[House Report 114-170]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


114th Congress   }                                      {       Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session     }                                      {      114-170

======================================================================



 
     DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                       APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2016

                                _______
                                

 June 18, 2015.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

          Mr. Calvert, from the Committee on Appropriations, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                             together with

                             MINORITY VIEWS

                        [To accompany H.R. 2822]

    The Committee on Appropriations submits the following 
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making 
appropriations for the Department of the Interior, the 
Environmental Protection Agency, and Related Agencies for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2016. The bill provides 
regular annual appropriations for the Department of the 
Interior (except the Bureau of Reclamation and the Central Utah 
Project), the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other 
related agencies, including the Forest Service, the Indian 
Health Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National 
Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities.

                        INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT

_______________________________________________________________________


                                                            Page number

                                                            Bill Report
Title I--Department of the Interior:
        Bureau of Land Management..........................     2
                                                                      8
        United States Fish and Wildlife Service............     8
                                                                     12
        National Park Service..............................    14
                                                                     23
        United States Geological Survey....................    18
                                                                     32
        Bureau of Ocean Energy Management..................    20
                                                                     33
        Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.....    21
                                                                     34
        Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and 
            Enforcement....................................    24
                                                                     35
        Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian 
            Education......................................    26
                                                                     36
        Office of the Secretary............................    36
                                                                     41
        Office of Insular Affairs..........................    38
                                                                     42
        Office of the Solicitor............................    41
                                                                     43
        Office of Inspector General........................    41
                                                                     43
        Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians.    41
                                                                     44
Department-wide Programs:
        Wildland Fire Management, Interior Department......    43
                                                                     44
        FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund, Interior 
            Department.....................................    46
                                                                     45
        Central Hazardous Materials Fund...................    47
                                                                     46
        Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration.    47
                                                                     46
        Working Capital Fund...............................    47
                                                                     46
        General Provisions, Department of the Interior.....    49
                                                                     46
Title II--Environmental Protection Agency:                     61
                                                                     48
        Science and Technology.............................    61
                                                                     49
        Environmental Programs and Management..............    61
                                                                     51
        Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund....   n/a
                                                                     56
        Office of Inspector General........................    62
                                                                     57
        Buildings and Facilities...........................    62
                                                                     57
        Hazardous Substance Superfund......................    63
                                                                     58
        Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program    64
                                                                     59
        Inland Oil Spill Programs..........................    64
                                                                     60
        State and Tribal Assistance Grants.................    65
                                                                     60
        Administrative Provisions..........................    71
                                                                     63
Title III--Related Agencies:
        Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.....    74
                                                                     64
        Wildland Fire Management, Forest Service...........    79
                                                                     73
        FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund, Forest 
            Service........................................    82
                                                                     75
        Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health 
            and Human Services.............................    89
                                                                     75
        National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences    97
                                                                     77
        Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry...    98
                                                                     77
Other Related Agencies:
        Council on Environmental Quality and Office of 
            Environmental Quality..........................    99
                                                                     78
        Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.....    99
                                                                     78
        Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation........   100
                                                                     79
        Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native 
            Culture and Arts Development...................   102
                                                                     80
        Smithsonian Institution............................   102
                                                                     80
        National Gallery of Art............................   103
                                                                     82
        John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.....   105
                                                                     82
        Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars...   105
                                                                     83
        National Endowment for the Arts....................   106
                                                                     83
        National Endowment for the Humanities..............   106
                                                                     85
        Commission of Fine Arts............................   108
                                                                     85
        National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs.........   108
                                                                     86
        Advisory Council on Historic Preservation..........   108
                                                                     86
        National Capital Planning Commission...............   109
                                                                     86
        United States Holocaust Memorial Museum............   109
                                                                     87
        Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission...........   n/a
                                                                     87
Title IV--General Provisions:                                 109
                                                                     89

                              INTRODUCTION

    The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2016 totals 
$30,170,000,000. This amount reflects a $246,000,000 reduction 
from the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2015 and a 
$3,092,409,000 reduction from the budget request.
    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 2016   fiscal year 2016   budget estimates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I, Department of the Interior:
    New budget authority...............................    $12,024,515,000    $11,369,207,000      -$655,308,000
Title II, Environmental Protection Agency:
    New budget authority...............................     $8,591,718,000     $7,422,157,000    -$1,169,561,000
Title III, Related Agencies:
    New budget authority...............................    $12,646,176,000    $11,378,636,000    -$1,267,540,000
Title IV, General Provisions:
    New budget authority...............................                 $0                 $0                 $0
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
        Grand total, New budget authority..............    $33,262,409,000    $30,170,000,000    -$3,092,409,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Committee Oversight

    Members of Congress have provided considerable input in 
fashioning this bill. In total, 304 Members submitted nearly 
3,500 programmatic requests relating to multiple agencies and 
programs.
    The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies 
Subcommittee takes seriously its oversight responsibility and 
conducted 14 budget hearings this year (including six hearings 
involving public witnesses and American Indians and Alaska 
Natives) to carefully review the programs and budgets under its 
jurisdiction. The Subcommittee held the following oversight 
hearings:
    Indian Health Service FY16 budget oversight hearing--
February 11, 2015
    Department of the Interior FY16 budget oversight hearing--
February 25, 2015
    Environmental Protection Agency FY16 budget oversight 
hearing--February 26, 2015
    Bureau of Indian Affairs/Bureau of Indian Education FY16 
budget oversight hearing--February 27, 2015
    U.S. Forest Service FY16 budget oversight hearing--March 3, 
2015
    Fish and Wildlife Service FY16 budget oversight hearing--
March 17, 2015
    National Park Service FY16 budget oversight hearing--March 
17, 2015
    Public Witnesses--March 18, 2015 (morning)
    Public Witnesses--March 18, 2015 (afternoon)
    Bureau of Land Management FY16 budget oversight hearing--
March 19, 2015
    American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--March 24, 
2015 (morning)
    American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--March 24, 
2015 (afternoon)
    American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--March 25, 
2015 (morning)
    American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--March 25, 
2015 (afternoon)
    In total, 142 individuals representing the Executive 
Branch, Congress, State, tribal, and local governments, and the 
general public testified before the Subcommittee. In addition 
to those who testified personally, another 123 individuals and 
organizations provided written testimony for the permanent 
hearing record. These hearings are contained in eight published 
volumes totaling almost 9,000 pages which are publicly 
available online.

                         COST OF WILDLAND FIRE

    In seven of the last ten years, the Forest Service and the 
Department of the Interior have exceeded their wildland fire 
suppression budgets despite being fully funded at the ten-year 
suppression average for such costs. Fire seasons have grown 
longer and more destructive, putting people, communities, and 
ecosystems at greater risk. Fire borrowing has now become 
routine rather than extraordinary. Borrowing from non-fire 
accounts to pay suppression costs results in the Forest Service 
and Department of the Interior having fewer resources available 
for forest management activities, including hazardous fuels 
management and other proven efforts, to improve overall forest 
health and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildland fires.
    The Committee maintains that the most catastrophic wildland 
fires should be treated similar to other major natural 
disasters such as floods and hurricanes and funded through the 
disaster cap adjustment established by the Budget Control Act 
of 2011 (P.L. 112-25). This common sense reform would allow for 
a more responsible and stable way to budget for wildland fire 
costs.
    As Congress continues to debate the best approach for fire 
budgeting, the Committee has provided robust wildland fire 
funding in its fiscal year 2016 bill. The bill includes a total 
of $3,584,873,000 in wildland fire funding for the Department 
of the Interior and the Forest Service, $51,736,000 above the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Fire suppression accounts 
(including FLAME) are again fully funded at the ten-year 
average level. Hazardous fuels funding, a critical component of 
an effective overall fire strategy, is maintained at the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level of $525,749,000.

                    PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES (PILT)

    The Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program provides 
compensation to local governments for the loss of tax revenue 
resulting from the presence of Federal land in their county or 
State. In 2015, 49 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will 
receive PILT payments. The Committee includes bill language 
providing full PILT funding for fiscal year 2016.

                            WESTERN DROUGHT

    The U.S. Drought Monitor confirms that a population of 
nearly 55 million in the Western United States is currently 
affected by drought conditions, with significant portions of 
the States suffering from severe to exceptional drought. 
California has entered a fourth consecutive year of drought.
    Drought conditions are difficult to address at the time the 
drought is occurring. A declining water supply puts pressure on 
regulators and competition between human and environmental uses 
of water is likely to intensify. However, there are steps that 
can be taken to stretch available water supplies.
    Given that drought heightens conflicts over water 
allocations, the Committee directs the Department of the 
Interior to use all of the flexibility and tools available to 
mitigate the impacts of this drought. The Committee notes that 
reduced water flows during times of drought are not the sole 
source of ecosystem stress, and believes that environmental 
water use can be made more effective through adopting new 
approaches to management. It is not possible to undo all the 
ecological changes that have occurred over decades of human 
water and land use. Strategies need to adapt to changing 
conditions in ways that benefit ecosystems as well as local 
economies.

                        RECREATION FEE AUTHORITY

    Enacted in 2004, the Federal Land Recreation Enhancement 
Act (FLREA) authorized five agencies to collect and expend 
recreation fees on land they manage: the Department of the 
Interior's Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, 
National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. These 
fees, which leverage other funding sources and complement 
appropriated funds, fund projects that directly benefit the 
visitor experience.
    The authority for FLREA is scheduled to sunset at the end 
of the current fiscal year. This expiration would impact the 
Department of the Interior's estimated annual collection of 
$217 million, of which the National Park Service collects 
nearly $192 million. In 2014, the recreation fee program 
collected nearly $279 million from the Forest Service and the 
Department of the Interior combined. An extension of recreation 
fee authority is necessary for land managers to plan for 
upcoming seasons including selling annual passes, hiring 
seasonal employees, planning projects, organizing volunteers, 
and accepting reservations. The Committee has included within 
Title IV General Provisions a one-year extension of the current 
recreation fee authority as requested.

                           COST OF LITIGATION

    The Committee remains concerned that many of the legitimate 
goals of the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, 
and other agencies under the Committee's jurisdiction--as well 
as the work of this Committee--are undermined by litigation 
filed in an effort to shift land management decisions from the 
agencies to the courts, regardless of merit.
    Litigation is a significant unbudgeted cost for all 
agencies. The Committee is concerned that, as budgets shrink, 
agencies are forced to settle lawsuits quickly because they 
don't have funds available to complete court-imposed work. In 
addition, the courts are not concerned whether agencies have 
funding necessary to meet court mandates. As a result, the 
courts are playing an increasing role in determining how and 
where agencies use their funding.
    Given ongoing concerns, the Department of the Interior, 
EPA, and the Forest Service are directed to provide to the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, and to make 
publicly available not later than 60 days after enactment of 
this Act, detailed Equal Access to Justice Act fee information 
as specified in the Consolidated and Further Appropriations 
Act, 2015.

                          STATE WILDLIFE DATA

    The Committee is concerned that the Department of the 
Interior, its bureaus, and the Forest Service are not 
maximizing the opportunity to save funds and leverage States' 
on-the-ground wildlife expertise. State wildlife agencies often 
have the best available science on species and retain primary 
jurisdiction over most wildlife on Federal, State, and private 
lands. The Federal government should recognize and fully 
utilize State resources, including scientific information about 
species population numbers, conservation status, and habitat 
availability, among other data. The Committee directs Federal 
agencies to cooperatively engage with State wildlife agencies 
and to use State fish and wildlife data and analyses as a 
primary source to inform Federal land use, land planning, and 
related natural resource decisions. The agencies should not 
duplicate analysis of raw data previously prepared by the 
States. Federal agencies should also provide their data to 
State wildlife managers to ensure that the most complete data 
is available to be incorporated into all decision support 
systems.

                        REPROGRAMMING GUIDELINES

    The following are the procedures governing reprogramming 
actions for programs and activities funded in the Department of 
the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations 
Act. The Committee reminds the agencies funded in this Act that 
these reprogramming guidelines are in effect, and must be 
complied with, until such time as the Committee modifies them 
through bill or report language.
    Definitions.--``Reprogramming,'' as defined in these 
procedures, includes the reallocation of funds from one budget 
activity, budget line item or program area, to another within 
any appropriation funded in this Act.
    For construction, land acquisition, and forest legacy 
accounts, a reprogramming constitutes the reallocation of 
funds, including unobligated balances, from one construction, 
land acquisition, or forest legacy project to another such 
project.
    A reprogramming shall also consist of any significant 
departure from the program described in the agency's budget 
justifications. This includes proposed reorganizations, 
especially those of significant national or regional 
importance, even without a change in funding. Any change to the 
organization table presented in the budget justification shall 
be subject to this requirement.
    General Guidelines for Reprogramming.--
    (a) A reprogramming should be made only when an unforeseen 
situation arises, and then only if postponement of the project 
or the activity until the next appropriation year would result 
in actual loss or damage.
    (b) Any project or activity, which may be deferred through 
reprogramming, shall not later be accomplished by means of 
further reprogramming, but instead, funds should again be 
sought for the deferred project or activity through the regular 
appropriations process.
    (c) Except under the most urgent situations, reprogramming 
should not be employed to initiate new programs or increase 
allocations specifically denied or limited by Congress, or to 
decrease allocations specifically increased by the Congress.
    (d) Reprogramming proposals submitted to the House and 
Senate Committees on Appropriations for approval shall be 
considered approved 30 calendar days after receipt if the 
Committees have posed no objection. However, agencies will be 
expected to extend the approval deadline if specifically 
requested by either Committee.
    Criteria and Exceptions.--A reprogramming must be submitted 
to the Committees in writing prior to implementation if it 
exceeds $1,000,000 annually or results in an increase or 
decrease of more than 10 percent annually in affected programs, 
with the following exceptions:
    (a) With regard to the tribal priority allocations of the 
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, there 
is no restriction on reprogrammings among these programs. 
However, the Bureaus shall report on all reprogrammings made 
during a given fiscal year no later than 60 days after the end 
of the fiscal year.
    (b) With regard to the EPA, State and Tribal Assistance 
Grants account, the Committee does not require reprogramming 
requests associated with States and Tribes Partnership Grants.
    Assessments.--``Assessment'' as defined in these procedures 
shall refer to any charges, reserves, or holdbacks applied to a 
budget activity or budget line item for costs associated with 
general agency administrative costs, overhead costs, working 
capital expenses, or contingencies.
    (a) No assessment shall be levied against any program, 
budget activity, subactivity, budget line item, or project 
funded by the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act unless such assessment and the basis 
therefor are presented to the Committees on Appropriations in 
the budget justifications and are subsequently approved by the 
Committees. The explanation for any assessment in the budget 
justification shall show the amount of the assessment, the 
activities assessed, and the purpose of the funds.
    (b) Proposed changes to estimated assessments, as such 
estimates were presented in annual budget justifications, shall 
be submitted through the reprogramming process and shall be 
subject to the same dollar and reporting criteria as any other 
reprogramming.
    (c) The Committee directs that each agency or bureau which 
utilizes assessments shall submit an annual report to the 
Committees which provides details on the use of all funds 
assessed from any other budget activity, line item, 
subactivity, or project.
    (d) In no case shall contingency funds or assessments be 
used to finance projects and activities disapproved or limited 
by Congress, or to finance programs or activities that could be 
foreseen and included in the normal budget review process.
    (e) New programs requested in the budget should not be 
initiated before enactment of the bill without notification to, 
and the approval of, the Committees on Appropriations. This 
restriction applies to all such actions regardless of whether a 
formal reprogramming of funds is required to begin the program.
    Quarterly Reports.--All reprogrammings between budget 
activities, budget line items, program areas, or the more 
detailed activity levels shown in this agreement, including 
those below the monetary thresholds established above, shall be 
reported to the Committees within 60 days of the end of each 
quarter and shall include cumulative totals for each budget 
activity, budget line item, or construction, land acquisition, 
or forest legacy project.
    Land Acquisitions, Easements, and Forest Legacy.--Lands 
shall not be acquired for more than the approved appraised 
value (as addressed in section 301(3) of Public Law 91-646), 
unless such acquisitions are submitted to the Committees on 
Appropriations for approval in compliance with these 
procedures.
    Land Exchanges.--Land exchanges, wherein the estimated 
value of the Federal lands to be exchanged is greater than 
$1,000,000, shall not be consummated until the Committees have 
had a 30-day period in which to examine the proposed exchange. 
In addition, the Committees shall be provided advance 
notification of exchanges valued between $500,000 and 
$1,000,000.
    Budget Structure.--The budget activity or line item 
structure for any agency appropriation account shall not be 
altered without advance approval of the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations.

