Sponsors (7)
The bill significantly expands Tribal co-management, funding, and incorporation of Indigenous knowledge to improve stewardship and Tribal opportunity, while imposing new federal costs, potential project delays, and limits on transferring certain decision authorities.
Indigenous and Tribal communities gain formal co-management roles and expanded ability to plan and carry out restoration and recreation work on federal lands, increasing Tribal input, control, and job opportunities.
Federal land stewardship and ecosystem outcomes are likely to improve because Indigenous knowledge and practices will be incorporated into management and restoration projects.
The bill creates predictable federal support for Tribal-led forest work (including a dedicated $50 million), and requires a minimum number of agreements over time, supporting Tribal capacity and stable project funding.
Federal agencies and taxpayers will face additional costs (planning, coordination, training and the $50M implementation funding), which could require reallocating budgets or staff time away from other projects.
Existing projects and timelines could be delayed if agencies must pause work to identify Tribal relationships, incorporate co-management plans, or negotiate agreements.
Ambiguities about the scope of permitted activities and coordination requirements, and potential conflicts with existing stewardship contracts or permits, could produce interagency disputes, legal challenges, or limit where Tribal agreements can apply.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Requires federal agencies to adopt Tribal Co-Management Plans, trains DOI staff on Indigenous knowledge, and authorizes Forest Service agreements with Tribes to perform specified forest activities.
Official title: To direct Federal land management agencies of the Department of the Interior to establish Tribal Co-Management Plans and to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into agreements with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations for the performance of certain activities of the Forest Service, and for other purposes.
Introduced May 15, 2025 by Jared Huffman · Last progress May 15, 2025
Requires four federal land management agencies to adopt Tribal Co-Management Plans for agency lands that are historically, culturally, or geographically related to federally recognized Indian Tribes, and to consult with Tribes when identifying those lands. Directs the Interior to train DOI employees on Indigenous knowledge, Tribal history, and the federal trust relationship, and authorizes the Forest Service to enter into agreements or ISDEAA‑style contracts with Tribes to perform certain forest management and related activities on National Forest System lands, with at least five such agreements in the first four years.