

                    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 2016, 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 2017.

                         LEAD IN DRINKING WATER

    More communities are discovering elevated levels of lead in 
drinking water. It is estimated that nearly 1,500 water systems 
serving more than three million Americans have exceeded EPA's 
lead in drinking water standard at least once in the past three 
years. The events in Flint, Michigan have called greater 
attention to aging infrastructure, the need for prudent 
management and oversight of water systems, exposed gaps in the 
understanding of contaminants in water systems, and the 
potential for exposure to residents. Targeted investments and 
prioritization of resources will help EPA, States and 
communities respond to Flint and other affected communities in 
a manner that addresses the entire water system.
    The bill provides $2.1 billion for water infrastructure 
programs including the Clean Water and Drinking Water State 
Revolving Funds (SRFs) and the Water Infrastructure Finance and 
Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. This includes an increase of 
$207 million over the fiscal year 2016 enacted level for the 
Drinking Water SRF and $50 million for the WIFIA program. To 
the extent possible, States should give greater weight to 
funding projects on State Intended Use Plans that would remove 
lead pipes from existing infrastructure. Based on current 
Administration estimates, the Committee believes that direct 
loan subsidization through $50 million in the WIFIA program may 
be leveraged to fund anywhere from $3 billion to $5 billion 
worth of water infrastructure projects nationwide.
    In addition, for fiscal year 2017 the Committee has 
provided additional authority to allow States to provide debt 
relief in areas with elevated levels of lead in drinking water. 
It is important for States and communities to approach projects 
in a comprehensive, strategic manner. The replacement of aging 
infrastructure will not only help mitigate nationwide issues 
related to contaminants such as lead and arsenic, but will also 
help address Combined Sewer Overflows and Sanitary Sewer 
Overflows, and allow systems to improve water delivery for 
residents. As such, the bill allocates $6.5 million to fully 
fund activities related to integrated planning, which will be 
increasingly necessary as States and communities evaluate 
drinking water and wastewater systems for lead contamination 
issues. Recognizing the value of State drinking water programs, 
the Committee funds Public Water System Supervision grants as 
requested at $109.7 million, a $7.7 million increase for 
improved State oversight and operations.
    Finally, more information is necessary in order to 
understand the prevalence of lead pipes in the water 
infrastructure of cities around the country. To better 
understand the extent of the need, the Committee urges the 
Government Accountability Office to expeditiously assess the 
number of existing lead service lines by State.

                        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 (BLM), Bureau of 
Reclamation (BOR), National Park Service (NPS), and U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's Forest Service (USFS). 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 
$258 million, of which the National Park Service collects 
nearly $230 million. In 2015, the recreation fee program 
collected nearly $337 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 huge unbudgeted cost for land management 
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 Senate Committees on Appropriations, and to make 
publicly available no later than 60 days after enactment of 
this Act, detailed Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) fee 
information as specified in House Report 112-151.

                          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.

                            PAPER REDUCTION

    The Committee urges each agency funded by this Act to work 
with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reduce 
printing and reproduction costs and directs each agency to 
report to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this Act 
on what steps have been taken to achieve this goal. The report 
should specifically identify how much money each agency expects 
to save by implementing these measures.

                   EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS

    The Committee strongly supports the educational and 
outreach programs of the agencies funded through the Interior, 
Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill and 
encourages them to ensure that their efforts reach the widest 
possible audience, including but not limited to, Hispanic-
Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities, as 
appropriate.

                    LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND

    The Committee recognizes that investments in the Land and 
Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) support public land conservation 
and ensure access to the outdoors for all Americans, and 
recommends $322 million for LWCF programs. While the program is 
the principal source of funding for National Park Service, 
Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and 
U.S. Forest Service land acquisitions, the LWCF Act affords 
Congress the discretion to appropriate funds to a variety of 
recreation and conservation programs, including, but not 
limited to, land acquisition. The Committee believes it can 
fulfill the goals of the LWCF Act in a fiscally responsible 
manner by prioritizing State and local programs, consistent 
with chapter 2003 of title 54 of the United States Code, that 
do not add to the Federal estate and exacerbate deferred 
maintenance backlogs. Accordingly, the Committee recommends 
$186 million (58 percent of LWCF funding) for State and local 
recreation, conservation, battlefield protection and forest 
legacy programs.
    While the Committee remains committed to decreasing the 
rising deferred maintenance backlogs at Federal land management 
agencies, it recognizes the value of strategic land 
acquisitions, and recommends an amount appropriate given the 
constraints of the budget and other priorities within the bill. 
The recommendation includes $136 million for Federal land 
acquisition programs, of which not less than $24 million is 
directed to recreational access projects and inholdings.
    Funding for recreational access projects may only be used 
to open or improve access to existing public lands for hunting, 
fishing, and related recreational activities. Funds may not to 
be used to initiate any new land acquisition project unless the 
project was included in the budget justification and approved 
by the Congress. The Committee directs each agency to develop 
and include its prioritization criteria and project selection 
process in future budget requests.
    The Committee does not have sufficient information to 
recommend specific Federal acquisition projects at this time. 
Each land management agency is directed to submit an updated 
project list to the Committee, accounting for any changes in 
cost estimates, willing sellers, or other new information 
arising since the list of requested projects originated at the 
start of the fiscal year 2017 budget process. The list should 
include authorized appropriation levels for each unit, if 
applicable, total appropriations and acreage acquired to date 
for each unit, status of any unobligated balances, evidence of 
local, State, and congressional support, and, if the project 
would impact a unit boundary, by what amount and under what 
authority. If the agency considers a project, or any parcel of 
a project to be an ``inholding'', the agency should provide the 
percentage of the parcel's border that abuts existing Federal 
land.
    Lastly, the Committee requests that each agency include in 
future budget justifications a status report on any prior year 
LWCF spending. The report should include a table of projects 
funded in the two prior fiscal years, comparing actual cost and 
acreage acquired to date, with cost and acreage estimates that 
were provided to the Congress in budget justifications.

                   WORLD WAR I CENTENNIAL COMMISSION

    The World War I Centennial Commission serves as the lead 
organizer for the Nation's commemorative events regarding 
America's participation in the war. The Commission has selected 
a final design for a World War I Memorial which will be built 
at no Federal expense on the site of Pershing Park near the 
White House. The Committee is willing to consider limited 
discretionary appropriations in the future to support the 
Commission's efforts provided that the Commission submits a 
detailed budget proposal and justification.

              OPERATING PLANS AND REPROGRAMMING GUIDELINES

    Consistent with other appropriations Acts, the Committee 
has included within Title IV General Provisions (Sec. 403) bill 
language establishing the procedures governing reprogramming 
actions for programs, projects, and activities funded in the 
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. 
Incorporated into the section is requested language relating to 
assessments. The section also includes a requirement that each 
agency submit an operating plan to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations not later than 60 days following 
enactment of this Act to establish the baseline for application 
of reprogramming for the current fiscal year. In addition to 
the Committee recommendations and directives contained herein, 
the Committee directs each department and agency funded in this 
bill to submit an operating plan at the program, project, and 
activity level pursuant to Section 403 of this bill.

                  TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

                       Bureau of Land Management

                   MANAGEMENT OF LANDS AND RESOURCES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................    $1,072,675,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................     1,075,545,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................     1,081,922,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        +9,247,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        +6,377,000
 

    The Committee recommends $1,081,922,000 for Management of 
Lands and Resources, $9,247,000 above the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and $6,377,000 above the budget request. A 
detailed table of funding recommendations below the account 
level is provided at the end of this report.
    Soil, Water, and Air Management.--The Committee recommends 
$43,609,000 for soil, water, and air management, equal to the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $1,769,000 below the budget 
request. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Program is funded at 
$1,500,000.
    Rangeland Management.--The Committee recommends $79,000,000 
for rangeland management, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and $16,168,000 above the budget request. The Committee 
directs the agency 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.
    Forestry Management.--The Committee recommends $10,076,000 
for forestry management, $96,000 above the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and equal to the budget request.
    Riparian Management.--The Committee recommends $21,321,000 
for riparian management, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and $1,599,000 below the budget request.
    Cultural Resources Management.--The Committee recommends 
$16,131,000 for cultural resources management, equal to the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $1,197,000 below the budget 
request.
    Wild Horse and Burro Management.--The Committee recommends 
$80,555,000 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 2016 enacted level and $447,000 above the budget 
request.
    The Committee directs the Bureau to continue to study and 
test the feasibility of implementing a scientifically sound and 
humane sterilization program in partnership with universities 
and nonprofit organizations. The Committee strongly supports 
research to develop and refine a variety of fertility-control 
methods, including immunocontraceptives, which allow for 
sustainable populations of wild horses and burros while 
maintaining the genetic viability of the protected herds.
    The Committee is concerned about the number of herds with 
horse and burro populations that exceed their Appropriate 
Management Levels. Overpopulation damages rangeland and 
decreases the quality of life of the herds. The Committee also 
is concerned about the large number of horses that are held in 
long-term holding. Given the increasing costs of operating the 
program, the Committee strongly encourages the Bureau to 
increase the use of existing population control measures as 
well as continue to implement the recommendations of the 
National Academy of Sciences. The Committee further directs the 
Bureau to work cooperatively with States and other partners to 
control wild horse and burro herds.
    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 Bureau to enter into long-term contracts 
and agreements for holding facilities off the range.
    Wildlife and Fisheries.--The Committee recommends 
$114,661,000 for wildlife and fisheries, $12,750,000 above the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $6,658,000 below the budget 
request. Within the total provided, the Committee recommends 
$102,131,000 for wildlife management. The additional 
$11,750,000 is intended specifically for the Bureau to remove 
encroaching conifers, eradicate and control invasive weeds, 
restore riparian habitats, reduce fuel loads, and augment post-
fire stabilization and rehabilitation efforts, as requested. 
The Committee recommends $12,530,000 for fisheries management.
    The Committee notes that the Bureau is working with States, 
communities and interested partners to incorporate up-to-date 
data and science on the greater sage-grouse in the Resource 
Management Plans and related Land Use Plan Amendments. However, 
the Committee continues to hear concerns, particularly from 
ranchers and mining companies, that the Bureau is failing to 1) 
manage for sustained yield and multiple uses and inconsistently 
applying long-standing, existing regulations; 2) consider the 
mitigation and habitat conservation successes of private 
entities and benefits of well-managed grazing; and 3) 
appreciate the role of States in managing wildlife and the 
economic needs of rural communities. Recognizing that thriving 
sage-grouse populations, rangelands, and local economies are 
interconnected and support healthy communities, the Committee 
directs the Bureau to ensure it is fairly and consistently 
applying its statutory mandate to manage for sustained yield 
and multiple use and adhering to its current regulations and 
processes.
    The Committee commends the Bureau for completing the 
National Seed Strategy and provides $1,000,000 to implement it. 
The Committee continues to believe the Bureau should focus on 
increasing the availability of appropriate seed to address 
high-priority restoration needs and to collaboratively work 
with other Federal agencies, States, researchers, and private 
partners to implement the strategy.
    Recreation Management.--The Committee recommends 
$69,461,000 for recreation management, equal to the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level and $2,396,000 below the budget request. The 
bill includes a general provision in Title IV prohibiting the 
use of funds to close areas open to recreational hunting and 
shooting as of January 1, 2013.
    Energy and Minerals.--The Committee recommends $164,943,000 
for energy and minerals, $1,661,000 below the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and $26,875,000 above the budget request. The 
Committee does not accept the proposal to increase fees.
    The Committee directs the Bureau to collaboratively work 
with industry, other Federal agencies, States, and interested 
entities on methane emission issues.
    Resource Protection and Maintenance.--The Committee 
recommends $110,150,000 for resource protection and 
maintenance, $972,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level 
and $16,168,000 below the budget request.
    Soda Ash.--The Committee is concerned that other Nations 
provide significant subsidies to their soda ash producers and 
related industries, which causes U.S. companies to reduce 
operations and employment and negatively affects families and 
communities. As such, the Committee directs the Bureau to 
provide a report, within 60 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, on the current state of the U.S. industry and the 
negative effects of State-sponsored subsidies and to work with 
U.S. companies to provide royalty relief, as appropriate and 
authorized by current law.
    Resource Management Planning.--The Committee recommends 
$48,125,000 for resource management planning, equal to the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $17,078,000 below the budget 
request. The Committee reminds the Bureau not to duplicate 
existing efforts at the U.S. Geological Survey and in the 
private sector.
    Planning Process.--The Committee urges the Bureau to extend 
the public comment period on the proposed ``Planning 2.0'' 
initiative by no less than 30 days beyond the current 90 day 
comment period to ensure States, local governments, and other 
partners have adequate time to analyze the proposal and provide 
comments.
    Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.--The Committee is 
concerned about the transportation routes identified in the 
Draft Resource Management Plan and encourages the Bureau to 
work with the Fish and Wildlife Service; the State of Utah; 
Washington County, Utah; the city of St. George, Utah; and 
other cooperating entities to identify a northern 
transportation route as directed by the Omnibus Public Land 
Management Act of 2009, P.L. 111-11.
    Resource Protection and Law Enforcement.--The Committee 
recommends $26,616,000 for law enforcement, $1,121,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $1,000,000 above the 
budget request to fill vacant ranger positions. 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 no funding 
for the challenge cost share program, as requested, which is 
$2,413,000 below the fiscal year 2016 level. Although no funds 
are provided for this program, the Committee encourages the 
Bureau to continue to work with partners on outdoor ethics 
education and stewardship programs designed to help keep 
America's public lands healthy, open and accessible for 
opportunities to enjoy responsible outdoor recreation, 
especially high-impact activities such as recreational shooting 
and off-highway vehicle use.
    National Landscape Conservation System.--The Committee 
recommends $36,819,000 for the national landscape conservation 
system, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$13,826,000 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.
    The Committee encourages the Bureau to continue to work 
with the State of Idaho to provide appropriate access to 
Federal lands for the purposes of aquifer recharge projects.
    The Committee is aware the California State office is 
establishing an independent monitoring pilot program for 
certain off-highway vehicle events and supports the Bureau's 
implementation of the pilot program within 120 days, as 
planned. The Committee requests a report on the pilot program 
and any recommendations to facilitate its expansion to other 
States.
    The Committee is concerned that the Bureau's actions 
regarding Federal oil and gas leases in the White River 
National Forest, including the release of the Preliminary 
Preferred Alternative in March 2016, are undermining the 
collaboration among Members of Congress, locally elected 
officials, and private and public partners to resolve the 
status of the leases. The Committee directs the Bureau to 
reconsider its actions and to work in a collaborative manner 
with all interested parties to reach a broadly supported 
resolution.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $38,630,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        43,959,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        19,400,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       -19,230,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -24,559,000
 

    The Committee recommends $19,400,000 for land acquisition, 
$19,230,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$24,559,000 below the budget request. A detailed table of 
funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 
the end of this report.
    The Committee has included language and direction on Land 
and Water Conservation Fund programs in the front of this 
report.

                   OREGON AND CALIFORNIA GRANT LANDS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $107,734,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       106,985,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       106,985,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................          -749,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $106,985,000 for the Oregon and 
California (O&C) grant lands, $749,000 below the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. A detailed 
table of funding recommendations below the account level is 
provided at the end of this report.
    The Committee is concerned with the Bureau's plan to 
withdraw approximately 75 percent of the O&C grant lands from 
sustained yield management and provide annual harvests of less 
than half the minimum described in the Oregon and California 
Revested Lands Act of 1937. The Committee reminds the Bureau 
that the O&C Act classified the O&C grant lands as timberlands 
to be managed for permanent forest production, with the timber 
sold in conformity with the principles of sustained yield 
management in an annual quantity averaging not less than 500 
million board feet. The Committee directs the Bureau to 
implement a plan that conforms to the mandates of that Act.

                           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.

          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 primarily 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, 2016...........................    $1,238,771,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................     1,309,912,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................     1,255,004,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        16,233,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -54,908,000
 

    The Committee recommends $1,255,004,000 for Resource 
Management, $16,233,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and $54,908,000 below the budget request. Descriptions of 
activities below the account level are contained in the 
justification submitted to the Congress, except as otherwise 
discussed below and summarized in the table at the end of this 
report.
    Listing.--The recommendation includes $14,411,000 for 
Endangered Species Act listings and related activities, 
$6,104,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The 
proposed transfer of funds out of critical habitat designations 
is approved. The proposed transfer of funds into petitions is 
not approved; the number of listings and petitions to list have 
far outpaced the Service's ability to keep up with its other 
Endangered Species Act mandates, such as status reviews and 
consultations, so the recommendation redistributes the funds 
elsewhere to meet these other mandates.
    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 work plans in 
order to meet these obligations in light of the budget, and to 
request deadline extensions as necessary.
    The Service is directed to exclude flood control reservoirs 
from critical habitat determinations, such as for the western 
distinct population segment of the yellow-billed cuckoo as 
described in detail in House Report 114-170.
    The Committee recognizes that the Service may consider 
species that are non-native to the U.S. for listing under the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA), based on their biological status 
in the wild. The Committee also recognizes that captive 
breeding and artificial propagation of listed species can have 
important conservation value. Any listing of a species as 
threatened should not, by default, adversely impact operations 
that engage in captive or artificial propagation for domestic 
or international trade in accordance with international law 
governing trade in protected species. The Service is therefore 
urged to consider alternative exemptions under section 4(d) of 
the ESA for the continued commercial trade in captive or 
artificially propagated non-native sturgeons that are not 
linked to conservation activities within the range countries.
    Planning and Consultation.--The recommendation includes 
$103,650,000 for planning and consultation, $4,571,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. Timely evaluations and 
permitting of proposed infrastructure and other development 
projects contribute to economic growth and job creation. The 
Service should distribute the increase in accordance with the 
backlog of requests from outside the Service for technical 
assistance and consultations, including habitat conservation 
planning (HCP) and hatchery genetic management planning.
    The Committee recognizes the important role of HCPs in both 
recovery of species and in providing economic certainty and 
growth to municipalities affected by listed species. The 
Service is encouraged to place a priority on working with 
partners making good faith efforts to develop and implement 
responsible HCPs.
    No additional funds are provided for planning and 
consultation of restoration projects funded by settlement 
agreements, including those associated with the Deepwater 
Horizon oil spill. Any such projects required by law to have 
technical assistance, consultation, or permits from the Service 
should have such costs built into the projects. The Service is 
directed to establish a reimbursement program consistent with 
similar programs across the Department.
    Conservation and Restoration.--The recommendation includes 
$32,646,000 for conservation and restoration, $250,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The increase is for 
expedited mapping of flood-prone coastal areas, as authorized 
by the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA). Funding for the 
National Wetlands Inventory is maintained at $3,471,000. 
Funding for the sagebrush steppe ecosystem is maintained at 
$3,250,000.
    Recovery.--The recommendation includes $86,198,000 for 
Endangered Species Act recovery planning and oversight, five-
year status reviews, and associated status changes, $4,182,000 
above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. Funding to eliminate 
the backlog of downlistings and delistings is not less than 
$3,000,000, which is $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level.
    The Service stated in its budget justification that limited 
resources force the program to make difficult tradeoffs among 
five-year reviews, developing recovery plans, implementing 
recovery actions, delisting and downlisting. The Committee 
therefore directs the Service to focus on only those ESA 
mandates which are inherently governmental, and not to engage 
in other activities, such as implementing recovery actions, 
unless the costs are at least matched by partners outside the 
Service.
    The Service is directed to develop recovery plans for all 
listed species as required by law; to include measurable goals 
in each recovery plan; 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.
    So that trends in the endangered species recovery program 
may be observed, the Service is directed to include, in its 
next such report to Congress, ``species status'' and all other 
data points for each species that were included in the report 
entitled, ``Report to Congress on the Recovery of Threatened 
and Endangered Species, Fiscal Years 2009-2010''.
    The recommendation includes $2,500,000 for matching grants 
to nonprofit organizations implementing genetically-sound 
breeding, rearing, and reintroduction programs as prescribed in 
recovery plans, such as for northern aplomado falcon and 
California condor.
    Not less than $2,000,000 is recommended for the recovery of 
listed bat species impacted by white-nose syndrome, provided 
such funds are matched by partners outside the Service.
    The Committee is aware that the State of Utah has taken 
over management for the Utah prairie dog as a result of a 
decision by a Federal judge. The Committee is also aware that 
the Fish and Wildlife Service is appealing that verdict. In the 
event that the Fish and Wildlife Service is successful in its 
appeal, the Committee recognizes the importance of the Fish and 
Wildlife Service coordinating with the State of Utah on 
developing a new conservation plan that provides a mechanism 
for reconciling local development interests with conservation 
of the Utah prairie dog, consistent with the requirements of 
the Endangered Species Act. The State of Utah and local 
counties have committed significant financial resources to the 
recovery of the Utah prairie dog and those efforts should be 
appropriately recognized in the conservation planning efforts.
    The Service is directed to brief the Committee on the 
Service's evaluation and strategy for the red wolf recovery 
program within 12 months of enactment of this Act.
    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 when 
egregious lawsuits waste limited agency resources and threaten 
the integrity of the Endangered Species Act, which guarantees 
that the Federal government will return management authority to 
the States once recovery plan goals are met and scientifically-
sound State 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.
    Partners for Fish and Wildlife.--The recommendation 
includes $52,026,000 for voluntary, non-regulatory partnerships 
with private landowners as authorized by the Partners for Fish 
and Wildlife Act, $250,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. The Service is urged to maintain ideal staffing levels 
for ongoing invasive species eradication efforts on private and 
national wildlife refuge lands, such as for nutria in the 
Chesapeake Bay watershed, in order to minimize the likelihood 
that such species will return. In addition, the recommendation 
includes $1,285,000 as requested for regional fisheries 
enhancement groups.
    Coastal Programs.--The recommendation includes $13,625,000 
for voluntary, non-regulatory coastal habitat programs, 
$250,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $131,000 
above the budget request.
    National Wildlife Refuge System.--The recommendation 
includes $484,861,000 for the National Wildlife Refuge System, 
$3,434,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. Increases 
above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level include: $250,000 for 
invasive species control in coordination with the Partners for 
Fish and Wildlife program; $250,000 to increase the number of 
volunteer hours, which have declined in recent years; and 
$250,000 to reduce the backlog of statutorily-required 
comprehensive conservation plans. The Service is commended for 
its efforts at certain refuges to develop plans that are 
strongly supported by the surrounding communities.
    Maintenance support is increased by $2,184,000 and deferred 
maintenance is increased by $500,000, as requested, to continue 
to reduce the maintenance backlog.
    The Committee directs the Service to institute signage on 
any individual refuge where trapping occurs. The Service is 
also directed to establish guidance on such signage and include 
it in the refuge manual. Information should be posted on the 
National Wildlife Refuge System website and the websites of the 
individual refuges where trapping is occurring so the public is 
informed. The Committee understands that Waterfowl Production 
Areas, easements, and Coordination Areas are established under 
different authorities and, as a result, signage may vary at 
these sites.
    The Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and 
Conservation Area was created to protect one of the last 
remaining grassland and longleaf pine savanna landscapes in 
eastern North America while securing water resources for seven 
million people in south Florida. The Committee supports 
collaborative efforts to protect, restore, and conserve 
habitats for one of the greatest ecological treasures of the 
United States.
    The Service is reminded that solutions to recreational-use 
conflicts in national wildlife refuges should begin with the 
Refuge Manager engaging their local communities and 
collaborating with local officials and other representatives of 
recreational users to find mutually-agreeable solutions to 
conflicts. Failure to do so can result in significant public 
backlash, such as has happened with regard to proposed new 
recreational boating restrictions at Lake Havasu National 
Wildlife Refuge.
    Migratory Bird Management.--The recommendation includes 
$48,605,000 for migratory bird management, $1,125,000 above the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level. Increases include $500,000 as 
requested to improve aviation safety, $250,000 for conservation 
and monitoring, and $250,000 for migratory bird joint ventures. 
Permitting to reduce bird-livestock conflicts is funded at 
$350,000, which is $100,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. The Service is commended for its efforts to work with 
landowners to reduce black vulture predation on livestock.
    Executive Order 13186, issued in 2001, directed Federal 
agencies to develop a memorandum of understanding and work 
together to promote the conservation of migratory bird 
populations, and established an interagency Council for the 
Conservation of Migratory Birds (Council). The last annual 
report produced by the Council was in 2012. The Committee 
supports the Council's efforts to streamline the annual report 
development process, and to provide more detailed information 
on the Council web page, in order to disseminate the 
information in a more timely fashion.
    The Service is urged to update permitting requirements at 
section 21.12 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, to 
account for the addition of other accredited zoological trade 
organizations that did not exist at the time the regulation was 
last published.
    Law Enforcement.--The recommendation includes $75,053,000 
as requested for law enforcement, $328,000 above the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level. The Service is directed to enforce 
illegal logging violations pursuant to the Lacey Act.
    Wildlife trafficking is funded at $7,500,000, as requested. 
Lawful importers and exporters should not shoulder the cost 
burden of a Service workload that has increased as global 
markets have expanded and wildlife trafficking has become more 
sophisticated. Service inspectors not only examine legally 
declared packages but now must also undertake efforts to 
interdict illegal shipments of wildlife and wildlife products. 
Funds appropriated specifically to combat wildlife trafficking 
may be used to supplement inspections.
    The Committee has been made aware of concerns about 
expeditious inspection of perishable echinoderms, squid, 
octopus and cuttlefish. Due to the limited shelf life, it is 
imperative inspections occur in less than 48 hours. The 
Committee has been informed the Service is working to inspect 
perishable items in 24 hours or less and requests data from the 
Law Enforcement Management Information System (LEMIS) to 
document these efforts and determine if there are any obstacles 
toward achieving that goal. The Service is also directed to 
brief the Committee on steps they are taking to review the 
regulations to ensure no industry is operating at a 
disadvantage and to provide a status on harvest levels and 
illegal wildlife interdicted because of these inspections.
    International Affairs.--The recommendation includes 
$15,196,000 for international affairs, $500,000 above the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The increase is to combat 
wildlife trafficking, as requested.
    The Committee is concerned about the recent increase of 
illegal trade in rhinoceros horn, elephant ivory, and harvested 
timber; the large sums of money that these products command on 
the black market; and the significant source of financing these 
activities provide for armed insurgencies and 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 recognizes the Service's work with Honduras, 
El Salvador, and Guatemala to conserve priority species and 
ecosystems, and urges the continuation of these international 
partnerships in fiscal year 2017.
    Fish and Aquatic Conservation.--The recommendation includes 
$153,256,000 for Fish and Aquatic Conservation, $5,000,000 
above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level, as described below. 
The Service is directed to continue its tradition of improving 
freshwater subsistence, commercial, and recreational fishing 
since 1871.
    The recommendation includes $55,418,000 for National Fish 
Hatchery System Operations, $2,000,000 above the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level and $1,659,000 above the budget request. A 
portion of the increase should be used to fill hatchery manager 
vacancies. Not less than $800,000 is recommended for the 
aquatic animal drug approval partnership program, $400,000 
above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The national wild 
fish health survey program is funded at not less than 
$1,430,000, as requested. The Service should take economic 
return-on-investment into account in the allocation of National 
Fish Hatchery System Operations funds.
    The bill includes language prohibiting the termination of 
operations or the closure of any of the 90 units of the 
National Fish Hatchery System. The bill also includes language 
directing the Service to begin a propagation and reintroduction 
program for delta smelt.
    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.
    The Service is directed to maintain the fisheries archives, 
including the National Fishery Artifacts and Records Center and 
the Collection Management Facility, at its current location; to 
fill and station on site all vacant positions; and to share the 
costs and oversight across the fisheries program nationwide.
    The recommendation includes $22,920,000 as requested for 
Maintenance and Equipment, including a $3,000,000 increase 
above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level to reduce the deferred 
maintenance backlog. The Service should allocate funds to 
facilities with the most severe health and safety deficiencies 
across the System as a whole, rather than by region.
    The recommendation includes $74,918,000 for Aquatic Habitat 
and Species Conservation, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. The Klamath agreement is funded at $1,610,000, as 
requested. Asian carp control is funded at $8,400,000. Quagga 
and zebra mussel control is funded at $2,000,000, as requested. 
Sea lamprey administrative costs are funded at $711,000, as 
requested. Increases above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level 
include $250,000 for the National Fish Passage Program and 
$1,140,000 to implement State and interstate aquatic invasive 
species plans mandated by the National Invasive Species Act. 
The total amount allocated to the States for implementing such 
plans should be not less than $3,706,000.
    The Service is urged to accelerate the rulemaking process 
under the Lacey Act to prohibit the importation of live 
lionfish without prohibiting the sale and purchase of lionfish 
filets or the possession of lionfish already in aquariums.
    Cooperative Landscape Conservation.--The recommendation 
includes $12,988,000 for landscape conservation cooperatives 
(LCCs), equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The 
Committee continues to be concerned about a lack of State and 
tribal support for LCCs in certain parts of the country. The 
Service should focus on areas where partnerships are strongest.
    Science Support.--The recommendation includes $16,985,000 
for science support, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. Not less than $2,500,000 is recommended to continue the 
search for a cure for white-nose syndrome in bats. The Service 
should 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. The Service is urged to 
engage with Cooperative Research Units in partnership with 
States, universities, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in order 
to leverage its funding.
    General Operations.--The recommendation includes 
$145,504,000 for General Operations, $2,447,000 above the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $5,928,000 below the budget 
request. The recommendation includes the requested transfer of 
$153,000. Annual maintenance for the National Conservation 
Training Center (NCTC) is increased by $2,600,000, as 
requested, in order to avoid a maintenance backlog. The Service 
is encouraged to continue to make the NCTC available, at cost, 
to other Federal, State, tribal, and non-governmental entities 
for the purposes of conservation training.