                  TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


                       Bureau of Land Management


                   MANAGEMENT OF LANDS AND RESOURCES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $970,016,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................     1,067,466,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................     1,015,046,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       +45,030,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -52,420,000
 

    The Committee recommends $1,015,046,000 for Management of 
Lands and Resources, $45,030,000 above the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $52,420,000 below the budget request. A 
detailed table of funding recommendations below the account 
level is provided at the end of this report. The Committee 
recommendation includes further details below. The Committee 
does not accept the proposal to transfer funds from various 
accounts to National Conservation Lands.
    Soil, Water, and Air Management.--The Committee recommends 
$43,239,000 for soil, water, and air management, equal to the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $3,516,000 below the budget 
request. The Colorado River Basin Salinity Program is funded at 
$1,500,000. The Committee urges the Bureau to provide 
additional information, such as a table, in its fiscal year 
2017 budget request for this program.
    Rangeland Management.--The Committee recommends $79,000,000 
for rangeland management, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $2,556,000 above the budget request. The Committee 
directs the Bureau to focus on reducing the grazing permit 
backlog and carrying out a systematic program of range 
monitoring, land health assessments, development and 
implementation of allotment management plans, and adaptive 
management. The Committee rejects the Bureau's proposal to 
impose new grazing fees.
    Wild Horse and Burro Management.--The Committee recommends 
$77,245,000 to implement Public Law 92-195 (16 U.S.C. 1331 et 
seq.) requiring the protection, management, and control of 
free-roaming horses and burros on public lands, equal to the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $3,310,000 below the budget 
request.
    Within this amount, the Committee recommends $1,000,000 to 
continue to study and test the feasibility of implementing a 
scientifically sound and humane sterilization program in 
partnership with universities and non-profit organizations. The 
Committee supports continued research to develop and refine a 
variety of fertility-control methods, including 
immunocontraceptives, which allow for self-sustaining 
populations of wild horses and burros while maintaining the 
genetic viability of the protected herds.
    The Committee also remains concerned about the large number 
of horses that are held in long-term holding. Given the 
increasing costs of operating the program, the Committee 
encourages BLM to increase the development and use of 
population control measures and to begin implementation of the 
recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences regarding 
the use of currently available fertility control methods while 
research continues.
    The bill continues a prohibition on funds to implement 
Section 1333(b)(2)(C) of Title 16, United States Code, 
requiring the humane destruction of excess animals that are not 
adopted. The bill also continues a general provision within 
Title I allowing the BLM to enter into long-term contracts and 
agreements for holding facilities off the range.
    Wildlife and Fisheries.--The Committee recommends 
$101,911,000 for wildlife and fisheries, $37,043,000 above the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $155,000 below the budget 
request. Within the total provided, the Committee recommends 
$89,381,000 for wildlife management. The additional $37,043,000 
is intended for BLM to implement the sage-grouse conservation 
plans. The Committee recommends $12,530,000 for fisheries 
management.
    Plant Conservation Program.--The Committee recognizes the 
Bureau's efforts to develop a National Seed Strategy in 
collaboration with other Federal agencies, States, industry, 
and partners and encourages BLM to actively implement the plan. 
Funding for plant conservation activities is provided through a 
number of accounts. The Committee requests that the Bureau 
provide a recommendation in its fiscal year 2017 budget request 
regarding the proposal to consolidate plant conservation 
program activities under a single budget subactivity.
    The Committee continues to be concerned that the Bureau's 
policy of using highly localized genetic varieties of native 
seeds may be unnecessarily limiting, driving up procurement 
costs, and causing delays in re-seeding areas burned by fire. 
The Bureau is directed to publish its yearly estimated seed 
needs by variety to be more transparent with the science 
supporting its policy. The Committee requests additional 
information on its relationship with the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's Plant Material Centers and efforts to avoid 
duplicative expenses and efforts.
    Recreation Management.--The Committee recommends 
$66,961,000 for recreation management, equal to the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $8,449,000 below the budget request. The 
bill includes a general provision in Title IV prohibiting the 
use of funds to close areas open to recreational hunting and 
shooting as of January 1, 2013.
    The Committee is concerned about the BLM's potential 
development or expansion of new public lands along a portion of 
the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma that are the subject 
of a long-standing boundary dispute. The Committee directs the 
Secretary to consult with the States and Congress before taking 
any further action.
    Energy and Minerals.--The Committee recommends $143,551,000 
for energy and minerals, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $24,652,000 above the budget request. The Committee 
does not accept the proposal to increase onshore inspection 
fees.
    The Committee is aware that Applications for Permits to 
Drill (APD) fee collections will transition from discretionary 
funding to mandatory funding. In prior years, APD fees were 
appropriated and available for expenditure in advance of 
collections. However, beginning in fiscal year 2016, BLM can 
access the fees only as they are collected. The reliance on 
realized collections may result in a shortfall in funding early 
in the fiscal year, particularly in the first year of the 
transition. The Committee believes this transition can be 
appropriately accommodated given the flexibility to use base 
appropriated funding in the Oil and Gas Management program for 
APD permitting program operations. The Committee does not 
support the proposal to establish a new budget line for these 
activities and instead provides sufficient funding within Oil 
and Gas Management to maintain the current level of APD program 
support. The Committee believes continuation of the current 
budget structure, sufficient appropriated funding for 
processing activities, and the ability to reprogram funds as 
needed, will enable the BLM to cover operating costs in early 
fiscal year 2016.
    Resource Protection and Maintenance.--The Committee 
recommends $104,049,000 for resource protection and 
maintenance, $8,000,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $16,519,000 below the budget request.
    Resource Management Planning.--The Committee recommends 
$46,125,000 for resource management planning, $8,000,000 above 
the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $13,216,000 below the 
budget request. Included is $8,000,000 for monitoring in 
support of the greater sage-grouse conservation initiative. The 
Committee reminds the Bureau not to duplicate existing efforts 
at the U.S. Geological Survey and in the private sector.
    Law Enforcement.--The Committee recommends $25,325,000 for 
law enforcement, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and $170,000 below the budget request. The Bureau is directed 
to focus on visitor safety and archaeological resource 
protection, and to defer to the Department of Justice and the 
Department of Homeland Security for investigative and other 
non-emergency matters of Federal law not unique to Bureau lands 
or property.
    Challenge Cost Share.--The Committee recommends $2,400,000 
for the challenge cost share program, $13,000 below the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and $10,016,000 below the budget 
request. Of the funds provided, $300,000 is for long-standing 
outdoor ethics education and stewardship programs designed to 
help keep America's public lands healthy, open and accessible 
for opportunities to enjoy responsible outdoor recreation, 
especially high-impact activities such as recreational shooting 
and off-highway vehicle use.
    National Landscape Conservation System.--The Committee 
recommends $31,819,000 for the national landscape conservation 
system, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$16,651,000 below the budget request. The bill includes a 
general provision in Title I prohibiting the use of funds to 
implement Secretarial Order Number 3310 pertaining to wild 
lands.
    State Office Consolidation.--The Committee directs the 
Bureau not to consolidate the Arizona and New Mexico State 
offices and reminds the Bureau that office consolidation 
proposals are subject to the Committee's reprogramming 
requirements.
    Sage-grouse Conservation.--Over the past three years, 
Congress, the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, 11 
western States, and other partners have undertaken a major, 
collaborative effort to prevent a listing of the sage-grouse as 
endangered under the Endangered Species Act. As part of that 
process, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest 
Service (USFS) recently released their proposed resource 
management plans to protect the sage-grouse and the sage-brush 
ecosystem. The Committee is aware some States have serious 
concerns with the plans, and that BLM and USFS appear to have 
disregarded some of the recommendations the States provided. 
These include concerns about transparency and consultation with 
the public, the rationale for limiting certain activities while 
fire and invasive species cause greater harm to the sage-
grouse, lack of fairness in balancing livestock grazing with 
the management of wild horses and burros, and unexplained 
changes between the draft and final management plans. In order 
for the sage-grouse, communities, and States to thrive, all 
partners must work in good faith. As such, the Committee 
directs BLM and USFS to closely work with each of the 11 States 
and the affected communities to address the issues unique to 
each State and seek to collaboratively resolve all issues. In 
addition, the Committee directs BLM and USFS to report to the 
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate on each 
concern raised by a State and the resolution thereof within 30 
days after the comment period closes on the proposed resource 
management plans. The Committee will continue to monitor the 
Administration's actions regarding the sage-grouse, especially 
the discussions between the States and BLM and USFS, and will 
provide additional direction as needed.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $19,746,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        38,000,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         7,250,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       -12,496,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -30,750,000
 

    The Committee recommends $7,250,000 for Land Acquisition, 
$12,496,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$30,750,000 below the budget request. A detailed table of 
funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 
the end of this report. The Committee recommendation includes 
further details below.
    The recommendation includes $2,500,000 for land acquisition 
projects included in the fiscal year 2016 budget request. The 
Bureau is directed to re-prioritize its project list as 
necessary to focus on acquisitions where opportunities for 
recreation, and local, State, and congressional support, are 
strongest.
    Consistent with other land acquisition accounts funded by 
this appropriation, the recommendation includes $2,000,000 for 
acquisitions that improve access to existing Federal public 
lands via road, river, or trail for hunting, fishing, and other 
public recreation, as authorized by law or regulation.
    The recommendation includes $1,000,000 for inholdings and 
other acquisitions considered by the Bureau to be emergencies 
or hardships. The Bureau is directed to notify the Committee of 
any land acquired with these funds. The Committee defines 
``inholding'' as non-Federal land within designated management 
areas and bordered by not less than 51 percent of Federal 
public land.

                   OREGON AND CALIFORNIA GRANT LANDS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $113,777,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       107,734,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       110,602,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        -3,175,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        +2,868,000
 

    The Committee recommends $110,602,000 for the Oregon and 
California grant lands, $3,175,000 below the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $2,868,000 above the budget request. A 
detailed table of funding recommendations below the account 
level is provided at the end of this report.

                           RANGE IMPROVEMENTS

    The Committee recommends an indefinite appropriation of not 
less than $10,000,000 to be derived from public lands receipts 
and Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act lands grazing receipts, as 
requested.

               SERVICE CHARGES, DEPOSITS, AND FORFEITURES

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

                       MISCELLANEOUS TRUST FUNDS

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

          ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

    The Committee recommendation includes the requested 
Administrative Provisions.

                UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

    The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 
is to conserve, protect and enhance fish and wildlife and their 
habitats for the continuing benefit of people. Although the 
States are 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, 2015...........................    $1,207,658,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................     1,326,832,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................     1,220,343,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       +12,685,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................      -106,489,000
 

    The Committee recommends $1,220,343,000 for Resource 
Management, $12,685,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $106,489,000 below the budget request. A detailed 
table of funding recommendations below the account level is 
provided at the end of this report. Proposed internal transfers 
and program changes for fiscal year 2016 are recommended where 
discussed below.
    Tribal Consultation.--The recommendation does not include 
the proposed consolidation of tribal consultation funding 
within the central office because of recent reports by the 
Government Accountability Office (GAO) and others highlighting 
the problems caused by the centralization of programs for 
Indian tribes elsewhere within the Department of the Interior.
    Ecological Services.--The recommendation includes 
$231,920,000 for the Ecological Services activity. Proposed 
budget structure changes and associated internal transfers are 
recommended except that Recovery should remain a distinct 
subactivity, as described in further detail below. The States 
and other Service partners have raised valid concerns about 
transparency in the Service's budget realignment proposal. The 
Committee recommendation attempts to address these specific 
concerns while at the same time helping the Service to achieve 
efficiencies and cost savings. Nevertheless, the Service must 
improve its ability to account for expenditures to implement 
certain laws passed by the Congress, particularly the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA). As a first step, the Service 
should include in annual budget submissions a crosscut table 
estimating amounts budgeted for implementation of the ESA, by 
subactivity, across the Service's budget. The Service should 
also more closely align its presentation of authorizing 
statutes and budget subactivities in annual budget submissions.
    Listing.--The recommendation includes $10,257,000 for 
foreign and domestic listings, responses to petitions to list, 
and designation of critical habitat pursuant to the Endangered 
Species Act.
    The Committee remains concerned that deadlines imposed by 
the 2011 multispecies litigation settlements may be 
compromising the Service's ability to be thorough in its 
economic impact analyses, to provide fair public notice and 
opportunity to comment, to base decisions upon the best 
available scientific evidence, and to be exceptionally 
transparent with the information upon which its decisions are 
made. The Service is directed to re-evaluate its workplans in 
order to meet these obligations in light of the budget, and to 
request deadline extensions as necessary.
    The Committee is concerned about the critical habitat 
proposal for the western distinct population segment of the 
yellow-billed cuckoo, published in the Federal Register on 
August 15, 2014. The proposal designates a Federal flood 
control reservoir as critical habitat. The Army Corps of 
Engineers, which manages the reservoir, has publicly stated its 
objection because any compromises in the management of the dam 
and reservoir for flood control purposes ``may increase the 
risk of loss of human life and cause significant impacts to 
economics downstream.'' The Endangered Species Act is clear in 
its directive that the Service must take into consideration the 
economic impact and any other relevant impact of specifying any 
particular area as critical habitat. The Committee maintains 
that flood control for the purposes of protecting human lives 
and property must not only be taken into consideration but must 
also be off-limits to critical habitat designations. The 
Service is urged to exercise common sense and sound judgment 
before finalizing the critical habitat rule for the yellow-
billed cuckoo.
    The Committee is aware that the Service will be re-opening 
the public comment period for the Big Sandy and Guyandotte 
crayfish and publishing in the Federal Register the methods, 
results, and conclusions of the population surveys underway. 
The Committee is supportive of these efforts to take into 
consideration any additional comments received between June 8, 
2015, and the end of the reopened comment period, and to 
refrain from publishing a final rule until April 7, 2016.
    Planning and Consultation.--The recommendation includes 
$100,787,000 for evaluations and permitting of proposed 
infrastructure and other development projects. The increase 
requested for more timely evaluations and permits is partially 
funded at $1,951,000. The Service is directed to more clearly 
define timeliness and to update its performance measures 
beginning with the fiscal year 2017 budget request. The request 
to handle the Service's increased permitting workload in the 
Gulf as a result of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill is 
partially funded at $500,000.
    The Committee recognizes the important role of Habitat 
Conservation Plans (HCPs) in both recovery of species and in 
providing economic certainty and growth to municipalities 
affected by listed species, and encourages the Service to place 
a priority on working with partners making good faith efforts 
to develop and implement responsible HCPs.
    Conservation and Restoration.--The recommendation includes 
$33,396,000 for conservation and restoration activities not 
specifically directed at the recovery of threatened and 
endangered species. Coastal Barrier Resources Protection Act 
implementation is funded at $1,390,000 as requested. The 
National Wetlands Inventory program is funded at $3,721,000, 
which is $250,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. The 
sagebrush steppe ecosystem is funded at $4,000,000 as 
requested. The Committee is aware that under a court settlement 
the Fish and Wildlife Service must complete a status review for 
greater sage-grouse by September 30, 2015, and make a 
determination as to whether or not listing greater sage-grouse 
is warranted. However, such determination has no legal force or 
effect pursuant to section 122 of the Consolidated and Further 
Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (division F of Public Law 
113-235; 128 Stat. 2421), any similar provision in this Act, or 
any continuing resolution carrying forward the terms and 
conditions from fiscal year 2015 into fiscal year 2016.
    Recovery.--The recommendation includes $87,480,000 for 
recovery planning and oversight, five-year status reviews, and 
associated downlisting and delisting activities. The increase 
requested to address the backlog of species that have been 
identified for potential delisting or downlisting based upon 
recent five-year reviews is fully funded at $7,741,000. The 
Service is directed to submit annually with its budget request 
a complete list of all species with completed 5-year reviews 
recommending downlisting or delisting that have not yet been 
acted on. The recommendation includes the requested increase 
for ecosystem restoration. The recommendation includes $500,000 
for annual state-of-the-birds status reporting. Not less than 
$2,000,000 is recommended for the recovery of listed bat 
species impacted by white-nose syndrome. General program 
activities are funded at $78,878,000 as requested. 
Notwithstanding the reprogramming guidelines in the front of 
this report, the Service is directed to submit a reprogramming 
request to the Committee if necessary to comply with the 
directives below.
    The Service is directed to develop recovery plans for all 
listed species as required by law; to include in each recovery 
plan measurable recovery goals that the Service, the States, 
and their partners can strive for; and to report to the 
Congress on any species for which the Secretary finds that a 
recovery plan will not promote the conservation of the species, 
including the justification.
    The Service is directed to complete all status reviews 
within the five-year period required by law, and, for any 
determination on the basis of such review whether a species 
should be delisted, downlisted, or uplisted, promulgate an 
associated regulation prior to initiating the next status 
review for such species.
    The Committee is concerned that the Service's proposed rule 
to change the designation of critical habitat (79 Fed. Reg. 
27066) could unfairly broaden areas so designated. The 
Committee is concerned that the Service's proposed rule to 
change the definition of ``adverse modification or 
destruction'' (79 Fed. Reg. 27060) could preclude the Service 
from carrying out reasonable and timely section 7 consultations 
or approving incidental take statements. The Service is 
directed to convene meetings upon request with organizations 
seeking changes to the proposed rules, and act in good faith to 
address those changes before the finalization, implementation, 
issuance, or publication of the proposed rules.
    The cooperative recovery initiative with other Service 
programs is funded at $1,943,000, which is $1,570,000 above the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $957,000 below the budget 
request. Funds may be transferred to other budget activities 
within Resource Management, notwithstanding the reprogramming 
guidelines in the front of this report, provided the funds are 
strictly used for this initiative.
    The recommendation includes $2,500,000 in matching funds 
for recovery actions with non-governmental partners, $2,000,000 
above the budget request. The Committee recognizes the 
important role that non-governmental partners have played in 
the recovery of endangered species, such as the California 
condor and the aplomado falcon, and directs the Service to 
continue to foster these and similar partnerships nationwide.
    The Committee is concerned that the Service's interim 4(d) 
rule with respect to the northern long-eared bat, which 
prescribed habitat conservation measures for certain activities 
exempted from incidental take prohibitions, unfairly failed to 
exempt other activities that could be conducted in accordance 
with these same measures. The Committee maintains that section 
4(d) of the Endangered Species Act authorizes the Service to 
prohibit certain acts on threatened species but does not 
authorize the Service to prejudge individual activities that 
may result in such acts. Therefore, the bill includes language 
directing the Secretary to: (1) amend the current interim 4(d) 
rule for the northern long-eared bat to exempt without 
prejudice any activity that complies with the habitat 
conservation measures prescribed in the rule; and (2) re-
initiate a public process in accordance with existing law to 
develop a final 4(d) rule. Recognizing the seriousness of 
white-nose syndrome and its effect on northern long-eared bats 
and other bat species, and the desire of States, industry, 
research partners, and others to address the disease, the 
Committee encourages the Service to work collaboratively with 
interested partners on the development of fair interim and 
final 4(d) rules.
    The bill includes language directing the Secretary to re-
issue final rules delisting recovered gray wolves in Wyoming 
and the Great Lakes, consistent with congressional action on 
recovered gray wolves in Idaho and Montana in the fiscal year 
2011 appropriation. The Committee is compelled to act again in 
order to uphold the integrity of the Endangered Species Act, 
which hinges upon the guarantee that the Federal government 
will return management to the States once recovery goals are 
met and scientifically-sound management plans are in place. 
Upon enactment of this Act, the Service is urged to finalize 
its proposal to delist recovered gray wolves range-wide.
    The Committee understands that the listing of the lesser 
prairie chicken as threatened under the Endangered Species Act 
gave States containing lesser prairie chicken habitats the 
opportunity to implement voluntary range-wide conservation 
plans. Several States are now engaged in voluntary range-wide 
lesser prairie chicken conservation plan implementation. The 
Committee supports ongoing State management of the lesser 
prairie chicken and the cooperative efforts between States and 
the Fish and Wildlife Service to fully implement voluntary 
range-wide conservation plans.
    The Committee directs the Secretary to complete the next 
five-year status review on delta smelt, as required by law, and 
to include in the next Recovery Report to Congress a 
determination of whether the species is more or less numerous, 
or unknown, since the species was listed.
    Habitat Conservation.--The recommendation includes 
$51,776,000 for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife private 
lands program, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level, of 
which $1,285,000 is for Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups 
as requested. The recommendation includes $13,375,000 for the 
Coastal Program as requested.
    National Wildlife Refuge System.--The recommendation 
includes $483,054,000 for the National Wildlife Refuge System, 
$8,852,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Volunteer 
partnerships are increased by $500,000 above the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level with the goal of increasing the number of 
volunteer hours, which have declined in recent years. Law 
enforcement is funded at $38,959,000 as requested, $905,000 
above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Refuge maintenance is 
funded at $139,910,000 as requested, $7,412,000 above the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level.
    Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCPs) are increased by 
$500,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level with the goal 
of bringing the Service into compliance with the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1977, which required 
a CCP for every unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System by 
2012 and a revision of every CCP at least every 15 years. The 
Service's proposal to transform the way it develops CCPs is 
laudable but is no excuse for missing deadlines. The increase 
for CCPs is partially offset by a reduction of $465,000 from 
planning for more refuges, in order to re-focus the planning 
program on its higher priority mandates.
    Within 90 days of enactment of this Act, the Service should 
provide to the Committee any written policies and procedures 
that relate to the use of animal traps within the National 
Wildlife Refuge System, by State if applicable. The Service is 
encouraged to comply with State regulations for the use of 
animal traps for non-consumptive management purposes on 
national wildlife refuges within each State.
    Migratory Bird Management.--The recommendation includes 
$47,718,000 for migratory bird management, $1,250,000 above the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Increases include $1,000,000 as 
requested to take corrective action to improve aviation safety; 
and $250,000 to improve permitting, particularly for bird/
livestock conflicts. The Service is commended for its efforts 
to work with landowners to reduce black vulture predation on 
livestock.
    Law Enforcement.--The recommendation includes $73,772,000 
for law enforcement, $7,035,000 above the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $1,651,000 below the budget request. Wildlife 
trafficking is funded at $6,500,000 which is $3,000,000 above 
the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. General program activities 
are funded at $64,500,000. The Service is directed to enforce 
illegal logging violations pursuant to the Lacey Act.
    The Committee has concerns about the application of 50 CFR 
Part 14 to the export of sea urchin and sea cucumber. The 
Service is directed to evaluate whether these types of 
echinoderms should be included in the exceptions to clearance 
requirements, as part of Subpart E, Section 14.55(a) and submit 
a report to the Committee within 60 days of enactment of this 
Act. Additionally, if the Service determines that sea urchin 
and sea cucumber should not receive an exception, the report 
should include an evaluation of the potential application of a 
24-hour notice rule to the Service rather than the current 48-
hour advanced notice that is currently required.
    International Affairs.--The recommendation includes 
$14,599,000 for international affairs, including an increase of 
$93,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level for wildlife 
trafficking as requested.
    The Committee is concerned with the recent increase of 
illegal trade in rhinoceros horns, elephant ivory from Africa, 
and illegally harvested timber, the large sums of money that 
these products command on the black market, and that these 
activities are providing a significant source of financing for 
armed insurgencies and groups with links to transnational 
organized crime and terrorism. These activities threaten the 
stability and development of African countries and pose a 
threat to U.S. security interests. The Committee supports 
Service programs in particular that focus on: (1) site-based 
law enforcement protection in Africa for the most at-risk 
populations of forest and savannah elephants; (2) development 
and implementation of regional wildlife law enforcement 
networks in Africa and Asia; and (3) training local park guards 
and other wildlife law enforcement officers. These programs 
should be carried out in coordination with other U.S. agencies, 
local governments, and international conservation partners. The 
Committee encourages coordination between the Service and the 
Department of Homeland Security at U.S. ports of entry.
    The Committee remains concerned about the Service's 
unilateral regulatory limitation on the trade and transport of 
products containing ivory that have legally been in the United 
States for years and in some cases generations, including 
expensive family heirlooms and rare musical instruments. 
Therefore, the Committee has included a general provision in 
Title I to maintain the status quo for legal domestic ivory 
trade and transport policies until such time as the Service has 
completed a formal rulemaking process and attempted to address 
these concerns.
    Fish and Aquatic Conservation.--The recommendation includes 
$52,418,000 for National Fish Hatchery System operations. None 
of the funds may be used to terminate operations or to close 
any facility of the National Fish Hatchery System. None of the 
production programs listed in the March, 2013, National Fish 
Hatchery System Strategic Hatchery and Workforce Planning 
Report may be reduced or terminated without advance, informal 
consultation with affected States and Indian Tribes. General 
program activities are funded at $48,152,000 but does not 
include the $1,000,000 hold-back fund established in fiscal 
year 2015 without congressional approval. The aquatic animal 
drug approval partnership program is funded at not less than 
$400,000 as requested. The national wild fish health survey 
program is funded at not less than $930,000 as requested.
    The recommendation includes $19,920,000 for Maintenance and 
Equipment as requested, including a $2,000,000 increase above 
the fiscal year 2015 enacted level to address the deferred 
maintenance backlog. The Service is directed to modify its 
allocation methodology so that increases are directed to 
facilities with the most severe health and safety deficiencies 
across the System as a whole, rather than by region.
    Aquatic habitat and species conservation programs are 
funded at the fiscal year 2015 enacted level except for Klamath 
Basin, which is funded at the requested level, cooperative 
management, which is reduced by $588,000, and aquatic invasive 
species State plans, which are funded at $2,566,000, which is 
$1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. All other 
invasive species programs are funded at the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level.
    Marine Mammals.--The marine mammals program is transferred 
to Ecological Services as requested.
    Cooperative Landscape Conservation.--The recommendation 
includes $6,994,000 for landscape conservation cooperatives 
(LCCs). The Committee continues to be concerned about the lack 
of State and tribal support for LCCs. The Service should focus 
on areas where partnerships are strongest.
    Science Support.--The recommendation includes $11,727,000 
for science support, of which not less than $2,500,000 shall 
continue to be used to fight white-nose syndrome in bats. The 
Committee recognizes that scientific support from the U.S. 
Geological Survey has been insufficient in meeting the 
Service's needs, and supports re-building the Service's 
capacity for scientific research and application. However, the 
Service has used its additional science funding in recent years 
to add a new layer of administrators nationwide, which seems 
unnecessary. The Committee notes that the National Fish 
Hatchery System has been a national leader in the science of 
fish health and fish culture for decades under the existing 
fisheries program leadership structure. The Committee 
encourages the Service to reconsider its approach to rebuilding 
its science capacity and to propose future increases for 
science within the budgets of existing programs that need the 
science, such as fisheries, refuges, migratory birds, and 
endangered species, if such science is a priority for the 
programs.
    General Operations.--The recommendation funds general 
operations at the fiscal year 2015 enacted level except for 
including the requested reductions for communication and 
worker's compensation, and the requested increase for 
maintenance of the National Conservation Training Center 
(NCTC). The Service is encouraged to continue to make NCTC 
available, at cost, to other Federal, State, tribal, and non-
governmental entities for the purposes of conservation 
training.

