Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act of 2025

This bill aims to expand Tribal co-management of federal lands and forests. It tells Interior land agencies to set up Tribal co‑management plans within one year and to train staff to use Tribal knowledge and understand local Tribal history when carrying out those plans .

For national forests, it lets the Agriculture Department make agreements with Tribes to do Forest Service work on certain lands tied to that Tribe. At least five agreements must be made in the first four years. Allowed work includes forest planning, restoration, research, cultural heritage work, and recreation services, and must follow existing land plans and environmental laws . The bill sets clear steps for proposals and timelines if a request is denied, allows payments to Tribes, reduces paperwork, and protects Tribal information. It also encourages using Indigenous knowledge, gives federal liability coverage to Tribal employees working under these agreements, and authorizes $50 million for 2026–2030. These agreements are not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation and do not change or limit current Tribal rights or give exclusive use of any area .

• Who is affected: Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, Interior land agencies, the Forest Service, and communities near national forests .
• What changes: Tribes can propose and carry out projects on related National Forest lands through formal agreements; payments are allowed; paperwork is reduced; Indigenous knowledge is integrated and protected; employees get federal liability coverage; and agreements aren’t subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation .
• Where: On Interior‑managed lands covered by agency plans and on National Forest System lands identified as historically, culturally, or geographically related to the Tribe .
• When: Interior plans due within one year; at least five Forest Service agreements in the first four years; eligible-activity lists published within one year and every three years; agreement reviews every five years; funding available for fiscal years 2026–2030 .