                              CONSTRUCTION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $23,687,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        23,740,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        14,837,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        -8,850,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -8,903,000
 

    The Committee recommends $14,837,000 for Construction, 
$8,850,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$8,903,000 below the budget request. The recommendation 
includes requested funding for national fish hatcheries, dam 
safety, and the forensics laboratory. A detailed table of 
funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 
the end of this report.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $68,500,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        58,655,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        50,300,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       -18,200,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -8,355,000
 

    The Committee recommends $50,300,000 for land acquisition, 
$18,200,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$8,355,000 below the budget request. A detailed table of 
funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 
the end of this report.
    Language and direction on Land and Water Conservation Fund 
programs is provided in the front of this report and includes 
direction on the use of recreational access funds. While the 
Committee does not include a directive limiting acquisition 
size and cost that could inadvertently discourage leveraging, 
the Committee expects the Service to use fiscal year 2017 
recreational access funds in accordance with the defined use of 
recreational access funds in its fiscal year 2017 
justification: to acquire small parcels of land to conserve 
important wildlife habitat and provide recreational 
opportunities, including hunting and fishing. Accordingly, the 
Committee recommends $1,000,000 for recreational access 
projects. The Service is directed to notify the Committee of 
any land acquired with these funds.
    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 $10,000,000 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 2017.

            COOPERATIVE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

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

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $53,495,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        53,495,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        55,590,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        +2,095,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        +2,095,000
 

    The Committee recommends $55,590,000 for the Cooperative 
Endangered Species Conservation Fund, $2,095,000 above the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and the budget request. The 
recommendation includes the requested amount for conservation 
grants but maintains level funding for HCP assistance grants. A 
detailed table of funding recommendations below the account 
level is provided at the end of this report.

                     NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FUND

    The National Wildlife Refuge Fund shares refuge revenues 
and makes payments in lieu of taxes to counties in which 
Service lands are located.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $13,228,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................                 0
Recommended, 2017.....................................                 0
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       -13,228,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $0 for the National Wildlife 
Refuge Fund, as requested, $13,228,000 below the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level. Payments to counties in all 50 States, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands 
are estimated to be $5,516,000 in fiscal year 2017 from the net 
refuge receipts estimated to be collected in fiscal year 2016.

               NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION FUND

    The North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989 
provided for matching 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, 2016...........................       $35,145,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        35,145,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        37,645,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        +2,500,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        +2,500,000
 

    The Committee recommends $37,645,000 for the North American 
Wetlands Conservation Fund, $2,500,000 above the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level and the budget request. The Service is urged 
to make wetlands restoration projects that protect hunting and 
fishing treaty rights a higher priority.

                NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION

    The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 2000 
authorized matching 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, 2016...........................        $3,910,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................         3,910,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................         3,910,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $3,910,000 for neotropical 
migratory bird conservation, equal to the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and the budget request.

                MULTINATIONAL SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

    The Multinational Species Conservation Fund provides 
technical assistance and matching grants to countries to 
strengthen anti-poaching activities; builds community support 
for conservation near these 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, marine turtles, 
and their habitats. Authorizations of appropriations for the 
programs within this Fund have all expired.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $11,061,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        11,061,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        11,061,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $11,061,000 for the Multinational 
Species Conservation Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and 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.

                    STATE AND TRIBAL WILDLIFE GRANTS

    The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program provides 
grants to States and Indian tribes, the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the territories, to 
conserve fish and wildlife that are at risk of being listed 
under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The intent is to avoid 
the costly and time-consuming process of ESA listings and 
related regulatory actions.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $60,571,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        66,981,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        62,571,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        +2,000,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -4,410,000
 

    The Committee recommends $62,571,000 for State and Tribal 
Wildlife Grants, $2,000,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and $4,410,000 below the budget request. The Service is 
directed to focus competitive grants 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. The Service is urged to document and 
communicate to the Congress whenever an Endangered Species Act 
downlisting or delisting occurs, or whenever a listing is 
otherwise no longer warranted, due in large part or in whole to 
efforts funded through this program.

                         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 410 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 natural beauty and 
wildlife, 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 is 100 years old in 2016. The 
Service 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, 2016...........................    $2,369,596,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................     2,524,362,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................     2,435,047,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       +65,451,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -89,315,000
 

    The Committee recommends $2,435,047,000 for Operation of 
the National Park System (ONPS), $65,451,000 above the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level and $89,315,000 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.
    Additional Guidance.--The following additional direction 
and guidance is provided with respect to funding provided 
within this account:
    Centennial of the National Park Service.--The Centennial of 
the National Park Service this year 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 remains committed to its success.
    Accordingly, the Committee provides $65,451,000 in new 
discretionary funding within the Operation of the National Park 
System (ONPS) account to support the Centennial Initiative and 
related efforts, including funds to address deferred and cyclic 
maintenance needs. Specifically, the bill provides $10,672,000 
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 as well 
as law enforcement and visitor services operations during the 
2017 Presidential Inauguration; and $2,552,000 to support 
Service operations by providing increased communication 
bandwidth at parks. The bill also provides within ONPS 
$35,000,000 in new discretionary funding for repair and 
rehabilitation projects and $15,000,000 to address cyclic 
maintenance needs. These funds are supplemented by $30,000,000 
provided within the Centennial Challenge matching grant program 
account dedicated to supporting signature projects and programs 
that provide 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 $329,078,000 for 
resource stewardship. Increases above the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level include $862,000 as requested to support new 
responsibilities and critical needs. 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 2016 enacted bill but was not proposed in the 
budget request.
    Visitor Services.--The bill provides $258,516,000 for 
visitor services. Increases above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level include $3,279,000 as requested to support new 
responsibilities and critical needs. 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 $358,672,000 for park 
protection. Increases above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level 
include $2,989,000 to support new responsibilities and critical 
needs as requested.
    Facility Maintenance and Operations.--The bill provides 
$792,721,000 for facility maintenance and operations. Increases 
above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level include $2,253,000 as 
requested to support new responsibilities and critical needs. 
The recommendation also includes $35,000,000 for repair and 
rehabilitation projects and $15,000,000 to address cyclic 
maintenance needs.
    Park Support.--The bill provides $515,457,000 for park 
support. Increases above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level 
include $1,289,000 as requested to support new responsibilities 
and critical needs and $2,552,000 to provide for increased 
communication bandwidth to support operations at national 
parks.
    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. As of 
2015, there were 10 western parks with established quagga/zebra 
mussel management or prevention programs. The Committee directs 
the Secretary of the Interior to continue developing and 
updating, using the best available science minimum protocols 
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 2016, the Committee 
provides 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 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.
    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 
three 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.
    Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.--The 
Committee is pleased with recent operational improvements at 
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. These 
improvements, including increased staffing and supervisory 
oversight, are showing tangible results and resulting in 
enhanced visitor experiences. The Committee also recognizes the 
important role that park partnerships with State and local 
organizations play in promoting recreational opportunities at 
the park, particularly during the Service's Centennial 
celebration. As efforts continue to improve park 
infrastructure, the Committee urges the Service to identify and 
assess the potential costs of additional needs including year-
round bathroom facilities, campsite renovations, and other 
critical park features.
    Death Valley National Park.--Scotty's Castle, a historic 
national landmark in Death Valley National Park, has been 
closed to the public since flash floods damaged the landmark's 
visitor center, museum, and nearby roads in 2015. More rain 
fell in two days than normally occurs in a year resulting in 
mud and debris measuring four feet thick in some areas. Repairs 
are necessary to flood control berms, the facility's 
electrical, sewer, and water system, and to the physical 
buildings. The Committee urges the Service to provide in its 
fiscal year 2018 budget justification a detailed estimate of 
funds necessary to complete repairs to this iconic landmark in 
a timely manner. The Committee further directs the Service to 
take steps to ensure the security and protection of Scotty's 
Castle, and the contents of the museum, to protect from theft 
and trespassing at this historic site.
    Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA).--
The Committee directs the Service to report, within 180 days of 
enactment of this Act, on progress in identifying potential 
site options and associated costs for the development of a 
permanent headquarters and visitor use facility at the 
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area as described in 
the report accompanying P.L. 114-113. The Service shall work 
with government and non-government partners to determine the 
feasibility of potential site options and their suitability to 
support visitor use and park interpretation in accordance with 
the themes as outlined in the 2014 Mississippi National River 
and Recreation Area Foundation Document.
    James A. Garfield Memorial.--The Committee understands that 
the Service is undertaking a reconnaissance study to assess the 
eligibility of the James A. Garfield Memorial at Lake View 
Cemetery for designation as an affiliated area of the national 
park system. The Committee supports this ongoing study and 
directs the Service to complete its assessment expeditiously.
    Sexual Harassment.--The Committee is concerned about a 
recent report from the Department of the Interior's Inspector 
General of a long-term issue of sexual harassment and a hostile 
work environment at the Grand Canyon National Park's River 
District. The Committee directs the Service to undertake a 
thorough review of this incident and provide a report within 90 
days of enactment of this Act, of the findings and specific 
corrective actions needed to preclude this incident from 
recurring at Grand Canyon and throughout the national park 
System.
    Theodore Roosevelt Island.--The Committee directs the 
Service to continue working cooperatively with the Theodore 
Roosevelt Association to place interpretive markers on Theodore 
Roosevelt Island detailing President Roosevelt's work on issues 
related to the natural world.
    Biscayne National Park Marine Reserve Zone.--Biscayne 
National Park (BNP) is the largest marine park in the National 
Park System. In June 2015, BNP finalized an update of the 
Park's 1983 General Management Plan (GMP), approving a no-
fishing marine reserve eliminating fishing and severely 
restricting boating in more than 10,000 acres of the park's 
most popular and productive marine waters.
    The Committee joins members of the Florida congressional 
delegation in expressing concern over the establishment of a 
marine reserve zone or other marine protected area in State 
waters of Biscayne National Park without rigorous scientific 
evidence, an adaptive management approach, and clear, science-
based goals underlying its design and implementation. The 
Committee is also concerned by such action being taken by the 
Service over the objections of the Florida Fish and Wildlife 
Conservation Commission (FWC) and affected local stakeholders 
including, but not limited to, anglers and recreational 
fishing- and boating-dependent businesses.
    The Biscayne National Park GMP ignores recommendations and 
input received from local stakeholders and the FWC through 
years of public comments, public meetings, and extensive 
consultation with Service and BNP officials in an attempt to 
balance the need for conservation with the need for 
recreational access to the park's waters. The Service's actions 
also directly undermine the Fisheries Management Plan through 
which the FWC worked in consultation with BNP officials in good 
faith, and under which all sides agreed to ``seek out the less 
restrictive management actions necessary'' to achieve fishery 
management goals.
    Prior to implementing fishing restrictions within Biscayne 
National Park waters, the Service is directed to work to 
reestablish a mutually-cooperative and productive relationship 
with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, as 
well as other affected stakeholders, to develop a plan that 
balances resource conservation with public access. Such efforts 
shall assess whether utilizing less restrictive fishing 
management actions could achieve similar goals for the park 
under the new General Management Plan.
    The Committee directs that the data and findings of the 
first peer-reviewed, five-year research report summarizing 
monitoring, research, and performance evaluation of the MRZ as 
described in BNP's General Management Plan / Environmental 
Impact Statement Record of Decision signed on August 27, 2015, 
shall represent baseline conditions against which all future 
research reports shall be compared. Furthermore, no fishing 
restrictions shall be imposed within the MRZ until after the 
public release of that first peer-reviewed, five-year research 
report.
    The Committee also recommends that BNP work to re-establish 
a mutually-cooperative and productive relationship with the 
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to facilitate 
agreement on one or more Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) as 
described in BNP's General Management Plan / Environmental 
Impact Statement Record of Decision signed on August 27, 2015.
    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 continue working with the 
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and relevant Federal 
agencies to develop a range of options to address the water 
quality issues of the L-28 canal system.
    Vicksburg National Military Park.--The Committee is 
concerned about erosion and soil and ground deterioration 
affecting historic elements of Vicksburg National Memorial 
Park, including the Texas State Memorial and the Railroad 
Redoubt. The Committee urges the Service to assess on-the-
ground conditions and take all necessary steps to ensure the 
park is safe for visitors and employees, and is preserved for 
future generations.
    American Discovery Trail.--The Committee urges the Service, 
the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service, in 
conjunction with all relevant law, regulations, and policies, 
to work with relevant and appropriate stakeholders to 
facilitate installing signage for the American Discovery Trail.
    Wetumpka Marine Impact Crater.--The Wetumpka Impact Crater, 
located in Elmore County, Alabama, is a uniquely preserved 
marine impact crater created approximately 80 million years ago 
when an asteroid measuring an estimated 350 meters in diameter 
struck a coastal basin under 300-400 feet of water. The crater 
is widely considered to be the best preserved marine impact 
crater ever discovered and one of only about six in the entire 
world. Given that the crater is an extremely rare and well-
preserved geologic feature of national and international 
significance, the Committee urges the Service to assess the 
suitability of designating the Wetumpka Marine Impact Crater as 
a National Natural Landmark.
    America's First Frontier.--The Committee urges the Service 
to advance interpretive efforts at existing 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 and improve visitation across 
the region.
    World War II Memorial.--The Committee recognizes that the 
World War II Memorial is one of the most visited memorials in 
our Nation's Capital. To accommodate rising visitation and 
modern means of creative narrative preservation, similar to 
other U.S. supported World War II memorials around the world, 
the Committee urges the Department to report back within 90 
days of enactment of this Act on ongoing plans to upgrade the 
premises for veterans and other visitors.
    Outdoor Recreation Opportunities.--The Committee encourages 
the Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service to support 
outdoor recreation opportunities for economically disadvantaged 
communities in close proximity to national parks and national 
wildlife refuges.
    Arlington Memorial Bridge.--A recent inspection of the 
Arlington Memorial Bridge by the Federal Highway Administration 
(FHA) revealed severe deterioration that had accelerated since 
a 2015 inspection. More than 68,000 vehicles traverse the 
bridge between Virginia and the District of Columbia on a daily 
basis. Repair and renovation costs to the bridge--the symbolic 
entry to Washington, DC, as well as the gateway to Arlington 
National Cemetery--are estimated at $250 million.
    The National Park Service and engineers from the FHA have 
been monitoring the condition of the bridge for many years, 
making minor repairs as needed and recently limiting vehicle 
weight to ensure safe operation. Federal inspectors have now 
determined that significant structural issues including ongoing 
deterioration of trunnion posts, the bascule span, and the 
bridge decking must be addressed within five years or, as the 
FHA concluded, the bridge will have to be closed in 2021.
    More than 50 percent of the Service's $11.9 billion in 
deferred maintenance needs are related to transportation assets 
funded outside of this bill's jurisdiction. This includes 5,500 
miles of paved roads, 7,000 miles of unpaved roads, and 1,451 
bridges. The Service received $268 million for its fiscal year 
2016 system-wide transportation budget as a result of the 
Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act, P.L. 
114-94) signed into law in December, 2015. The FAST Act also 
established two Department of Transportation grant programs to 
address large, complex, nationally significant projects like 
the Memorial Bridge restoration which require non-Federal 
matching dollars. The Committee understands that the Service 
and the District government have submitted a grant application 
seeking $150 million from the Department of Transportation for 
bridge repairs.
    The Memorial Bridge rehabilitation and reconstruction 
effort will require the active bipartisan support of Federal, 
State, and local leaders. The Committee urges the Service to 
pursue coalitions and partnerships, modeled after similar 
projects including the Tamiami Trail bridge project within 
Everglades National Park, to leverage and secure necessary 
funding to complete this critical project in a timely manner.
    Sale of water in disposable, recyclable plastic bottles.--
The Committee recognizes bipartisan concerns raised over the 
Director's Policy Memorandum 11-03 relating to disposable 
plastic water bottle recycling and reduction. The Director's 
memorandum provides national park units the option to eliminate 
the sale of bottled water. The memorandum requires that 
proposals for bans be based upon a rigorous written impact 
analysis, considering certain specified factors relating to 
health and safety, waste reduction, cost, and impacts on 
concessioners. The Committee understands that 22 parks have 
eliminated the sale of disposable water bottles as a result of 
this policy.
    The explanatory statement accompanying Division G of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 included a directive for 
the Service to report on the justification each affected 
Service unit has used to ban the sale of bottled water. The 
report provided to the Committee in April fails to provide 
sufficient data to justify the Service's actions. In some 
instances, the analysis and effects of the bottled water ban 
relies on estimates and projections rather than concrete, 
measurable impacts and results.
    Eliminating water as a healthy choice for bottled drinks in 
national parks contradicts the Service's Healthy Parks Healthy 
People initiative as well as established efforts to encourage 
park visitors to make healthy food and beverage choices. While 
well-intentioned, the Service's policy simply defies common 
sense and is not in the public interest. Bottled water, 
arguably the healthiest beverage option for national park 
visitors, is subject to a sales ban while sales of soft drinks, 
juices, and sports drinks continue. The Committee maintains 
park visitors are entitled to purchase bottled water wherever 
other packaged beverages are sold in national parks.
    The bill includes language prohibiting the use of funds to 
eliminate the sale in national parks of water in disposable, 
recyclable plastic bottles. The Committee directs the Service 
to advance its stated goal of reducing the waste stream through 
emphasizing to the visiting public the importance of recycling 
plastic waste from all bottled beverages sold in parks. 
Further, the Committee urges the Service to partner with non-
governmental entities to develop a comprehensive, effective 
program that uniformly addresses plastic waste recycling 
system-wide.
    NDAA evaluation.--The Committee notes that the Service is 
deficient in providing an evaluation as directed, not later 
than 90 days after enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations 
Act, 2016, of Section 3040 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. 
``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2015. The Committee directs the Service to complete the 
evaluation expeditiously.
    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 2016 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. These concerns over restrictions to access points, 
trails, and reductions of allowable horsepower for motorized 
vessels in certain areas of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways 
merit continued examination and review by the Service. The 
Service is directed to work collaboratively with affected 
parties with the intent of honoring traditional access and 
ensuring 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.
    Historic Dairying and Ranching.--The Service is directed to 
complete and implement its Ranch Comprehensive Management Plan 
at the Point Reyes National Seashore in a manner that supports 
historic beef and dairy ranches and natural and cultural 
resources in the pastoral zone. Until the date on which new 
permits or other authorizations are issued pursuant to the 
Ranch Comprehensive Management Plan, the Secretary is directed 
to continue to issue permits and authorizations for existing 
beef and dairy ranches in the pastoral zone.
    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 
Committee reports, 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 renews its previous request that directs the Service 
to provide a report, within six months of enactment of this 
Act, detailing its progress towards expanding use of this 
authority. Included in this report should be (1) a list of 
structures the Service considers high-priority candidates for 
leasing, (2) a list of structures currently under a lease 
arrangement, (3) an estimate of the number of leases that have 
enabled private sector investments using the Service-
administered historic tax credit, and (4) any statutory or 
regulatory impediments that now inhibit the enhanced use of 
leasing of historic structures.
    Ford's Theater.--The Committee understands that while 
Ford's Theater serves over 650,000 visitors annually, there are 
many who are unable to visit the site. The Committee supports 
Ford's Theater's plan to expand virtual access to the site over 
the next two fiscal years by investing in digital initiatives. 
Specifically, the theater plans to enhance interpretation and 
accessibility through expanded wireless connectivity and 
bandwidth, a new website, virtual field trips and digital 
interpretive tools. These initiatives will allow Ford's Theater 
to better serve and engage diverse audiences and create access 
for youth and others unable to physically visit this historic 
site.
    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 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, 2016...........................       $62,632,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        54,392,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        62,632,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        +8,240,000
 

    The Committee recommends $62,632,000 for national 
recreation and preservation, equal to the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and $8,240,000 above 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.
    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 $19,821,000 for the Heritage Partnership Program 
(HPP), equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. These funds 
support grants to local nonprofit groups in support of 
historical and cultural recognition, preservation and tourism 
activities. Congress has in recent years expanded from 27 to 49 
the number of authorized heritage partnerships, creating 
additional pressure on available grant funding. The Service, as 
the administrator of the program, has developed a funding 
strategy that ensures newer areas receive Federal funding to 
establish themselves to a level that should eventually become 
self-sufficient. 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-sufficiency. The Committee supports the Service's 
efforts to allocate funding in a manner that moves all 49 areas 
towards self-sufficiency.
    Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area (MPNHA).--The 
Committee recognizes Snow College's Mormon Pioneer Heritage 
Institute (MPHI) as the academic center for the Mormon Pioneer 
National Heritage Area (MPNHA). The Service and the MPNHA are 
encouraged to work cooperatively with MPHI to ensure the long-
term viability and sustainability of the MPNHA.
    Maritime Heritage Preservation.--The Committee is aware of 
the Service's cooperative partnership with the Maritime 
Administration to promote public awareness and appreciation for 
the Nation's maritime heritage, including the National Maritime 
Heritage Grant Program. The Committee supports the efforts of 
this grant program to advance educational efforts and address 
preservation of historically significant maritime properties, 
including historic battleships.
    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 (ABPP) which assists in 
the preservation and protection of America's battlefields 
through site identification, documentation, planning, 
interpretation, and educational efforts. The Committee is aware 
of increased workload and associated delays in grant processing 
due to the program's expansion of eligibility to sites 
associated with the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, and 
has provided funds within the Land Acquisition and State 
Assistance account to allow for timely review and processing of 
grants.

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

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $65,410,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        87,410,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        78,410,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       +13,000,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -9,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $78,410,000 for historic 
preservation, $13,000,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and $9,000,000 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 $11,985,000 for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices. The 
bill also provides $11,500,000 for competitive grants of which 
$500,000 is for grants to underserved communities and 
$11,000,000 is for competitive grants to document, interpret, 
and preserve historical sites associated with the Civil Rights 
Movement. The bill also includes $3,000,000 for competitive 
grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) 
and $5,000,000 for the Save America's Treasures competitive 
grant program for preservation of nationally significant sites, 
structures, and artifacts.
    National Historical Preservation Program.--The Committee 
recognizes the importance of enhancing the energy efficiency of 
historic buildings and urges the National Park Service to 
review and update its National Historical Preservation Program 
guidance to simplify the process through which owners of 
designated properties may undertake energy modernization 
efforts.

                              CONSTRUCTION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $192,937,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       252,038,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       215,707,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       +22,770,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -36,331,000
 

    The Committee recommends $215,707,000 for Construction, 
$22,770,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$36,331,000 below the budget request.
    Line-Item Construction.--The bill provides $129,501,000 in 
funding for line-item construction projects. The amount 
provided fully funds the top 20 construction projects as 
prioritized by the Service in the fiscal year 2017 budget 
request. Requests for reprogramming will be considered pursuant 
to the guidelines contained in this Act.
    Bill Language.--The Committee has maintained bill language 
from prior years providing that a single procurement may be 
issued which includes the full scope of the project for any 
project initially funded in a fiscal year with a future phase 
indicated in the Service's 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, 2016...........................      -$28,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       -30,000,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       -28,000,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        +2,000,000
 

    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 2017. The Committee does not agree with 
the Administration's proposal to permanently cancel the 
authority.

                 LAND ACQUISITION AND STATE ASSISTANCE

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $173,670,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       178,248,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       128,752,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       -44,918,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -49,496,000
 

    The Committee recommends $128,752,000 for Land Acquisition 
and State Assistance, $44,918,000 below the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and $49,496,000 below the budget request. The 
recommendation includes $71,839,000 for State Conservation 
Grants; $5,000,000 for the competitive Outdoor Recreation 
Legacy Partnership (ORLP) grant program; and $22,500,000 for 
acquisitions. Additionally, $10,000,000 is included for the 
American Battlefield Protection Program (ABPP), equal to the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and the budget request. Funds 
have been provided, as requested, for ABPP grant 
administration, to allow for timely review and processing of 
grants. A detailed table of funding recommendations below the 
account level is provided at the end of this report. Language 
and direction on Land and Water Conservation Fund programs is 
provided below, and in the front of this report.
    The recommendation includes $1,000,000 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 Service is 
directed to notify the Committee of any land acquired with 
these funds.