                              CONSTRUCTION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $15,687,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        20,812,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        13,144,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        -2,543,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -7,668,000
 

    The Committee recommends $13,144,000 for Construction, 
$2,543,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$7,668,000 below the budget request. A detailed table of 
funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 
the end of this report.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $47,535,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        58,500,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        27,500,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       -20,035,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -31,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $27,500,000 for land acquisition, 
$20,035,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$31,000,000 below the budget request. The amounts recommended 
by the Committee compared with the budget estimates by activity 
are shown in the table at the end of this report.
    The recommendation includes $9,000,000 for land acquisition 
projects included in the fiscal year 2016 budget request. The 
Service is directed to re-prioritize its project list as 
necessary to focus on acquisitions where opportunities for 
recreation, and local, State, and congressional support, are 
strongest.
    The recommendation includes $2,500,000 for inholdings and 
other acquisitions considered by the Service to be emergencies 
or hardships. The Service is directed to notify the Committee 
of any land acquired with these funds. The Committee defines 
``inholding'' as non-Federal land within authorized National 
Wildlife Refuge boundaries and bordered by not less than 51 
percent of Federal public land.
    Consistent with other land acquisition accounts funded by 
this appropriation, the recommendation includes $2,000,000 for 
acquisitions that improve access to existing Federal public 
lands via road, river, or trail for hunting, fishing, and other 
public recreation, as authorized by law or regulation.
    In a time when budgetary constraints allow for only a 
limited number of new land acquisition projects, the Committee 
is encouraged by programs that leverage public/private 
partnerships for land conservation like the Highlands 
Conservation Act, which has a record of more than a 2 to 1 
ratio in non-Federal matching funds. Therefore, the Committee 
recommendation includes $3,000,000 for the Highlands 
Conservation Act Grants and directs the Fish and Wildlife 
Service to work with the Highlands States regarding priority 
projects for fiscal year 2016.

            COOPERATIVE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

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

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $50,095,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        50,000,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        50,095,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................           +95,000
 

    The Committee recommends $50,095,000 for the Cooperative 
Endangered Species Conservation Fund, equal to the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $95,000 above the budget request. A 
detailed table of funding recommendations below the account 
level is provided at the end of this report. All funding is to 
be derived from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, as 
requested.

                     NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FUND

    The National Wildlife Refuge Fund makes payments in lieu of 
taxes based on their fair market value to counties in which 
Service lands are located. Payments to counties in all 50 
States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. 
Virgin Islands are estimated to be $18,712,000 in fiscal year 
2016, with $13,228,000 derived from this appropriation and 
$5,484,000 from the net refuge receipts estimated to be 
collected in fiscal year 2015.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $13,228,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................                 0
Recommended, 2016.....................................        13,228,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       +13,228,000
 

    The Committee recommends $13,228,000 for the National 
Wildlife Refuge Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $13,228,000 above the budget request. The Committee 
notes the inconsistency with which the Administration proposes 
full funding for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (as is provided 
elsewhere in this bill) and proposes zero funding for the 
National Wildlife Refuge Fund.

               NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION FUND

    The North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989 
provided for grants to carry out wetlands conservation projects 
in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the benefit of 
wetlands-associated migratory birds and other wildlife. 
Additional program funding comes from fines, penalties, and 
forfeitures collected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 
1918; from Federal fuel excise taxes on small gasoline engines, 
as directed by amendments to the Federal Aid in Sport Fish 
Restoration Act of 1950, to benefit coastal ecosystem projects; 
and from interest accrued on the fund established under the 
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937. Authorization 
of appropriations expired in fiscal year 2012.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $34,145,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        34,145,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        35,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................          +855,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................          +855,000
 

    The Committee recommends $35,000,000 for the North American 
Wetlands Conservation Fund, $855,000 above the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and the budget request, and consistent with the 
reauthorization level proposed in the last Congress.

                NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION

    The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 2000 
authorized grants for the conservation of neotropical migratory 
birds in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, 
with 75 percent of the amounts available to be expended on 
projects outside the United States. Authorization of 
appropriations expired in fiscal year 2010.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $3,660,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................         4,160,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         3,660,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................          -500,000
 

    The Committee recommends $3,660,000 for neotropical 
migratory bird conservation, equal to the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $500,000 below the budget request.

                MULTINATIONAL SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

    The Multinational Species Conservation Fund provides 
technical support and cost-sharing grant assistance to 
countries to strengthen anti-poaching activities; builds 
community support for conservation near the species' habitats; 
conducts surveys, monitoring, and applied research; and 
provides infrastructure and field equipment necessary to 
conserve habitats. These funds help to leverage work with 
partners and other collaborators to conserve and protect 
African and Asian elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, great apes 
and marine turtles and their habitats. Authorizations of 
appropriations for the programs within this Fund have expired.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $9,061,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        11,061,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         9,561,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................          +500,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -1,500,000
 

    The Committee recommends $9,561,000 for the Multinational 
Species Conservation Fund, $500,000 above the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $1,500,000 below the budget request. A 
detailed table of funding recommendations below the account 
level is provided at the end of this report. The Committee 
recognizes that international wildlife trafficking has national 
security implications and therefore supports the Service's 
interagency and international cooperative efforts. The 
Committee further urges the Service and other interested 
parties to seek to evaluate and reauthorize these programs.

                    STATE AND TRIBAL WILDLIFE GRANTS

    The State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program provides 
Federal grant funds to the States, the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories, and Tribes, 
to develop and implement programs for the benefit of at-risk 
fish and wildlife that are not under Federal jurisdiction. The 
intent is to avoid the costly and time-consuming process 
entered into through the Endangered Species Act or other 
regulatory actions.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $58,695,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        70,000,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        59,195,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................          +500,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -10,805,000
 

    The Committee recommends $59,195,000 for State and Tribal 
Wildlife Grants, $500,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $10,805,000 below the budget request. The increase 
above the enacted level is for State competitive grants. The 
Service is directed to focus the State competitive grants 
program on species the Service finds to be warranted for 
listing but precluded because of higher priorities, and on 
species proposed for listing but not yet listed. States are 
encouraged to do the same with the formula grants.

                         NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

    The mission of the National Park Service (Service) is to 
preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and 
values of the national park system for the enjoyment, 
education, and inspiration of this and future generations. 
Established in 1916, the National Park Service has stewardship 
responsibilities for the protection and preservation of the 
heritage resources of the national park system. The system, 
consisting of 407 separate and distinct units, is recognized 
globally as a leader in park management and resource 
preservation. The national park system represents much of the 
finest the Nation has to offer in terms of scenery, historical 
and archeological relics, and cultural heritage. Through its 
varied sites, the National Park Service attempts to explain 
America's history, interpret its culture, preserve examples of 
its natural ecosystems, and provide recreational and 
educational opportunities for U.S. citizens and visitors from 
all over the world. In addition, the National Park Service 
provides support to tribal, local, and State governments to 
preserve culturally significant, ecologically important, and 
public recreational lands.
    The National Park Service will be 100 years old in 2016, 
and the Service has embarked on a ten-year effort to enhance 
the national parks leading up to this historic celebration. The 
Committee supports this effort leading to a second century of 
conservation, environmental stewardship and recreation 
benefiting millions of visitors from throughout the world.

                 OPERATION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................    $2,275,773,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................     2,515,131,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................     2,327,811,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       +52,038,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................      -187,320,000
 

    The Committee recommends $2,327,811,000 for Operation of 
the National Park System (ONPS), $52,038,000 above the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and $187,320,000 below the budget 
request. The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with 
the budget estimates by activity are shown in the table at the 
end of this report.
    Centennial of the National Park Service.--The Centennial of 
the National Park Service marks the beginning of a second 
century of stewardship, education, conservation, and recreation 
involving some of America's most treasured spaces. The 
Committee recognizes the importance of this historic national 
celebration and is committed to its success.
    Accordingly, the Committee provides $52,038,000 in new 
discretionary funding within the ONPS account to support the 
Centennial Initiative and related efforts, including funds to 
address deferred and cyclic maintenance needs. Specifically, 
the bill provides $13,538,000 as requested to support new 
responsibilities and critical needs across the System including 
critical operating needs at Park Service sites associated with 
the Civil Rights Movement; $8,000,000 as requested to restore 
seasonal ranger staff and enhance education and interpretive 
services; and $2,000,000 as requested to support increased 
volunteer capacity through partner organizations. The bill also 
includes $3,500,000 to support the Service's Civil Rights 
initiative. Lastly, the bill provides new discretionary funding 
within ONPS to address deferred maintenance needs including 
$15,000,000 for repair and rehabilitation projects and 
$10,000,000 to address cyclic maintenance needs. These funds 
are supplemented by $20,000,000 provided within the Centennial 
Challenge matching grant program account dedicated to 
supporting signature projects and programs which provide 
critical visitor services enhancements for parks beyond amounts 
provided for basic operations.
    Given the scope of the Centennial Initiative, the Committee 
directs the Service to provide a report, not later than 90 days 
after enactment of this Act, detailing the distribution of 
funds supporting the Centennial Initiative and the anticipated 
return on investment on this substantial Federal investment.
    Resource Stewardship.--The bill provides $321,483,000 for 
resource stewardship. Increases above the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level include $1,276,000 as requested to support new 
responsibilities and critical needs, and $3,000,000 to document 
and preserve Civil Rights history in the National Park System 
as part of the Service's Civil Rights initiative. The bill also 
includes $2,000,000 to continue zebra and quagga mussel 
containment, prevention, and enforcement. This funding was 
included in the fiscal year 2015 enacted bill but was not 
proposed in the budget request.
    Visitor Services.--The bill provides $251,447,000 for 
visitor services. Increases above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level include $2,000,000 as requested to support increased 
volunteer capacity through partner organizations; $4,000,000 as 
requested to restore seasonal ranger staff; $1,961,000 as 
requested to support new responsibilities and critical needs; 
and $500,000 as requested to support the Service's Civil Rights 
initiative. The bill also includes funding for the National 
Capital Area Performing Arts Program which was proposed for 
termination in the budget request.
    Park Protection.--The bill provides $351,953,000 for park 
protection. Increases above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
include $2,000,000 to restore seasonal ranger staff and 
$1,151,000 to support new responsibilities and critical needs 
as requested.
    Facility Maintenance and Operations.--The bill provides 
$731,355,000 for facility maintenance and operations. Increases 
above the fiscal year 2015 enacted bill include $2,000,000 as 
requested to restore seasonal ranger staff and $7,043,000 as 
requested to support new responsibilities and critical needs. 
The recommendation also includes $15,000,000 for repair and 
rehabilitation projects and $10,000,000 to address cyclic 
maintenance needs.
    Park Support.--The bill provides $491,569,000 for park 
support. Increases above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
include $2,107,000 as requested to support new responsibilities 
and critical needs.
    Additional Guidance.--The Committee recommendation for 
Operation of the National Park System includes the following 
additional guidance:
    Aquatic Invasive Species.--The Committee remains concerned 
about the spread of quagga and zebra mussels in the West. The 
Committee directs the Secretary of the Interior to continue 
developing and updating, using the best available science 
minimum 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 2015, 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 progress report on steps taken in 
recent years to address this pervasive threat to western 
watersheds.
    White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) in bats.--The Committee remains 
concerned over the effects white-nose syndrome is having on the 
important roles bats perform in ecological functions in parks. 
The Committee provides funds as requested to support the 
Service's efforts to control the spread of the disease; protect 
and better inventory NPS bat and cave resources; expand 
research and partnerships for research on WNS management; 
monitor NPS resources for WNS; conduct public education about 
WNS; and standardize visitor WNS screening procedures across 
park units.
    Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA).--
The Committee understands that the Service is negotiating to 
extend the lease for the temporary headquarters facility of the 
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA). 
Recognizing the temporary nature of the headquarters and the 
lack of visitor use facilities adjacent to the Mississippi 
river, the Service is directed to undertake a study for the 
development of a permanent headquarters and visitor use 
facility in close proximity to the existing headquarters and 
the river.
    James A. Garfield Memorial.--The Committee recognizes that 
there are a number of nationally significant presidential 
legacy sites outside of the National Park System. Understanding 
the historical, educational, cultural, and recreational value 
these sites offer the American public, the Committee believes 
presidential legacy sites should remain accessible and 
structurally protected. Recently, several Members of Congress 
submitted a letter to the Service requesting a study assessing 
the suitability of the James A. Garfield Memorial at Lake View 
Cemetery for inclusion as an affiliated area. The Committee 
encourages the Service to conduct an assessment as soon as 
possible.
    Everglades Restoration.--The Committee notes the 
substantial progress made toward restoration of the Everglades 
ecosystem and continues to support this multi-year effort to 
preserve one of the great ecological treasures of the United 
States. The Service is directed to work with the Miccosukee 
Tribe of Indians of Florida and relevant Federal agencies 
(including but not limited to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and 
the Environmental Protection Agency) to develop a range of 
options to address the water quality issues of the L-28 canal 
system. The Service is to report back to the Committee on these 
options within 180 days of enactment of this Act.
    Further, the Committee encourages the Service to complete 
the land exchange authorized in section 7107(b)(3) of the 
Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. According to the 
Service, the land exchange supports the mission of the 
Everglades National Park and is vital to the long-term 
protection of the entire Everglades ecosystem. Completion of 
the land exchange will ensure that important operational 
phases, such as freshwater storage and sheet flow restoration, 
for the federally funded Comprehensive Everglades Restoration 
Plan (CERP) will not be delayed.
    Golden Spike Sesquicentennial.--The Committee notes that 
2019 marks the sesquicentennial of the completion of the first 
transcontinental railroad. The Golden Spike National Historic 
Site in Utah celebrates this historic achievement. The 
Committee urges the Service to begin planning, in conjunction 
with State and local governments, the observance of the Golden 
Spike Sesquicentennial and celebration of this milestone in 
American history.
    Made in America.--The Committee directs the Service to 
identify if authorized concessioners are offering products made 
in the United States, explore viable ways to encourage the sale 
of American made products, and provide to the Committee the 
estimated economic impact of requiring all authorized 
concessioners to sell only American made goods.
    Intellectual Property.--The Committee directs the Service 
to provide a report on intellectual property rights that have 
been lost by the Service, and processes that can be undertaken 
to preserve intellectual property of the Service moving 
forward.
    Eastern Legacy Study (Lewis and Clark Trail Study).--The 
Eastern Legacy Study, authorized to determine the feasibility 
of extending the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, is 
now two years overdue. While the Committee appreciates that the 
study area is approximately 7,400 miles across 14 eastern 
States and the District of Columbia, the Committee directs the 
Service to work expeditiously to complete the study in a timely 
fashion and report back to the Committee on any impediments to 
completion.
    NDAA evaluation.--The Committee urges the Service to 
evaluate Section 3040 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. ``Buck'' 
McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 
and report back to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of 
this Act on the Service's evaluation.
    GIS tools.--The Committee is aware of geospatial platforms 
and GIS tools that may be used to support planning, design, 
repair, stewardship, and restoration of national parks' 
facilities, recreational assets, and natural and cultural 
resources. Such platforms and tools have been effectively 
deployed by the Service and other agencies to support 
conservation and preservation efforts including Chesapeake Bay 
restoration. The Committee urges the Service to provide a 
report to the Committee not later than 90 days after enactment 
of this Act on how the use of such platforms and tools could be 
expanded by the Service to support planning and management.
    Flight 93 Memorial.--Since the terrorist attacks of 
September 11, 2001, nearly 2.5 million people have visited the 
site of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, 
Pennsylvania. The memorial honors the 40 men and women who died 
saving the White House or U.S. Capitol from a potentially 
catastrophic terrorist attack. The Committee is pleased by 
progress of the Visitor Center and Learning Center and looks 
forward to their formal dedication in September, 2015. The bill 
provides requested funds to support operations and maintenance, 
interpretive staff, and other critical needs at the memorial. 
The Committee remains firmly committed to the timely completion 
of remaining phases of the Flight 93 Memorial including 
construction of the pedestrian trail from the Visitor Center to 
the Wall of Names, and the Tower of Voices.
    U.S. Capitol Concerts.--The Committee continues its 
longstanding support for funding for the National Capitol Area 
Performing Arts Program and directs the Service to maintain 
funding for the summer concert series staged on the U.S. 
Capitol grounds at the fiscal year 2015 enacted level.
    Ozark National Scenic Riverways.--The Committee understands 
concerns have been expressed regarding potential access 
restrictions in certain areas of the Ozark National Scenic 
Riverways. The Service is directed to work collaboratively with 
affected parties to ensure that implementation of the General 
Management Plan for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways 
addresses the legitimate concerns of affected stakeholders 
including, but not limited to, local communities and 
businesses.
    America's First Frontier.--The Committee urges the Service 
to advance interpretive efforts at existing National Park 
Service sites and in collaboration with other Federal, State, 
and local agencies, including other bureaus within the 
Department of the Interior, to detail the start of westward 
expansion through the Northwest Territory as America's First 
Frontier. Further, the Committee directs the Service to report 
back to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this Act 
on steps being taken to advance such interpretive 
collaboration.
    Midwest Region.--The Committee understands that the Midwest 
Region of the National Park Service is conducting a review of 
the operations of Perry's Victory and International Peace 
Memorial and River Raisin National Battlefield to determine 
whether administrative efficiencies can be gained from the two 
parks sharing certain staff resources. Within 90 days of 
enactment of this Act, the Committee directs the Service to 
submit a status report of this review and provide assurances 
that both parks will be able to continue to carry out their 
unique missions as directed by Congress in their establishment.
    Yosemite National Park.--The Committee remains concerned 
that visitors to Yosemite Valley may experience a diminished 
level of service as a result of the implementation of the 
Merced River Plan. The Service is directed to work with its 
concessioners at Yosemite National Park to ensure there is no 
interruption to visitor and recreational services, including 
bicycle rentals and ice skating, as the park implements the 
Merced River Plan.
    Leasing of Historic Buildings.--Leasing of historic park 
buildings has proven to be an effective public-private 
partnership that has brought private investment to the repair 
and maintenance of historic park resources. In previous years, 
the Committee has encouraged the Service to make expanded use 
of leasing authority. The Committee commends the Service for 
recent steps it has taken to increase the utilization of this 
tool, including establishing a leasing manager to oversee and 
expand the historic leasing program. The Committee directs the 
Service to provide a report, within six months of enactment of 
this Act, detailing its progress towards expanding use of this 
authority. Included in this report should be (1) an assessment 
of how many historic structures are leasable, (2) the cost of 
undertaking a leasing program, and (3) any statutory or 
regulatory impediments that now inhibit the enhanced use of 
leasing of historic structures.
    Park Partnerships.--Over the past several years and most 
recently in its explanatory statement accompanying the 
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, 
the Committee has expressed its support for ongoing public-
private partnerships and strongly encouraged the Service to 
expand their use. These partnerships can leverage Federal 
dollars and add value to national parks by bringing wide-
ranging perspectives to the efficient management of park 
resources. The Committee believes such partnerships, especially 
with Service nonprofit partners such as friends groups and 
cooperating associations, can be important contributors to 
enhancing the visitor experience.
    Further, the Committee believes there is merit in the 
Service working with qualified partners to cooperatively 
finance improvements to park facilities and programs, including 
repairing and rehabilitating facilities and landscapes to 
reduce the maintenance backlog, and providing educational and 
interpretive programs. The Committee commends the Service for 
efforts thus far made to engage partners and encourages the 
Service to find ways to further engage partners to facilitate 
the accomplishment of park projects consistent with the 
applicable laws and regulations that govern use of Federal 
appropriations.
    Bill Language.--The Committee has, since 2006, included 
bill language authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to 
acquire or lease property to facilitate the transportation of 
visitors to and from Ellis, Governors, and Liberty Islands, NY 
and NJ. The language was necessitated by the need to establish 
a screening process for visitors to the Statue of Liberty in 
the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001. While the 
location of future, permanent screening facilities for the 
ferry operation to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is 
now uncertain, prior-year bill language is retained as the 
Service reviews the security risks of alternative sites before 
making final decisions on the future location of permanent 
security screening facilities. The bill also includes language 
in Title I General Provisions addressing (1) the Volunteers in 
Parks (VIP) program, and (2) heritage areas.

                  NATIONAL RECREATION AND PRESERVATION

    The National Recreation and Preservation account provides 
for outdoor recreation planning, preservation of cultural and 
national heritage resources, technical assistance to Federal, 
State and local agencies, and administration of Historic 
Preservation Fund grants.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $63,117,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        54,199,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        62,467,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................          -650,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        +8,268,000
 

    The Committee recommends $62,467,000 for National 
Recreation and Preservation, $650,000 below the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $8,268,000 above the budget request. The 
amounts 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 $19,671,000 for the Heritage Partnership Program, 
$650,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. These funds 
support grants to local non-profit groups in support of 
historical and cultural recognition, preservation and tourism 
activities. The reduction below the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level reflects funding for a former heritage area that is now a 
freestanding Service unit no longer funded via the heritage 
area program. Congress has in recent years expanded from 27 to 
49 the number of authorized heritage partnerships, creating 
additional pressure on available grant funding. The National 
Park Service, as the administrator of the program, has 
developed a funding strategy that ensures newer areas receive 
enough Federal funding to establish themselves to a level that 
may eventually become self-sustaining. Under this approach, 
older, more established, areas will continue to receive funds, 
but at a level that recognizes the decades of significant 
Federal financial support these areas have received. Heritage 
areas were never intended to receive Federal funding in 
perpetuity, yet the Committee notes they continue to depend on 
annual appropriations at sustained historical levels.
    The Committee has in the recent past provided direction for 
the development of self-sufficiency plans, and the Committee 
fully expects pressure on HPP funding to increase in future 
years. Accordingly, the Committee directs that participating 
heritage areas move expeditiously to develop plans for long-
term self-sustainability. The Committee supports the Service's 
efforts to allocate funding in a manner that moves all heritage 
areas towards self-sustainability.
    Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation 
Grants.--The Committee supports the budget request for the 
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Grant 
Program.
    Japanese American Confinement Site Grants.--The Committee 
supports the budget request for the Japanese American 
Confinement Site Grant Program which leverages proportional 
funding through partnerships with local preservation groups to 
preserve Japanese American World War II confinement sites.
    American Battlefield Protection Program Assistance 
Grants.--The Committee supports the budget request for the 
American Battlefield Protection Program which assists in the 
preservation and protection of America's battlefields through 
site identification, documentation, planning, interpretation, 
and educational efforts.

                       HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND

    The Historic Preservation Fund supports the State historic 
preservation offices to perform a variety of functions. These 
include State management and administration of existing grant 
obligations; review and advice on Federal projects and actions; 
determinations and nominations to the National Register; Tax 
Act certifications; and technical preservation services. The 
States also review properties to develop data for planning use. 
Funding in this account also supports direct grants to 
qualifying organizations for individual preservation projects 
and for activities in support of heritage tourism and local 
historic preservation.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $56,410,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        89,910,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        60,910,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        +4,500,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -29,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $60,910,000 for historic 
preservation, $4,500,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $29,000,000 below the budget request.
    Additional Guidance.--The following guidance is provided 
with respect to funding provided within this account:
    State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices.--The bill 
provides $46,925,000 for State Historic Preservation Offices 
and $8,985,000 for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices. The 
bill also provides $5,000,000 for competitive grants of which 
$500,000 is for grants to underserved communities and 
$4,500,000 is for competitive grants to document, interpret, 
and preserve historical sites associated with the Civil Rights 
Movement.

                              CONSTRUCTION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $138,339,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       250,967,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       139,555,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        +1,216,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................      -111,412,000
 

    The Committee recommends $139,555,000 for Construction, 
$1,216,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$111,412,000 below the budget request.
    Line-Item Construction.--The bill provides $62,894,000 in 
funding for line-item construction projects. The amount 
provided fully funds the top ten construction projects as 
prioritized by the Service in the fiscal year 2016 budget 
request. Requests for reprogramming will be considered pursuant 
to the guidelines in the front of the report.
    Bill Language.--The Committee has maintained bill language 
providing that a single procurement may be issued which 
includes the full scope of the project for any project 
initially funded in fiscal year 2016 with a future phase 
indicated in the NPS five-year Line Item Construction program. 
The solicitation and contract in such procurement shall be 
subject to availability of funds. Executing a single contract 
has the potential to increase economies of scale and reduce 
overall costs.

                    LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND

                               RESCISSION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      -$28,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       -30,000,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       -28,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        +2,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends the rescission of the annual 
contract authority provided by 16 U.S.C. 460l-10a. This 
authority has not been used in years and there are no plans to 
use it in fiscal year 2016. The Committee does not agree with 
the Administration's proposal to permanently cancel the 
authority.

                 LAND ACQUISITION AND STATE ASSISTANCE

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $98,960,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       117,500,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        84,367,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       -14,593,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -33,133,000
 

    The Committee recommends $84,367,000 for Land Acquisition 
and State Assistance, $14,593,000 below the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $33,133,000 below the budget request. In 
addition to the traditional State Conservation Grants, the 
Committee continues funding for the competitive grant program 
at the fiscal year 2015 enacted level of $3,000,000. The 
recommendation includes $9,000,000 for the American Battlefield 
Protection Program, $14,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and the budget request. The amounts recommended by the 
Committee compared with the budget estimates by activity are 
shown in the table at the end of this report.
    The recommendation includes $9,000,000 for land acquisition 
projects included in the fiscal year 2016 budget request. The 
Service is directed to re-prioritize its project list as 
necessary to focus on acquisitions where opportunities for 
recreation, and local, State, and congressional support, are 
strongest.
    The recommendation includes $4,500,000 for inholdings, 
donations, and exchanges. The Service is directed to notify the 
Committee of any land acquired with these funds. The Committee 
defines ``inholding'' as non-Federal land within authorized 
National Park Service Unit boundaries and bordered by not less 
than 51 percent of Federal public land.
    Consistent with other land acquisition accounts funded by 
this appropriation, the recommendation includes $2,000,000 for 
acquisitions that improve access to existing Federal public 
lands via road, river, or trail for hunting, fishing, and other 
public recreation, as authorized by law or regulation.

                          CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $10,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        50,000,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        20,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       +10,000,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -30,000,000
 

    The Committee provides $20,000,000 for the Centennial 
Challenge matching grant program, a key component of the 
Service's Centennial Initiative. The Committee notes that 
$10,000,000 in Centennial Challenge funds provided to the 
Service in fiscal year 2015 was matched with $15,900,000 from 
more than 90 partner organizations nationwide. These funds are 
now financing 106 projects to improve visitor services at more 
than 100 parks in 31 States and the District of Columbia. The 
Committee commends the Service for its success in garnering 
non-Federal assistance for the completion of these and future 
projects as the Service approaches its Centennial.
    The Committee understands that funds provided will be 
matched on at least a 1:1 basis and administered under existing 
Service partnership authorities. Funds provided will be 
dedicated to supporting signature projects and programs which 
provide critical enhancements for the parks beyond amounts 
provided for basic operations. The Committee directs that 
preference be given to projects that have a clear and immediate 
visitor benefit as well as a higher partner match. The 
Committee notes that the Service has a long history of working 
with philanthropic partners and fully supports the use of 
public-private partnerships wherever feasible.

                    UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

    The United States Geological Survey (USGS, or ``Survey'') 
was established by an Act of Congress on March 3, 1879, to 
support the mission of the Department of the Interior and its 
science requirements. The USGS also works in collaboration with 
other Federal, State, and tribal cooperators to conduct 
research and provide scientific data and information to 
describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and 
property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, 
energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our 
quality of life. The USGS is the Federal government's largest 
earth-science research agency and the primary source of data on 
the Nation's surface and ground water resources. Its programs 
address increasingly complex societal issues such as the 
development of alternative and unconventional energy resources, 
management of critical ecosystems, understanding and adaptation 
to climate change, and responses to natural and human-induced 
hazards. For more than a century, the diversity of scientific 
expertise and collaborative partnerships with universities, 
research institutions, and major public and private 
laboratories has enabled USGS to carry out large-scale, multi-
disciplinary investigations and provide impartial scientific 
information to resource managers, planners, policymakers, and 
the public.