                          CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $15,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        35,000,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        30,000,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       +15,000,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -5,000,000
 

    The Committee has provided $30,000,000 for the Centennial 
Challenge matching grant program, a key component of the 
Service's Centennial Initiative. The Committee notes that the 
$15,000,000 in Centennial Challenge funds provided to the 
Service in fiscal year 2016 was matched with nearly $33,000,000 
from more than 90 partner organizations nationwide. These funds 
are now financing 69 projects to improve visitor services at 
more than 63 parks in 38 States, the District of Columbia, and 
the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Committee commends the Service for 
its success in garnering non-Federal assistance for the 
completion of these and future projects as the Service 
celebrates 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 further encourages the Service to provide 
consideration to Centennial Challenge projects which have a 
deferred maintenance component in order to alleviate the 
sizeable deferred maintenance backlog within the System. 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, 2016...........................    $1,062,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................     1,168,803,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................     1,080,006,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       +18,006,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -88,797,000
 

    The Committee recommends $1,080,006,000 for Surveys, 
Investigations, and Research, $18,006,000 above the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level and $88,797,000 below the budget request. 
The recommendation recognizes that the Survey's 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 $160,732,000 for 
ecosystem programs, $2,691,000 above the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and $13,206,000 below the budget request. 
Increases include $250,000, as requested, for Great Lakes 
fisheries assessments and $250,000 for the invasive species 
program. The recommendation provides requested funding levels 
for Asian Carp control; the California Bay Delta; the 
Chesapeake Bay; the Everglades; and the Great Lakes. The Survey 
is expected to allocate Great Lakes Restoration Initiative 
(GLRI) funds in accordance with the funding allocation 
methodology used in fiscal year 2016. Additionally, the 
Committee remains concerned about white-nose syndrome and 
provides funds as requested for continued research on the 
disease, to enhance the ability of decision makers to develop 
management strategies to preserve vulnerable bat populations 
and the ecosystem services that bats provide.
    The Committee commends the work of the Federal Tick Borne 
Disease Integrated Pest Management Workgroup, in particular its 
recognition of the critical importance of better understanding 
the geographical distribution of Lyme and other tick borne 
diseases. The Committee requests that no later than 120 days 
after enactment of this Act, USGS submit to the Committee a 
report detailing progress in coordinating Federal research into 
the relationship between tick prevalence and environmental 
factors, including ecological changes and shifting land-use 
patterns.
    The Committee supports the continuation of USGS research on 
understanding the prevalence of toxins in the nation's natural 
bodies of water by expanding their understanding of 
cyanobacteria and toxins in stream and wetland ecosystems. USGS 
is encouraged to participate in interagency efforts to expedite 
the development of remote sensing tools to assist with early 
event warning delivered through mobile devices and web portals.
    Climate and Land Use Change.--The Committee recommends 
$145,975,000 for climate and land use change programs. The 
Committee supports existing Landsat operations and the 
accelerated launch schedule for Landsat-9 and therefore 
recommends $78,194,000, $6,000,000 above the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level, for the land remote sensing account. Carryover 
balances from the satellite operations account should be 
applied to cover anticipated costs for Landsat-9 development.
    The Committee recognizes the benefits of a diverse 
workforce and encourages the Department to make an effort to 
diversify its workforce through outreach and recruitment 
programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, 
Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other Minority Serving 
Institutions.
    Energy, Mineral, and Environmental Health.--The Committee 
recommends $94,511,000 for the energy, mineral and 
environmental health program, equal to the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and $4,972,000 below the budget request. The 
Committee applauds USGS' Open Data policy and encourages 
collaborations with other Federal agencies and research 
partners, as appropriate, that could utilize the Survey's 
environmental health data.
    Natural Hazards.--The Committee recommends $142,863,000 for 
natural hazards programs, $4,024,000 above the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and $6,838,000 below the budget request.
    The Committee continues to be concerned about the lack of 
knowledge and real-time instrumentation available for the 
Cascadia subduction zone and the potential devastation a major 
earthquake would have on the West Coast. The Committee 
recommends $10,200,000 for continued development, expansion, 
and upgrading of the infrastructure necessary for an earthquake 
early warning system.
    The Committee recommends $800,000, as requested, for USGS 
to assume operations of the Central and Eastern U.S. Seismic 
Network (CEUSN) as a permanent part of the Advanced National 
Seismic System (ANSS). The network provides greatly improved 
earthquake detection and accuracy in the region that hosts most 
of the Nation's nuclear power reactors, and also in areas that 
have seen increased seismicity since 2009.
    The Committee remains concerned that systems and equipment 
used to monitor, detect and warn the public of volcano hazards, 
including lahars, on high-threat volcanoes in the United States 
are outdated and inadequate to address the substantial risks. 
The recommendation retains the $1,000,000 increase provided to 
the Volcano Hazards program in the Consolidated Appropriations 
Act, 2016, to be used for necessary work on next-generation 
lahar warning systems at very high threat volcanoes.
    Water Resources.--The Committee recommends $216,060,000 for 
water resources, $3,008,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. The recommendation includes increases to the Water 
Availability and Use Science program for the continuity and 
expansion of data collection and research programs that support 
water planning and decision making across all States. Requested 
increases are also recommended for the Groundwater and 
Streamflow Information program, and for the Enhanced 
Cooperative Activities and Urban Waters initiative within the 
National Water Quality program.
    The Cooperative Matching Funds program is designed to bring 
State, tribal, and local partners together to respond to 
emerging water issues through shared efforts and funding. The 
recommendation provides $60,132,000 to support this 
collaboration, $2,422,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level.
    Core Science Systems.--The Committee recommends 
$113,833,000 for core science systems, of which $24,486,000 is 
for the National Cooperative Geological Mapping program. An 
increase of $2,194,000 is provided for 3-D elevation mapping 
within the National Geospatial program, to include $500,000 
requested for landscape level assessments of the Chesapeake 
Bay.
    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 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 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 (OCS) 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, 2016...........................      $170,857,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       175,138,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       169,306,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        -1,551,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -5,832,000
 

    The Committee recommends $169,306,000 for Ocean Energy 
Management, $1,551,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level 
and $5,832,000 below the budget request. This amount will be 
partially offset with the estimated collection of rental 
receipts and cost recovery fees totaling $94,944,000. The 
Committee agrees to the proposed shift in receipts between BOEM 
and BSEE and is monitoring the continued decline in rental 
receipts. The Committee recommendation does not provide funding 
for National Ocean Policy Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning.

             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 (OCS). Leases in Federal waters 
off the shores of California, Alaska, and the Gulf of Mexico 
provide about 16 percent of the Nation's oil production and 
about 5 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, 2016...........................      $189,772,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       189,968,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       189,968,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................          +196,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $189,968,000 for Offshore Safety 
and Environmental Enforcement as requested and $196,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. This amount will be 
partially offset with the estimated collection of offsetting 
rental receipts, cost recovery fees and inspection fees 
totaling $96,530,000. The Committee is monitoring the continued 
decline in rental receipts and notes that the Bureau has 
unobligated, unexpired carryover balances from prior years to 
cover the anticipated shortfall from the loss of revenue 
receipts in fiscal year 2017. These balances are sufficient to 
prevent operational impacts from the shortfall in lost receipts 
in fiscal year 2017. The Bureau should not expect that the 
Committee will substitute increased appropriated funds for 
lower offsetting collections in future years. The Bureau will 
need to prioritize program activities accordingly.

                           OIL SPILL RESEARCH

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $14,899,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        14,899,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        14,899,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $14,899,000 for Oil Spill 
Research, equal to the fiscal year 2016 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.

                       REGULATION AND TECHNOLOGY

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $123,253,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       127,550,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       119,300,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        -3,953,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -8,250,000
 

    The Committee recommends $119,300,000 for Regulation and 
Technology, $3,953,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level 
and $8,250,000 below the budget request. The bill funds 
regulatory grants at $68,590,000, equal to the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level. The Committee continues to reject the proposal 
to increase inspections and enhanced 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.
    Consistent with language in the bill, the recommendation 
includes reductions specified in the table at the end of this 
report that are associated with activities to revise the Stream 
Buffer rule. The Committee provides no funds for such 
activities.

                    ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $117,303,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        30,375,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       117,303,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       +86,928,000
 

    The Committee recommends $117,303,000 for the Abandoned 
Mine Reclamation Fund equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and $86,928,000 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 2016 
appropriation, and $90,000,000 shall be derived from the 
General Fund.
    The Committee provides a total of $90,000,000 for grants to 
States for the reclamation of abandoned mine lands in 
conjunction with economic and community development and reuse 
goals. 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 $174 million in mandatory 
payments from the Abandoned Mine Land fund in fiscal year 2017.
    For fiscal year 2017, $75,000,000 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. 
Consistent with fiscal year 2016 implementation, 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.
    Further, the Committee believes that an incremental 
approach is warranted to better understand programmatic impacts 
of proposing criteria changes to the underlying law. Each State 
presents unique opportunities and the Committee believes more 
States can contribute to the success of the pilot. As such, the 
Committee provides $15,000,000 for the next 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. The $15,000,000 shall be divided 
equally among the next three States. Eligible grant recipients 
for the $15,000,000 are also limited to State and local 
governmental entities who may subcontract project-related 
activities as appropriate. The Committee expects that the 
efforts of all six States under this pilot program will inform 
future policy discussions, possibly under a reauthorization of 
SMCRA, which the Committee supports.

        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 (AI/AN) who are enrolled members of 567 federally 
recognized tribes in the 48 contiguous United States and 
Alaska. While the role of the organization has changed 
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. Almost 85 
percent of all appropriations expended at the local level, and 
over 62 percent of appropriations provided directly to tribes 
and tribal organizations through grants, contracts, and 
compacts.
    In preparation for the fiscal year 2017 appropriation bill, 
the Subcommittee held two days of hearings and received 
testimony from over 75 witnesses on a variety of topics 
pertaining to AI/AN 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 for Indian Country programs in this bill 
in order to address longstanding and underfunded needs.

                      OPERATION OF INDIAN PROGRAMS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................    $2,267,924,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................     2,395,786,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................     2,335,635,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       +67,711,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -60,151,000
 

    The Committee recommends $2,335,635,000 for Operation of 
Indian Programs, $67,711,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and $60,151,000 below the budget request. Descriptions of 
activities below the account level are contained in the 
justification submitted to the Congress, except as otherwise 
discussed below and summarized in the table at the end of this 
report.
    Road Maintenance.--The recommendation includes $30,000,000 
for Road Maintenance, $3,217,000 above the budget request. The 
Committee recognizes that only 16 percent of BIA-owned roads 
and only 67 percent of BIA-owned bridges are in fair condition 
or better. The increase above the budget request is intended 
for BIA-owned roads and bridges in poor or failing condition, 
particularly along school bus routes.
    The Committee remains concerned by the BIA's substantial 
road maintenance backlog, particularly as it impacts rural 
tribal communities that lack adequate emergency access 
corridors. The Committee directs the Secretary to submit a 
report outlining the steps the BIA is taking to address the 
safety and emergency access issues experienced by remote and 
isolated tribal communities.
    Tribal Government Program Oversight.--The recommendation 
does not include the requested increases for the 
Nativeonestop.gov web portal because of the already limited 
funding for core tribal government programs. Indian Affairs is 
encouraged to coordinate with the Grants.gov web portal, to 
share costs with other Federal agencies, and to reconsider the 
need to hire regional staff, before including the proposal in 
the fiscal year 2018 budget request.
    Social Services.--The recommendation includes $55,500,000 
for Social Services, $10,321,000 above the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level, in order to provide culturally-appropriate 
services with the goals of empowering individuals and families 
through health promotion, family stability, and strengthening 
tribal communities as a whole. Indian Affairs is urged to make 
services available to law enforcement officers in coordination 
with the Indian Health Service.
    Indian Child Welfare Act.--The recommendation includes 
$18,509,000 for implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act, 
$2,868,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level, in order 
to keep AI/AN children in need of foster care in AI/AN 
communities wherever possible.
    Rights Protection Implementation.--The recommendation 
includes $40,161,000 as requested for rights protection 
implementation, $2,523,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level, in order to meet Federal court litigated and mitigated 
responsibilities in the conservation and management of fish and 
wildlife resources.
    The Committee supports the Bureau of Indian Affairs' 
efforts to address the resiliency needs of tribal communities 
by working to address threats to public safety, natural 
resources, and sacred sites. The Committee is particularly 
concerned about coastal tribal communities and Alaska Native 
Villages that face severe challenges to their long-term 
resilience. Consistent with the Federal government's treaty and 
trust obligations, the Committee directs the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs to work with at-risk tribes to identify and expedite 
the necessary resources to support mitigation and relocation 
efforts.
    Forestry.--The Department of the Interior is encouraged to 
promote and expand the use of agreements with Indian tribes to 
protect Indian trust resources from catastrophic wildland fire, 
insect and disease infestation, or other threats from adjacent 
Federal lands, as authorized by law.
    Water Resources.--The recommendation includes $10,450,000 
for Water Resources, $83,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level, of which $390,000 is to continue the Seminole and 
Miccosukee water study, as requested.
    Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.--The recommendation includes 
$14,414,000 for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, $768,000 above the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level.
    Trust--Real Estate Services.--The recommendation includes 
$121,192,000 for Trust--Real Estate Services, $6,294,000 below 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level, including the proposed 
reduction of $6,893,000 for completion of the Klamath River 
program. Indian Affairs is directed to recognize the Yakama 
Indian Nation's tribal boundary as the boundary established by 
the State of Washington and the Congress.
    The Committee directs the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to 
have no outstanding title conveyance requests older than 12 
months, including those that have been initially rejected by 
the Land Titles and Record Offices for insufficient or 
incorrect documentation, by September, 2017. The Committee 
expects an update on the status of outstanding conveyances by 
September, 2017 and a report on what the BIA will be changing 
in their operations policy to ensure these backlogs and 
documentation related rejections do not occur in the future.
    Public Safety and Justice.--The recommendation includes 
$384,730,000 for Public Safety and Justice, $7,307,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level, and $11,270,000 above the 
budget request. Criminal investigations and police services are 
increased by $3,064,000 above the budget request to continue 
reducing the disparity in the number of patrol officers per 
population size in Indian Country, as compared to the Nation as 
a whole. Other program increases include $1,000,000 for 
detention/corrections and $2,600,000 for tribal courts, as 
requested. The $8,211,000 proposed reduction to tribal justice 
support has been restored. Indian Affairs is urged to improve 
officer safety by eliminating radio tower communications dead 
zones.
    For the purpose of addressing the needs of juveniles in 
custody at tribal detention centers operated or administered by 
the BIA, the Committee considers educational and health-related 
services to juveniles in custody to be allowable costs for 
detention/corrections program funding. Indian Affairs is 
further urged to provide mental health and substance abuse 
services when needed by juvenile and adult detainees and 
convicted prisoners.
    The Committee recommends $1,000,000 to support the 
development of a Cultural Items Unit within the Division of Law 
Enforcement tasked with investigating violations of the Native 
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) (25 
U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), and related law. Although domestic laws 
such as NAGPRA can be enforced to address the theft of tribal 
cultural items with both criminal and civil penalties, without 
active Federal support, tribes are left only to do what they 
each can independently afford to do to stop the theft and sale 
of their cultural items. Therefore, the Committee supports the 
BIA in developing the capacity to coordinate investigations of 
violations of NAGPRA and related law.
    Community and Economic Development.--The recommendation 
includes $42,844,000 as requested for Community and Economic 
Development, $2,225,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level, for job placement and training, competitive pay rates in 
oil and gas programs, and legal infrastructure to encourage 
credit and other capital transactions. Indian Affairs is 
encouraged to submit a budget request for fiscal year 2018 for 
the next phase of the energy office.
    Executive Direction and Administrative Services.--The 
recommendation includes $231,784,000 for executive direction 
and administrative services, $12,170,000 below the budget 
request, and includes the $1,300,000 program increase for 
safety inspections. Indian Affairs is directed to complete 
annual health and safety inspections of all BIE system 
facilities, and to submit quarterly updates on the status of 
such inspections to the Congress.
    Bureau of Indian Education (BIE).--The Committee recommends 
$892,886,000 for BIE system operations and maintenance, 
$40,519,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$19,544,000 below the budget request. The recommendation 
largely supports the budget request, except where discussed 
below. 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 BIE system is undergoing a major transformation, in 
direct response to these reports, in order to meet the changing 
needs of schools now that most schools are tribally-run, and in 
order to improve accountability. With the concurrence of 
elected tribal leaders and major intertribal organizations, the 
Committee continues to support this transformation. By the end 
of fiscal year 2017, all of the education-related 
responsibilities under Indian Affairs, including procurement, 
human resources, budget and finance, and BIE facilities 
operations, maintenance, and inspections, should be 
consolidated under the BIE, which should be led by an 
experienced and proven superintendent selected from a pool of 
qualified candidates inside and outside the BIE system.
    The recommendation includes $14,201,000 as requested for 
education program enhancements, of which $5,000,000 is for 
language immersion demonstration grants.
    The recommendation includes $3,000,000 for the development 
and operation of tribal departments or divisions of education 
(TEDs) as authorized by 25 U.S.C. 2020, $1,000,000 above the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and the budget request. TEDs are 
instrumental in helping tribes build the capacity to oversee 
the high quality and culturally appropriate education of tribal 
members.
    The recommendation includes $57,245,000 as requested for 
Student Transportation, $4,103,000 above the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level. The BIE is urged to oversee and report on the 
safety of school bus routes.
    The recommendation includes $19,659,000 as requested for 
the Family and Child Education (FACE) program, $4,039,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. The BIE is directed to 
conduct an annual review of the FACE program and to publish its 
findings in order to improve program direction and 
transparency.
    The recommendation fully funds tribal grant support costs 
at $75,335,000, as requested, $2,059,000 above the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level. Fully funding these costs is consistent 
with the policy of fully funding contract support costs, and is 
instrumental for tribal control of more BIE-system schools.
    The recommendation includes $125,262,000 as requested for 
facilities operations and maintenance. The BIE should combine 
the two program elements into one, recalculate the annual 
estimated need according to industry standards, and report any 
estimated shortfall in future budget justifications.
    The recommendation includes $14,778,000 for the Johnson-
O'Malley (JOM) program, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. The Committee continues to encourage the BIE and tribal 
partners to establish a regular and accurate student count so 
that future appropriations more accurately reflect the increase 
and distribution of the eligible student population. The 
Committee directs the Bureau, in consultation with tribal 
leaders and in coordination with the Department of Education 
and the Census Bureau, to examine the feasibility of using U.S. 
Census or National Center for Education Statistics data to 
provide the JOM student count. The Committee requests that a 
report be provided to Congress, tribal leaders, and existing 
JOM contractors no later than September 30, 2017, that (i) uses 
this data to estimate the number of potentially eligible Indian 
students, and (ii) proposes a process to reconcile this data 
with information from eligible contracting entities and tribal 
enrollment to determine funding distributions.
    The recommendation does not include the proposed program 
increase for broadband access. Without question, high speed 
internet access is essential for student success and economic 
development in modern society. However, the Government 
Accountability Office recently identified tribal internet 
access as an area of fragmentation, overlap, or duplication 
(GAO 16 375SP). Indian Affairs is urged to coordinate with 
larger, existing broadband access programs funded by the 
Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture.
    The BIE is encouraged to coordinate with the Indian Health 
Service to integrate preventive dental care and mental health 
care at schools within the BIE system.
    The recommendation continues bill 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 recognizes that level funding and increasing 
enrollment has resulted in steadily decreasing funding for 
Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) on a per student basis. 
Therefore, the Committee directs the Bureau to articulate a 
process in the fiscal year 2018 congressional budget 
justification to annually fund TCUs on a per Indian student 
basis, as authorized under the Tribally Controlled Colleges & 
Universities Assistance Act in 1978 (P.L. 95-471), and to 
compare that funding to the authorized level of $8,000 per 
student.

                         CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $277,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       278,000,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       278,000,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        +1,000,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $278,000,000 for Contract Support 
Costs, $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
equal to the budget request.
    Bill Language.--The recommendation continues bill language 
making available for two years such sums as are necessary to 
meet the Federal government's full legal obligation, and 
prohibiting the transfer of funds to any other account for any 
other purpose. Language addressing contract funds that go 
unspent in a given fiscal year is discontinued.

                              CONSTRUCTION

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $193,973,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       197,017,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       197,017,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        +3,044,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $197,017,000 for Construction, as 
requested, $3,044,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. 
Details are contained in the justification submitted to the 
Congress, except as otherwise discussed below.
    Education.--The recommendation includes $138,257,000 as 
requested for education construction, of which $45,504,000 is 
for campus-wide replacement, $11,935,000 is for component 
facilities replacement, $7,567,000 is for employee housing 
repair, and $73,251,000 is for facilities improvement and 
repair.
    The Committee recognizes the School Facilities & 
Construction Negotiated Rulemaking Committee was established 
under Public Law 107-110 for the equitable distribution of 
funds. Appropriations in this bill for campus-wide replacement 
are limited to the 10 schools selected via the rulemaking 
committee process and published by Indian Affairs on April 5, 
2016 (www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/AS-IA/OFECR/index.htm). The BIE 
should submit a similar list for facilities with the fiscal 
year 2018 budget request.
    Looking ahead beyond the completion of the schools and 
component facilities on such lists, the Committee remains 
concerned that the current approach to construction focuses on 
only a subset of schools and requires those schools to submit 
applications and compete for the funding. A more comprehensive, 
long-term planning approach is needed for every campus and 
component facility in the BIE system, modeled after the 
Department of Defense Education Activity. Indian Affairs is 
therefore directed to publish a report on the status of its 
education construction program no later than one year after the 
date of enactment of this Act. The report shall include, at a 
minimum:
          (1) A comprehensive list of all current BIE schools 
        and a quality assessment of each school's facilities 
        (including dormitories and employee housing), 
        indicating where facilities are nonexistent, 
        undersized, or otherwise inadequate to support 
        education and associated wellness programs including 
        native language and other cultural programs;
          (2) A comprehensive list, which shall incorporate 
        student enrollment projections as well as space for 
        language and other cultural programming, of all 
        construction projects and costs required to bring 
        entire school campuses and component facilities up to 
        industry standards and eliminate temporary facilities;
          (3) An estimate of the total annual sustainment, 
        restoration, and modernization funds required to 
        maintain the facilities of each BIE school up to code 
        and in good condition; and
          (4) A complete accounting of the process and status 
        of facilities health, safety, and condition 
        inspections.
    The Committee recognizes the tremendous costs needed to 
bring and maintain all BIE schools up to code and in good 
condition, and the futility of doing so in a reasonable 
timeframe with funds provided solely via this annual 
appropriation. The Committee continues to look for innovative 
ways to leverage this appropriation with other sources of 
Federal financing, such as existing tax credits, in order to 
more quickly replace the substandard facilities throughout the 
BIE system. To that end, the bill includes a general provision 
in Title I, which builds upon the President's proposal to 
reconstitute the National Fund for Excellence in American 
Indian Education (Fund).
    The Title I general provision would reconstitute the Fund 
as a federally chartered corporation affiliated with a 
501(c)(3) national organization whose mission is to represent 
Native American students and educators for the improvement of 
schools and the education of Native children. The Fund would be 
authorized to leverage a portion of the annual construction 
appropriation with philanthropic donations of funds and 
property, and with other sources of Federal financing such as 
Qualified School Construction Bonds, New Markets Tax Credits, 
historical tax credits, and Federal grant programs.
    Public Safety and Justice.--The Committee is concerned that 
Indian Affairs' focus on alternatives to incarceration has come 
at a cost to justice facilities construction. Indian Affairs, 
in coordination with the Department of Justice, is therefore 
urged to consider including with its fiscal year 2018 budget 
request a legislative proposal for a joint venture 
demonstration program for regional justice centers, similar to 
the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes' Justice Center, and modeled after 
the joint venture program for Indian health facilities.

 INDIAN LAND AND WATER CLAIM SETTLEMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS PAYMENTS TO 
                                INDIANS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $49,475,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        55,155,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        49,025,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................          -450,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -6,130,000
 

    The Committee recommends $49,025,000 for Indian Land and 
Water Claim Settlements and Miscellaneous Payments to Indians, 
$450,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$6,130,000 below the budget request. The recommended level 
enables Indian Affairs to meet statutory deadlines of all 
authorized settlement agreements to date. Indian Affairs is 
directed to submit an allocation plan to the Committee within 
90 days of enactment of this Act.
    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, 2016...........................        $7,748,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................         7,757,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................         8,757,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        +1,009,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        +1,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $8,757,000 for the Indian 
Guaranteed Loan Program Account, $1,009,000 above the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level and $1,000,000 above the budget 
request. The Indian Guaranteed Loan Program is the most 
effective Federal program tailored, dedicated to, and capable 
of facilitating greater access to private capital for Indian 
tribes and Indian-owned economic enterprises.

                          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 (ONNR) 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, 2016...........................      $721,769,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       278,376,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       749,422,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       +27,653,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................      +471,046,000
 

    The Committee recommends $749,422,000 for Departmental 
Operations, $27,653,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and $471,046,000 above the budget request. Increases 
above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level include $225,000 for 
equipment associated with monitoring classified computers and 
communication devices supporting the Office of the Secretary 
and the intelligence community in light of ongoing terrorist 
threats to national icons; $110,000 to support the Indian Arts 
and Crafts Board's law enforcement and investigation 
activities; $968,000 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 
$480,000,000 to fully fund the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) 
program for fiscal year 2017. The Office of Valuation Services 
is funded at $10,000,000.
    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.
    San Joaquin River.--The Committee directs the Secretary to 
carefully weigh the anticipated benefits of the Bureau of 
Reclamation's forthcoming plan for the Upper San Joaquin River 
prior to making a decision regarding a Wild and Scenic River 
designation for a portion of the river.
    Rights-of-Way.--The Committee is concerned that the 
Department of the Interior Solicitor General has reinterpreted 
long-standing policy and precedent regarding rights-of-way and 
directs the Department to engage all interested entities to 
reach a reasonable resolution to the issue.
    Royalty Policy Committee.--The Committee believes the 
Royalty Policy Committee plays an important role in determining 
Federal royalty rates and product valuation regulations and 
directs the Secretary to reconstitute the Royalty Policy 
Committee as chartered prior to its lapse in 2014 within 30 
days of enactment of this Act.
    Bill Language.--The Committee has included bill language 
providing full funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) 
program for fiscal year 2017 and a new administrative provision 
regarding the Solicitor General's memorandum of November 4, 
2011. The bill does not include language authorizing the 
establishment of the Department of the Interior Experienced 
Services Program. The Committee urges the Department to work 
with the authorizing committees of jurisdiction to achieve the 
goals of this program.

                            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.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $86,976,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        99,399,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        86,976,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -12,423,000
 

    The Committee recommends $86,976,000 for Assistance to 
Territories, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$12,423,000 below the budget request. A detailed table of 
funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 
the end of this report.
    Regional Biosecurity Plan (RBP) for Micronesia and 
Hawaii.--The Committee recognizes that the Office of Insular 
Affairs is supportive of proposed actions contained within the 
RBP. The Office is directed to include with its fiscal year 
2018 budget request a summary of the Office's role in the 
development and implementation activities of the RBP. The 
report should include a table of upcoming fiscal year 
activities, and, if applicable, estimates of funding to be used 
or needed for planned activities.