                 SURVEYS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND RESEARCH

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................    $1,045,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................     1,194,782,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................     1,045,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................      -149,782,000
 

    The Committee recommends $1,045,000,000 for Surveys, 
Investigations, and Research, equal to the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $149,782,000 below the budget request. The 
Committee recommendation maintains funding for the Survey 
recognizing that its scientific work is vital to managers at 
Federal, State, and local levels to inform public policy 
decisions regarding human health, public safety, and national 
security.
    Ecosystems.--The Committee recommends $154,041,000 for 
ecosystem programs, $3,000,000 below the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $22,258,000 below the budget request.
    Climate and Land Use Change.--The Committee recommends 
$138,975,000 for climate and land use change programs, 
$3,000,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$52,853,000 below the budget request. The Committee supports 
the continuation of the LandSat program and includes the 
requested increase of $4,300,000 for LandSat 9. In addition, 
the Committee directs the USGS Southeast Center to continue to 
work on developing strategic decision making approaches to 
understanding the region's most vulnerable, flood-prone, 
coastal areas.
    The Committee supports all remaining programs at their 
fiscal year 2015 enacted levels, including the early earthquake 
warning and event characterization program. As such the bill 
does not include the proposed $1,551,000 reduction for early 
earthquake warning.
    Further, the Committee continues to be concerned about the 
lack of knowledge and onshore, real-time instrumentation 
available for the Cascadia subduction zone. Scientific 
understanding of earthquakes and the ocean environment will 
benefit from collecting offshore data. Therefore, the Committee 
encourages the Survey to plan for offshore monitoring of the 
Cascadia subduction zone in future budget requests to ensure 
maximum effectiveness of the earthquake early warning system. 
In addition, since 1995, the United States Geological Survey, 
in conjunction with State and local emergency management 
officials, has been working to develop the Mount Rainier lahar-
warning system. The Committee urges the Survey to develop an 
estimate for the cost to replace or upgrade any older 
technologies, and an estimate for the expansion of the lahar-
warning system, to encompass all six impacted river valleys.
    The Committee understands that marine geohazards 
(earthquake-induced tsunamis, landslide-induced tsunamis and 
subsea volcano eruptions) pose a threat to citizens living on 
the West Coast, as well as the submarine areas in U.S. Island 
Territories that contain rich deposits of rare earth minerals 
and other strategic minerals important to national defense. To 
better understand marine hazard risk and resource availability, 
the Committee encourages the Survey to work in partnership with 
other Federal agencies and non-governmental organizations where 
practicable to support research and assessments of marine 
hazards and critical minerals on deepwater ships of 
exploration.
    White-Nose Syndrome in bats.--The Committee provides 
requested funds to support efforts to understand and respond to 
white-nose syndrome.
    Bill Language.--The bill provides two-year funding 
authority except for satellite operations and deferred 
maintenance and capital improvement projects, which are no-year 
authority. Provisos include a funding limitation on surveys on 
private property and a cost-share requirement on topographic 
mapping and water resources activities in cooperation with 
States and municipalities.

                   BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT

    The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is responsible for 
the environmentally and economically sound development of the 
Nation's offshore energy and mineral resources. The Bureau's 
management of these resources helps meet the Nation's energy 
needs by providing access to--and fair return to the American 
taxpayer for--offshore energy and mineral resources through 
strategic planning and resource and economic evaluation. 
Conventional energy activities include development of the Five-
Year Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program; 
assessment of mineral resource potential, tracking of 
inventories of oil and gas reserves, and development of 
production projections; and economic evaluation to ensure the 
receipt of fair value through lease sales and lease terms.

                        OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $169,770,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       170,857,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       167,270,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        -2,500,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -3,587,000
 

    The Committee recommends $167,270,000 for Ocean Energy 
Management, $2,500,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and $3,587,000 below the budget request. This amount will be 
partially offset with the estimated collection of offsetting 
rental receipts and cost recovery fees totaling $96,622,000. 
The Committee recommendation does not provide funding for 
National Ocean Policy Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning.
    The Committee continues to include bill language 
authorizing higher minimum rates of basic pay through fiscal 
year 2017 for petroleum engineers and technicians at the Bureau 
of Ocean Energy Management and the Bureau of Safety and 
Environmental Enforcement.

             BUREAU OF SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT

    The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement is 
responsible for oversight of exploration, development, and 
production operations for oil, gas, and other marine minerals 
on the Outer Continental Shelf. Leases in Federal waters off 
the shores of California, Alaska, and the Gulf of Mexico 
provide about 25 percent of the Nation's oil production and 
more than 10 percent of domestic natural gas production. The 
Bureau facilitates the safe and environmentally responsible 
development of oil and gas and the conservation of offshore 
resources. The Bureau's safety and environmental compliance 
activities include oil and gas permitting; facility 
inspections, regulations and standards development; safety and 
oil spill research; field operations; environmental compliance 
and enforcement; review of operator oil spill response plans; 
production and development; and operation of a national 
training center for inspectors and engineers.

             OFFSHORE SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $189,726,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       189,772,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       188,354,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        -1,372,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -1,418,000
 

    The Committee recommends $188,354,000 for Offshore Safety 
and Environmental Enforcement, $1,372,000 below the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $1,418,000 below the budget request. 
This amount will be partially offset with the estimated 
collection of offsetting rental receipts, cost recovery fees 
and inspection fees totaling $116,207,000.

                           OIL SPILL RESEARCH

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $14,899,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        14,899,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        14,899,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $14,899,000 for Oil Spill 
Research, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and the 
budget request.

          OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT

    The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 
(OSM), through its regulation and technology account, regulates 
surface coal mining operations to ensure that the environment 
is reclaimed once mining is completed. The OSM accomplishes 
this mission by providing grants and technical assistance to 
those States that maintain their own regulatory and reclamation 
programs and by conducting oversight of State programs. 
Further, the OSM administers the regulatory programs in the 
States that do not have their own programs and on Federal and 
tribal lands. Through its Abandoned Mine Land (AML) reclamation 
program, the OSM provides funding for environmental restoration 
at abandoned coal mines based on fees collected from current 
coal production operations. In their un-reclaimed condition 
these abandoned sites endanger public health and safety, and 
prevent the beneficial use of land and water resources. 
Mandatory appropriations provide funding for the abandoned coal 
mine sites as required under the 2006 amendments to the Surface 
Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA).

                       REGULATION AND TECHNOLOGY

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $122,713,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       128,388,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       123,253,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................          +540,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -5,135,000
 

    The Committee recommends $123,253,000 for Regulation and 
Technology, $540,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and $5,135,000 below the budget request. The bill funds 
regulatory grants at $68,590,000, equal to the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level. The bill also includes the requested $750,000 
increase to support electronic permitting.
    The Committee continues to reject the proposal to increase 
inspections and enhance Federal oversight of State regulatory 
programs. Delegation of the authority to the States is the 
cornerstone of the surface mining regulatory program, and State 
regulatory programs do not require enhanced Federal oversight 
to ensure continued implementation of a protective regulatory 
framework. Accordingly, the Committee has not provided the 
requested funding and FTE increase for those activities within 
the Regulation and Technology account.

                    ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $27,399,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        32,074,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        57,303,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       +29,904,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       +25,229,000
 

    The Committee recommends $57,303,000 for the Abandoned Mine 
Reclamation Fund, $29,904,000 above the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $25,229,000 above the budget request. Of the 
funds provided, $27,303,000 shall be derived from the Abandoned 
Mine Reclamation Fund consistent with the fiscal year 2015 
appropriation, and $30,000,000 shall be derived from the 
General Fund.
    The Committee provides $30,000,000 for grants to States for 
the reclamation of abandoned mine lands in conjunction with 
economic and community development and reuse goals. It is the 
Committee's intent that States shall use these funds to 
accelerate the remediation of AML sites with economic and 
community development end uses in mind. In doing so, the 
Committee envisions a collaborative partnership between the 
State AML programs and their respective State and local 
economic and community development programs that will explore 
ways to return legacy coal sites to productive reuse. The 
Committee notes that these grants are provided from the General 
Fund and are therefore separate from the estimated $185 million 
in mandatory payments from the Abandoned Mine Land fund in 
fiscal year 2016. The Committee believes that an incremental 
approach is warranted to better understand programmatic impacts 
of proposing criteria changes to the underlying law. As such, 
the Committee expects that State efforts under this pilot 
program will inform future policy discussions, possibly under a 
reauthorization of SMCRA, which the Committee supports.
    Grants shall be provided to the three Appalachian States 
with the largest unfunded needs for the reclamation of Priority 
1 and Priority 2 sites as delineated in the Abandoned Mine Land 
Inventory System. State AML programs, in consultation with 
State economic and community development authorities, shall 
develop a list of eligible AML projects in Appalachian counties 
that have a nexus to economic and community development, and 
select qualifying AML projects that have the potential to 
create long-term economic benefits. State AML programs should 
consider whether a model similar to the Appalachian Regional 
Commission grants process could streamline project selection, 
and whether an interagency agreement or other contracting 
mechanisms could streamline program implementation. Eligible 
grant recipients are limited to State and local governmental 
entities who may subcontract project-related activities as 
appropriate.

        BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS AND BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION

    The Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian 
Education, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian 
Affairs (together, ``Indian Affairs'') provide services 
directly or through contracts, grants, or compacts to a service 
population of more than 1.7 million American Indians and Alaska 
Natives who are enrolled members of 566 federally recognized 
Tribes in the 48 contiguous United States and Alaska. While the 
role of the organization has changed significantly in the last 
four decades in response to a greater emphasis on Indian self-
determination, Tribes still look to Indian Affairs for a broad 
spectrum of services. Programs are funded and operated in a 
highly decentralized manner, with almost 85 percent of all 
appropriations expended at the local level, and more than 62 
percent of appropriations provided directly to Tribes and 
tribal organizations through grants, contracts, and compacts.
    In preparation of the fiscal year 2016 budget, the 
Subcommittee held two days of hearings and received testimony 
from more than 75 witnesses on a variety of topics pertaining 
to American Indian and Alaska Native programs. The Federal 
government has a legal and moral obligation to provide quality 
services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. On a 
nonpartisan basis, the Committee continues to protect and, 
where possible, strengthen the budgets of those agencies and 
programs serving Indian Country in this bill to address 
longstanding needs.

                      OPERATION OF INDIAN PROGRAMS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................    $2,429,236,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................     2,660,591,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................     2,505,670,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       +76,434,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................      -154,921,000
 

    The Committee recommends $2,505,670,000 for the operation 
of Indian programs, $76,434,000 above the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $154,921,000 below the budget request. Except 
where indicated below, all budget line items are funded at the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level. A detailed table of funding 
recommendations below the account level is provided at the end 
of this report.
    Contract Support Costs.--The recommendation includes 
$272,000,000 as requested for full funding of estimated 
contract support costs. Bill language has been added making 
these funds available until expended and protecting against the 
use of other appropriations to meet unanticipated shortfalls. 
The Bureau is directed to work with Tribes and tribal 
organizations to ensure that budget estimates continue to be as 
accurate as possible.
    Road Maintenance.--The recommendation includes $26,693,000 
for road maintenance as requested. The Committee recognizes 
that too many roads on Indian reservations are in poor 
condition and are a significant safety concern.
    Social Services.--The recommendation includes $41,871,000 
for social services, $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level, for expansion of the Tiwahe (Family) Initiative.
    Trust-Natural Resources Management.--The Committee is 
concerned about tribal communities that face severe challenges 
to their long-term resilience because of risks associated with 
climate, geography, and extreme weather conditions. The Bureau 
is encouraged to work with at-risk Tribes to identify and 
expedite the necessary resources to support mitigation and, 
where necessary, relocation.
    Trust-Real Estate Services.--The recommendation includes 
$125,817,000 for trust-real estate services, $1,185,000 below 
the fiscal year 2015 enacted level.
    The Committee is concerned about the Department's goal of 
placing more than 500,000 acres of land into trust by the end 
of fiscal year 2016. Such a goal incentivizes haste and leads 
to situations such as in Clark County, Washington. On March 9, 
2015, the Department took into trust approximately 152 acres in 
Clark County on behalf of the Cowlitz Indian tribe, 
notwithstanding ongoing litigation in the matter. The Committee 
directs the Department to: (1) report to the Committee within 
30 days of enactment of this Act on (a) the process it has 
established for taking the land out of trust should the court 
order the Department to do so; and (b) the cost to the 
Department of taking the land out of trust; and (2) focus not 
on an acre goal but on reducing the current backlog of fee-to-
trust applications. It is entirely appropriate for the 
government's goal to be to process those applications as 
efficiently and fairly as possible. The Committee recommends 
cuts to central and regional oversight in light of the 
program's current goal.
    Public Safety and Justice.--The recommendation includes 
$357,358,000 for public safety and justice, $4,508,000 above 
the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Tribal Justice and Support 
is funded at $7,245,000, which is $1,000,000 above the budget 
request, in order to increase technical assistance and training 
in Indian Country to carry out the new provisions of the 
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. Additional 
increases above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level include 
$1,000,000 for expansion of the Tiwahe Initiative, and 
$1,500,000 for tribal courts.
    For the purpose of addressing the needs of American Indian 
youth in custody at tribal detention centers operated or 
administered by the BIA, the Committee considers educational 
and health-related services to juveniles in custody to be 
allowable costs for detention/corrections program funding.
    Community and Economic Development.--The recommendation 
includes the requested amount to establish the Indian Energy 
Service Center. The Bureau is directed to consult with affected 
tribes regarding staffing and related functions of the new 
office.
    Bureau of Indian Education.--The Committee recommends 
$854,160,000 for Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) system 
operations and maintenance, $43,629,000 above the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $50,304,000 below the budget request. 
Indian education remains among the Committee's top priorities 
because it is a fundamental trust responsibility and because 
elementary and secondary students in particular have fallen far 
behind their peers for reasons now well documented by the 
Government Accountability Office, the Department of Education, 
and others.
    The Committee recommends $15,520,000 for early child and 
family development, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level. The Committee strongly supports early childhood 
development models that address the achievement gap of Indian 
children primarily located on rural reservations by teaching 
preschool Indian children the skills they need to begin school 
and offering developmental opportunities for parents. The BIE 
is directed to publish its report on the 2013-14 school year 
internal review of early childhood education programs in order 
to improve program direction and transparency.
    The recommendation includes $75,335,000 to fully fund 
tribal grant support costs, as requested, $12,940,000 above the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level. Fully funding these costs is 
consistent with the policy of fully funding contract support 
costs, and is instrumental for tribal control of schools.
    The recommendation includes $2,000,000 as requested for the 
development and operation of tribal departments or divisions of 
education as authorized in 25 U.S.C. 2020. The recommendation 
includes $1,000,000 to restore juvenile detention education 
program grants.
    The recommendation includes $14,739,000 for the Johnson-
O'Malley program. The Bureau is directed to consult with Tribes 
and Congress before proposing any changes in the distribution 
of future funds or in the frequency or method of future counts.
    The Bureau is encouraged to coordinate with the Indian 
Health Service to establish a pilot program integrating 
preventive dental care at schools within the Bureau system.
    The Committee is supportive of standards and curricula that 
emphasize tribal history, language and culture. As alternative 
proposals are considered, language immersion should be 
carefully considered as a serious option for improved language 
development and student outcomes.
    The Committee continues language limiting the expansion of 
grades and schools in the BIE system, including charter 
schools. The intent of the language is to prevent already 
limited funds from being spread further to additional schools 
and grades. The intent is not to limit tribal flexibility at 
existing schools. Nothing in the bill is intended to prohibit a 
Tribe from converting a tribally-controlled school already in 
the BIE system to a charter school in accordance with State and 
Federal law.
    The recommendation continues bill language providing the 
Secretary with the authority to approve satellite locations of 
existing BIE schools if a Tribe can demonstrate that the 
establishment of such locations would provide comparable levels 
of education as are being offered at such existing BIE schools, 
and would not significantly increase costs to the Federal 
Government. The intent is for this authority to be exercised 
only in extraordinary circumstances to provide Tribes with 
additional flexibility regarding where students are educated 
without compromising how they are educated, and to 
significantly reduce the hardship and expense of transporting 
students over long distances, all without unduly increasing 
costs that would otherwise unfairly come at the expense of 
other schools in the BIE system.
    The Committee acknowledges the inconsistency that not all 
tribal colleges and universities are forward-funded so as to 
align with academic calendars instead of fiscal calendars. The 
Administration is encouraged to submit a proposal beginning 
with the fiscal year 2017 budget submission to transition to 
forward-funding over a period of three to five years the 
remaining tribal colleges and universities, including the 
Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts 
Development.
    The Committee remains concerned that control of BIE's 
budget, procurement, hiring, and facilities maintenance and 
construction reside not within BIE but within the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs and the Deputy Assistant Secretary--Management 
(see Government Accountability Office report GAO-13-774). The 
Secretary is urged to reorganize Indian Affairs so as to 
improve leadership stability and accountability within the BIE.
    Indirect Costs.--The Committee is concerned that a recent 
Administration policy change with regard to indirect cost 
reimbursement may not fairly apply to Indian Tribes and tribal 
organizations. The Secretary is directed to report to the 
Committee justifying this policy change and in particular its 
application to tribal enrollment activities.

                              CONSTRUCTION

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $128,876,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       188,973,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       187,620,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       +58,744,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -1,353,000
 

    The Committee recommends $187,620,000 for Construction, 
$58,744,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$1,353,000 below the budget request. A detailed table of 
funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 
the end of this report. The Committee recommendation includes 
further details below.
    Education.--The recommendation includes $133,245,000 for 
Education Construction, as requested, $58,744,000 above the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level. The recommendation 
reestablishes the budget line item for replacement of 
individual BIE facilities that pose serious health and safety 
risks to students, as requested. Serious health and safety 
hazards exist at BIE facilities across the country, including 
the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. 
The Secretary is directed to develop a comprehensive plan to 
work with Tribes to repair and replace all substandard 
educational facilities. The Secretary is urged to consider 
alternative funding mechanisms to supplement appropriations for 
replacing schools and facilities, including the use of bonds.
    Public Safety and Justice.--The Bureau is encouraged to 
consider establishing regional detention centers at new or 
existing facilities, such as the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes' 
Justice Center, as it works to combat the crime problem in 
Indian Country.
    Maintenance Shortfalls.--The Bureau is encouraged to 
request full funding for facilities maintenance needs in future 
budget requests.

 INDIAN LAND AND WATER CLAIM SETTLEMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS PAYMENTS TO 
                                INDIANS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $35,655,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        67,656,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        65,412,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       +29,757,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -2,244,000
 

    The Committee recommends $65,412,000 for Indian Land and 
Water Claim Settlements and Miscellaneous Payments to Indians, 
$29,757,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$2,244,000 below the budget request. A detailed table of 
funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 
the end of this report.
    The Committee believes that the resolution of pending 
Indian water rights settlements is critically important to 
resolve outstanding legal claims against the United States and 
to provide Tribes with clean and reliable water supplies that 
are fundamental to economic growth and self-determination. They 
also benefit surrounding communities by providing water rights 
certainty. The Committee supports the Department's efforts to 
fulfill commitments relating to Indian water rights settlements 
and its participation in negotiations of the Pechanga Band of 
Luiseno Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement.

                 INDIAN GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $7,731,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................         7,748,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         7,731,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
Budget estimate, 2016.................................           -17,000
 

    The Committee recommends $7,731,000 for the Indian 
Guaranteed Loan Program Account, equal to the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $17,000 below the budget request. 
Unemployment is a serious problem in Indian Country. This 
program enables Indian Tribes and native-owned businesses to 
secure financing for development projects and for startup and 
expansion of business operations.

                          Departmental Offices


                        OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

    The Office of the Secretary supports a wide-range of 
Departmental business, policy, and oversight functions. In 
September 2010, Secretarial Order 3306 established the Office 
of Natural Resources Revenue as part of the reorganization of 
the former Minerals Management Service (MMS). This revenue 
collection and compliance function is now managed within the 
Office of the Secretary.

                        DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $265,263,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       327,939,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       717,279,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................      +452,016,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................      +389,340,000
 

    The Committee recommends $717,279,000 for Departmental 
Operations, $452,016,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $389,340,000 above the budget request. Increases 
above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level include $1,288,000 to 
support the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONNR) Onshore 
Production Verification pilot; $2,600,000 as requested for ONNR 
to help with certain Trust responsibilities for the Osage 
Nation consistent with the services ONNR already provides to 
every other Tribe; and $452,000,000 to fully fund the Payments 
in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for fiscal year 2016. The bill 
does not provide requested funds for the Coastal Resilience 
Fund.
    National Monument Designations.--The Department is directed 
to work collaboratively with interested parties, including but 
not limited to, the Congress, States, local communities, tribal 
governments and others prior to planning, implementing, or 
making national monument designations.
    Software License Management.--The Committee commends the 
Department for instituting reforms addressing the management of 
software licenses, including the capability to obtain automated 
reports on demand, to better manage these assets. The Committee 
urges the Department to use these reports to manage software 
spending Department-wide and require its bureaus and smaller 
offices which include the Office of the Secretary, Office of 
the Special Trustee, Office of Insular Affairs, Office of the 
Solicitor, and the Office of the Inspector General, to purchase 
software licenses on contract vehicles that leverage Interior's 
economies of scale. The Committee directs the Department to 
provide a briefing not later than 180 days after enactment of 
this Act on efficiencies obtained through automated inventories 
of software licenses in use across the Department.
    Bill Language.--The Committee has included bill language 
providing full funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) 
Program for fiscal year 2016. The bill does not include 
language authorizing the establishment of the Department of the 
Interior Experienced Services Program. While the Committee 
supports the Department's goal of utilizing the skills of older 
workers to help it accomplish its mission and objectives, the 
Committee urges the Department to work closely with the 
authorizing committees of jurisdiction in the House and Senate 
to achieve this goal within the context of the upcoming 
reauthorization of the Older Americans Act.

                            Insular Affairs


                       ASSISTANCE TO TERRITORIES

    The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) was established on 
August 4, 1995, through Secretarial Order No. 3191, which also 
abolished the former Office of Territorial and International 
Affairs. The OIA has important responsibilities to help the 
United States government fulfill its responsibilities to the 
four U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa (AS), U.S. Virgin 
Islands (USVI) and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands (CNMI) and also the three freely associated States: the 
Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the 
Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Republic of Palau. The permanent 
and trust fund payments to the territories and the compact 
nations provide substantial financial resources to these 
governments. During fiscal year 2004, financial arrangements 
for the Compacts of Free Association with the FSM and the RMI 
were implemented. These also included mandatory payments for 
certain activities previously provided in discretionary 
appropriations as well as Compact impact payments of 
$30,000,000 per year split among Guam, CNMI, AS, and Hawaii.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $85,976,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        99,660,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        85,976,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -13,684,000
 

    The Committee recommends $85,976,000 for Assistance to 
Territories, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$13,684,000 below the budget request. A detailed table of 
funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 
the end of this report.

                      COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $16,465,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................         3,318,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         3,318,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       -13,147,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $3,318,000 for Compact of Free 
Association, $13,147,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and equal to the budget request. The Committee expects 
the Compact will be renegotiated and therefore the 
discretionary stopgap funding will not be necessary in fiscal 
year 2016. A detailed table of funding recommendations below 
the account level is provided at the end of this report.

                        Office of the Solicitor


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $65,800,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        69,888,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        65,142,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................          -658,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -4,746,000
 

    The Committee recommends $65,142,000 for salaries and 
expenses of the Office of the Solicitor, $658,000 below the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $4,746,000 below the budget 
request.

                      Office of Inspector General


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $50,047,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        52,224,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        50,047,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -2,177,000
 

    The Committee recommends $50,047,000 for salaries and 
expenses of the Office of Inspector General, equal to the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $2,177,000 below the budget 
request. The Office is encouraged to update its 2004 report on 
Indian detention facilities.

           Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians


                         FEDERAL TRUST PROGRAMS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

    Congress has designated the Secretary of the Interior as 
the trustee delegate with responsibility for approximately 55 
million surface acres of land, 57 million acres of subsurface 
mineral interests, and nearly $4.4 billion that is held in 
trust by the Federal Government on behalf of American Indians, 
Alaska Natives, and federally recognized Indian Tribes. The 
Office of the Special Trustee's trust management of these 
assets includes conserving, maintaining, accounting, investing, 
disbursing, and reporting to individual Indians and federally 
recognized Tribes and tribal organizations on asset 
transactions generated from sales, leasing and other commercial 
activities on these lands.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $139,029,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       142,978,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       139,029,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -3,949,000
 

    The Committee recommends $139,029,000 for Federal trust 
programs, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$3,949,000 below the budget request. A detailed table of 
funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 
the end of this report.

                        DEPARTMENT WIDE PROGRAMS


                             WILDLAND FIRE

    The Department's Wildland Fire Management and FLAME 
wildfire suppression reserve accounts support fire activities 
for the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, 
the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs. The Committee recommends a total of $896,795,000 for 
the Department's wildland fire accounts, including $92,000,000 
in the FLAME wildfire suppression reserve fund. This fully 
funds the fire accounts at the 10-year average of expenditures.

                        WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $804,779,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       805,495,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       804,795,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................           +16,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................          -700,000
 

    The Committee recommends $804,795,000 for Wildland Fire 
Management at the Department of the Interior, $16,000 above the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $700,000 below the budget 
request. The detailed allocation of funding for these accounts 
is included in the table at the end of this report.
    The Committee notes that the budget request included a 
provision almost identical to legislation that has been 
developed in the House (H.R. 167) and the Senate (S. 235). The 
budget request proposes to allow wildland fire suppression 
costs above 70 percent of the 10-year average for fire 
suppression to be paid from within the discretionary budget cap 
adjustment established for natural disasters, recognizing that 
wildland fires are a natural disaster akin to hurricanes, 
tornadoes, and floods. As the issue of the disaster cap 
adjustment falls outside of the Committee's jurisdiction, the 
Committee's recommendation does not include the request for 
suppression funding through the disaster cap adjustment. As in 
recent years, suppression operations are fully funded at the 
10-year average level within the suppression operations account 
and the FLAME wildfire suppression reserve fund.
    Wildfire Preparedness.--The Committee recommends 
$318,970,000 for Wildfire Preparedness, equal to the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and $4,715,000 below the budget 
request. The Department should immediately notify the 
Committees on Appropriations if it appears that funding 
shortfalls may limit needed firefighting capacity.
    Wildfire Suppression Operations.--The Committee recommends 
$291,673,000, for Wildfire Suppression Operations, $16,000 
above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $23,102,000 above 
the budget request.
    Fuels Management.--The Committee recommends $164,000,000 
for the Fuels Management program, equal to the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $15,721,000 above the budget request.
    The Department is directed to implement effective 
treatments in frequent fire forests that restore forest 
resiliency and reduce hazardous fuels. Treatments should be 
placed to effectively modify fire behavior and protect assets 
at risk including life and property.
    Burned Area Rehabilitation.--The Committee recommends 
$18,035,000 for the Burned Area Rehabilitation program, equal 
to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $935,000 below the 
budget request. The Committee notes that funding for emergency 
stabilization is meant to supplement emergency stabilization 
funding provided under suppression (generally ten percent), not 
replace it. The Committee is also concerned by the delay of 
emergency stabilization and rehabilitation funds to State and/
or regional offices and directs the Department to more quickly 
allocate these funds so that critical work can be completed in 
a timely manner. Finally, the Department is directed to work 
with the Bureau of Land Management on the seed procurement 
direction provided in this report.
    The Committee is concerned with the pace of planning and 
implementation of post-fire rehabilitation by the Department of 
the Interior. The slow pace of rehabilitation leaves 
communities unable to access timber resources and delays the 
regeneration of Federal forests. The Committee directs the 
Department of the Interior to prioritize and expedite planning 
and implementation of post-fire rehabilitation projects.

                FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $92,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................                 0
Recommended, 2016.....................................        92,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       +92,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $92,000,000 for the FLAME Wildfire 
Suppression Reserve Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $92,000,000 above the budget request. As discussed 
above under the Wildland Fire Management account, the Committee 
fully funds the 10-year average expenditure for wildfire 
suppression.

                    Central Hazardous Materials Fund


 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $10,010,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        10,011,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        10,010,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................            -1,000
 

    The Committee recommends $10,010,000 for the Central 
Hazardous Materials Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $1,000 below the budget request.

           Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration


                NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $7,767,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................         9,236,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         7,689,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................           -78,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -1,547,000
 

    The Committee recommends $7,689,000 for the Natural 
Resource Damage Assessment Fund, $78,000 below the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $1,547,000 below the budget request. A 
detailed table of funding recommendations below the account 
level is provided at the end of this report.

                          Working Capital Fund


 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $57,100,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        74,462,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        56,529,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................          -571,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -17,933,000
 

    The Committee recommends $56,529,000 for the Working 
Capital Fund, $571,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and $17,933,000 below the budget request.

             General Provisions, Department of the Interior


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

    Section 101 continues a provision providing for emergency 
transfer authority (intra-bureau) with the approval of the 
Secretary.
    Section 102 continues a provision providing for emergency 
transfer authority (Department-wide) with the approval of the 
Secretary.
    Section 103 continues a provision providing for the use of 
appropriations for certain services.
    Section 104 continues a provision permitting the transfer 
of funds between the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of 
Indian Education, and the Office of the Special Trustee for 
American Indians.
    Section 105 continues a provision permitting the 
redistribution of tribal priority allocation and tribal base 
funds to alleviate funding inequities.
    Section 106 continues a provision authorizing the 
acquisition of lands for the purpose of operating and 
maintaining facilities that support visitors to Ellis, 
Governors, and Liberty Islands, NJ and NY.
    Section 107 continues a provision allowing Outer 
Continental Shelf inspection fees to be collected by the 
Secretary of the Interior.
    Section 108 continues a provision allowing for the 
reorganization of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 
Regulation and Enforcement only in conformance with Committee 
reprogramming guidelines.
    Section 109 continues a provision allowing the Bureau of 
Land Management (BLM) to enter into long-term cooperative 
agreements for long-term care and maintenance of excess wild 
horses and burros on private land.
    Section 110 continues a provision dealing with the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service's responsibilities for mass marking 
of salmonid stocks.
    Section 111 modifies a provision addressing BLM actions 
regarding grazing on public lands.
    Section 112 continues a provision prohibiting funds to 
implement, administer or enforce Secretarial Order 3310 issued 
by the Secretary of the Interior on December 22, 2010.
    Section 113 continues a provision providing the Secretary 
of the Interior statutory authority to enter into rental or 
lease agreements that benefit Bureau of Indian Education 
operated schools.
    Section 114 addresses the National Park Service's ability 
to implement the Volunteers in Parks program in anticipation of 
increased volunteer activity related to the Service's 
Centennial in 2016.
    Section 115 continues a provision allowing the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education to more 
efficiently and effectively perform reimbursable work.
    Section 116 addresses National Heritage Areas.
    Section 117 delays the issuance of further rules for sage-
grouse.
    Section 118 continues a provision providing the Secretary 
of the Interior certain offshore pay authority.
    Section 119 continues a provision providing the Secretary 
of the Interior certain onshore pay authority.
    Section 120 maintains the status quo on regulations 
relating to the legal domestic trade and transport of products 
containing ivory.
    Section 121 directs the Secretary to reissue two final 
rules removing recovered wolves in Wyoming and the Great Lakes 
from the endangered species list.
    Section 122 protects human activities unrelated to the 
decline of the northern long-eared bat.
    Section 123 modifies 50 CFR 14.21(a)(1) to include 
echinoderms commonly known as sea urchins and sea cucumbers.

               TITLE II--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created by 
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, which consolidated nine 
programs from five different agencies and departments. Major 
EPA programs include air and water quality, drinking water, 
hazardous waste, research, pesticides, radiation, toxic 
substances, enforcement and compliance assurance, pollution 
prevention, Inland oil spill, Superfund, Brownfields, and the 
Leaking Underground Storage Tank program. In addition, EPA 
provides Federal assistance for wastewater treatment, sewer 
overflow control, drinking water facilities, other water 
infrastructure projects, and diesel emission reduction 
projects. The Agency is responsible for conducting research and 
development, establishing environmental standards through the 
use of risk assessment and cost-benefit, monitoring pollution 
conditions, seeking compliance through enforcement actions, 
managing audits and investigations, and providing technical 
assistance and grant support to States and Tribes, which are 
delegated authority for much of the program implementation. 
Under existing statutory authority, the Agency contributes to 
specific homeland security efforts and may participate in 
international environmental activities.
    Among the statutes for which the Environmental Protection 
Agency has sole or significant oversight responsibilities are:
    National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
    Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
    Toxic Substances Control Act.
    Clean Water Act [Federal Water Pollution Control Act].
    Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
    Ocean Dumping Act [Marine Protection, Research, and 
Sanctuaries Act of 1972].
    Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
    Safe Drinking Water Act [Public Health Service Act (Title 
XIV)].
    Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act.
    Clean Air Act.
    Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002.
    Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002.
    Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).
    Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields 
Revitalization Act of 2002 (amending CERCLA).
    Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986.
    Pollution Prevention Act of 1990.
    Pollution Prosecution Act of 1990.
    Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2003.
    Energy Policy Act of 2005.
    Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
    For fiscal year 2016, the Committee recommends 
$7,422,157,000 for the Environmental Protection Agency, 
$717,730,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$1,169,561,000 below the budget request. Comparison to the 
budget request and fiscal year 2015 enacted levels is shown by 
account in the table at the end of the report.
    Reprogramming.--The Agency is held to the reprogramming 
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. The 
other guidelines laid out in the ``Reprogramming Guidelines'' 
section of this report continue to be in effect.
    Congressional Budget Justification.--The Committee directs 
the Agency to include in future justifications the following 
items: (1) a comprehensive index of programs and activities 
within the program projects; (2) the requested bill language, 
with changes from the enacted language highlighted, at the 
beginning of each account section; (3) a justification for 
every program/project, including those proposed for 
elimination; (4) a comprehensive, detailed explanation of all 
changes within a program project; (5) a table showing 
consolidations, realignments or other transfers of resources 
and personnel from one program project to another such that the 
outgoing and receiving program projects offset and clearly 
illustrate a transfer of resources; and, (6) a table listing 
the budgets and FTE by major office within each National 
Program Management area with pay/non-pay breakouts. Further, if 
EPA is proposing to change state allocation formulas for the 
distribution of appropriated funds, then EPA should include 
such proposals in the Congressional justification.

                         Science and Technology

    The Science and Technology (S&T) account funds all 
Environmental Protection Agency research (including Superfund 
research activities paid with funds moved into this account 
from the Hazardous Substance Superfund account). This account 
includes programs carried out through grants, contracts, and 
cooperative agreements, cooperative research and development 
agreements, and interagency agreements, with other Federal 
agencies, States, universities, nonprofit organizations, and 
private business, as well as in-house research. It also funds 
personnel compensation and benefits, travel, supplies and 
operating expenses, including rent, utilities and security, for 
all Agency research. Research addresses a wide range of 
environmental and health concerns across all environmental 
media and encompasses both long-term basic and 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, 2015...........................      $734,648,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       769,088,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       704,918,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       -29,730,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -64,170,000
 

    The bill provides $704,918,000 for Science and Technology, 
$29,730,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$64,170,000 below the budget request. The Committee recommends 
that $16,217,000 be paid to this account from the Hazardous 
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:
    Homeland Security.--The Committee recommends $37,122,000 
and rejects the program change for the Climate Ready Water 
Utilities Initiative.
    Research: Air, Climate and Energy.--The Committee 
recommends $88,282,000 and does not include funding for 
proposed additional hydraulic fracturing research activities 
with the Department of Energy and the Department of the 
Interior.
    Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability.--The 
Committee recommends $126,930,000, equal to the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level. The Committee continues to support EPA's 
leadership role in the creation of a new paradigm for chemical 
risk assessment based on the incorporation of advanced 
molecular biological and computational methods in lieu of 
animal toxicity tests. The Committee encourages EPA to continue 
to expand its support for computational approaches in health 
research to further define toxicity and disease pathways and 
develop tools for their integration into evaluation strategies. 
Fiscal year 2016 funding should be prioritized to expeditiously 
incorporate these emerging scientifically validated tools in 
EPA risk assessments along with other Agency programs as a way 
to more effectively and efficiently identify risks.
    Research: National Priorities.--The bill provides 
$4,100,000 which shall be used for extramural research grants, 
independent of the STAR grant program, to fund high-priority 
water quality and availability research by not-for-profit 
organizations who often partner with the Agency. Funds shall be 
awarded competitively with priority given to partners proposing 
research of national scope for ``Intelligent Water Systems'' 
and who provide a 25 percent match. The Agency is directed to 
allocate funds to grantees within 180 days of enactment of this 
Act.
    Further, the Committee provides $3,000,000 for the Agency 
to further research on oil and gas development in the 
Appalachian Basin, of which $2,000,000 is available for 
extramural funding.
    Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources.--The 
Committee recommends $102,576,000, and includes no funding for 
the climate research plan that EPA initiated in fiscal year 
2015 without Congressional approval. To date Congress has 
provided nearly $30 million to fund EPA's research to determine 
whether there is a relationship between hydraulic fracturing 
activities and drinking water. The Committee finds this amount 
to be sufficient to accomplish the requested study and provides 
no further funding in fiscal year 2016.
    Additional Guidance.--The Committee has included the 
following additional guidance with respect to funding provided 
under this account.
    Validation and Reproducibility of Scientifically 
Significant Studies.--The National Academy of Sciences has 
acknowledged that reproducibility of research results is 
fundamental to the scientific process. The Committee 
understands that EPA is likely to rely on the findings of the 
Zhang et al. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 2010 Jan; 
19(1); 80-88) study for scientifically significant decisions in 
fiscal year 2016. This study, however, has drawn criticisms 
about its methods and interpretations. Given the public health 
importance of the findings of this study, validation of the 
findings is crucial. Therefore, EPA is directed to develop a 
peer-reviewed protocol to replicate the scientific findings of 
this study. Following development of the protocol, the Agency 
is directed to issue a request for proposals and award a 
contract to conduct this replication study. Further, EPA is 
directed to incorporate the results of the replication study 
into any draft or final scientific assessments prior to making 
such assessments publicly available.