                      COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $16,465,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................         3,318,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................         3,318,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       -13,147,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $3,318,000 for Compact of Free 
Association, $13,147,000 below the fiscal year 2016 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 2017. 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, 2016...........................       $65,800,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        69,448,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        65,800,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -3,648,000
 

    The Committee recommends $65,800,000 for salaries and 
expenses of the Office of the Solicitor, equal to the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level and $3,648,000 below the budget 
request.

                      Office of Inspector General

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $50,047,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        55,911,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        50,047,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -5,864,000
 

    The Committee recommends $50,047,000 for salaries and 
expenses of the Office of Inspector General, equal to the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $5,864,000 below the budget 
request.
    The Committee is concerned about the recent report from the 
Inspector General of a longterm issue of sexual harassment and 
a hostile work environment at the Grand Canyon National Park's 
River District. To assure this problem is being adequately 
addressed and improved practices and operating procedures are 
instituted, the Committee directs the Inspector General to 
conduct a follow up audit no later than March 31, 2017, to 
determine the status of actionable facts, and to report back to 
the Committee on how the National Park Service is moving 
forward to respond and remedy these very serious concerns.

           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, 2016...........................      $139,029,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       140,379,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       139,029,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -1,350,000
 

    The Committee recommends $139,029,000 for Federal trust 
programs, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$1,350,000 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 $943,945,000 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, 2016...........................      $816,745,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       824,624,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       851,945,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       +35,200,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       +27,321,000
 

    The Committee recommends $851,945,000 for Wildland Fire 
Management at the Department of the Interior, $35,200,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $27,321,000 above the 
budget request. The detailed allocation of funding for these 
accounts is included in the table at the end of this report.
    Wildland Fire Preparedness.--The Committee recommends 
$332,784,000 for Wildland Fire Preparedness, $9,099,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget 
request. The Department should immediately notify the 
Committees on Appropriations if it appears that funding 
shortfalls may limit needed firefighting capacity.
    Wildland Fire Suppression.--The Committee recommends 
$302,701,000, for Wildland Fire Suppression, $11,028,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $26,410,000 above the 
budget request.
    Fuels Management.--The Committee recommends $180,000,000 
for the Fuels Management program, $10,000,000 above the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level and $30,911,000 above the budget 
request.
    The Committee encourages the Department to increase cross-
boundary collaboration through the Fuels Management Program, 
particularly with State Foresters and private sector 
organizations, in efforts to reduce hazardous fuels in high 
fire risk landscapes and to prioritize projects that work 
across ownership boundaries in landscapes, particularly those 
areas identified as priorities in State Forest Action Plans.
    Burned Area Rehabilitation.--The Committee recommends 
$20,470,000 for the Burned Area Rehabilitation program, 
$1,500,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal 
to 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 aware many National Guard installations 
have excellent resources, including land, for training National 
Guardsmen hand crews for seasonal firefighting and could 
support additional fire line training on their installations. 
The Committee encourages the Department to consider conducting 
joint fire training missions, where appropriate, with the 
National Guard.
    The Committee supports the Department's continuing 
evaluation of unmanned aerial systems to support wildland fire 
operations and is aware of the successful firefighting 
demonstration performed by an unmanned helicopter at an 
unmanned aircraft tehnology demonstration in October 2015. The 
Committee requests that the Department provide a report to 
coincide with the fiscal year 2018 budget request regarding its 
plans and recommendations for the use of unmanned aerial 
systems.

                FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $177,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................                 0
Recommended, 2017.....................................        92,000,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       -85,000,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       +92,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $92,000,000 for the FLAME Wildfire 
Suppression Reserve Fund, $85,000,000 below the fiscal year 
2016 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, 2016...........................       $10,010,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        13,513,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        10,010,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................            -3,503
 

    The Committee recommends $10,010,000 for the Central 
Hazardous Materials Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and $3,503 below the budget request. The Committee 
understands that BLM, in coordination with EPA and the Alaska 
Department of Environmental Conservation, is still in the 
process of developing proposed plans for remediation at Red 
Devil Mine and therefore does not recommend additional funds at 
this time.

           Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration

                NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................        $7,767,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................         9,229,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................         7,767,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -1,462,000
 

    The Committee recommends $7,767,000 for the Natural 
Resource Damage Assessment Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and $1,462,000 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, 2016...........................       $67,100,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       111,524,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        67,100,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -44,424,000
 

    The Committee recommends $67,100,000 for the Working 
Capital Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$44,424,000 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 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 allowing the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education to more 
efficiently and effectively perform reimbursable work.
    Section 114 prohibits the use of funds to change the status 
of sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act and to prohibit 
funds to implement Federal Resource Management Plans unless 
certain criteria are met.
    Section 115 addresses Solicitor Opinion M-37025, dated 
November 4, 2011.
    Section 116 reconstitutes the National Fund for Excellence 
in American Indian Education for the purposes of supplementing 
annual appropriations to the Bureau of Indian Education with 
other Federal and private funds.
    Section 117 addresses National Heritage Areas.
    Section 118 expands conservation fish hatcheries.
    Section 119 directs the Secretary to reissue two final 
rules removing recovered wolves in Wyoming and the Great Lakes 
from the endangered species list.
    Section 120 prohibits the use of funds to develop, carry 
out, or implement proposed regulations published on July 7, 
2015, or any changes to regulations published on June 30, 1983.
    Section 121 prohibits the use of funds to implement, 
administer, or enforce a National Park Service policy to 
eliminate the sale of water in disposable, recyclable bottles 
in national parks.
    Section 122 prohibits the use of funds to finalize the 
BLM's proposed rule titled Waste Prevention, Production Subject 
to Royalties, and Resource Conservation.
    Section 123 prohibits the use of funds to list in the 
National Register of Historic Places property deemed crucial to 
national security and military training.
    Section 124 prohibits the use of funds to change 
regulations for drilling margins and downhole mud weight as of 
April 1, 2015.
    Section 125 prohibits the implementation of a final rule 
for federally recognizing Indian tribes.
    Section 126 modifies 50 CFR 14.92(a)(1) to include 
echinoderms commonly known as sea urchins and sea cucumbers.
    Section 127 prohibits the use of funds for the Bureau of 
Offshore Energy Management to issue, finalize, or implement a 
rule until certain criteria are met.
    Section 128 addresses land taken into trust between 1934 
and February 24, 2009.

               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, as amended.
    Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as 
amended.
    Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended.
    Clean Water Act [Federal Water Pollution Control Act], as 
amended.
    Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended.
    Ocean Dumping Act [Marine Protection, Research, and 
Sanctuaries Act of 1972], as amended.
    Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
    Safe Drinking Water Act [Public Health Service Act (Title 
XIV)], as amended.
    Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act.
    Clean Air Act, as amended.
    Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002.
    Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002.
    Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), as amended.
    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 2017, the Committee recommends 
$7,976,018,000 for the Environmental Protection Agency, 
$163,869,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$291,181,000 below the budget request. Comparisons to the 
budget request and 2016 enacted levels are shown by account in 
the table at the end of the report.
    Reprogramming.--The Agency is held to the reprogramming 
limitation of $1,000,000. This limitation will be applied to 
each program 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.
    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 near-term 
applied research to provide the scientific knowledge and 
technologies necessary for preventing, regulating, and abating 
pollution, and to anticipate emerging environmental issues.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $734,648,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       754,184,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       720,072,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       -14,576,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -34,112,000
 

    The bill provides $720,072,000 for Science and Technology, 
$14,576,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$34,112,000 below the budget request. The Committee recommends 
that $15,496,000 be paid to this account from the Hazardous 
Substance 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:
    Research: Air, Climate and Energy.--The Committee 
recommends $88,282,000 and does not include funding for 
proposed additional hydraulic fracturing activities or for the 
Mission Innovation commitment.
    Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability.--The 
Committee recommends $132,265,000 and fully funds the request 
for computational toxicology. The Committee supports EPA's 
computational toxicology research activities to advance the 
next generation of risk assessment methods to enable 
integration of tiered toxicity evaluation strategies, advanced 
high throughput molecular biological assays and computational 
methods with exposure information to support risk-based 
decisions for prioritization and screening.
    Within the funds provided, $1,000,000 shall be used to 
contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct 
the peer review of the revised draft IRIS assessment of 
formaldehyde. The NAS shall ensure that all recommendations and 
concerns raised in the April 2011 report of the NAS are fully 
resolved scientifically in the revised draft assessment. 
Further, the Committee does not accept the proposed $872,000 
reduction for endocrine disruptor research.
    Research: National Priorities.--The bill provides 
$5,000,000 which shall be used for extramural research grants, 
independent of the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grant 
program, to fund high-priority water quality and availability 
research by not-for-profit organizations who often partner with 
the Agency. Because these grants are independent of the STAR 
grant program, the Agency should strive to award grants in as 
large an amount as is possible to achieve the most 
scientifically significant research. Funds shall be awarded 
competitively with priority given to partners proposing 
research of national scope 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 $5,000,000 for the Agency 
to further research on oil and gas development in the 
Appalachian Basin, of which $3,500,000 is available for 
extramural funding. The Committee encourages the Agency to work 
with the energy producing industry to explore technology to 
curtail fugitive emissions within the context of this research 
project.
    Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources.--The 
Committee recommends $107,434,000, equal to the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level. The Committee rejects the proposed 
reductions for water quality and drinking water system 
research, and the Agency shall allocate funds consistent with 
fiscal year 2016. The Committee supports planned activities in 
fiscal year 2016 to install a mobile pipe loop rig in the Flint 
drinking water treatment plant to examine lead release from 
pipes and evaluate lead mitigation strategies and corrosion 
control efforts. The Committee looks forward to the findings.
    Further, the Committee believes augmenting drinking water 
supplies through artificial or enhanced recharge into aquifers 
could represent a cost-effective way of increasing the 
availability of water. Enhanced Aquifer Recharge (EAR) also 
represents a key practice for the management and restoration of 
ecosystems. EAR may involve the use/injection of treated 
drinking water, treated wastewater or collected storm water. 
However the most promising systems have focused on the use of 
surface water diversion during high flow periods. Therefore, 
the Committee directs EPA research efforts to establish a best 
practices approach for EAR, and to the extent feasible, 
coordinate with other Federal research efforts in this area.
    Additional Guidance.--The Committee has included the 
following additional guidance with respect to funding provided 
under this account:
    Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) and other 
assessments.--At least six critical recommendations from the 
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) have yet to be implemented 
including objective evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses 
of critical studies, the need for weight of evidence evaluation 
and integration, and clearer rationale for selecting studies to 
calculate toxicity values. Additionally, the NAS identified 
specific concerns that need to be addressed when evaluating the 
hazards of formaldehyde. The Committee believes it is essential 
for the NAS to peer review the revised draft assessment of 
formaldehyde to verify whether EPA has addressed all previous 
recommendations.
    In addition, for all draft or final EPA risk assessments 
issued in fiscal year 2017, the Committee directs the Agency to 
provide clear criteria for judging the quality of all key 
studies and to provide a description of how all evidence will 
be integrated, based on its strengths and weaknesses, in 
advance of releasing any future draft assessments. When 
evaluating the potential carcinogenic effects of substances, 
the Agency shall also present non-linear modeling approaches. 
Consistent with EPA's Risk Characterization Handbook (EPA, 
2002), draft and final hazard and exposure assessments, 
produced by EPA offices, should also include the distribution 
of estimated hazards, exposures, or risks, including central 
tendency values.
    Water Security Test Bed.--Both for fiscal year 2017 and in 
future budget requests, the Committee recommends that EPA 
include adequate funding for advancing full scale applied 
research and testing capabilities to address threats to 
drinking water and drinking water infrastructure.

                 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 non-research field operations.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................    $2,613,679,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................     2,852,893,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................     2,527,470,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       -86,209,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................      -325,423,000
 

    The bill provides $2,527,470,000 for Environmental Programs 
and Management, $86,209,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and $325,423,000 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:
    Clean Air and Climate.--The Committee recommends 
$248,108,000 which is $25,000,000 below the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and $92,866,000 below the budget request. The 
Committee rejects $39,738,000 in requested increases for 
implementation of greenhouse gas regulations, methane 
regulations and to disqualify products under the Significant 
New Alternatives Policy. Further, the amount provided does not 
include funding for EPA's greenhouse gas rules for stationary 
sources, including efforts to develop Federal Implementation 
Plans while the Supreme Court has stayed the regulations. The 
Committee is concerned that EPA continues to expend funds on 
related activities despite the Supreme Court ordered stay on 
the regulations. These funds would be better used to address 
the backlog of State Implementation Plans that EPA has yet to 
approve. As such, within the funds provided, the Committee 
includes $3,000,000 to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness 
of both preconstruction and operating permitting programs.
    Environmental Protection: National Priorities.--The bill 
provides $15,000,000 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 on a 
national or multi-State regional basis, $13,500,000 for grants 
to qualified not-for-profit organizations, including 
organizations authorized by Section 1442(e) of the Safe 
Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-1(e)(8)), for the sole 
purpose of providing on-site training and technical assistance 
for water systems in rural or urban communities. The Agency is 
also directed to provide $1,500,000 for grants to qualified 
not-for-profit organizations for technical assistance for 
individual private well owners, with priority given to 
organizations that currently 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 $409,709,000. 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 2016 enacted level 
and $50,000,000 above the budget request. The Agency shall 
continue to follow the direction as provided in House Report 
112-589. In addition, as EPA distributes funds across the five 
focus areas, tribal related activities shall be maintained at 
not less than the fiscal year 2016 level. Further, the 
Committee supports ongoing work to reduce the growth of harmful 
algal blooms.
    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.
    Long Island Sound.--The Committee recommends $10,000,000, 
$6,060,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$7,107,000 above the budget request.
    Indoor Air and Radiation.--The Committee recommends 
$29,148,000, $1,511,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level. The recommendation includes no funding for the uranium 
and thorium mill tailings (Part 192) rulemaking. The Committee 
encourages EPA to withdraw this rulemaking and work with State 
regulators, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the uranium 
recovery industry to collect sufficient data to determine 
whether updates are needed to the existing generally applicable 
standards.
    Using the increase provided herein for fiscal year 2017, 
the Administrator shall take the following actions to meet the 
increased demand for radon services as a result of the National 
Radon Action Plan:
          (1) establish criteria for recognition of national 
        proficiency certification programs that use ongoing 
        performance review processes, with provision for 
        discontinuation of certifications for cause, to ensure 
        the effectiveness of private firms and individuals 
        offering radon-related measurement and mitigation 
        services utilizing consensus American National 
        Standards; recognize qualified programs; and encourage 
        States to require certification by qualified programs;
          (2) promote and encourage train-the-trainer courses 
        in radon measurement, radon mitigation, and radon 
        resistant new construction for qualified entities and 
        certifying organizations;
          (3) recognize consensus American National Standards 
        that conform to OMB Circular A-119 and the Technology 
        Transfer Act (P.L. 104-113) and support their 
        completion and adoption; and
          (4) support dialogues with organizations responsible 
        for developing national model building codes, and 
        respective authorities within States or political 
        subdivisions, to add up-to-date methods of reducing 
        radon in new buildings to model building code 
        requirements.
    Information Exchange/Outreach.--The Committee recommends 
$115,440,000. The recommendation provides $43,638,000 for 
Congressional, Intergovernmental, and External Relations. From 
within this amount, $2,200,000 has been provided for the 
Administrator's Immediate Office. The bill provides $4,235,000 
for the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental 
Relations, which is $4,000,000 below the budget request. The 
Committee is acutely aware that a backlog of responses to 
congressional letters, informal questions, and questions for 
the record exists as member offices have requested the 
Committee's assistance to obtain answers. The consistent lack 
of responsiveness to congressional inquiries has been a 
pervasive concern raised at oversight hearings throughout the 
year and the pattern suggests a systematic approach to 
hindering congressional oversight.
    Legal/Science/Regulatory/Economic Review.--The Committee 
recommends $89,234,000 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 
$482,751,000. 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 cost or contract needs. This practice invalidates Agency 
estimates of fixed cost needs and further calls into question 
the Agency's management of funds.
    Water: Ecosystems.--The Committee recommends $47,788,000. 
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 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 
$21,065,000 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: Human Health Protection.--The Committee recommends 
$100,507,000 which is $2,000,000 above the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level. The recommended level provides a $2,000,000 
increase to support technical assistance activities related to 
integrated planning, which will be increasingly necessary as 
States and communities evaluate drinking water systems for lead 
contamination issues and pipe replacement.
    Water Quality Protection.--The Committee recommends 
$212,516,000 which is $2,099,000 above the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level. In addition, the recommended level provides 
funding for the urban waters program, as requested. The 
Committee supports the proposed budget realignment of 
$2,200,000 to the new WIFIA account to support increased water 
infrastructure investment. The recommended level provides a 
$4,299,000 increase to support activities related to integrated 
planning, which will be increasingly necessary as States and 
communities evaluate water systems for lead contamination 
issues and pipe replacement. Further, the Committee is aware 
that more than one quarter of the U.S. population relies on 
onsite-decentralized systems to treat wastewater. The Committee 
urges the Agency to designate additional technical assistance, 
resources and expertise toward onsite wastewater recycling 
issues within the Decentralized Wastewater Program.
    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 2015 and 2016 funding was used, by account, 
program area, and program project. Each activity funded should 
include a justification for the effort and any anticipated 
results.
    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. The Committee encourages EPA 
to expedite and support the development, review, and 
registration of antimicrobial compounds that may lead to a 
treatment and cure for infected trees. Given the precipitous 
drop of citrus production, and the fact that no cure for the 
disease has been identified to date, the Committee directs EPA 
to use its resources to expedite review and approval of any 
treatment for this disease. Further, EPA should continue to 
prioritize and support ongoing research at land-grant colleges 
and universities. Where appropriate, the EPA should facilitate 
timely approval of USDA research in antimicrobial treatments 
and pesticide regimens.
    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.
    Disproportionate Impacts for Small Refineries.--Division D 
of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 provided direction 
that the Department of Energy may recommend to the 
Administrator a 50 percent waiver under 211(o)(9)(B) of the 
Clean Air Act. Under regulations promulgated by EPA, a small 
refinery may petition the Administrator for an extension of its 
small refinery exemption, based on disproportionate economic 
hardship, at any time (40 CFR 80.1441(e)(2)). Under those 
regulations the Administrator shall act on small refinery 
petitions not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of 
the petition. The Administrator is reminded that 
disproportionate hardship does not require a finding that the 
refiner or refinery is no longer profitable. Small refinery 
profitability does not justify a disproportionate regulatory 
burden where Congress has explicitly given EPA authority, in 
consultation with the Secretary, to reduce or eliminate this 
burden. Disproportionate impact may occur from several site 
specific factors which make it more difficult or expensive to 
meet the required volumes, or from a lack of blending 
infrastructure available to the refinery.
    Where the refiner or refinery shows a disproportionate 
economic hardship based on site specific factors and where the 
Secretary of Energy recommends to EPA that a waiver, in partial 
or full, is warranted, the Committee finds the Administrator 
has the necessary authority to grant a partial waiver. Should 
the Administrator disagree with a waiver recommendation from 
the Secretary of Energy, either to approve or deny, the Agency 
shall provide a report to the Committee on Appropriations and 
to the Secretary of Energy that explains the Agency position. 
Such report shall be provided 10 days prior to issuing a 
decision on a waiver petition.
    Exempt Aquifers.--Protecting underground sources of 
drinking water while ensuring robust economic development is of 
critical importance to the Committee. Existing criteria and 
procedures for aquifer exemptions under EPA's Underground 
Injection Control (UIC) regulations for all classes of 
injection wells are sufficiently flexible to address new and 
changed circumstances, including the development of significant 
new information regarding what can or cannot reasonably be 
expected to serve as a source of drinking water. The Committee 
believes that amendments to these criteria are not necessary or 
warranted for purposes of processing any pending or proposed 
applications. EPA is directed to work within the existing UIC 
regulatory framework, in a collaborative manner with the 
States, the energy producing industry, and all other 
stakeholders that rely on UIC operations, to promptly review 
and process all aquifer exemption applications submitted to the 
Agency, including applications for Class II injection by 
permit, to ensure robust oil and natural gas production in the 
States, and promote associated economic development and 
national security benefits, while simultaneously continuing to 
protect the Nation's underground sources of drinking water.
    Consistent with EPA's Guidance for Review and Approval of 
State UIC Programs and Revisions to Approved State Programs, 
GWPB Guidance #34, aquifer exemption applications involving 
underground injection authorized by permit shall not be 
processed as substantial program revisions, provided the 
injection is occurring into aquifers that meet the criteria for 
an exemption set forth in 40 CFR 146.4 (as in effect on April 
1, 2016), and the recommendations of key State resource 
agencies are taken in account. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 
the following aquifer exemption categories may be processed as 
substantial program revisions, irrespective of authorization by 
permit, to ensure consistency with GWPB Guidance #34 and 40 CFR 
144.7(d), respectively: (1) exemptions involving Class I 
injection into aquifers containing water less than 3,000 mg/l 
TDS; and (2) exemptions involving expansion of the areal extent 
of Class II aquifer exemptions for the purpose of Class VI 
injection.
    Interagency Consultations.--The U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) has a robust history of collecting and 
analyzing data related to agricultural economics and the 
environmental impact of farming practices upon the environment, 
including crop protection and pest management. Several 
provisions in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act require USDA and EPA to consult and coordinate 
together. Given the Department's expertise, the Committee 
directs EPA to consult with the USDA experts on regulatory 
decisions impacting America's farmers.
    Lead Test Kit.--The Committee fully supports activities by 
EPA, States, contractors and homeowners that result in the safe 
and proper reduction of lead paint in homes. The Committee 
believes it is incumbent upon contractors to be fully trained, 
certified and knowledgeable about the risks related to lead 
exposure especially for children and at-risk populations. It is 
imperative that EPA and the States continue to make those 
training opportunities readily available and easily accessible 
along with improved outreach to build awareness for homeowners 
during renovations. As the Committee follows EPA's 
implementation of the rule, the Committee raised concerns in 
fiscal year 2012 that EPA had not been meeting demand by 
offering the necessary volume and accessibility to training 
based upon training locations and dates offered. As such, EPA 
was required to adjust implementation and enforcement deadlines 
in the rule. In 2009, EPA stipulated that an in-home test kit 
could be developed along certain parameters that would allow 
contractors to quickly and efficiently identify whether lead 
paint was present during a renovation. EPA set a standard that 
has been unattainable to date, and redirects homeowners to 
solutions such as laboratory testing that are more costly and 
delay renovations. Those are the appropriate alternatives 
within the regulatory void that EPA has created, and those 
costs must be factored into EPA's cost/benefit analysis for the 
rulemaking. Further, the Committee notes that EPA's enforcement 
of paperwork violations has little effect on whether children 
have been exposed to lead paint. Therefore, the Committee finds 
the overall intent of the rule to have merit, but EPA's 
implementation and standards therein must be revisited via a 
formal comment period.
    Pharmaceutical Drug Incinerators.--The Committee 
understands that there are numerous mobile incinerators used 
for the purpose of destroying unwanted pharmaceuticals in 
conjunction with sanctioned drug take-back events. Many of 
these mobile incinerators, while once in use, currently do not 
meet the standards that EPA is utilizing to regulate these 
unique incinerators. Although EPA acknowledges that unwanted 
pharmaceuticals are not classified as hazardous waste, the 
Committee understands that EPA is regulating them as such. 
These standards are designed for the regulation of large 
hazardous waste treatment storage and disposal facilities, and 
not for the regulation of small-scale units such as these 
mobile incinerators. This misclassification results in an 
overly burdensome permitting process and the application of an 
unattainable standard, unsuitable for these small units. The 
Committee notes that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has 
characterized the abuse and misuse of opioids as a national 
epidemic, and therefore encourages EPA to consider the benefits 
of mobile incinerators to rural communities, reassess the cost 
and environmental impact of transporting large quantities of 
unwanted pharmaceuticals long distances to be incinerated, and 
re-examine the applicable regulations under the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act with respect to mobile 
incinerators.
    Restrictions on Certain Communications.--On December 14, 
2015, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded that 
EPA, in association with its Waters of the United States 
rulemaking, violated prohibitions against publicity or 
propaganda and grassroots lobbying contained in appropriations 
Acts. Because EPA expended funds in violation of these 
prohibitions, the GAO further concluded that EPA violated the 
Antideficiency Act. The Committee has yet to see any related 
documentation, as required by law, and directs EPA to submit 
such paperwork immediately, and coordinate with the Office of 
Management and Budget in accordance with the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2016 directives.
    In addition, the Committee is also aware that the Inspector 
General is investigating the use of EPA funds to support 
billboards and other advertisements. This appears to be part of 
an alarming trend where EPA engages in funding advocacy efforts 
against the very entities it is seeking to regulate. EPA cannot 
systematically choose when it wishes to follow the law and when 
it does not. The Committee reminds EPA that funding may not be 
used in a manner contrary to Section 401 of this bill.
    Science Advisory Board.-- For fiscal year 2017, the Agency 
shall only use scientific and technical information and data 
that is publicly available to justify proposing, finalizing or 
disseminating any risk assessment or regulation so as to allow 
for independent analysis, verification, reproduction, and 
inquiries of research results by the general public. The 
Administrator shall ensure that the evaluation of research by 
the Science Advisory Board (SAB) includes a detailed summary 
regarding the ability to reproduce the results of the reviewed 
research and whether the research contains a detailed analysis 
of all uncertainties. Further, the Administrator shall ensure 
that every SAB review panel substantively addresses each 
technical, scientific, and associated comment received during 
any stage of the SAB review process. The Administrator shall 
only officially accept responses to SAB charge questions when 
the SAB has responded to all questions.
    State Water Quality Standards.--The Committee finds that 
EPA should support States proposing Clean Water Act standards 
using a science-based approach, which utilizes a methodology 
for deriving water quality criteria for the protection of human 
health that has been publicly vetted and scientifically peer 
reviewed, that have incorporated public comment regarding human 
health criteria for fish consumption, where the standards are 
based on EPA's most recent guidance. Failure to accept such 
State proposals runs contrary to the underlying principles of 
the Clean Water Act that support cooperative Federalism.
    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 directs the Agency to engage 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers, farm workers, 
industry and other interested organizations as it implements 
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).

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................        $3,674,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................         7,433,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................         3,178,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................          -496,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -4,255,000
 

    The bill provides $3,178,000, which is $496,000 below the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $4,255,000 below the budget 
request. 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. 
The Committee notes that funds provided herein for fiscal year 
2017 fulfill EPA's requests for amounts to complete the system 
design and build.