                 Environmental Programs and Management

    The Environmental Programs and Management account 
encompasses a broad range of abatement, prevention, 
enforcement, and compliance activities, and personnel 
compensation, benefits, travel, and expenses for all programs 
of the Agency except Science and Technology, Hazardous 
Substance Superfund, Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust 
Fund, Inland Oil Spill Programs, and the Office of Inspector 
General.
    Abatement, prevention, and compliance activities include 
setting environmental standards, issuing permits, monitoring 
emissions and ambient conditions and providing technical and 
legal assistance toward enforcement, compliance, and oversight. 
In most cases, the States are directly responsible for actual 
operation of the various environmental programs, and the 
Agency's activities include oversight and assistance.
    In addition to program costs, this account funds 
administrative costs associated with the operating programs of 
the Agency, including support for executive direction, policy 
oversight, resources management, general office and building 
services for program operations, and direct implementation of 
Agency environmental programs for headquarters, the ten EPA 
regional offices, and all non-research field operations.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................    $2,613,679,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................     2,841,718,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................     2,472,289,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................      -141,390,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................      -369,429,000
 

    The bill provides $2,472,289,000 for Environmental Programs 
and Management, $141,390,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $369,429,000 below the budget request. A detailed 
table of funding recommendations below the account level is 
provided at the end of this report, and the Committee provides 
the following additional detail by program area:
    Brownfields.--The Committee recommends $23,680,000 and does 
not include funding for the Smart Growth program, a voluntary 
interagency partnership established in 2009 without a 
Congressional mandate.
    Clean Air and Climate.--The Committee recommends 
$247,472,000. Within this amount, the recommendation includes 
$20,036,000 for Federal Stationary Source Regulations, and the 
amount provided does not include funding for EPA's greenhouse 
gas rules for stationary sources. Within the funds provided, 
the Committee includes a $3,000,000 increase to enhance the 
efficiency and effectiveness of both preconstruction and 
operating permitting programs.
    Environmental Protection: National Priorities.--The bill 
provides $12,700,000 for a competitive grant program to provide 
technical assistance for improved water quality or safe 
drinking water to rural and urban communities or individual 
private well owners. The Agency is directed to provide 
$11,000,000 for grants to qualified not-for-profit 
organizations, on a national or multi-state regional basis, for 
on-site training and technical assistance for water systems in 
rural or urban communities. The Agency is also directed to 
provide $1,700,000 for grants to qualified not-for-profit 
organizations for technical assistance for individual private 
well owners, with priority given to organizations that provide 
technical and educational assistance to individual private well 
owners. The Agency shall require each grantee to provide a 
minimum 10 percent match, including in-kind contributions. The 
Agency is directed to allocate funds to grantees within 180 
days of enactment of this Act.
    Geographic Programs.--The bill provides $403,523,000. The 
Committee has provided funding for programs that support 
restoration and protection of our nation's most important water 
bodies, as protection of these resources continues to be a 
priority. From within the amount provided, the Committee 
directs the following:
    Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.--The Committee 
recommends $300,000,000 for the Great Lakes Restoration 
Initiative (GLRI) equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and $50,000,000 above the budget request. With this funding the 
Committee has provided more than $2 billion to restore the 
Great Lakes since fiscal year 2010 and the GLRI continues to be 
the largest single recipient of funds within Geographic 
Programs. The Agency shall continue to follow the direction as 
provided in House Report 112-589. Further, recent algal blooms 
have emerged as a significant threat to public health. As such, 
the Committee supports a coordinated Federal approach to 
addressing this issue, including the Agency's collaboration 
with NASA, NOAA, and the U.S. Geological Survey to develop an 
early warning indicator system. The Agency is encouraged to 
evaluate whether the Great Lakes Federal Interagency Task Force 
should designate a coordinator to work with Federal, State, 
tribal, and local governments.
    Chesapeake Bay.--The Committee recommends $60,000,000. From 
within the amount provided, $5,000,000 is for nutrient and 
sediment removal grants and $5,000,000 is for small watershed 
grants to control polluted runoff from urban, suburban and 
agricultural lands.
    Puget Sound.--The Committee recommends $28,000,000. Funds 
shall be allocated in the same manner as directed in House 
Report 112-331. The Committee directs EPA to expeditiously 
obligate funds, in a manner consistent with the authority and 
responsibilities under Section 320 and the National Estuary 
Program.
    Indoor Air and Radiation.--The Committee recommends 
$29,237,000. The Committee rejects the requested increase to 
support the uranium mill tailings rulemaking and directs EPA to 
withdraw the proposed rule as the Committee questions whether 
EPA has enough data to inform a revised standard and proceed 
with a final rule. Should EPA need additional resources for a 
data collection, the Committee will consider those requests in 
the future.
    Using funds provided herein for fiscal year 2016, the 
Administrator shall conduct a study to survey the level of 
radon present in the Nation's school buildings consistent with 
15 USC 2667. The Administrator shall transmit a report to 
Congress with the data and results of the study and shall share 
the data and results of the study with State, local and tribal 
school district administrators consistent with the terms and 
conditions of this Act for posting of reports. The report 
should identify school districts in high-risk radon areas.
    To facilitate an effective school district response in all 
areas, not just those in high-risk areas, an additional 
$500,000 is provided for the distribution of technical 
guidance. The Administrator shall distribute technical guidance 
using consensus national standards to all school districts to 
guide their engineering and architecture staff, consultants, 
radon contractors, and other professionals to reduce exposure 
of children to radon.
    Further, using the funds provided, EPA should develop in 
consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
and the Department of Agriculture, a national awareness 
campaign to educate consumers about radon health impacts.
    Information Exchange/Outreach.--The Committee recommends 
$109,010,000 of which $2,200,000 is for the Administrator's 
Immediate Office, $6,100,000 is for the Office of Congressional 
and Intergovernmental Affairs, and $4,000,000 is for the Office 
of Public Affairs. The Committee is troubled by reports that 
the Agency engaged in grassroots lobbying during the public 
comment period of the Clean Water Rule: Definition of `Waters 
of the United States (WOTUS).' The Agency, in possible 
violation of the Anti-Lobbying Act (18 U.S. Code Sec.  1913) 
and Department of Justice legal opinions, sought out public 
opinion from stakeholders supportive of the WOTUS rule in order 
to influence the public comment outcome. The EPA Administrator 
later used the skewed results as evidence of public support 
before Congress. The Committee instructs the Agency to follow 
current law and not engage in inappropriate grassroots lobbying 
in Agency communications to the public.
    Legal/Science/Regulatory/Economic Review.--The Committee 
recommends $90,503,000 and does not include funding for the 
Smart Growth Program. The Committee recommends $20,700,000 for 
the Office of Policy.
    Operations and Administration.--The Committee recommends 
$480,482,000. The Committee remains concerned about a number of 
management issues that have surfaced over the past year. The 
lack of administrative controls for employee payroll, travel, 
bonuses, and time and attendance has fostered several instances 
of waste, fraud and abuse of appropriated funds. The Committee 
continues to be troubled by the Agency's practice of 
transferring carryover amounts to fund current year payroll, 
fixed costs, or contract needs. This practice invalidates 
Agency estimates of fixed cost needs and further calls into 
question the Agency's management of funds. The Committee calls 
for increased oversight and financial management at the Agency 
and will be closely monitoring adjustments of appropriated 
funds below the level described in the table at the end of the 
report.
    Toxics Risk Review and Prevention.--The Committee 
recommends $89,521,000, $3,000,000 below the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $1,816,000 above the budget request.
    Water: Ecosystems.--The Committee recommends $44,980,000. 
From within the amount provided, the recommendation includes 
$16,800,000 to provide $600,000 to each National Estuary 
Program (NEP) funded under Section 320 of the Clean Water Act. 
The Committee recognizes the role that the San Juan Bay Estuary 
program can serve in environmental restoration projects and 
encourages EPA to coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers on project planning and implementation in fiscal year 
2016. The Committee also provides $300,000 in competitive 
grants within the coastal activities and encourages EPA to work 
in consultation with the NEP directors to identify worthy 
projects and activities. In addition, the Committee recommends 
$19,882,000 for the wetlands program. The Committee directs EPA 
to use the funds provided to accelerate the processing of 
mining permits with the Corps of Engineers. Further, the 
Committee directs EPA, in consultation with the Corps of 
Engineers, to continue to report monthly on the number of 
Section 404 permits under review according to the directive in 
Division G of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014.
    Water Quality Protection.--The Committee recommends 
$192,550,000. The Committee supports EPA's efforts to expand 
technical assistance for communities seeking to develop and 
implement an integrated planning approach to meeting Clean 
Water Act (CWA) requirements.
    From within this amount, the Committee provides $4,400,000 
to fund the establishment of the Water Infrastructure Finance 
and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program within EPA. In doing so the 
Committee adheres to the annual statutory cap of $2,200,000 for 
EPA administrative costs since funds within this account are 
available for two years. The Committee believes this offers EPA 
the flexibility to identify and aggressively hire mission 
critical talent areas at any point during the next two years. 
The Committee expects that EPA will be well positioned to 
propose and implement the fully authorized level for WIFIA 
loans in fiscal year 2017.
    Additional Guidance.--The Committee has included the 
following additional guidance with respect to funding provided 
under this account.
    Administrator Priorities.--EPA is directed to submit a 
report within 90 days of enactment of this Act that identifies 
how any fiscal year 2014 and 2015 funding was used, by account, 
program area, and program project. Each activity funded should 
include a justification for the effort and any anticipated 
results.
    Ammonium Nitrate.--The Committee understands that EPA is 
considering whether ammonium nitrate should be included in its 
Risk Management Plan (RMP) regulations. Ammonium nitrate safety 
has been regulated since 1971 under standards promulgated by 
OSHA, and the Committee is aware that OSHA is in the process of 
determining whether these standards need to be updated or 
whether other approaches to ensure ammonium nitrate safety are 
necessary. The Committee believes that OSHA's actions are 
critical to informing EPA decision making, and, therefore, 
urges EPA to consider the approach OSHA takes to ensure the 
safety of ammonium nitrate prior to making a determination 
regarding the need for RMP standards for ammonium nitrate.
    Antimicrobial Solutions for Citrus Disease.--The Committee 
recognizes the importance of antimicrobial crop protection 
tools in combating citrus greening and continues to support 
EPA's cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 
Multi-Agency Coordination Group.
    Artificial Turf.--The Committee is aware of EPA's previous 
studies on artificial turf and infill products, and its most 
recent work with the Association of State and Territorial 
Health Officials to further define the safety of these 
products. The Committee encourages the Agency to provide 
guidance about the safety of crumb rubber in artificial turf.
    Carbon Utilization.--The Committee is concerned about the 
EPA's low prioritization of policies that incentivize the 
utilization of CO2 in the production of valuable products. The 
Committee understands that there are technologies which have 
the potential to create a market for utility and industrial 
CO2. The Committee strongly encourages the EPA to implement 
policies which encourage and incentivize the utilization of CO2 
to make valuable products.
    Composite Wood Products.--The Formaldehyde Standards for 
Composite-Wood Products Act directed EPA to develop a national 
standard for formaldehyde emissions that replicates the 
California regulations. The Committee urges EPA to finalize a 
rule on the national formaldehyde standard for composite wood 
products that is consistent with the California regulations for 
laminated products and consistent with the intent of the 2010 
Act.
    Conflicts of Interest.--The Committee maintains that clear 
and consistent conflict-of-interest rules are not applied 
uniformly to the members of EPA's Science Advisory Boards 
(SABs), and this has been a long-standing issue across multiple 
Administrations that EPA has yet to resolve. Further, EPA's 
process for selecting independent scientific advisors 
unnecessarily excludes State, local, private sector and tribal 
experts in a manner that does not allow for a balanced panel of 
experts and, in fact, ensures a biased process. The lack of 
transparency in how Board members are selected erodes the 
credibility and objectivity of the scientific reviews 
undertaken by these Boards.
    For fiscal year 2016, the Administrator shall develop a 
policy statement on science quality and integrity that shall be 
adhered to by the SAB and all Board members. EPA's policies 
shall include not less than 10 percent of membership from 
States and Tribes who are often underrepresented as noted in 
the May 2014 National Academy of Sciences review of EPA's IRIS 
program. Should the Administrator decide that financial-related 
metrics are appropriate to identify conflicts-of-interest or 
bias, then EPA's policy shall also include an evaluation of 
potential bias based on receipt of former and current Federal 
grants or public statements or positions as well as other 
appropriate safeguards to ensure balance amongst SAB and other 
advisory board experts. In addition, the policy statement shall 
include direction on the treatment of public comments and 
responses to such comments.
    When complete, the Committee directs EPA to submit the 
draft policy statement to the National Academy of Sciences for 
review of the updated conflict of interest policy, policy for 
committee composition and balance, and eligibility requirements 
for service on the Science Advisory Boards that will ensure 
fairness and objectivity. The National Academy shall determine 
if the new policies meet the intent of the directives above 
and, if so, shall certify to the Committee on Appropriations 
that EPA's conflict of interest policies offer a revised, 
balanced framework. EPA shall suspend all current and planned 
SAB reviews until such documents have been provided to the 
Academy for review.
    E15 outreach.--The Committee directs the Agency to provide 
a report on efforts in fiscal year 2015 and 2016 to establish 
and implement public educational outreach for proper and EPA-
approved usage of 15 percent by volume ethanol blended gasoline 
in accordance with the Misfueling Mitigation Plan and as 
provided in the Consolidated and Further Continuing 
Appropriations Act, 2015.
    Exempt Aquifers.--The Committee is concerned that EPA may 
revoke exempt aquifer designations that have been in effect for 
more than 30 years. The Committee directs EPA to work in a 
collaborative manner with the State of California and the 
energy producing industry on the information and data requested 
and procedures for the submission of applications for review 
and processing. Furthermore, the Committee directs EPA to work 
promptly to review and process applications once submitted to 
ensure robust oil and natural gas production in the State and 
the resumption of timely permitting of new oil and natural gas 
wells.
    Ozone.--The Committee is aware that the Agency has proposed 
more stringent standards for ozone and that EPA is scheduled to 
issue a final rule in fiscal year 2016. The Committee is also 
aware that the Agency only recently finalized the 
implementation regulations for States and affected entities to 
implement the current 2008 standards, effective April 6, 2015. 
Further, the Committee is aware that the Agency has hundreds of 
backlogged State Implementation Plans pending with the agency 
for which EPA has not yet completed its review. As such, the 
Committee has provided resources under the Federal Support for 
Air Quality program to allow EPA to address the backlog of 
operating permits and State Implementation Plans in need of 
attention, and the Committee has also provided additional 
resources in the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account to 
assist States and Tribes in areas of non-attainment. The 
Committee strongly urges EPA to allow States to fully implement 
the 2008 standards before making further changes to those 
standards.
    Worker Protection Standards.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of agricultural worker protection standards, 
especially for migrant farm workers, children who work on farms 
and pesticide handlers, and encourages the Agency to engage the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers, farm workers, 
industry, and other interested organizations as it updates its 
standards.

            HAZARDOUS WASTE ELECTRONIC MANIFEST SYSTEM FUND

    This account supports all activities necessary for the 
development of the system established by the Hazardous Waste 
Electronic Manifest Establishment Act (P.L. 112-195).

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $3,674,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................         7,368,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................                 0
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        -3,674,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -7,368,000
 

    The Committee continues to support the expeditious 
development of a system that would allow for the electronic 
tracking of hazardous waste shipments pursuant to P.L. 112-195. 
To date the Committee has provided EPA with sufficient funds to 
develop the system consistent with EPA's initial cost 
estimates. Before additional funds are appropriated, the 
Committee directs EPA to work with the appropriate Committees 
to extend the authorization for appropriations beyond fiscal 
year 2015, and to provide a robust justification for any costs 
that exceed the amounts appropriated through fiscal year 2015.

                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

    The Office of Inspector General (OIG) provides audit, 
evaluation, and investigation products and advisory services to 
improve the performance and integrity of EPA programs and 
operations. The Inspector General (IG) will continue to perform 
the function of IG for the Chemical Safety and Hazard 
Investigation Board. This account funds personnel compensation 
and benefits, travel, and expenses (excluding rent, utilities, 
and security costs) for the Office of Inspector General. In 
addition to the funds provided under this heading, this account 
receives funds from the Hazardous Substance Superfund account.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $41,489,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        50,099,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        40,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        -1,489,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -10,099,000
 

    The bill provides $40,000,000, which is $1,489,000 below 
the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $10,099,000 below the 
budget request. In addition, the Committee recommends 
$8,459,000 as a payment to this account from the Hazardous 
Substance Superfund account. The Inspector General is directed 
to prioritize funds to projects that prevent and detect fraud, 
waste and abuse at the Environmental Protection Agency.

                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

    The Buildings and Facilities account provides for the 
design and construction of EPA-owned facilities as well as for 
the repair, extension, alteration, and improvement of 
facilities used by the Agency. The funds are used to correct 
unsafe conditions, protect health and safety of employees and 
Agency visitors, and prevent deterioration of structures and 
equipment.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $42,317,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        51,507,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        34,467,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        -7,850,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -17,040,000
 

    The bill provides $34,467,000, which is $7,850,000 below 
the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $17,040,000 below the 
budget request. The Committee supports proposed projects that 
will reduce Agency operational and rent costs. EPA should 
prioritize projects based on anticipated cost savings and 
allocate funds accordingly.