                      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, 2016...........................       $41,489,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        51,527,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        41,489,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -10,038,000
 

    The bill provides $41,489,000, equal to the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level and $10,038,000 below the budget request. In 
addition, the Committee recommends $8,778,000 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 EPA.
    Further, the Committee directs the Inspector General to 
provide a report by July 1, 2017, that describes existing EPA 
policy, procedure and training regarding sexual harassment at 
the Agency and any policy and process changes it has made. The 
Committee also directs the Office of the Inspector General to 
continue to provide oversight of the Agency's civil rights and 
EEO activities.

                        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, 2016...........................       $42,317,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        52,078,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        34,467,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        -7,850,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -17,611,000
 

    The bill provides $34,467,000, which is $7,850,000 below 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $17,611,000 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, 2016...........................    $1,088,769,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................     1,128,989,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................     1,115,929,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       +27,160,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -13,060,000
 

    The bill provides $1,115,929,000 for the Hazardous 
Substance Superfund program which is $27,160,000 above the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $13,060,000 below the budget 
request.
    Superfund Cleanup.--The Committee recommends $751,722,000. 
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 Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 
(42 U.S.C. 9608(b)). The Committee provides no funds 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.
    Gold King Mine.--The Committee understands the EPA and the 
State are currently working through the process to add the Gold 
King mine and other nearby sites to the National Priorities 
List. In the interim, EPA continues to maintain and operate a 
temporary water treatment plant. Using funds provided herein, 
the Administrator shall maintain and operate the temporary 
water treatment plant to treat contaminated flows in the area, 
but only to the capacity of the plant. The Committee believes 
any long-term solution should be consistent with a site 
remediation plan following the addition to the National 
Priorities List. The Committee understands that such plan will 
take time to develop and directs the EPA to so maintain and 
operate the temporary water treatment plant until a more 
permanent water treatment solution is developed.
    Sediment Report.--The Committee is aware that the 
Government Accountability Office is auditing EPA's cleanup of 
contaminated sediment sites under the Superfund program. EPA 
was directed to provide a report within 90 days of enactment of 
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 regarding the 
Agency's compliance with the Contaminated Sediment Guidance. 
The Committee directs the Agency to complete and submit the 
report expeditiously.

          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 one-tenth of a cent per gallon.
    In addition to State resources, the Leaking Underground 
Storage Tank (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, 2016...........................       $91,941,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        94,285,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        94,605,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        +2,664,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................          +320,000
 

    The bill provides $94,605,000 for the Leaking Underground 
Storage Tank (LUST) Trust Fund Program, $2,664,000 above the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $320,000 above the budget 
request.

                       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, 2016...........................       $18,209,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        25,410,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        18,079,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................          -130,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -7,331,000
 

    The bill provides $18,079,000 for the Inland Oil Spill 
program, $130,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$7,331,000 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 Clean Water SRF provides resources for municipal, 
inter-municipal, 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, 2016...........................    $3,518,161,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................     3,280,400,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................     3,370,729,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................      -147,432,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       +90,329,000
 

    The bill provides $3,370,729,000 for the State and Tribal 
Assistance Grants account, $147,432,000 below the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level and $90,329,000 above the budget request. 
The Committee provides the following additional detail by 
program area:
    Infrastructure Assistance.--The Committee has appropriated 
more than $25 billion for water and wastewater infrastructure 
assistance since 2009, and notes that more than $6 billion is 
currently revolving in the system and available for drinking 
water and wastewater infrastructure loans in fiscal year 2016. 
Nevertheless, little progress has been made to reduce the known 
water infrastructure gap. The Committee believes that EPA and 
the States must aggressively 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 
infrastructure needs.
    Public-private partnerships, greater access to financing 
from private activity bonds, and improved asset management are 
just a few of the mechanisms that the Committee believes could 
serve to increase investment in a complementary way to Federal 
appropriations and reduce costs. In fiscal year 2017, the 
Committee is providing greater investment for drinking water 
needs. To the extent possible, States should give greater 
weight to projects on State Intended Use Plans that would 
remove lead pipes from existing infrastructure.
    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 provided additional 
authority to allow States to provide debt relief in areas with 
elevated lead levels in drinking water.
    Brownfields Program.--The bill provides $80,000,000 for 
brownfields grants and directs that at least 10 percent of such 
grants be provided to areas in which at least 20 percent of the 
population has lived under the poverty level over the past 30 
years as determined by the 1990 and 2000 censuses and the most 
recent Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates.
    Diesel Emissions Reductions Grants (DERA).--The bill 
provides $100,000,000 for DERA grants. More than 10 million 
older, heavily polluting diesel engines remain in use that have 
yet to be retrofitted, repowered, or replaced, and over one 
million are expected to remain in use in 2030. For fiscal year 
2017, the Committee directs EPA to continue to make at least 70 
percent of DERA grants available to improve air quality in non-
attainment areas.
    Targeted Airshed Grants.--The bill provides $40,000,000 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 as well as the 
top five areas based on the 24-hour particulate matter 2.5 
standard where the design values exceed the 35  g/m3 standard. 
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 2017, EPA should provide a report to the Committees 
on Appropriations that includes a table showing how fiscal year 
2016 and 2017 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 $1,058,229,000.
    Public Water System Supervision.--The recommendation 
includes $109,700,000 as requested which is $7,737,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. These additional resources 
are critical for State oversight of drinking water systems, 
particularly as more communities confront the challenges 
associated with lead in drinking water.
    Radon.--The Committee continues to support State radon 
program 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. The 
Committee provides $8,051,000, equal to the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level, and directs that EPA award priority to State 
applicants that have adopted or seek to adopt radon building 
codes for single family homes, conduct programs providing radon 
awareness and education for homebuyers, or have certification 
requirements according to national consensus standards for 
radon measurement and mitigation professionals: $3,500,000 to 
promote radon awareness through health care providers and 
medical professionals, cancer control plans, child care 
providers, and real estate transactions; $1,000,000 to inform 
local school systems about radon exposure risk in schools and 
to provide sample school testing and mitigation plans 
consistent with national consensus standards; and $3,551,000 to 
offer training and technical support on radon measurement and 
mitigation according to national consensus standards for radon 
testers, mitigators and home inspectors, and radon-resistant 
new construction techniques and best practices for home 
builders and building code officials. 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 or local adoption may have merit.

          Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................                 0
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        20,000,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        50,000,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       +50,000,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       +30,000,000
 

    The bill provides $50,000,000 for the Water Infrastructure 
Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program, $50,000,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $30,000,000 above the 
budget request. The Committee notes that $2,200,000 had 
previously been provided in other accounts for staffing and 
administrative needs in order to establish the program. The 
Committee concurs with the consolidation of those resources 
into this new account. From within the amount provided, the 
Committee directs $5,000,000 to assist with the administrative 
expenses for the WIFIA program. With these funds, the Committee 
expects that EPA will be well positioned to issue loans for the 
first time in fiscal year 2017.
    Greater investment in the replacement of aging 
infrastructure will help mitigate nationwide issues the 
Committee is tracking related to contaminants such as lead and 
arsenic, help address Combined Sewer Overflows and Sanitary 
Sewer Overflows, and allow systems to improve water delivery 
for residents. Of the recommended amount, $45,000,000 is 
provided for direct loan subsidization which may translate into 
a potential loan capacity of $3 billion to $5 billion to 
eligible entities for water infrastructure projects. The 
Committee intends to closely monitor implementation in fiscal 
year 2017.

                       Administrative Provisions

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER 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 clarifying 
policies related to biomass emissions.
    The Committee has included bill language clarifying 
policies and related to the ongoing reviews for aquifer 
exemptions.

                      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. The Forest Service celebrated its centennial in 
2005.
    Forest Service Challenges.--The Forest Service is presently 
facing some of its greatest historical challenges. These 
include invasive species, regional drought and watershed 
degradation, fuel buildups and severe wildland fires, habitat 
fragmentation, and devastating outbreaks of insects and 
disease. More than 58 million acres (nearly one-third) of 
Forest Service lands are at high or very high risk of severe 
wildfire. At this time, there are 29 million dead and dying 
trees, the result of a severe four-year drought and insect and 
disease infestation, in California. One estimate calculates 
that up to 120 million trees in California are at risk of 
dying. This is 20 percent of the State's total. Many of these 
acres are at risk for catastrophic wildland fire.
    To help the Service address these challenges, the Committee 
provides an increase of $15,000,000 for forest management 
programs; $25,000,000 for the forest products program; and 
$20,000,000 for hazardous fuels treatments. The Committee also 
removes the limitation on funding for hazardous fuels 
treatments and provides a categorical exclusion for forest 
management activities, on 3,000 acres or less, to address 
insect or disease infestation; reduce hazardous fuel loads; 
protect a municipal water source; maintain, enhance, or modify 
critical habitat to protect it from catastrophic disturbances; 
or increase water yield.
    The Service is directed to aggressively work to improve the 
health of the forests in California and around the Nation, 
using all available authorities and strategies. The Service 
also is directed to increase its collaboration with the State 
of California, other States, and partners to address the forest 
health crisis before it worsens, putting lives and property at 
risk of catastrophic wildland fire.
    The Committee directs the Service to use the best available 
science that takes into account historical fire data, landscape 
characteristics, and forest composition as well as the effects 
of past and current human influences, such as development and 
land-use patterns, and climatic conditions to identify the 
highest priority areas for hazardous fuel reduction and forest 
health and management treatments.
    Forest Service Accounting, Budgeting, and Management.--The 
Committee believes the Service does not manage and track its 
budget to an adequate level of detail. In an effort to improve 
the Service's practices, the Committee has included bill 
language and directives to increase transparency and confidence 
in the Service's management of its programs and activities.
    The bill includes a new administrative provision requiring 
the Service to report 30 days after the close of each quarter, 
through the Office of Budget and Program Analysis, its current 
and prior year unobligated balances to the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations. The Service is directed to 
provide this report for all mandatory and discretionary funds, 
including receipts and permanent appropriations.
    As noted elsewhere in this report, the Interior, 
Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for 
fiscal year 2017 includes reprogramming guidelines in bill 
language. The Committee expects the Service to follow the 
letter and spirit of the reprogramming requirements and directs 
the Service to submit requests to the House and Senate 
Appropriations Committees through the Office of Budget and 
Program Analysis.
    In fiscal year 2016 and prior fiscal years, most of the 
Service's discretionary accounts were provided without a 
fiscal-year limitation. This bill assigns fiscal-year 
limitations to all accounts. This modification will require 
funds to be tracked by year, budget line item, and account and 
encourage the Service to expeditiously award contracts, settle 
reimbursable agreements, and conduct forest management 
activities.
    To help support integrated restoration planning and project 
implementation, the Committee expands the Integrated Resource 
Restoration (IRR) pilot to Regions 2 and 5. The goal of IRR is 
to support greater integration and prioritization of the forest 
restoration program, increase the flexibility of the regions in 
the pilot to focus on high-priority projects, and to create 
budgetary and implementation efficiencies. While budgetary and 
implementation efficiencies have not yet been realized, the 
Committee believes that providing national forests the 
flexibility to identify and focus on high-priority projects 
will ultimately improve forest health and better support the 
communities that rely on the forests.
    Under the IRR pilot, budget line items are combined to 
allow flexibility for planning and restoration projects. In 
order to allow for appropriate oversight of spending, the 
Committee directs the Service to track and report funding by 
budget line item at the regional level for all regions included 
in the pilot. Further, the Committee encourages the Service to 
implement the positive outcomes, such as integrated planning 
and budgeting, improved priority-setting, and greater 
cooperation between the forests and regions, of the IRR pilot 
throughout the National Forest System and to continue to 
improve integrated performance measures.
    Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Request.--The Committee appreciates 
the Service's work to provide project statements showing total 
available funding, including mandatory and discretionary funds; 
justifications of increases and decreases; and classifications 
of objects for each account in its fiscal year 2017 budget 
request and directs the Service to provide the same information 
in greater detail in the fiscal year 2018 budget request. The 
Committee encourages the Service to work with the Office of 
Budget and Program Analysis to conform its budget requests to 
those of other Department of Agriculture agencies and offices.
    Harassment-free Workplace.--Forest Service employees have 
the right to a harassment-free workplace, and the Committee 
recognizes the efforts the Service has taken to address past 
concerns. The Committee directs the Service to provide a report 
by July 1, 2016, that describes in detail the policy and 
process changes it has made. The report should be made 
available to the public. The Committee also directs the Office 
of the Inspector General to continue to provide oversight of 
the Service's civil rights and EEO activities.
    Indian Trust Lands.--The Service is encouraged to promote 
and expand the use of agreements with Indian tribes to protect 
Indian trust resources from catastrophic wildfire, insect and 
disease infestation or other threats from adjacent Federal 
lands, as authorized by law.
    Invasive Forest Pests.--The Committee is concerned about 
the threat of invasive forest pests and recognizes that more 
than 58,000,000 acres of the Nation's forests are at risk. The 
Committee encourages the Service to continue its work to assess 
future risks, control existing threats, research and develop 
new control methods, and improve the health of forest 
ecosystems.
    Knutson-Vandenberg Program.--The Committee is concerned 
that the Service is not fully utilizing the Knutson-Vandenberg 
fund as authorized by 16 U.S.C. 576b, including the amendments 
made by this Committee in P.L. 109-54, to accomplish important 
restoration activities with funds generated from timber sales. 
The Service is directed to fully utilize this authority and 
limit the deduction of any agency overhead cost pools to fund 
personnel of the responsible Ranger District for the planning 
and implementation of activities authorized and funded under 
the Act.

                     FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $291,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       291,982,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       291,982,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................          +982,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $291,982,000 for Forest and 
Rangeland Research, $982,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and equal to the budget request.
    Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA).--The Committee 
recommends $77,000,000 for the FIA program, $2,000,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to 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 Service. The 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 recommends 
$19,200,000, as requested, for the Forest Products Lab and its 
programs, including $5,200,000 for the Engineered Properties 
and Structures research program.
    Northern Long-Eared Bat.--The Committee is encouraged by 
the Service's research, in partnership with private landowners, 
State agencies and nonprofit organizations that successfully 
treated northern long-eared and other bats for white-nose 
syndrome and strongly urges the Service to continue this 
important effort.
    Urban Forest Research.--The Committee encourages the 
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 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 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.
    Wood Products.--Mass timber and other wood products, when 
appropriately used in the construction of buildings and other 
infrastructure, have been shown to withstand wind, seismic and 
other natural forces. The Committee acknowledges that these 
products should be considered for inclusion in any 
categorization of resilient products by the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture and other Federal agencies.
    Forest Carbon Research.--The Committee encourages the 
Service to work with other U.S. Department of Agriculture 
agencies and offices to establish the methods and tools needed 
to quantify forest carbon as a resource.
    Water, Air, and Soil Research.--The Committee notes that 
the Service's research program has the potential to improve air 
quality monitoring technologies and air quality data and 
encourages the Service to collaborate with other Federal 
agencies and research partners in this field.
    Post-fire Treatment Report.--The Committee directs the 
Service to provide a report within 60 days of enactment of this 
Act regarding its salvage operations. The report should 
include, by fire and year for the past 10 years, the number of 
acres of Forest Service land burned by high-severity fires; the 
number of severely burned acres proposed for salvage harvest; 
the number of acres on which salvage harvest was actually 
performed; and the length of time between the fire being 
declared contained and 1) the completion of the NEPA process 
proposing and analyzing a salvage operation; 2) offer of timber 
sale or stewardship contract to perform a salvage operation; 
and 3) the number and outcome, if any, of legal proceedings 
against a proposed salvage operation.
    Technical Report Update.--The Committee requests that the 
Service update General Technical Report PNW-GTR-486 regarding 
the environmental effects of post-fire logging during fiscal 
year 2017.
    Research Program Report.--The Service is directed to update 
the report provided to the House and Senate Committees on 
Appropriations that describes its research program in detail. 
The report should be transmitted as part of the fiscal year 
2018 budget request. It should include information on each 
research laboratory, including their relationship to the 
research stations, their goals and purpose, the funding 
provided for each of the previous five fiscal years, the 
funding proposed to be provided in fiscal year 2018, the 
allocation of funding between research and administrative 
costs, the allocation of funding and projects between in-house 
and extramural research, and the number of scientists and 
support staff. The report also should include similar 
information for each research station.
    Bill Language.--The Committee provides three-year spending 
authority for this account.

                       STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $237,023,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       234,004,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       244,038,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        +7,015,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       +10,034,000
 

    The Committee recommends $244,038,000 for State and Private 
Forestry, $7,015,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level 
and $10,034,000 above the budget request.
    Landscape Scale Restoration.--The Committee recommends 
$14,000,000 for Landscape Scale Restoration, equal to the 
fiscal year 2016 level and $9,513,000 below the budget request.
    The Committee supports continuing to use the majority of 
these resources for interstate competitive processes and 
recommends these projects address national and State priorities 
as identified in State Forest Action Plans.
    Forest Health Management.--The Committee recommends 
$114,600,000 for Forest Health Management, $15,000,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $22,540,000 above the 
budget request. As noted elsewhere in this report, the 
additional funds are provided to address severe insect and 
disease conditions, particularly in Forest Service Region 5. An 
additional $10,000,000 is provided for Federal forest lands, 
and an additional $5,000,000 is provided for cooperative lands.
    Forest Stewardship Program.--The Committee recommends 
$22,398,000 for the Forest Stewardship Program, $638,000 below 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget 
request.
    The Committee continues to encourage the Service to focus 
the program on the priorities identified in the State Forest 
Action Plans, to use program resources for the most efficient 
strategies for accomplishing results, to leverage collaborative 
public-private efforts, and to engage landowners to address 
priority resource concerns, especially landowners who are not 
currently engaged in active management.
    Forest Legacy.--The recommendation includes $55,000,000 for 
Forest Legacy. Not later than the start of the fiscal year, the 
Service is directed to notify the Committee of any changes to 
proposed project costs or viability.
    The Committee is concerned that unobligated balances may be 
accumulating in the Forest Legacy account. Accordingly, the 
Committee directs that future budget justifications include a 
table of Forest Legacy projects that have received 
appropriations for the last three fiscal years. The table 
should include: project name, State, fiscal year funds were 
appropriated, amount of funds appropriated, funds spent to 
date, and project status (completed, ongoing, or no longer 
viable). If a project is ongoing, the table should include an 
estimated close-out year. If the project is no longer viable, 
the table should include a short explanation of why and when 
the determination was made.
    Community Forest and Open Space Conservation.--The 
Committee recommends $2,000,000 for Community Forest and Open 
Space Conservation, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level 
and the budget request.
    Urban and Community Forestry.--The Committee recommends 
$28,040,000 for Urban and Community Forestry, equal to the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $4,354,000 above the budget 
request.
    International Forestry.--The Committee recommends 
$8,000,000 for International Forestry, equal to the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level and the budget request.
    Bill Language.--The Committee provides two-year spending 
authority for this account, except for the Forest Legacy 
Program, which will continue to be available until expended.

                         NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................    $1,509,364,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................     1,500,996,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................     1,531,443,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       +22,079,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       +30,447,000
 

    The Committee recommends $1,531,443,000 for the National 
Forest System, $22,079,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and $30,447,000 above the budget request.
    Integrated Resource Restoration.--The Committee supports 
the continuation of the pilot project established in the fiscal 
year 2012 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies 
conference report, and expands it to include Regions 2 and 5. 
In order to expand IRR nationwide, the Committee must see 
demonstrable results from the program, including management 
efficiencies, tangible accomplishments, and accountability 
prior to the consideration of expanding IRR nationwide.
    Land Management Planning, Inventory and Monitoring.--The 
Committee recommends $36,998,000 for Land Management Planning 
and $147,998,000 for Inventory and Monitoring. The Committee 
does not accept the proposed merging of the Land Management 
Planning and Inventory and Monitoring line items.
    The Committee is aware that the Service, Bureau of 
Reclamation and others worked together during fiscal year 2016 
to initiate a multi-year study to generate new knowledge to 
quantitatively establish the co-benefits of forest management 
practices in the Sierra Nevada that could potentially generate 
water supply and other benefits to the Central Valley Project 
and the State Water Project. The Committee supports the 
Service's continued participation, through the Western 
Watershed Enhancement Partnership program, in the analysis of 
science-based fuel reductions that are mutually beneficial to 
national forest health and water supply yield and, if merited, 
recommendations for further congressional action.
    Recreation, Heritage and Wilderness.--The Committee 
recommends $263,942,000 for Recreation, Heritage and 
Wilderness, $2,223,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level 
and equal to the budget request. Of the funds available to 
Manage Recreation Operations, $750,000 shall be for the 
maintenance of rural airstrips. The Committee requests a report 
on the funding allocated to rural airstrips in fiscal years 
2015 and 2016 and 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 programs.
    The Committee again directs the Service to conduct the 
appropriate analysis regarding any lands that could be 
incorporated into the Tahoe National Forest and reminds the 
Service of the importance of engaging 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 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.
    The Committee reminds the Service of the importance of 
making the national forests as accessible as possible to the 
American people and requests that the Service work with States, 
local officials, communities, and partners as it implements the 
travel analysis process.
    Grazing Management.--The Committee recommends $56,856,000 
for Grazing Management, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and $6,856,000 above the budget request. The Committee 
rejects the proposal to increase fees for grazing.
    The Committee encourages the Service to improve its 
monitoring of grazing permits in allotments where riparian 
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 $384,805,000 for 
Forest Products, $25,000,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and the budget request.
    The Committee believes timber sales are a vital component 
of forest health. The budget request assumes 3.2 billion board 
feet of timber volume will be sold in fiscal year 2017. The 
Committee's recommended increase is intended to support timber 
sales of 4 billion board feet.
    Vegetation and Watershed Management.--The Committee 
recommends $184,716,000 for Vegetation and Watershed 
Management, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and the 
budget request.
    The Committee encourages the Service to establish a pilot 
program to promote voluntary vegetation management along 
electric transmission and distribution rights-of-way to reduce 
the threat of catastrophic wildfire.
    Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat Management.--The Committee 
recommends $140,466,000 for Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat 
Management, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and the 
budget request.
    Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund.--The 
Committee recommends $40,000,000, for the Collaborative Forest 
Landscape Restoration Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and the budget request.
    The Committee recognizes the need to ensure forest 
resiliency and support multiple uses on national forest lands. 
The Committee urges the Service to incorporate a variety of 
landscapes, including wet forests, as it develops future 
projects for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration 
Program.
    Minerals and Geology Management.--The Committee recommends 
$75,069,000 for Minerals and Geology Management, $1,354,000 
below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the 
budget request.
    The Committee expects that the 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 
$71,440,000 for Landownership Management, $6,290,000 below the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request.
    Law Enforcement Operations.--The Committee recommends 
$129,153,000 for Law Enforcement Operations, $2,500,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $2,477,000 below 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. As such, the Committee provides 
$2,500,000 to remediate cultivation sites. 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.
    Bill Language.--The Committee provides two-year spending 
authority for this account and includes the following bill 
language 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 421, allowing the Forest 
Service to renew grazing permits; Section 422, extending the 
Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act for one year; Section 
428, prohibiting the use of appropriated funds to close areas 
open to recreational hunting and shooting as of January 1, 
2013; Section 432, making available vacant allotments for 
permittees affected by drought or wildfire; Section 433, 
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).

                  CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $364,164,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       343,280,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       364,164,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       +20,884,000
 

    The Committee recommends $364,164,000 for Capital 
Improvement and Maintenance, equal to the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level and $20,884,000 above the budget request.
    Facilities Maintenance and Construction.--The Committee 
recommends $71,390,000 for Facilities Maintenance and 
Construction, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$210,000 below the budget request. Specifically, the Committee 
recommends $55,369,000 for facilities maintenance and 
$16,021,000 for facilities construction.
    Road Maintenance and Construction.--The Committee 
recommends $172,094,000 for Road Maintenance and Construction, 
equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $22,094,000 
above the budget request. Specifically, the Committee 
recommends $145,454,000 for road maintenance and $26,640,000 
for road construction.
    Los Padres National Forest.--The Committee directs the 
Secretary of Agriculture to work with the Service and 
appropriate California agencies to expeditiously repair roads 
damaged by strong El Nino rains during the first quarter of 
2016 that are most important to ensure the health and safety of 
local residents, the functions of adjacent military bases, and 
ability of Federal and State agencies to respond to 
emergencies.
    The Committee directs the Service to follow its current 
practices regarding maintenance on roads suitable for passenger 
cars.
    Trail Maintenance and Construction.--The Committee 
recommends $77,530,000 for Trail Maintenance and Construction, 
equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $1,000,000 
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 2016 enacted 
level and the budget request.
    Legacy Roads and Trail Remediation.--The Committee 
recommends $40,000,000 for Legacy Roads and Trails, equal to 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and the budget request.
    The Committee directs the Service to allocate funding in a 
manner proportionate to the distribution of roads in need of 
attention across the National Forest System and to provide 
funds to regions most in need of road remediation.
    Bill Language.--The Committee provides two-year spending 
authority for this account.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $63,435,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        65,653,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        27,280,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       -36,155,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -38,373,000
 

    The Committee recommends $27,280,000 for Land Acquisition, 
$36,155,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$38,373,000 below the budget request. Language and direction on 
Land and Water Conservation Fund programs is provided below, 
and in the front of this report.
    The Committee has become aware of the possibility for 
resolution of long-standing management challenges regarding 
school trust lands within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in the 
Superior National Forest in Minnesota. Specifically, 
stakeholders have proposed a combination of sale and exchange 
of the school trust lands within the boundaries. The Committee 
understands that this approach was collaboratively designed, 
and that the Forest Service and the State are committed to this 
hybrid model. The Forest Service is encouraged to explore all 
avenues for funding the first phase of this project 
expeditiously.
    Prior to proceeding with any acquisitions in Skamania 
County, Washington, with funds from this or any other Act, the 
Forest Service is directed to submit to the Committee a list of 
specific parcels for Committee approval.

         ACQUISITION OF LANDS FOR NATIONAL FORESTS SPECIAL ACTS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................          $950,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................           950,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................           950,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $950,000 for Acquisition of Lands 
for National Forests Special Acts, equal to the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level and the budget request.

            ACQUISITION OF LANDS TO COMPLETE LAND EXCHANGES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................          $216,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................           216,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................           216,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 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 2016 enacted level 
and the budget request.
    Bill Language.--The Committee provides two-year spending 
authority for this account.

                         RANGE BETTERMENT FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................        $2,320,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................         2,320,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................         2,320,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $2,320,000, for the Range 
Betterment Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2016 level and the 
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.
    Bill Language.--The Committee provides two-year spending 
authority for this account.

    GIFTS, DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS FOR FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................           $45,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................            45,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................            45,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $45,000 for Gifts, Donations and 
Bequests for Forest and Rangeland Research, equal to the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level and the budget request.
    Bill Language.--The Committee provides two-year spending 
authority for this account.

        MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL FOREST LANDS FOR SUBSISTENCE USES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................        $2,500,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        $2,441,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................         2,500,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................           +59,000
 

    The Committee recommends $2,500,000 for the Management of 
National Forest Lands for Subsistence Uses in Alaska, equal to 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $59,000 above the budget 
request.
    Bill Language.--The Committee provides two-year spending 
authority for this account.

                             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 
$2,908,763,000 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, 2016...........................    $2,386,329,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................     2,451,445,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................     2,593,763,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................      +207,434,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................      +142,318,000
 

    The Committee recommends $2,593,763,000 for Wildland Fire 
Management, $207,434,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and $142,318,000 above the budget request.
    Wildland Fire Preparedness.--The Committee recommends 
$1,147,620,000 for Wildfire Preparedness, $65,000,000 above the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and the budget request. Within 
this amount, $65,000,000 is provided for the acquisition of 
next generation aircraft to safely and efficiently fight 
wildland fires. The Committee expects that this funding will be 
dedicated solely for the acquisition of aircraft.
    Wildland Fire Suppression Operations.--The Committee 
recommends $933,434,000 for Wildfire Suppression Operations, 
$122,434,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$59,530,000 above the budget request. The Committee 
recommendation fully meets the 10-year average expenditure on 
all suppression activities.
    Hazardous Fuels.--The Committee recommends $395,000,000 for 
hazardous fuels reduction, $20,000,000 above the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level and $10,874,000 above the budget request. 
The recommendation includes $5,000,000 for biomass utilization 
grants. The Committee recommends prioritizing funding for 
proactive hazardous fuels management and fire mitigation in 
high-priority areas to protect life and property.
    The Committee continues to be concerned with the pace of 
planning and implementation of post-fire rehabilitation by the 
Service. The slow pace of rehabilitation leaves communities 
unable to access timber resources and delays the regeneration 
of Federal forests. The Committee directs the 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 2016 enacted level and the budget 
request.
    Joint Fire Science Program.--The Committee recommends 
$6,914,000 for the Joint Fire Science Program, equal to the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $6,914,000 above the budget 
request.
    State Fire Assistance.--The Committee recommends 
$78,000,000 for State Fire Assistance, equal to the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level and the budget request.
    Volunteer Fire Assistance.--The Committee recommends 
$13,000,000 for Volunteer Fire Assistance, equal to the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level and the budget request.
    The Committee is aware many National Guard installations 
have excellent resources, including land, for training National 
Guardsmen hand crews for seasonal firefighting and could 
support additional fire line training on their installations. 
The Committee encourages the Service to consider conducting 
joint fire training missions, where appropriate, with the 
National Guard.
    The Committee recognizes that to protect communities, 
homes, critical infrastructure, and watersheds from the threat 
of catastrophic wildfire, a landscape approach that involves 
both public and private landowners is necessary. The Committee 
encourages the Service to increase cross-boundary collaboration 
with States and private organizations to reduce hazardous fuels 
in high-risk areas.
    Bill Language.--The Committee provides three-year funding 
authority for this account.

                FLAME wildfire suppression reserve fund

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $823,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................                 0
Recommended, 2017.....................................       315,000,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................      -508,000,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................      +315,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $315,000,000 for the FLAME 
Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund, $508,000,000 below the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $315,000,000 above the 
budget request. 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.
    The Committee includes new bill language regarding 
reporting of unobligated balances and a categorical exclusion 
for certain forest management activities.

                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 (AI/AN). 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, 2016...........................    $3,566,387,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................     3,815,109,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................     3,720,690,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................      +154,303,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -94,419,000
 

    The Committee recommends $3,720,690,000 for Indian Health 
Services, $154,303,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level 
and $94,419,000 below the budget request. Details are contained 
in the justification submitted to the Congress, except as 
otherwise discussed below and summarized in the table at the 
end of this report.
    Current Services.--The recommendation includes an increase 
of $142,898,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level to 
help maintain current levels of service, $16,119,000 below the 
budget request. Increases for population growth are only 
partially funded within Hospitals and Health Clinics.
    The Committee recognizes the significant growth rate of the 
AI/AN population as a whole, but agency-estimated population 
growth costs are not currently linked to data on patient 
caseloads, by facility. Thus, the distribution of increases for 
population growth doesn't necessarily reflect where the patient 
caseloads are growing. The agency should consider alternative 
means of allocating increases for population growth, such as 
the Indian Health Care Improvement Fund, in future budget 
requests.
    Staffing for New Facilities.--The recommendation includes 
$32,982,000 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 2016 or will open in 
fiscal year 2017. None of these funds may be allocated to a 
facility until such facility has achieved beneficial occupancy 
status.
    Hospitals and Health Clinics.--The recommendation includes 
$1,928,879,000 for Hospitals and Health Clinics, $71,654,000 
above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level, and includes the 
proposed transfer of $4,000,000 from Direct Operations.
    The recommendation includes $1,000,000 to fund the creation 
of a prescription drug monitoring program authorized by Section 
196 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, in order to 
monitor the prescription of opioid pain relievers in Indian 
Country on a multi-State basis.
    Accreditation Emergencies.--The Committee considers the 
loss or potential loss of a Medicare agreement with the Centers 
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to be an accreditation 
emergency. The recommendation includes $6,000,000 for 
accreditation emergencies, $4,000,000 above the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level. Funds may be used for personnel or other 
expenses essential for sustaining operations of an affected 
service unit, but these are not intended to be recurring base 
funds. The Director should reallocate the funds as necessary to 
ensure that agreements with CMS are reinstated, and to restore 
third-party collection shortfalls. Shortfalls should be 
calculated relative to a baseline, which should be the average 
of the collections in each of the two fiscal years preceding 
the year in which an agreement with CMS was terminated or put 
on notice of termination.
    Dental Health.--The recommendation includes $186,029,000 
for dental health, $7,743,000 above the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level, and includes a transfer of $800,000 to Direct 
Operations in order to backfill vacant dental health positions 
in headquarters. The Service is encouraged to coordinate with 
the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) to integrate preventive 
dental care at schools within the BIE system.
    The Committee understands that the geographic isolation of 
Indian tribes makes it difficult to attract and retain dentists 
and may limit access to care as tooth decay continues to be a 
problem. One way to help address access would be to allow 
volunteer dentists to treat patients who can provide important 
services that will improve access to oral health care. The 
Committee directs the Service to conduct a pilot project to 
explore establishing a centralized credentialing system to 
address workforce needs as well as volunteer providers similar 
to the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs who have 
centralized credentialing systems. The Committee directs the 
Service to consult with these agencies and private 
organizations to include the credentialing of dentists in a 
pilot program.
    Purchased/Referred Care (formerly Contract Health 
Services).--The recommendation includes $960,831,000 for 
Purchased/Referred Care (PRC), $46,692,000 above the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level. The Committee remains concerned about 
the inequitable distribution of funds as reported by the 
Government Accountability Office (GAO-12-446). The Service is 
therefore directed to allocate the increase above the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level according to the PRC allocation formula 
normally reserved for program increases only.
    The IHS is encouraged to evaluate the feasibility of 
entering into reimbursable agreements with Federal health 
facilities outside of the IHS system for patient referrals. 
Such agreements should be considered only when such referrals 
save costs and patient travel times relative to referrals to 
the nearest non-Federal health facilities, and when such 
referrals do not significantly increase patient wait times at 
such Federal facilities.
    Urban Indian Health.--The recommendation includes 
$48,157,000 as requested for Urban Indian Health, $3,416,000 
above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. IHS should continue 
to include current services estimates for Urban Indian Health 
in future budget requests.
    The Committee recognizes that seven out of ten American 
Indian/Alaska Natives live in urban centers, according to the 
latest census data. Many of these individuals are, or are 
descendants of, individuals encouraged by the Federal 
government to move to urban centers during the termination and 
relocation era of the 1950s and 1960s, and are thus entitled to 
receive vital culturally-appropriate health services from urban 
Indian organizations, just as they would have received health 
services from IHS-run and tribally-run facilities if they lived 
on or near a reservation. Unfortunately, urban Indian health 
organizations are struggling to recover their costs because 
they are not designated in relevant statutes as eligible 
providers on an equal par with IHS and Tribal Health Program 
facilities. The Committee urges the authorizing committees of 
jurisdiction to review these statutes and make any changes 
necessary for urban Indian organizations to receive equitable 
reimbursement for the culturally appropriate services they 
provide to Native individuals, including Native veterans.
    Indian Health Professions.--It is the intent of the 
Congress that the term ``any other health profession'' in the 
definition of health profession at section 1603(10) of title 
25, United States Code, includes health administration.
    Advance Appropriations.--The Government Accountability 
Office is directed to report on the use of advance 
appropriations authority for healthcare programs across the 
Federal government, including problems encountered, any 
estimates of cost savings, and applications to the Indian 
Health Service.
    Indian Health Care Improvement Act.--It has been over five 
years since the permanent reauthorization of the Indian Health 
Care Improvement Act (IHCIA), yet many of the provisions in the 
law remain unfunded. Tribes have specifically requested that 
priority areas for funding focus on diabetes treatment and 
prevention, behavioral health, and health professions. The 
Committee directs the Service to provide, no later than 90 days 
after enactment of this Act, a detailed plan with specific 
dollar amounts identified to fully fund and implement the 
IHCIA.

                         CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $717,970,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       800,000,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       800,000,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       +82,030,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends an indefinite appropriation 
estimated to be $800,000,000 for contract support costs 
incurred by the agency as required by law, $82,030,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.
    The recommendation continues bill language making available 
for two years such sums as are necessary to meet the Federal 
government's full legal obligation, and prohibiting the 
transfer of funds to any other account for any other purpose. 
Language addressing contract funds that go unspent in a given 
fiscal year is discontinued.

                        INDIAN HEALTH FACILITIES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $523,232,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       569,906,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       557,946,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       +34,714,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -11,960,000
 

    The Committee recommends $557,946,000 for Indian Health 
Facilities, $34,714,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and $11,960,000 below the budget request. Details are 
contained in the justification submitted to the Congress, 
except as otherwise discussed below and summarized in the table 
at the end of this report.
    Staffing for New Facilities.--The recommendation includes 
$3,395,000 for the staffing of newly opened health facilities. 
The stipulations included in the Indian Health Services account 
regarding the allocation of funds pertain to this account as 
well.
    Health Care Facilities Construction.--The recommendation 
includes $120,934,000 for health care facilities construction, 
$15,886,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. 
Recognizing that inadequate and non-existent staff quarters are 
a significant impediment to recruitment, the recommendation 
includes $12,000,000 as requested for staff quarters.
    In order to ensure that IHS patients across the system have 
fairly equal access to healthcare, the IHS is directed to 
conduct and publish a gap analysis of the locations and 
capacities of patient health facilities relative to the IHS 
user population. The analysis should include: facilities within 
the IHS system, including facilities on the Health Facilities 
Construction Priority System list and the Joint Venture 
Construction Program list; and facilities within private or 
other Federal health systems for which agreements with IHS 
exist, or should exist, to see IHS patients.

                     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, 2016...........................       $77,349,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        77,349,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        77,349,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $77,349,000 for the National 
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, equal to the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level and the budget request.

            Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

            TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH

     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 (CERCLA) 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 communities 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, 
environment-related poisonings, and natural and terrorism-
related disasters.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $74,691,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        74,691,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        74,691,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $74,691,000 for the Agency for 
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, equal to the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level and the budget request. The Committee 
encourages the Agency to collaborate with the U.S. Geological 
Survey, other Federal agencies, and research partners, as 
appropriate, to share knowledge and enhance research.

                         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, 2016...........................        $3,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................         3,015,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................         3,000,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................           -15,000
 

    The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for the Council on 
Environmental Quality and Office of Environmental Quality, 
equal to the fiscal year 2016 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 President and confirmed by the Senate. The CSB conducts 
root-cause 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, 2016...........................       $11,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        12,436,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        11,000,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -1,436,000
 

    The Committee recommends $11,000,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, 
equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $1,436,000 
below the budget request. Funds have not been provided for the 
CSB to organize an annual symposium as requested in the budget.
    The Committee is aware of CSB's recent announcement of a 
study on land use and facility siting. Prior to expending any 
funds for this purpose, the Committee directs CSB to provide a 
report detailing the intended scope and justification for the 
study.

              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, 2016...........................       $15,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        15,431,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        15,431,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................          +431,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $15,431,000 for the Office of 
Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (Office), as requested, 
$431,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. Of this 
amount, $200,000 shall be transferred to the Inspector General 
of the Department of the Interior for continued oversight of 
planning, transition, and closure of the Office.
    The Office is making progress in relocations, and the 
fiscal year 2017 budget builds upon the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level to ensure continued progress. As of June 2016, 
all Hopi families have been relocated; 83 Navajo families have 
been certified eligible and are awaiting relocation, with 19 
homes currently under construction; 127 families have had their 
cases closed due to death or non-action on the part of the 
certified client to proceed with relocation; and 166 
eligibility appeals are pending.
    The Office's administrative appeal process is ongoing, and 
at its current rate all pending administrative appeals could be 
heard and determined by December 31, 2017. However, the six-
year Federal statute of limitations for seeking Federal 
district court review (28 U.S.C. Sec. 2415 (a)), will require 
another Federal agency to assume responsibility for those cases 
unresolved by the end of 2017.
    For those awaiting relocation, over 300 lots are available 
for relocation on the New Lands and in the Coalmine Canyon 
subdivision. While relocatees are not required to utilize these 
lots, the availability of the lots suggests there will be 
sufficient home site options for remaining eligible relocatees.
    The Committee's goal is to bring the relocation process to 
an orderly conclusion and ensure all eligible relocatees 
receive the relocation benefits and necessary support services 
to which they are entitled. To that end, the Committee directs 
the Office to continue providing quarterly reports on the 
status of eligibility appeals and the current appeals hearing 
and conference schedule; relocations pending and completed; 
housing construction and maintenance updates; outreach and 
coordination with the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe; and 
other significant business activities of which the Committee 
should be apprised.
    In addition, the statute provides for termination of the 
Office when the President determines its functions have been 
fully discharged. In order to have the information required for 
such a determination, the Office is directed to prepare a 
comprehensive plan for closing the Office, to be submitted with 
the fiscal year 2018 budget request, which lays out a timeframe 
and specific steps for successfully completing the relocation 
program and transferring any ongoing support services. This 
plan will provide the transparency needed for informed 
discussions about the path forward and a reasonable timeframe 
for concluding the operations of the Office, while ensuring the 
relocation mission is successfully completed. The plan should 
include the following:
          (1) the full range of activities currently performed 
        or supported by the Office and any current agreements 
        to provide services to relocatees, specifically 
        identifying those activities which will need to be 
        taken over by other entities for a limited period of 
        time and others that will need to continue without an 
        end date;
          (2) Federal assets and leases that must be disposed 
        of or transferred, including any near and long-term 
        maintenance requirements;
          (3) housing construction;
          (4) land management and infrastructure 
        responsibilities, including stewardship of the Padres 
        Mesa Demonstration Ranch;
          (5) a human capital plan for Office staff;
          (6) a schedule of milestones for completing 
        eligibility appeals and relocations;
          (7) a schedule of meetings with appropriate successor 
        agencies and tribal entities to plan for completion of 
        any remaining relocation activities and transfer of 
        ongoing support services that will continue after 
        closure of the Office;
          (8) plans, developed with Inspector General input, 
        for monitoring the transition of Office functions to 
        successor agencies to ensure adequate services are 
        maintained; and
          (9) annual funding requirements for all programs that 
        will be transitioned.

    Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts 
                              Development

                        PAYMENT TO THE INSTITUTE

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $11,619,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        11,835,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        11,619,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................          -216,000
 

    The Committee recommends $11,619,000 in direct 
appropriations for the Institute of American Indian and Alaska 
Native Culture and Arts Development, equal to the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level and $216,000 below the budget request. The 
Committee encourages the Institute to submit a budget request 
beginning with fiscal year 2018, in coordination with other 
tribal colleges and universities, to align appropriations with 
the school calendar instead of the Federal fiscal calendar.

                        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 170 years in 
the ``increase and diffusion of knowledge.'' Last year, the 
Smithsonian attracted over 28 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, 2016...........................      $696,045,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       759,224,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       712,487,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................       +16,442,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -46,737,000
 

    The Committee recommends $712,487,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the Smithsonian Institution, $16,442,000 above the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $46,737,000 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, for the collections care initiative. The Committee 
is pleased by continuing efforts to improve the long-term 
inventory, preservation, and storage of historical collections.
    National Museum of African American History and Culture.--
The Committee maintains its longstanding support of the 
National Museum of African American History and Culture 
(NMAAHC). The Committee has provided funds for museum 
maintenance, facility operations, and security for the new 
museum opening in September 2016, as requested.
    Smithsonian Security.--The Committee commends the 
Smithsonian for conducting a security analysis for each of its 
major facilities in light of recent extremist and lone wolf 
shooter attacks in the United States. Facility analyses 
conducted to date have confirmed a need to fill existing 
unfunded security positions and provide a higher level of 
security, including visitor screening, and also in galleries 
and public spaces. The Committee has provided funds, as 
requested, to address security needs at the Smithsonian's 
highest risk facilities.
    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.
    Preserving Cultural Heritages.--The Committee commends the 
Smithsonian for taking a leadership role in the preservation of 
cultural heritage affected by natural and manmade disasters in 
the United States and around the world. The Smithsonian's work 
in cultural heritage preservation dates back to World War II 
when it worked with the U.S. military to create the Monuments 
Men to arrange for the evacuation and safe storage of art and 
artifacts in wartime. Today, the Smithsonian's efforts include 
recovery efforts following the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the 
Nepal earthquake in 2015, and the continuing destruction of 
cultural heritage in countries like Iraq and Syria. The 
Committee has provided funds, as requested, which supplement 
funding from other governmental partners and leverage support 
for cultural recovery efforts from numerous private sources.

                           FACILITIES CAPITAL

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $144,198,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       163,000,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       150,860,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        +6,662,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -12,140,000
 

    The Committee recommends $150,860,000 for Facilities 
Capital, $6,662,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level 
and $12,140,000 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.
    The recommendation includes funding as requested for the 
construction of the Dulles Storage Module at the National Air 
and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, 
adjacent to Dulles International Airport. This critical 
addition of collections storage space at the Smithsonian's 
Dulles site will establish a permanent facility to gather 
collections from the antiquated ``temporary'' buildings at the 
Garber facility in Suitland, Maryland, which are being phased 
out after 60 years of service. In the near term, this storage 
module will serve the Smithsonian's immediate need for 
temporary collections swing space during the National Air and 
Space Museum's Revitalization Project, and will provide 
critically needed collections consolidation space for the 
Institution's long-term storage needs.
    National Air and Space Museum (NASM) Revitalization 
Project.--The Committee is aware of the National Air and Space 
Museum (NASM) Revitalization Project, a multi-year effort 
scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2018. Opened to the public on 
July 1, 1976 as part of our country's bicentennial celebration, 
the NASM is the most highly visited museum in the United States 
with nearly seven million annual visits, second worldwide only 
to the Louvre Museum in Paris.
    The National Air and Space Museum faces a multitude of 
mechanical, structural, and security challenges that 
necessitate action to ensure the facility's long-term 
viability. The Committee recognizes the critical need to 
address these concerns in order to protect the health and 
safety of both the visiting public and the museum's vast 
collections.
    The Committee is concerned, however, by the projected 
overall costs of this multi-year project--estimated at nearly 
$600,000,000--and the suggestion that the project be funded 
entirely through appropriated funds. The Committee, therefore, 
directs the Smithsonian to provide, not later than 90 days 
after enactment of this Act, 1) an independent assessment and 
re-estimate of the anticipated costs of the revitalization 
project, 2) an independent assessment examining the potential 
costs of rebuilding the entire NASM at its present physical 
location, and 3) an independent assessment examining the 
viability and potential costs associated with relocating the 
NASM to another physical location. The Committee further 
directs the Smithsonian to evaluate potential partnership and 
philanthropic opportunities that may provide non-Federal 
sources of funding to partially offset the overall costs of 
this project.
    Given the scope and scale of this effort, it is likely this 
multi-year revitalization project would place additional 
burdens on the Smithsonian's annual budgets for the foreseeable 
future. For this reason, it is essential that the Smithsonian 
clearly outline and communicate to the Committee its highest 
and greatest priorities. The Committee will endeavor to address 
the Smithsonian's most urgent priorities, including the 
revitalization needs of the National Air and Space Museum, but 
given the many demands and priorities within the Smithsonian 
Institution and across this entire bill, difficult decisions 
will have to be made.

                        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, DC, 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, 2016...........................      $124,988,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       135,801,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       130,801,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        +5,813,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -5,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $130,801,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the National Gallery of Art, $5,813,000 above the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $5,000,000 below the budget 
request.
    Bill Language.--The Committee has included bill language 
specifying the amount provided for Special Exhibitions. The 
Committee also includes in Title IV General Provisions, Section 
442, revising the definition of the National Gallery of Art's 
buildings and grounds commensurate with the Gallery's 
geographic boundaries.

            REPAIR, RESTORATION AND RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $22,564,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        22,600,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        22,564,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................           -36,000
 

    The Committee recommends $22,564,000 for Repair, 
Restoration and Renovation of buildings at the National Gallery 
of Art, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $36,000 
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.

                       OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $21,660,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        22,260,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        22,260,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................          +600,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $22,260,000 for Operations and 
Maintenance as requested and $600,000 above the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level.

                     CAPITAL REPAIR AND RESTORATION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................       $14,740,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        13,000,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        14,140,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................          -600,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        +1,140,000
 

    The Committee recommends $14,140,000 for Capital Repair and 
Restoration, $600,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level 
and $1,140,000 above 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, 2016...........................       $10,500,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        10,400,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        10,500,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................          +100,000
 

    The Committee recommends $10,500,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for 
Scholars, equal to the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 
$100,000 above the budget request.

           National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities

                    National Endowment for the Arts

                       GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $147,949,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       149,849,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       149,849,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        +1,900,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $149,849,000 for the National 
Endowment for the Arts (NEA), $1,900,000 above the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request.
    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. The Committee is pleased that the increase 
above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level will strengthen and 
support these efforts.
    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. In 2013, this 
collaborative relationship expanded to bring art therapy to 
military patients at the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Brain 
Injury Clinic in Virginia to evaluate the potential health 
benefits of creative arts therapy interventions for wounded 
warriors including service members with Traumatic Brain Injury 
and Post Traumatic Stress. An NEA Navy Special Warfare/Special 
Operations (NSW) Healing Arts Partnership is also being 
established that will bring these benefits to the Navy SEAL 
community in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
    The Committee recognizes the value of integrating Arts 
education into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math 
(STEM) education to foster creativity, innovation, problem 
solving, and critical thinking skills. The Committee encourages 
the NEA to continue engaging cultural institutions and arts 
organizations in supporting arts education as a valued 
educational component necessary to nurture the next generation 
of leaders and prepare young Americans for the 21st century 
economy.
    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. The Committee recognizes the importance of the 
arts in local communities including the display of art in 
public spaces including interested local postal facilities with 
the consent of, and at no expense to, the U.S. Postal Service.
    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.

                 National Endowment for the Humanities

         GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION (INCLUDING MATCHING GRANTS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................      $147,942,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................       149,848,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................       149,848,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        +1,906,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends a total of $149,848,000 for the 
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), $1,906,000 above 
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget 
request.
    The Committee commends the NEH for its support of grant 
programs to benefit wounded warriors and to ensure educational 
opportunities for veterans and service members transitioning to 
civilian life. In partnership with NEH, State humanities 
councils have developed and delivered local programs that 
support veterans, their families and caregivers, and that help 
communities better understand the experiences of veterans. The 
Committee encourages the NEH to fully support efforts to 
connect the humanities to the experience of veterans and 
provide educational opportunities to these American heroes. The 
Committee is pleased that the increase above the fiscal year 
2016 enacted level will strengthen and support these efforts.
    The Committee commends NEH for its ongoing support to 
American Indian and Alaska Native communities in preserving 
their cultural and linguistic heritage through the Documenting 
Endangered Languages program and a variety of preservation and 
access grants that enable American Indian and Alaska Native 
communities to preserve cultural artifacts and make them 
broadly accessible. It also commends the NEH for providing 
educational opportunities for tribal communities through the 
Humanities Initiatives at Tribal Colleges and Universities 
program.
    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, DC, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American 
Samoa. The Committee recognizes the State humanities councils 
for the scope and reach of public humanities programming in 
congressional districts across the nation, which serve rural 
areas, promote family literacy, and support cultural tourism 
that contributes to local economies. 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 Appropriations Act, 
2016.

                        Commission of Fine Arts

    The Commission of Fine Arts was established in 1910 to 
advise the government on matters pertaining to the design of 
national symbols, and particularly to guide the architectural 
development of Washington, DC. 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, 2016...........................        $2,653,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................         2,762,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................         2,762,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................          +109,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $2,762,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the Commission of Fine Arts, $109,000 above the 
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request.

               National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................        $2,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................         1,400,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................         2,000,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................          +600,000
 

    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 2016 enacted level.
    Bill Language.--The bill does not include requested 
language addressing limitations on grant recipient eligibility. 
The Committee notes that NCACA is deficient in providing a 
report as directed, not later than 90 days after enactment of 
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, detailing the 
potential impact of inclusion of such bill language on those 
arts and cultural affairs organizations that received NCACA 
grant funding in fiscal year 2015. The Committee directs NCACA 
to complete the report expeditiously.

               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, 2016...........................        $6,080,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................         6,493,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................         6,480,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................          +400,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................           -13,000
 

    The Committee recommends $6,480,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 
(ACHP). An increase of $400,000 over the fiscal year 2016 
enacted level is to be used to meet Federal requirements for 
cybersecurity implementation.

                  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.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................        $8,348,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................         8,099,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................         8,099,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................          -249,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $8,099,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the National Capital Planning Commission, $249,000 
below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to 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, 2016...........................       $54,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        57,000,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................        57,000,000
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        +3,000,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $57,000,000 for the Holocaust 
Memorial Museum, $3,000,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level and equal to 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, four members of the House of 
Representatives, four Senators, and four private citizens 
appointed by the President.

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................        $1,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017.................................         1,800,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................                 0
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................        -1,000,000
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................        -1,800,000
 

    The bill does not include funding for the Salaries and 
Expenses account.
    The Committee strongly supports the construction of a 
permanent memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower. However, the 
current design of the Eisenhower Memorial continues to garner a 
significant amount of interest and opposition. The design 
process was intended to be collaborative and incorporate 
multiple perspectives, including the views of the Eisenhower 
family.
    The Commission's continued unwillingness to entertain 
sensible revisions to the memorial design, as suggested by the 
Eisenhower family and others, to more accurately capture the 
essence and reflect the legacy of Eisenhower, has resulted in 
unnecessary and unfortunate delays. The Committee is willing to 
consider discretionary appropriations to support memorial 
construction provided that steps are taken to replace the 
Commission staff with professionals committed to seeking common 
ground with the Eisenhower family, Congress, and others.
    The Committee reiterates its strongly held view that it is 
unacceptable that a memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower could be 
designed, approved, and built without the active support of the 
Eisenhower family. This position is also supported by the 
American Legion, the Nation's largest wartime veterans service 
organization, which recently passed a resolution stating it 
would support the memorial ``if the design is acceptable to the 
Eisenhower family.''
    The Eisenhower family continues its longstanding 
willingness and desire to work in concert with the Commission 
on a suitable design, assist with fundraising, and actively 
work toward the memorial's completion. The Committee maintains 
that the effort to appropriately honor Eisenhower would be 
significantly enhanced by providing the Eisenhower family and 
interested legacy organizations the active role they deserve in 
recognizing the contributions of one of the great American 
leaders of the twentieth century.

                          CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2016...........................                $0
Budget estimate, 2017.................................        43,000,000
Recommended, 2017.....................................                 0
Comparison:
  Appropriation, 2016.................................                 0
  Budget estimate, 2017...............................       -43,000,000
 

    The bill does not include funding for the Capital 
Construction account. 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 modifies a provision that restricts 
administrative assessments, and adds new language regarding 
reprogrammings and submission of operating plans.
    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 third-party contractors to process 
grandfathered applications.
    Section 405 continues a provision regarding the payment of 
contract support costs for prior fiscal years.
    Section 406 addresses the payment of contract support costs 
for fiscal year 2017.
    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.
    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 2018 budget is submitted to Congress describing 
in detail all Federal agency obligations and expenditures for 
climate change programs and activities in fiscal years 2016 and 
2017.
    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 continues a provision from the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2016 modifying authorities relating to the 
Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission.
    Section 420 prohibits the use of funds to regulate the lead 
content of ammunition or fishing tackle.
    Section 421 extends certain authorities through fiscal year 
2017 allowing the Forest Service to renew grazing permits.
    Section 422 provides a one-year extension of the current 
recreation fee authority.
    Section 423 clarifies the Bureau of Land Management's 
stewardship contracting authority.
    Section 424 prohibits the use of funds to maintain or 
establish a computer network unless such network blocks the 
viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography.
    Section 425 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 426 prohibits the use of funds to require permits 
for the discharge of dredged or fill material for certain 
agriculture activities.
    Section 427 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 428 prohibits the use of funds to limit 
recreational shooting and hunting on Federal and public lands 
except for public safety.
    Section 429 prohibits the use of funds to enforce 
provisions within the lead renovation rule until EPA has 
approved a commercially available lead test kit or solicits 
public comment on alternatives.
    Section 430 prohibits the use of funds to develop, propose, 
finalize, implement, enforce, or administer any regulation that 
would establish new financial responsibility requirements under 
CERCLA.
    Section 431 prohibits 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.
    Section 432 makes available vacant allotments for 
permittees impacted by drought or wildland fire.
    Section 433 clarifies the protection of water rights with 
regard to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management permits.
    Section 434 limits the use of funds for status changes of 
certain chemicals.
    Section 435 sets requirement for the use of American iron 
and steel for certain loans and grants.
    Section 436 prohibits the use of funds pertaining to 
certain updates to the social cost of carbon.
    Section 437 prohibits the use of funds to implement or 
enforce a provision of a rule related to designated 
representatives.
    Section 438 addresses the implementation of national 
ambient air quality standards for ozone.
    Section 439 prohibits the use of funds to develop, propose, 
finalize, implement, or enforce any rule or guideline to 
address methane emissions from sources in the oil and natural 
gas sector under section 111(b) or (d) of the Clean Air Act, 
and proposed guidelines from September 18, 2015.
    Section 440 prohibits the use of funds to modify existing 
royalty rates on coal and oil and gas leases.
    Section 441 establishes a deadline for the programmatic EIS 
review of the Federal coal program.
    Section 442 revises the definition of the National Gallery 
of Art's buildings and grounds commensurate with the Gallery's 
geographic boundaries.
    Section 443 prohibits the use of funds for the Bureau of 
Land Management to update its planning process regulations 
unless it meets certain criteria.
    Section 444 provides for the humane transfer of excess wild 
horses and burros.
    Section 445 prohibits the use of funds to list the lesser 
prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act.
    Section 446 directs the Indian Health Service to establish 
governance boards at certain federally operated hospitals, with 
the consent and participation of tribes.
    Section 447 addresses the Old and Middle River reverse flow 
operations in California.
    Section 448 addresses authorizing increased Old and Middle 
River reverse flows in California during certain times.
    Section 449 addresses certain water rights and water supply 
deliveries in California.
    Section 450 prohibits funds to implement the San Joaquin 
River Restoration program.
    Section 451 prohibits funds for instream flow purchases in 
California carried out by the Bureau of Reclamation at certain 
times.
    Section 452 addresses water storage at New Melones 
Reservoir.
    Section 453 prohibits the use of funds to designate 
national monuments in certain counties.
    Section 454 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:

         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.
    Department of the Interior: Bureau of Safety and 
Environmental Enforcement, $20,000,000.

                           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.

   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)

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

   DIVISION E--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012

                                TITLE I

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  bureau of land management actions regarding grazing on public lands

  Sec. 122. (a) Exhaustion of Administrative Review Required.--
          (1) For [fiscal years 2012 through 2018,] 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 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.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              

INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE ACT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

 TITLE VIII--NATIONAL FUND FOR EXCELLENCE IN AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION

SEC. 801. NATIONAL FUND FOR EXCELLENCE IN AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION.

  (a) In General.--As soon as practicable after the date of the 
enactment of this title, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
establish, under the laws of the District of Columbia and in 
accordance with this title, a [foundation] fund to be known as 
the ``National Fund for Excellence in American Indian 
Education'' (hereinafter referred to as the ``[Foundation] 
Fund''). The Fund shall be affiliated and may contract for 
services with a section 501(c)(3) national organization whose 
mission is to represent Native American students and educators 
for the improvement of schools and the education of Native 
children.
  (b) Perpetual Existence.--Except as otherwise provided, the 
[Foundation] Fund shall have perpetual existence.
  (c) Nature of Corporation.--The [Foundation] Fund shall be a 
charitable and nonprofit federally chartered corporation and 
shall not be an agency or instrumentality of the United States.
  (d) Place of Incorporation and Domicile.--The [Foundation] 
Fund shall be incorporated and domiciled in the District of 
Columbia.
  (e) Purposes.--The purposes of the [Foundation] Fund shall 
be--
          (1) to encourage, accept, and administer private or 
        public gifts of real and personal property or any 
        income therefrom or other interest therein for the 
        benefit of, or in support of, the mission of the Office 
        of Indian Education Programs of the Bureau of Indian 
        Affairs (or its successor office);
          (2) to undertake and conduct such other activities as 
        will further the educational opportunities of American 
        Indians who attend a Bureau funded school; [and]
          (3) to participate with, and otherwise assist, 
        Federal, State, and tribal governments, agencies, 
        entities, and individuals in undertaking and conducting 
        activities that will further the educational 
        opportunities of American Indians attending Bureau 
        funded schools[.];
          (4) to promote and facilitate public-private 
        partnerships that maximize the involvement of the 
        private sector, including nonprofit organizations and 
        for-profit entities, in providing financial and in-kind 
        support for the improvement or replacement of 
        facilities and infrastructure and for the enhancement 
        of telecommunications and technological capacity in 
        Bureau-funded schools; and
          (5) to facilitate interagency agreements between the 
        Department of the Interior and other Federal agencies 
        in furtherance of the purposes of the Fund.
  (f) Board of Directors.--
          (1) In general.--The Board of Directors shall be the 
        governing body of the [Foundation] Fund. The Board may 
        exercise, or provide for the exercise of, the powers of 
        the [Foundation] Fund.
          (2) Selection.--[The number of members of the Board, 
        the manner of their selection (including the filling of 
        vacancies), and their terms of office shall be as 
        provided in the constitution and bylaws of the 
        Foundation. However, the Board shall have at least 11 
        members, two of whom shall be the Secretary and the 
        Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 
        who shall serve as ex officio nonvoting members, and 
        the initial voting members of the Board shall be 
        appointed by the Secretary not later than 6 months 
        after the date that the Foundation is established and 
        shall have staggered terms (as determined by the 
        Secretary).] The number of members of the Board, the 
        manner of their selection (including the filling of 
        vacancies), and their terms of office shall be as 
        provided in the constitution and bylaws of the Fund. 
        The Board shall have nine members, including the 
        Secretary and the Assistant Secretary of the Interior 
        for Indian Affairs who shall serve as ex officio 
        nonvoting members and who shall appoint three voting 
        members to staggered terms, and including the President 
        and Executive Director of the 501(c)(3) national 
        organization referenced in subsection (a) who shall 
        serve as ex officio nonvoting members and who shall 
        appoint two voting members to staggered terms.
          (3) Qualification.--The members of the Board shall be 
        United States citizens who [are knowledgeable or 
        experienced in American Indian education and shall, to 
        the extent practicable,] shall, to the extent 
        practicable, be drawn from various disciplines related 
        to the purposes of the Fund, and represent diverse 
        points of view relating to the education of American 
        Indians.
          (4) Compensation.--Members of the Board shall not 
        receive compensation for their services as members, but 
        shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and 
        subsistence expenses incurred by them in the 
        performance of the duties of the [Foundation] Fund.
  (g) Officers.--
          (1) In general.--The officers of the [Foundation] 
        Fund shall be a secretary, elected from among the 
        members of the Board, and any other officers provided 
        for in the constitution and bylaws of the [Foundation] 
        Fund.
          (2) Secretary of foundation.--The secretary shall 
        serve, at the direction of the Board, as its chief 
        operating officer and shall be knowledgeable and 
        experienced in matters relating to education in general 
        and education of American Indians in particular.
          (3) Election.--The manner of election, term of 
        office, and duties of the officers shall be as provided 
        in the constitution and bylaws of the [Foundation] 
        Fund.
  (h) Powers.--The [Foundation] Fund--
          (1) shall adopt a constitution and bylaws for the 
        management of its property and the regulation of its 
        affairs, which may be amended;
          (2) may adopt and alter a corporate seal;
          (3) may make contracts, subject to the limitations of 
        this Act;
          (4) may acquire (through a gift or otherwise), own, 
        lease, encumber, and transfer real or personal property 
        as necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of 
        the [Foundation] Fund;
          (5) may sue and be sued; and
          (6) may perform any other act necessary and proper to 
        carry out the purposes of the [Foundation] Fund.
  (i) Principal Office.--The principal office of the 
[Foundation] Fund shall be in the District of Columbia. 
However, the activities of the [Foundation] Fund may be 
conducted, and offices may be maintained, throughout the United 
States in accordance with the constitution and bylaws of the 
[Foundation] Fund.
  (j) Service of Process.--The [Foundation] Fund shall comply 
with the law on service of process of each State in which it is 
incorporated and of each State in which the [Foundation] Fund 
carries on activities.
  (k) Liability of Officers and Agents.--The [Foundation] Fund 
shall be liable for the acts of its officers and agents acting 
within the scope of their authority. Members of the Board are 
personally liable only for gross negligence in the performance 
of their duties.
  (l) Restrictions.--
          (1) Limitation on spending.--Beginning with the 
        fiscal year following the first full fiscal year during 
        which the [Foundation] Fund is in operation, the 
        administrative costs of the [Foundation] Fund may not 
        exceed 10 percent of the sum of--
                  (A) the amounts transferred to the 
                [Foundation] Fund under subsection (m) during 
                the preceding fiscal year; and
                  (B) donations received from private sources 
                during the preceding fiscal year.
          (2) Appointment and hiring.--The appointment of 
        officers and employees of the [Foundation] Fund shall 
        be subject to the availability of funds.
          (3) Status.--Members of the Board, and the officers, 
        employees, and agents of the [Foundation] Fund are not, 
        by reason of their association with the [Foundation] 
        Fund, officers, employees, or agents of the United 
        States.
  (m) Transfer of Donated Funds and Property.--The Secretary 
may transfer to the [Foundation] Fund funds and property held 
by the Department of the Interior under the Act of February 14, 
1931 (25 U.S.C. 451), if the transfer or use of such funds is 
not prohibited by any term under which the funds were donated.
  (n) Audits.--The [Foundation] Fund shall comply with the 
audit requirements set forth in section 10101 of title 36, 
United States Code, as if it were a corporation in part B of 
subtitle II of that title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              

                   SECTION 140 OF PUBLIC LAW 108-108

  Sec. 140. (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
``Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Act of 2003''.
  (b) Findings and Purpose.
          (1) Findings. Congress finds that:
                  (A) The Blue Ridge Mountains and the 
                extensive cultural and natural resources of the 
                Blue Ridge Mountains have played a significant 
                role in the history of the United States and 
                the State of North Carolina.
                  (B) Archaeological evidence indicates that 
                the Blue Ridge Mountains have been inhabited by 
                humans since the last retreat of the glaciers, 
                with the Native Americans living in the area at 
                the time of European discovery being primarily 
                of Cherokee descent.
                  (C) The Blue Ridge Mountains of western North 
                Carolina, including the Great Smoky Mountains, 
                played a unique and significant role in the 
                establishment and development of the culture of 
                the United States through several distinct 
                legacies, including--
                          (i) the craft heritage that--
                                  (I) was first influenced by 
                                the Cherokee Indians;
                                  (II) was the origin of the 
                                traditional craft movement 
                                starting in 1900 and the 
                                contemporary craft movement 
                                starting in the 1940's; and
                                  (III) is carried out by over 
                                4,000 craftspeople in the Blue 
                                Ridge Mountains of western 
                                North Carolina, the third 
                                largest concentration of such 
                                people in the United States;
                          (ii) a musical heritage comprised of 
                        distinctive instrumental and vocal 
                        traditions that--
                                  (I) includes stringband 
                                music, bluegrass, ballad 
                                singing, blues, and sacred 
                                music;
                                  (II) has received national 
                                recognition; and
                                  (III) has made the region one 
                                of the richest repositories of 
                                traditional music and folklife 
                                in the United States;
                          (iii) the Cherokee heritage--
                                  (I) dating back thousands of 
                                years; and
                                  (II) offering--
                                          (aa) nationally 
                                        significant cultural 
                                        traditions practiced by 
                                        the Eastern Band of 
                                        Cherokee Indians;
                                          (bb) authentic 
                                        tradition bearers;
                                          (cc) historic sites; 
                                        and
                                          (dd) historically 
                                        important collections 
                                        of Cherokee artifacts; 
                                        and
                          (iv) the agricultural heritage 
                        established by the Cherokee Indians, 
                        including medicinal and ceremonial food 
                        crops, combined with the historic 
                        European patterns of raising livestock, 
                        culminating in the largest number of 
                        specialty crop farms in North Carolina.
                  (D) The artifacts and structures associated 
                with those legacies are unusually well-
                preserved.
                  (E) The Blue Ridge Mountains are recognized 
                as having one of the richest collections of 
                historical resources in North America.
                  (F) The history and cultural heritage of the 
                Blue Ridge Mountains are shared with the States 
                of Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia.
                  (G) there are significant cultural, economic, 
                and educational benefits in celebrating and 
                promoting this mutual heritage.
                  (H) according to the 2002 reports entitled 
                ``The Blue Ridge Heritage and Cultural 
                Partnership'' and ``Western North Carolina 
                National Heritage Area Feasibility Study and 
                Plan'', the Blue Ridge Mountains contain 
                numerous resources that are of outstanding 
                importance to the history of the United States.
                  (I) it is in the interest of the United 
                States to preserve and interpret the cultural 
                and historical resources of the Blue Ridge 
                Mountains for the education and benefit of 
                present and future generations.
          (2) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to foster 
        a close working relationship with, and to assist, all 
        levels of government, the private sector, and local 
        communities in the State in managing, preserving, 
        protecting, and interpreting the cultural, historical, 
        and natural resources of the Heritage Area while 
        continuing to develop economic opportunities.
  (c) Definitions.
          (1) In this section:
                  (A) Heritage area. The term ``Heritage Area'' 
                means the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area 
                established by subsection (d).
                  (B) Management entity. The term ``management 
                entity'' means the management entity for the 
                Heritage Area designated by subsection (d)(3).
                  (C) Management plan. The term ``management 
                plan'' means the management plan for the 
                Heritage Area approved under subsection (e).
                  (D) Secretary. The term ``Secretary'' means 
                the Secretary of the Interior.
                  (E) State. The term ``State'' means the State 
                of North Carolina.
  (d) Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.
          (1) Establishment. There is established the Blue 
        Ridge National Heritage Area in the State.
          (2) Boundaries. The Heritage Area shall consist of 
        the counties of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, 
        Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, 
        Henderson, Jackson, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, 
        Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, 
        Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey in the State.
          (3) Management entity.
                  (A) In general. As a condition of the receipt 
                of funds made available under subsection (i), 
                the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area 
                Partnership shall be the management entity for 
                the Heritage Area.
                  (B) Board of directors.
                          (i) Composition. The management 
                        entity shall be governed by a board of 
                        directors composed of nine members, of 
                        whom--
                                  (I) two members shall be 
                                appointed by AdvantageWest;
                                  (II) two members shall be 
                                appointed by HandMade In 
                                America, Inc.;
                                  (III) one member shall be 
                                appointed by the Education 
                                Research Consortium of Western 
                                North Carolina;
                                  (IV) one member shall be 
                                appointed by the Eastern Band 
                                of the Cherokee Indians; and
                                  (V) three members shall be 
                                appointed by the Governor of 
                                North Carolina and shall--
                                          (aa) reside in 
                                        geographically diverse 
                                        regions of the Heritage 
                                        Area;
                                          (bb) be a 
                                        representative of State 
                                        or local governments or 
                                        the private sector; and
                                          (cc) have knowledge 
                                        of tourism, economic 
                                        and community 
                                        development, regional 
                                        planning, historic 
                                        preservation, cultural 
                                        or natural resources 
                                        development, regional 
                                        planning, conservation, 
                                        recreational services, 
                                        education, or museum 
                                        services.
  (e) Management Plan.
          (1) In general. Not later than 3 years after the date 
        of enactment of this section, the management entity 
        shall submit to the Secretary for approval a management 
        plan for the Heritage Area.
          (2) Consideration of other plans and actions. In 
        developing the management plan, the management entity 
        shall--
                  (A) for the purpose of presenting a unified 
                preservation and interpretation plan, take into 
                consideration Federal, State, and local plans; 
                and
                  (B) provide for the participation of 
                residents, public agencies, and private 
                organizations in the Heritage Area.
          (3) Contents. The management plan shall--
                  (A) present comprehensive recommendations and 
                strategies for the conservation, funding, 
                management, and development of the Heritage 
                Area;
                  (B) identify existing and potential sources 
                of Federal and non-Federal funding for the 
                conservation, management, and development of 
                the Heritage Area; and
                  (C) include--
                          (i) an inventory of the cultural, 
                        historical, natural, and recreational 
                        resources of the Heritage Area, 
                        including a list of property that--
                                  (I) relates to the purposes 
                                of the Heritage Area; and
                                  (II) should be conserved, 
                                restored, managed, developed, 
                                or maintained because of the 
                                significance of the property;
                          (ii) a program of strategies and 
                        actions for the implementation of the 
                        management plan that identifies the 
                        roles of agencies and organizations 
                        that are involved in the implementation 
                        of the management plan;
                          (iii) an interpretive and educational 
                        plan for the Heritage Area;
                          (iv) a recommendation of policies for 
                        resource management and protection that 
                        develop intergovernmental cooperative 
                        agreements to manage and protect the 
                        cultural, historical, natural, and 
                        recreational resources of the Heritage 
                        Area; and
                          (v) an analysis of ways in which 
                        Federal, State, and local programs may 
                        best be coordinated to promote the 
                        purposes of this section.
          (4) Effect of failure to submit. If a management plan 
        is not submitted to the Secretary by the date described 
        in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not provide any 
        additional funding under this section until a 
        management plan is submitted to the Secretary.
          (5) Approval or disapproval of management plan.
                  (A) In general. Not later than 90 days after 
                receiving the management plan submitted under 
                paragraph (1), the Secretary shall approve or 
                disapprove the management plan.
                  (B) Criteria. In determining whether to 
                approve the management plan, the Secretary 
                shall consider whether the management plan--
                          (i) has strong local support from 
                        landowners, business interests, 
                        nonprofit organizations, and 
                        governments in the Heritage Area; and
                          (ii) has a high potential for 
                        effective partnership mechanisms.
                  (C) Action following disapproval. If the 
                Secretary disapproves a management plan under 
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall--
                          (i) advise the management entity in 
                        writing of the reasons for the 
                        disapproval;
                          (ii) make recommendations for 
                        revisions to the management plan; and
                          (iii) allow the management entity to 
                        submit to the Secretary revisions to 
                        the management plan.
                  (D) Deadline for approval of revision. Not 
                later than 60 days after the date on which a 
                revision is submitted under subparagraph 
                (C)(iii), the Secretary shall approve or 
                disapprove the proposed revision.
          (6) Amendment of approved management plan.
                  (A) In general. After approval by the 
                Secretary of a management plan, the management 
                entity shall periodically--
                          (i) review the management plan; and
                          (ii) submit to the Secretary, for 
                        review and approval, the recommendation 
                        of the management entity for any 
                        amendments to the management plan.
                  (B) Use of funds. No funds made available 
                under subsection (i) shall be used to implement 
                any amendment proposed by the management entity 
                under subparagraph (A) until the Secretary 
                approves the amendment.
  (f) Authorities and Duties of the Management Entity.
          (1) Authorities. For the purposes of developing and 
        implementing the management plan, the management entity 
        may use funds made available under subsection (i) to--
                  (A) make grants to, and enter into 
                cooperative agreements with, the State 
                (including a political subdivision), nonprofit 
                organizations, or persons;
                  (B) hire and compensate staff; and
                  (C) enter into contracts for goods and 
                services.
          (2) Duties. In addition to developing the management 
        plan, the management entity shall--
                  (A) develop and implement the management plan 
                while considering the interests of diverse 
                units of government, businesses, private 
                property owners, and nonprofit groups in the 
                Heritage Area;
                  (B) conduct public meetings in the Heritage 
                Area at least semiannually on the development 
                and implementation of the management plan;
                  (C) give priority to the implementation of 
                actions, goals, and strategies in the 
                management plan, including providing assistance 
                to units of government, nonprofit 
                organizations, and persons in--
                          (i) carrying out the programs that 
                        protect resources in the Heritage Area;
                          (ii) encouraging economic viability 
                        in the Heritage Area in accordance with 
                        the goals of the management plan;
                          (iii) establishing and maintaining 
                        interpretive exhibits in the Heritage 
                        Area;
                          (iv) developing recreational and 
                        educational opportunities in the 
                        Heritage Area; and
                          (v) increasing public awareness of 
                        and appreciation for the cultural, 
                        historical, and natural resources of 
                        the Heritage Area; and
                  (D) for any fiscal year for which Federal 
                funds are received under subsection (i)--
                          (i) submit to the Secretary a report 
                        that describes, for the fiscal year--
                                  (I) the accomplishments of 
                                the management entity;
                                  (II) the expenses and income 
                                of the management entity; and
                                  (III) each entity to which a 
                                grant was made;
                          (ii) make available for audit by 
                        Congress, the Secretary, and 
                        appropriate units of government, all 
                        records relating to the expenditure of 
                        funds and any matching funds; and
                          (iii) require, for all agreements 
                        authorizing expenditure of Federal 
                        funds by any entity, that the receiving 
                        entity make available for audit all 
                        records relating to the expenditure of 
                        funds.
          (3) Prohibition on the acquisition of real property. 
        The management entity shall not use Federal funds 
        received under subsection (i) to acquire real property 
        or an interest in real property.
  (g) Technical and Financial Assistance.
          (1) In general. The Secretary may provide to the 
        management entity technical assistance and, subject to 
        the availability of appropriations, financial 
        assistance, for use in developing and implementing the 
        management plan.
          (2) Priority for assistance. In providing assistance 
        under subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority 
        to actions that facilitate--
                  (A) the preservation of the significant 
                cultural, historical, natural, and recreational 
                resources of the Heritage Area; and
                  (B) the provision of educational, 
                interpretive, and recreational opportunities 
                that are consistent with the resources of the 
                Heritage Area.
  (h) Land Use Regulation.
          (1) In general. Nothing in this section--
                  (A) grants any power of zoning or land use to 
                the management entity; or
                  (B) modifies, enlarges, or diminishes any 
                authority of the Federal Government or any 
                State or local government to regulate any use 
                of land under any law (including regulations).
          (2) Private property. Nothing in this section--
                  (A) abridges the rights of any person with 
                respect to private property;
                  (B) affects the authority of the State or 
                local government with respect to private 
                property; or
                  (C) imposes any additional burden on any 
                property owner.
  (i) Authorization of Appropriations.
          (1) In general. There is authorized to be 
        appropriated to carry out this section [$10,000,000] 
        $12,000,000, of which not more than $1,000,000 shall be 
        made available for any fiscal year.
          (2) Non-federal share. The non-Federal share of the 
        cost of any activities carried out using Federal funds 
        made available under subsection (a) shall be not less 
        than 50 percent.
  (j) Termination of Authority. The authority of the Secretary 
to provide assistance under this section terminates on the date 
that is 15 years after the date of enactment of this section.
                              ----------                              

            SECTION 810 OF DIVISION B OF PUBLIC LAW 106-554

SEC. 810. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  (a) In General.--
          (1) Corridor.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
        for the Corridor not more than $1,000,000 for any 
        fiscal year, to remain available until expended. Not 
        more than a total of [$10,000,000] $12,000,000 may be 
        appropriated for the Corridor under this title.
          (2) Matching requirement.--Federal funding provided 
        under this paragraph may not exceed 50 percent of the 
        total cost of any activity carried out with such funds. 
        The non-Federal share of such support may be in the 
        form of cash, services, or in-kind contributions, 
        fairly valued.
  (b) Other Funding.--In addition to the sums authorized in 
subsection (a), there are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary of the Interior such sums as are necessary for the 
Secretary for planning and technical assistance.
                              ----------                              

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2000

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                               TITLE VIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  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;
                          (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--
          (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, [September 30, 2016] September 30, 2017.
  (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.
          (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.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              

FEDERAL LANDS RECREATION ENHANCEMENT ACT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

DIVISION J--OTHER MATTERS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

TITLE VIII--FEDERAL LANDS RECREATION ENHANCEMENT ACT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 810. SUNSET PROVISION.

  The authority of the Secretary to carry out this Act shall 
terminate [September 30, 2017] September 30, 2018.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              

HEALTHY FORESTS RESTORATION ACT OF 2003

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SEC. 604. STEWARDSHIP END RESULT CONTRACTING PROJECTS.

  (a) Definitions.--In this section:
          (1) Chief.--The term ``Chief'' means the Chief of the 
        Forest Service.
          (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the 
        Director of the Bureau of Land Management.
  (b) Projects.--The Chief and the Director, via agreement or 
contract as appropriate, may enter into stewardship contracting 
projects with private persons or other public or private 
entities to perform services to achieve land management goals 
for the national forests and the public lands that meet local 
and rural community needs.
  (c) Land Management Goals.--The land management goals of a 
project under subsection (b) may include any of the following:
          (1) Road and trail maintenance or obliteration to 
        restore or maintain water quality.
          (2) Soil productivity, habitat for wildlife and 
        fisheries, or other resource values.
          (3) Setting of prescribed fires to improve the 
        composition, structure, condition, and health of stands 
        or to improve wildlife habitat.
          (4) Removing vegetation or other activities to 
        promote healthy forest stands, reduce fire hazards, or 
        achieve other land management objectives.
          (5) Watershed restoration and maintenance.
          (6) Restoration and maintenance of wildlife and fish.
          (7) Control of noxious and exotic weeds and 
        reestablishing native plant species.
  (d) Agreements or Contracts.--
          (1) Procurement procedure.--A source for performance 
        of an agreement or contract under subsection (b) shall 
        be selected on a best-value basis, including 
        consideration of source under other public and private 
        agreements or contracts.
          (2) Contract for sale of property.--A contract 
        entered into under this section may, at the discretion 
        of the Secretary of Agriculture, be considered a 
        contract for the sale of property under such terms as 
        the Secretary may prescribe without regard to any other 
        provision of law.
          (3) Term.--
                  (A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), the Chief and the Director 
                may enter into a contract under subsection (b) 
                in accordance with section 3903 of title 41, 
                United States Code.
                  (B) Maximum.--The period of the contract 
                under subsection (b) may exceed 5 years but may 
                not exceed 10 years.
          (4) Offsets.--
                  (A) In general.--The Chief and the Director 
                may apply the value of timber or other forest 
                products removed as an offset against the cost 
                of services received under the agreement or 
                contract described in subsection (b).
                  (B) Methods of appraisal.--The value of 
                timber or other forest products used as an 
                offset under subparagraph (A)--
                          (i) shall be determined using 
                        appropriate methods of appraisal 
                        commensurate with the quantity of 
                        products to be removed; and
                          (ii) may--
                                  (I) be determined using a 
                                unit of measure appropriate to 
                                the contracts; and
                                  (II) may include valuing 
                                products on a per-acre basis.
          (5) Relation to other laws.--Notwithstanding 
        subsections (d) and (g) of section 14 of the National 
        Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a), the 
        Chief may enter into an agreement or contract under 
        subsection (b). Notwithstanding section 2 of the Act of 
        July 31, 1947 (commonly known as the Materials Act of 
        1947; 30 U.S.C. 602), the Director may enter into an 
        agreement or contract under subsection (b).
          (6) Contracting officer.--Notwithstanding any other 
        provision of law, the Secretary or the Secretary of the 
        Interior may determine the appropriate contracting 
        officer to enter into and administer an agreement or 
        contract under subsection (b).
          (7) Fire liability provisions.--Not later than 90 
        days after the date of enactment of this section, the 
        Chief [and the Director] shall issue for use in all 
        contracts and agreements entered into by the Chief 
        under this section fire liability provisions that are 
        in substantially the same form as the fire liability 
        provisions contained in--
                  (A) integrated resource timber contracts, as 
                described in the Forest Service contract 
                numbered 2400-13, part H, section H.4; and
                  (B) timber sale contracts conducted pursuant 
                to section 14 of the National Forest Management 
                Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a).
  (e) Receipts.--
          (1) In general.--The Chief and the Director may 
        collect monies from an agreement or contract under 
        subsection (b) if the collection is a secondary 
        objective of negotiating the contract that will best 
        achieve the purposes of this section.
          (2) Use.--Monies from an agreement or contract under 
        subsection (b)--
                  (A) may be retained by the Chief and the 
                Director; and
                  (B) shall be available for expenditure 
                without further appropriation at the project 
                site from which the monies are collected or at 
                another project site.
          (3) Relation to other laws.--
                  (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other 
                provision of law, the value of services 
                received by the Chief or the Director under a 
                stewardship contract project conducted under 
                this section, and any payments made or 
                resources provided by the contractor, Chief, or 
                Director shall not be considered monies 
                received from the National Forest System or the 
                public lands.
                  (B) Knutson-vanderberg Act.--The Act of June 
                9, 1930 (commonly known as the ``Knutson-
                Vanderberg Act'') (16 U.S.C. 576 et seq.) shall 
                not apply to any agreement or contract under 
                subsection (b).
  (f) Costs of Removal.--Notwithstanding the fact that a 
contractor did not harvest the timber, the Chief may collect 
deposits from a contractor covering the costs of removal of 
timber or other forest products under--
          (1) the Act of August 11, 1916 (16 U.S.C. 490); and
          (2) the Act of June 30, 1914 (16 U.S.C. 498).
  (g) Performance and Payment Guarantees.--
          (1) In general.--The Chief and the Director may 
        require performance and payment bonds under sections 
        28.103-2 and 28.103-3 of the Federal Acquisition 
        Regulation, in an amount that the contracting officer 
        considers sufficient to protect the investment in 
        receipts by the Federal Government generated by the 
        contractor from the estimated value of the forest 
        products to be removed under a contract under 
        subsection (b).
          (2) Excess offset value.--If the offset value of the 
        forest products exceeds the value of the resource 
        improvement treatments, the Chief and the Director 
        may--
                  (A) collect any residual receipts under the 
                Act of June 9, 1930 (commonly known as the 
                ``Knutson-Vanderberg Act'') (16 U.S.C. 576 et 
                seq.); and
                  (B) apply the excess to other authorized 
                stewardship projects.
  (h) Monitoring and Evaluation.--
          (1) In general.--The Chief and the Director shall 
        establish a multiparty monitoring and evaluation 
        process that accesses the stewardship contracting 
        projects conducted under this section.
          (2) Participants.--Other than the Chief and Director, 
        participants in the process described in paragraph (1) 
        may include--
                  (A) any cooperating governmental agencies, 
                including tribal governments; and
                  (B) any other interested groups or 
                individuals.
  (i) Reporting.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Chief 
and the Director shall report to the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on 
Agriculture of the House of Representatives on--
          (1) the status of development, execution, and 
        administration of agreements or contracts under 
        subsection (b);
          (2) the specific accomplishments that have resulted; 
        and
          (3) the role of local communities in the development 
        of agreements or contract plans.
                              ----------                              

TITLE 40, UNITED STATES CODE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

SUBTITLE II--PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND WORKS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

PART C--FEDERAL BUILDING COMPLEXES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

CHAPTER 63--SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, AND JOHN 
F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

Sec. 6301. Definition

   In this chapter, the term ``specified buildings and 
grounds'' means--
          (1) Smithsonian institution.--The Smithsonian 
        Institution and its grounds, which include the 
        following:
                  (A) Smithsonian buildings and grounds on the 
                national mall.--The Smithsonian Building, the 
                Arts and Industries Building, the Freer Gallery 
                of Art, the National Air and Space Museum, the 
                National Museum of Natural History, the 
                National Museum of American History, the 
                National Museum of the American Indian, the 
                Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the 
                Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the National Museum 
                of African Art, the S. Dillon Ripley Center, 
                and all other buildings of the Smithsonian 
                Institution within the Mall, including the 
                entrance walks, unloading areas, and other 
                pertinent service roads and parking areas.
                  (B) National zoological park.--The National 
                Zoological Park comprising all the buildings, 
                streets, service roads, walks, and other areas 
                within the boundary fence of the National 
                Zoological Park in the District of Columbia and 
                including the public space between that fence 
                and the face of the curb lines of the adjacent 
                city streets.
                  (C) Other smithsonian buildings and 
                grounds.--All other buildings, service roads, 
                walks, and other areas within the exterior 
                boundaries of any real estate or land or 
                interest in land (including temporary use) that 
                the Smithsonian Institution acquires and that 
                the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution 
                determines to be necessary for the adequate 
                protection of individuals or property in the 
                Smithsonian Institution and suitable for 
                administration as a part of the Smithsonian 
                Institution.
          (2) National gallery of art.--[The National Gallery 
        of Art] (A) The National Gallery of Art and its 
        grounds, which extend--
                  [(A)] (i) to the line of the face of the 
                south curb of Constitution Avenue Northwest, 
                between Seventh Street Northwest, and Fourth 
                Street Northwest, to the line of the face of 
                the west curb of Fourth Street Northwest, 
                between Constitution Avenue Northwest, and 
                Madison Drive Northwest; to the line of the 
                face of the north curb of Madison Drive 
                Northwest, between Fourth Street Northwest, and 
                Seventh Street Northwest; and to the line of 
                the face of the east curb of Seventh Street 
                Northwest, between Madison Drive Northwest, and 
                Constitution Avenue Northwest;
                  [(B)] (ii) to the line of the face of the 
                south curb of Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, 
                between Fourth Street and Third Street 
                Northwest, to the line of the face of the west 
                curb of Third Street Northwest, between 
                Pennsylvania Avenue and Madison Drive 
                Northwest, to the line of the face of the north 
                curb of Madison Drive Northwest, between Third 
                Street and Fourth Street Northwest, and to the 
                line of the face of the east curb of Fourth 
                Street Northwest, between Pennsylvania Avenue 
                and Madison Drive Northwest; and
                  [(C)] (iii) to the line of the face of the 
                south curb of Constitution Avenue Northwest, 
                between Ninth Street Northwest and Seventh 
                Street Northwest; to the line of the face of 
                the west curb of Seventh Street Northwest, 
                between Constitution Avenue Northwest and 
                Madison Drive Northwest; to the line of the 
                face of the north curb of Madison Drive 
                Northwest, between Seventh Street Northwest and 
                the line of the face of the east side of the 
                east retaining wall of the Ninth Street 
                Expressway Northwest; and to the line of the 
                face of the east side of the east retaining 
                wall of the Ninth Street Expressway Northwest, 
                between Madison Drive Northwest and 
                Constitution Avenue Northwest.
          (B) All other buildings, service roads, walks, and 
        other areas within the exterior boundaries of any real 
        estate or land or interest in land (including temporary 
        use) that the National Gallery of Art acquires and that 
        the Director of the National Gallery of Art determines 
        to be necessary for the adequate protection of 
        individuals or property in the National Gallery of Art 
        and suitable for administration as a part of the 
        National Gallery of Art.
          (3) John f. kennedy center for the performing arts.--
        The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 
        which extends to the line of the west face of the west 
        retaining walls and curbs of the Inner Loop Freeway on 
        the east, the north face of the north retaining walls 
        and curbs of the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge approaches 
        on the south, the east face of the east retaining walls 
        and curbs of Rock Creek Parkway on the west, and the 
        south curbs of New Hampshire Avenue and F Street on the 
        north, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
        ``Transfer of John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing 
        Arts'', numbered 844/82563 and dated April 20, 1994 (as 
        amended by the map entitled ``Transfer of John F. 
        Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts'', numbered 844/
        82563A and dated May 22, 1997), which shall be on file 
        and available for public inspection in the office of 
        the National Capital Region, National Park Service.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                 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

    Requiring that funding for the program is derived from the 
Land and Water Conservation Fund.

                   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

    Requiring that funding 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 a portion of 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.

                       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, and management planning and 
compliance for areas administered by the National Park Service.
    Providing that a single procurement may be issued for any 
project funded in fiscal year 2017 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

    Requiring that funding for the program is 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.
    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.
    Providing funds to publish and disseminate data relative to 
the foregoing activities.
    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, 
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 2017.
    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 2016.
    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 2017.
    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.

          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.
    Providing that funds shall be used for economic and 
community development in conjunction with reclamation 
priorities.

        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.
    Limiting funds for education-related administrative cost 
grants.
    Allowing the transfer of certain forestry funds.
    Allowing the use of funds to purchase uniforms or other 
identifying articles of clothing for personnel.

                         CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS

    Providing for such sums as are necessary to fully fund 
contract support costs.
    Prohibiting the transfer of funds from any other account 
within the Indian Health Service to fund contract support 
costs.

                              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.

                       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.
    Limiting the expansion of satellite school locations.

                          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 Payments 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 non-Federal matching funds for hazard mitigation grants.

               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.
    Exempting reconciliation of Special Deposit Accounts with 
low balances in certain circumstances.
    Allowing for limited aggregation of trust accounts of 
individuals whose whereabouts are unknown.

                        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.
    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 and sale of certain 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 Bureau of Indian Education 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.
    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.
    Allowing for the more efficient use of reimbursable funding 
agreements.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to change the status of sage-
grouse under the Endangered Species Act and to prohibit funds 
to implement Federal Resource Management Plans unless certain 
criteria are met.
    Addressing Solicitor Opinion M-37025, dated November 4, 
2011.
    Reconstituting the Indian Education Fund.
    Providing authorities for heritage areas.
    Expanding conservation fish hatcheries.
    Requiring the reissuance of certain final rules and 
prohibiting such rules from further judicial review.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to develop, carry out, or 
implement proposed regulations published on July 7, 2015, or 
any changes to regulations published on June 30, 1983.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to implement, administer, or 
enforce a National Park Service policy to eliminate the sale of 
water in disposable, recyclable bottles in national parks.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to finalize the Bureau of Land 
Management's proposed rule titled Waste Prevention, Production 
Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to list in the National 
Register of Historic Places property deemed crucial to national 
security and military training.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to change regulations for 
drilling margins and downhole mud weight as of April 1, 2015.
    Prohibiting the implementation of a final rule for 
federally recognizing Indian tribes.
    Modifying 50 CFR 14.92(a)(1) to include echinoderms 
commonly known as sea urchins and sea cucumbers.
    Prohibiting the use of funds for the Bureau of Offshore 
Energy Management to issue, finalize, or implement a rule until 
certain criteria are met.
    Adressing land taken into trust between 1934 and February 
24, 2009.

               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 report accompanying 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 report accompanying this Act.
    Designating funding for Geographical programs as specified 
in the report accompanying this Act.
    Providing for the use of funds to assist with States Solid 
Waste management plans.
    Providing for the use of funds for a report on the 
effectiveness States Solid Waste management plans toward the 
intended purpose.

                     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 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 certain grants under authority of Section 103, 
Clean Air Act.
    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.

      WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE AND INNOVATION PROGRAM ACCOUNT

    Defining costs of loans and costs of modifying loans.
    Providing availability of funds.
    Designating the deposit and availability of fees.
    Providing administrative expenses to carry out the 
programs.

                       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.
    Designating the policy for treatment of biomass emissions 
as carbon neutral.
    Designating the policy for review of exempt aquifer 
applications.
    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.

                       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.
    Deriving certain funds 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

    Requiring that funding for the program is 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.

                        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.
    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.
    Requiring regular report of all unobligated balances.
    Providing a categorical exclusion for certain forest 
management activities.

                         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 for operational funds for leased space and 
accreditation emergencies.
    Providing for the allocation of certain funds.
    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.

                         CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS

    Providing for such sums as are necessary to fully fund 
contract support costs.
    Prohibiting the transfer of funds from any other account 
within the Indian Health Service to fund contract support 
costs.

                        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.
    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.
    Requiring departmental assessments to be identified in 
annual budget justifications.
    Allowing de-obligation and re-obligation of funds applied 
to self-governance 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.
    Prohibiting changes in organizational structure without 
advance notification to Congress. 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 that funds in this and prior appropriations Acts 
shall be used to relocate persons certified as eligible.
    Providing that no person can be evicted unless a 
replacement home is provided.
    Providing that no relocatee is provided with more than one 
new or replacement home.
    Providing for the transfer of funds to the Department of 
the Interior Office of Inspector General.

             CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD

    Permitting use of funds for hire of passenger vehicles, 
uniforms or allowances with per diem rate limitations.
    Limiting the number of senior level positions.
    Designating the individual appointed to the position of 
Inspector General of the Environmental Protection Agency as the 
Inspector General of the Board.
    Directing use of personnel and limiting position 
appointments within the Board.

                        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.

                     CAPITAL REPAIR AND RESTORATION

    Providing funds to the John F. Kennedy Center for the 
Performing Arts Kennedy Center for facility repair.

            Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    Providing funds to the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars.
    Allowing for hire of passenger vehicles and services.

                    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.
    Providing that one-tenth of one percent of funds provided 
may be used for official reception and representation expenses.

               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.
    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.
    Continuing a provision regarding the payment of contract 
support costs for prior fiscal years.
    Addressing the payment of contract support costs for fiscal 
year 2017.
    Continuing 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.
    Limiting leasing and preleasing activities within National 
Monuments.
    Limiting takings for acquisition of lands except under 
certain conditions.
    Continuing a provision addressing timber sales involving 
Alaskan western 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.
    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.
    Extending certain authorities allowing the Forest Service 
to renew grazing permits.
    Providing a one-year extension of the Federal Lands 
Recreation Enhancement Act.
    Making a technical correction regarding stewardship 
contracting authority.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to maintain or establish a 
computer network unless such network blocks the viewing, 
downloading, and exchanging of pornography.
    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''.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to require permits for the 
discharge of dredged or fill material for certain agriculture 
activities.
    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 limit recreational shooting 
and hunting on Federal and public lands except for public 
safety.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to enforce provisions within 
the lead renovation rule until EPA has approved a commercially 
available lead test kit or solicits public comment on 
alternatives.
    Prohibiting the use of 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.
    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.
    Setting 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 implement or enforce a 
provision of a rule related to designated representatives.
    Addressing the implementation of national ambient air 
quality standards for ozone.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to develop, propose, finalize, 
implement, or enforce any rule or guideline to address methane 
emissions from sources in the oil and natural gas sector under 
section 111(b) or (d) of the Clean Air Act, and proposed 
guidelines from September 18, 2015.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to modify existing royalty 
rates on coal and oil and gas leases.
    Establishing a deadline for the review of the Federal coal 
program.
    Revising the definition of the National Gallery of Art's 
buildings and grounds commensurate with the Gallery's 
geographic boundaries.
    Prohibiting the use of funds for the Bureau of Land 
Management to update its planning process regulations unless it 
meets certain criteria.
    Providing for the humane transfer of excess wild horses and 
burros.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to list the lesser prairie 
chicken under the Endangered Species Act.
    Directing the Indian Health Service to establish governance 
boards at certain federally operated hospitals, with the 
consent and participation of tribes.
    Addressing the Old and Middle River reverse flow operations 
in California.
    Addressing increased Old and Middle River reverse flows in 
California during certain times.
    Addressing certain water rights and water supply deliveries 
in California.
    Prohibiting funds to implement the San Joaquin River 
Restoration program.
    Prohibiting funds for instream flow purchases in California 
carried out by the Bureau of Reclamation at certain times.
    Addressing water storage at New Melones Reservoir.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to designate national 
monuments in certain counties.
    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:

                   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:

                      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:

               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:

                          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(i) of H. Res. 5 (114th Congress), the 
Committee estimates that the bill directs two rule makings in 
section 119.

                    TABLE OF FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS

    The following table provides the amounts recommended by the 
Committee compared with the budget estimates by account.

                            DISSENTING VIEWS

    The Interior, Environment and Related Agencies (Interior) 
Appropriations bill provides $32.095 billion for most of the 
Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection 
Agency, and other related agencies. This allocation is $64 
million less than the fiscal year 2016 enacted level.
Environmental Protection
    The most significant programmatic cut is to the 
Environmental Protection Agency, which would receive $164 
million less than the FY 2016 enacted level. This cut will 
impact the Agency's ability to protect public health and the 
environment, and will jeopardize clean air and water for our 
families and future generations.
    Draconian cuts to EPA would undermine EPA's ability to 
effectively regulate pollution. The bill starves EPA of 
resources for enforcement and legal services, cutting $37 
million below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $115 
million below the Administration's request. These cuts would 
reduce EPA's capacity to enforce and litigate environmental 
laws that are in place to protect individuals and create an 
unfair playing field in which big corporations are the winners 
and regular citizens are left unprotected. Disappointingly, the 
bill reduces the Clean Water State Revolving Fund by $394 
million below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. This cut is 
both austere and irresponsible. EPA's most recent Clean 
Watersheds Needs Survey estimated the investment required to 
meet wastewater and stormwater treatment and collection to be 
$271 billion. The bill's disinvestment in wastewater 
infrastructure is at odds with addressing this need.
    While funding for water infrastructure is woefully 
inadequate, the bill appropriately provides additional 
authority for states to offer debt relief in areas with 
elevated levels of lead in drinking water.
    However, this bill does not provide any funding 
specifically to assist the residents of Flint, Michigan, even 
though thousands of children and adults were poisoned by 
contaminated water as a result of corroded lead pipes. The 
situation in Flint is a culmination of years of weakening EPA 
through budget cuts and over-reliance on state agencies to 
manage federal environmental laws. All of our communities 
deserve and expect their government to provide clean water and 
basic public health protections.
    Residents of Flint were betrayed by their state government 
and to this day still do not have safe drinking water available 
from their taps. That is why it is imperative the 
Appropriations Committee provide additional funds for Flint, 
Michigan, under an emergency designation. A Federal State of 
Emergency was declared for Flint, yet the Committee voted down, 
along party lines, an amendment offered by Representatives 
McCollum and Wasserman Schultz to provide emergency funding to 
begin to address these responsibilities. It is unconscionable 
that American citizens have been victimized first by their 
state government and now by the Federal government.
Resource Conservation
    The majority continues its assault on the Endangered 
Species Act in this bill, reducing funding for endangered 
species listing by 30 percent. This irresponsible cut opens the 
door for litigation and delays protecting and recovering 
vulnerable species.
    This bill also shortchanges the Land and Water Conservation 
Fund (LWCF), which since its inception has protected 
conservation and recreation land in every State and supported 
tens of thousands of State and local projects. Yet, despite its 
merits, this bill slashes the LWCF program by a third. This 
successful program enjoys bipartisan support, as evidenced by 
the amendment offered and withdrawn by Republican 
Representative Fortenberry. Unfortunately an inadequate overall 
allocation does not provide sufficient resources for this 
important program.
    In light of the armed occupation of the Malheur National 
Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, we strongly reject the majority's 
policy decision to leave the National Wildlife Refuge System 
vulnerable to those who seek to harm the refuge.
    Representative Kilmer's amendment, which failed, 20-29, 
would have saved taxpayer dollars by allowing the Fish and 
Wildlife Service to recover costs from any responsible party 
who has inflicted damage or injury to a National Wildlife 
Refuge and use those funds for the repair, restoration, or 
replacement of the refuge. Currently, fines and penalties 
resulting from litigation against responsible parties who 
damaged a refuge go to the U.S. Treasury. This amendment would 
have brought parity between the Fish and Wildlife Service and 
the other land management agencies in the Department of the 
Interior. The National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, 
as well as the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration all 
have this authority.
    The costs associated with the recent 41 day illegal 
occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge highlight the 
importance of this authority. The current cost to the American 
taxpayer of this illegal occupation is $6.9 million, almost 
three times the annual appropriation of $2.5 million to operate 
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The House majority's 
opposition to this amendment further supports their agenda to 
undermine federal management of public lands.
Native American Issues
    Despite this bill's shortcomings in environmental 
protection and resource conservation, the subcommittee 
continues to maintain a non-partisan approach to addressing 
Native American issues, and the bill recommends an increase of 
$343 million for programs critical to Indian Country.
    The increased funding for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and 
the Indian Health Service is critical to fulfilling our federal 
trust and treaty responsibilities to tribal nations, including 
support for health care, education, and public safety. American 
Indian and Alaska Native populations face substantial 
hardships, and when compared to the total population, have 
poorer health, lower earnings, and higher poverty rates.
    The bill maintains the subcommittee's commitment to 
providing Native American students with safe schools that are 
conducive to learning and to fully funding contract support 
costs so tribes are not penalized for exercising their self-
determination rights.

National Park Service

    Another bright spot in this bill is the continued support 
for the National Park Service's Centennial Initiative. The bill 
recommends an additional $80 million for the Centennial, which 
will strengthen the foundation for visitor services and make 
essential infrastructure investments.
    We praise the Chairman for working with us to resurrect the 
Save America's Treasures program. This program funds 
preservation of nationally significant sites, structures, and 
artifacts. Additionally, we note that the bill provides $11 
million for the Civil Rights Initiative grant program, an 
increase of $3 million above the fiscal year 2016 enacted 
level, but $14 million below the budget request. The bill also 
provides $3 million for grants-in-aid to Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities, which is $3 million above the fiscal 
year 2016 enacted level and equal to the request.

Wildland Fire Funding

    Once again the majority has failed to adopt the common 
sense reforms requested by the Administration and championed in 
Representative Simpson's wildfire disaster funding bill. Every 
member of the Interior subcommittee is a cosponsor of that 
bill, yet the majority has balked, citing committee 
jurisdiction. The majority should adopt the Administration's 
proposal so costs associated with wildfires can be responsibly 
met without usurping base funding of other agencies in the 
Interior bill.

Legislative Riders

    The bill includes numerous harmful funding limitations and 
legislative riders. The number and outrageous nature of the 
riders included in this bill pander to special interests at the 
expense of the public good.
    Once again the bill is loaded with veto-bait provisions 
that seek to derail the Administration's effort to combat 
climate change, restrict control of greenhouse gas emissions, 
and undermine clean water and clean air protections.
    This bill contains provisions that would undermine worker 
protections for agricultural workers and offshore oil rig 
workers. This includes a provision that would effectively and 
functionally deny workers information regarding pesticide 
application and hazard information. There is also a provision 
that would reverse the safety improvements developed following 
the Deepwater Horizon tragedy. Eleven lives were lost in that 
explosion. It is unconscionable this bill puts the profits of 
big agricultural and oil companies ahead of worker safety.
    The bill carries several harmful policy provisions that 
block the federal government's ability to use the Endangered 
Species Act and effectively repeals major federal land 
management statutes like the Federal Land Management Policy and 
Management Act and the National Forest Management Act by 
subordinating federal authority to undefined state land use 
plans.
    Democrats attempted to address many inadequacies through 
the amendment process in Committee. Ranking Member McCollum 
offered an amendment to remove thirty-three partisan riders, 
including those affecting the Department of the Interior, EPA 
and U.S. Forest Service. The majority strongly rejected these 
efforts. Ranking Member Lowey offered an amendment to strike 
section 429, which delays implementation of EPA's lead 
renovation, repair, and painting rule. The amendment failed 
along party lines, and the majority effectively stripped EPA of 
one of its tools for addressing lead paint in homes.
    Instead, more controversial riders were added during 
Committee mark-up, including one that undermines the 
Antiquities Act, prohibiting the use of funds to make a 
Presidential declaration of a national monument in several 
specific counties across the country. There were also several 
Republican amendments adopted that delayed the Administration 
from finalizing rules related to land use and energy use. The 
majority also offered and approved an amendment related to 
California's complex water challenges, which would inject ill-
considered and controversial language that preempts state water 
law, court decisions, and statutory environmental protections, 
and has no place on an appropriations bill.
    Finally, the majority once again rejected an amendment to 
provide the full $1.9 billion requested by the Administration 
to protect Americans from the Zika virus.
    We cannot support this bill given in its current form given 
the inclusion of ideological riders, dramatic cuts to 
environmental protection, and the insufficient allocation for 
the overall bill. Despite our current opposition, we intend to 
continue to work with Chairman Calvert through this year's 
appropriations process to produce a responsible bill that both 
parties can support.

                                   Nita M. Lowey.
                                   Betty McCollum.
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