                     HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SUPERFUND

    The Hazardous Substance Superfund (Superfund) program was 
established in 1980 by the Comprehensive Environmental 
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act to clean up emergency 
hazardous materials, spills, and dangerous, uncontrolled, and/
or abandoned hazardous waste sites. The Superfund Amendments 
and Reauthorization Act (SARA) expanded the program 
substantially in 1986, authorizing approximately $8,500,000,000 
in revenues over five years. In 1990, the Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act extended the program's authorization through 
1994 for $5,100,000,000 with taxing authority through calendar 
year 1995.
    The Superfund program is operated by EPA subject to annual 
appropriations from a dedicated trust fund and from general 
revenues. Enforcement activities are used to identify and 
induce parties responsible for hazardous waste problems to 
undertake cleanup actions and pay for EPA oversight of those 
actions. In addition, responsible parties have been required to 
cover the cost of fund-financed removal and remedial actions 
undertaken at spills and waste sites by Federal and State 
agencies. Funds are paid from this account to the Office of 
Inspector General and Science and Technology accounts for 
Superfund related activities.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................    $1,088,769,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................     1,153,834,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................     1,088,769,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -65,065,000
 

    The bill provides $1,088,769,000 for the Hazardous 
Substance Superfund program equal to the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $65,065,000 below the budget request.
    Remedial Cleanup.--The Committee recommends $725,558,000. 
While the Committee understands this increase is insufficient 
to eliminate the backlog of unfunded new starts, the Committee 
expects the Agency to use the additional funds to initiate 
remediation at highly contaminated, orphan sites. Further the 
Committee expects the additional funding will also support 
pipeline activities such as remedial investigations, 
feasibility studies, and remedial designs which are critical 
steps prior to construction. The Committee continues to support 
EPA's added financial and project management efforts that 
enable the Agency to de-obligate unused funds from sites and 
redirect those funds to new construction projects.
    Additional Guidance.--The Committee has included the 
following additional guidance with respect to funding provided 
under this account:
    Financial Assurance.--The Committee directs the 
Administrator to complete a thorough analysis of the capacity 
of the financial and credit markets to provide the necessary 
instruments (surety bonds, letters of credit, insurance, and 
trusts) for meeting any new financial responsibility 
requirements pursuant to section 108(b) of the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 
(42 U.S. C. 9608(b)). The Committee provides no funds for EPA 
to develop, propose, finalize, implement, enforce, or 
administer any regulation that would establish any such new 
financial responsibility requirements until the Administrator 
demonstrates that such an analysis has been completed.
    Lead at Superfund Sites.--Using the funds provided, the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall 
contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a 
study of the sources of lead in the environment at each 
designated Superfund site that is proximal to a historic 
surface lead mining district. The study shall focus on whether 
naturally occurring lead, lead-based paint, and the consumer 
use of products containing lead are significant sources of lead 
at such sites. The Administrator shall transmit to Congress a 
report containing the results of the study not later than one 
year after the date of enactment of this Act.
    Superfund Special Accounts.--The Committee supports the 
steps EPA has taken toward the effective, centralized 
management of Superfund special accounts, and appreciates the 
information included as part of the Congressional 
Justification.

          LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK TRUST FUND PROGRAM

    Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by 
the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, authorized 
the establishment of a response program for cleanup of releases 
from leaking underground storage tanks. Owners and operators of 
facilities with underground tanks must demonstrate financial 
responsibility and bear initial responsibility for cleanup. The 
Federal trust fund is funded through the imposition of a motor 
fuel tax of one-tenth of a cent per gallon.
    In addition to State resources, the Leaking Underground 
Storage Tanks (LUST) Trust Fund provides funding to clean up 
sites, enforces necessary corrective actions, and recovers 
costs expended from the Fund for cleanup activities. The 
underground storage tank response program is designed to 
operate primarily through cooperative agreements with States. 
Funds are also used for grants to non-State entities, including 
Indian Tribes, under Section 8001 of the Resource Conservation 
and Recovery Act. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 expanded the 
authorized activities of the Fund to include the underground 
storage tank program. In 2006, Congress amended section 9508 of 
the Internal Revenue Code to authorize expenditures from the 
trust fund for prevention and inspection activities.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $91,941,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        95,326,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        91,941,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -3,385,000
 

    The bill provides $91,941,000 for the Leaking Underground 
Storage Tank (LUST) Trust Fund Program, equal to the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and $3,385,000 below the budget 
request.

                       INLAND OIL SPILL PROGRAMS

    This appropriation, authorized by the Federal Water 
Pollution Control Act, as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 
1990, provides funds to prepare for and prevent releases of oil 
and other petroleum products in navigable waterways. In 
addition, EPA is reimbursed for incident specific response 
costs through the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund managed by the 
United States Coast Guard.
    EPA is responsible for directing all cleanup and removal 
activities posing a threat to public health and the 
environment; conducting site inspections; providing a means to 
achieve cleanup activities by private parties; reviewing 
containment plans at facilities; reviewing area contingency 
plans; pursuing cost recovery of fund-financed cleanups; and 
conducting research of oil cleanup techniques. Funds for this 
appropriation are provided through the Oil Spill Liability 
Trust Fund which is composed of fees and collections made 
through provisions of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the 
Comprehensive Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation Act, the 
Deepwater Port Act of 1974, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands 
Act Amendments of 1978, and the Federal Water Pollution Control 
Act, as amended. Pursuant to law, the Trust Fund is managed by 
the United States Coast Guard.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $18,209,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        23,378,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        17,944,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................          -265,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -5,434,000
 

    The bill provides $17,944,000 for the Inland Oil Spill 
program, $265,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$5,434,000 below the budget request.

                   STATE AND TRIBAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS

    The State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) account 
provides grant funds for programs operated primarily by State, 
local, tribal and other governmental partners. The account 
includes two broad types of funds: (1) Infrastructure 
Assistance, which is used primarily by local governments for 
projects supporting environmental protection; and, (2) 
Categorical Grants, which assist State and tribal governments 
and other environmental partners with the operation of 
environmental programs. The account also includes specific 
program grants such as competitive Brownfields grants and 
diesel emissions reduction grants.
    In the STAG account, EPA provides funding for 
infrastructure projects through two State Revolving Funds 
(Clean Water and Drinking Water), geographic specific projects 
in Alaskan Native Villages and on the United States-Mexico 
Border, Brownfields revitalization projects, diesel emission 
reduction grants, and other targeted infrastructure projects.
    The State Revolving Funds (SRFs) provide Federal financial 
assistance to protect the Nation's water resources. The Clean 
Water SRF helps eliminate municipal discharge of untreated or 
inadequately treated pollutants and thereby helps maintain or 
restore the country's water to a swimmable and/or fishable 
quality. The 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, 2015...........................    $3,545,161,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................     3,599,400,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................     2,979,829,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................      -565,332,000
    Budget estimate, 2015.............................      -619,571,000
 

    The bill provides $2,979,829,000 for the State and Tribal 
Assistance Grants account, $565,332,000 below the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $619,571,000 below the budget request. 
The Committee provides the following additional detail by 
program area:
    Infrastructure Assistance.--The Committee has appropriated 
nearly $25 billion for water and wastewater infrastructure 
assistance since 2009, and notes that $6 billion is 
``revolving'' and available for drinking water and wastewater 
infrastructure projects in fiscal year 2015 from appropriated 
funds, State match contributions, loan repayments, and 
interest. Nevertheless, little progress has been made to reduce 
the known water infrastructure gap. The Committee believes that 
EPA and the States must expeditiously allocate existing funds 
to projects in order to address the pressing infrastructure 
needs facing the country. In addition, the Committee continues 
to encourage EPA and water infrastructure stakeholders to 
promote alternate financing mechanisms for water infrastructure 
at local, State and Federal levels as it is widely accepted 
that Federal financing through the State Revolving Funds 
remains an important yet insufficient tool to address the 
Nation's water needs. Public-private partnerships, greater 
access to financing from private activity bonds, and improved 
asset management are just a few of the mechanisms that the 
Committee believes could serve to increase investment in a 
complementary way to Federal appropriations and reduce costs.
    In addition, the Committee continues bill language to allow 
EPA and the States to provide additional forms of subsidy to 
those communities which cannot afford the below market rates 
provided by an SRF loan.
    The Committee has a history of including a provision 
affording a procurement preference for iron and steel products 
produced in the United States in projects receiving funds from 
the State revolving fund or, now, the Water Infrastructure 
Finance and Innovation Act. The Committee clarifies the intent 
that iron and steel products that are substantially transformed 
in the United States shall be considered ``produced in the 
United States'' for the purpose of water infrastructure 
projects.
    The Committee emphasizes that any coating processes that 
are applied to the external surface of iron and steel 
components that otherwise qualify under the procurement 
preference shall not render such products ineligible for the 
procurement preference regardless of where the coating 
processes occur, provided that final assembly of the products 
occurs in the United States. The Committee directs EPA to 
consider U.S. manufacturing costs, including labor, machining, 
coating, assembly and testing, when determining if a product is 
primarily iron or steel.
    Diesel Emission Reduction Grants (DERA).--The bill provides 
$50,000,000 for DERA grants. The DERA program is the only EPA 
air program that has been reauthorized by Congress, and at 
least 10 million older heavily polluting diesel engines remain 
in use that have yet to be retrofitted, repowered, or replaced. 
Further, according to the second report to Congress, 
approximately 70 percent of competitive projects have occurred 
in areas of non-attainment for particulate matter and ozone. 
For fiscal year 2016, the Committee directs EPA to continue to 
make at least 70 percent of DERA grants available to improve 
air quality in non-attainment areas. The Committee encourages 
EPA to provide a third report to Congress prior to January 1, 
2016, that includes the analysis requested in Public Law 111-
364.
    Targeted Airshed Grants.--The bill provides $20,000,000 for 
targeted airshed grants to reduce air pollution in non-
attainment areas. These grants shall be distributed on a 
competitive basis to non-attainment areas that EPA determines 
are ranked as the top five most polluted areas relative to 
annual ozone or particulate matter 2.5 standards. To determine 
these areas, the Agency shall use the most recent design values 
calculated from validated air quality data. The Committee notes 
that these funds are available for emission reduction 
activities deemed necessary for compliance with national 
ambient air quality standards and included in a State 
Implementation Plan submitted to EPA. Not later than the end of 
fiscal year 2016, EPA should provide a report to the Committees 
on Appropriations that includes a table showing how fiscal year 
2015 and 2016 funds were allocated. The table should also 
include grant recipients and metrics for anticipated or actual 
results.
    Categorical Grants.--For categorical grants to States and 
other environmental partners for the implementation of 
delegated programs, the bill provides $1,044,829,000.
    Radon.--The Committee continues to support efforts that 
raise awareness about the associated risks of radon exposure, 
as ongoing, unmitigated exposures result in over 21,000 radon-
induced lung cancer deaths per year. Therefore, the Committee 
provides $8,051,000, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level. Following consultation with stakeholders, the Committee 
finds that the fiscal year 2016 radon funds could be more 
effectively targeted. Of the funds provided, the Committee 
directs $3,000,000 for State efforts to promote radon awareness 
via hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers and 
medical professionals. The Committee encourages States to 
incorporate radon exposure prevention in cancer control plans 
developed under the National Comprehensive Cancer Control 
Program. Funding is provided elsewhere in the bill for EPA to 
develop, in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention, the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, and the Department of Agriculture, a national 
awareness campaign to educate consumers about radon health 
impacts.
    Further, the bill provides $3,000,000 for State grants for 
radon testing and remediation of schools located in known high-
risk radon areas. States shall apply consensus national 
standards and use professionals certified to conduct radon 
testing and remediation. Eligible school districts shall 
include those in high-risk radon areas based on the most 
current information available to EPA and the States. To the 
extent that this testing data may inform the EPA study 
requested elsewhere in the bill, the Committee encourages EPA 
and the States to incorporate data from this effort into such 
study.
    Lastly, the Committee provides $2,054,000 for EPA and 
States to offer continuing education and technical support on 
radon testing and mitigation standards, techniques, and best 
practices for home builders, real estate professionals, 
building code officials, radon testers, mitigators and home 
inspectors. Using these funds, the Committee also encourages 
EPA and the States to convene dialogues involving 
representatives of home builders, real estate professionals, 
building code officials, radon testers, mitigators, home 
inspectors, public health officials, and cancer prevention 
advocates to consider whether updated code requirements for 
State and/or local adoption may have merit.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS


              (INCLUDING TRANSFER AND RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

    The Committee continues bill language carried in prior 
years concerning Tribal Cooperative Authority, the collection 
and obligation of pesticides fees, and additional transfer 
authorities for the purposes of implementing the Great Lakes 
Restoration Initiative.
    The Committee has included bill language authorizing up to 
$150,000 to be spent for facility repairs at any one time.
    The Committee has included bill language to guide the 
direction of the Agency's policies and actions related to 
carbon dioxide emissions from biomass.
    The Committee rescinds $8,000,000 of unobligated grant 
funds.

                      TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES


                       DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

                             FOREST SERVICE

    The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of 
National Forests, Grasslands, and a Tallgrass Prairie, 
including lands in 44 States and the Commonwealth of Puerto 
Rico, and cooperates with States, other Federal agencies, 
Tribes and private landowners to sustain the Nation's forests 
and grasslands. The Forest Service administers a wide variety 
of programs, including forest and rangeland research, State and 
private forestry assistance, cooperative forest health 
programs, an international program, National Forest System, and 
wildland fire management. The National Forest System (NFS) 
includes 155 national forests, 20 National grasslands, 20 
National recreation areas, a National Tallgrass prairie, six 
National monuments, and six land utilization projects. The NFS 
is managed for multiple uses, beginning with wood, water and 
forage, and expanded under the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act 
to include recreation, grazing, fish and wildlife habitat 
management.
    Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request.--The Committee appreciates 
the detailed programmatic information provided by the Forest 
Service in its budget requests to Congress. For the fiscal year 
2017 budget request, the Committee directs the Service to 
provide project statements showing total available funding, 
justifications of increases and decreases, and classifications 
of objects for each account. This will ensure the Committee 
receives the same information from the Forest Service as it 
does from all other USDA agencies and offices and the other 
agencies funded by Interior and Environment Appropriations 
Acts.
    Air Asset Integrity.--The Forest Service shall ensure that 
an Aircraft Structural Integrity Plan or comparable analysis to 
plan for the maintenance of the seven HC-130H aircraft to be 
transferred to the Forest Service pursuant to the fiscal year 
2014 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 113-66) is 
developed. Based on this analysis, the Forest Service shall 
submit to the Committees on Appropriations, as part of the 
annual Congressional justifications, estimated costs for 
operations and maintenance of the HC-130H aircraft for the 
current and following five years.
    The Forest Service also shall provide estimated operations 
and maintenance costs for the C-23B Sherpa aircraft to be 
transferred. Not later than 90 days after the Forest Service 
takes ownership of the first HC-130H aircraft, and annually 
thereafter, the Forest Service shall submit a report to the 
Committees on Appropriations on operations and maintenance 
costs of each HC-130H and C-23B Sherpa aircraft transferred 
pursuant to the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization 
Act (P.L. 113-66), as well as light fixed-wing aircraft 
currently owned by the Forest Service, by tail number.
    As part of any request for funds to perform modifications 
to the C-23B Sherpa aircraft transferred pursuant to the fiscal 
year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 113-66), the 
Forest Service shall provide information on the balances 
remaining in the Working Capital Fund of the Forest Service for 
light fixed-wing aircraft.
    In addition, not later than 90 days after enactment of this 
Act, the Forest Service shall provide a report to the 
Committees on Appropriations on the status of efforts to 
strengthen performance metrics on firefighting aviation, with a 
focus on the performance of contracted and agency-owned 
aviation assets.
    Forest Service Hiring Practices.--The Committee is 
concerned that past ranger district and national forest 
consolidations have resulted in fewer Forest Service personnel 
at the district level and fewer line officers conducting the 
day-to-day work that is needed in the national forests. As 
such, the Committee directs the Forest Service to place first 
priority on hiring ranger district-based employees before 
hiring for forests and regions. The Committee encourages the 
Service to set a goal of hiring ranger district-based employees 
within four months of a vacancy.
    Bill Language.--The Committee includes the following bill 
language related to the Forest Service in Title IV General 
Provisions: Section 407, allowing forest management plans to 
expire if the Forest Service has made a good faith effort to 
update plans commensurate with appropriated funds; Section 410, 
regarding timber sales of Alaskan western red cedar; Section 
419, extending the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act for 
one year; Section 424, prohibiting the use of appropriated 
funds to close areas open to recreational hunting and shooting 
as of January 1, 2013; Section 432, allowing the Forest Service 
to renew grazing permits; Section 433, making vacant allotments 
for permittees affected by drought or wildfire; and Section 
434, prohibiting the Forest Service and Bureau of Land 
Management from requiring relinquishment of all or a portion of 
water rights as a condition for permit renewals (this includes 
all permits issued by the Bureau and the Forest Service and is 
not limited to grazing permits).

                     FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $296,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       291,982,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       277,507,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       -18,493,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -14,475,000
 

    The Committee recommends $277,507,000 for Forest and 
Rangeland Research, $18,493,000 below the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $14,475,000 below the budget request.
    Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA).--The Committee 
recommends $70,000,000 for the FIA program, equal to the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and $13,000,000 below the budget 
request.
    The Committee finds that State forestry agencies and their 
cooperators are often able to accomplish critical FIA work with 
equal quality at lower costs than the Forest Service. The 
Forest Service is directed to work with State foresters to 
identify ways to more efficiently deliver the program in all 
States, including timely inventory updates, and should explore 
opportunities to work with additional State forestry agencies 
and their cooperators who can accomplish necessary field work 
at lower cost.
    Forest Products Laboratory.--The Committee remains 
concerned about the increasing costs of forest management, 
hazardous fuels reduction and forest restoration. As such, it 
encourages the Forest Products Laboratory to focus on 
strategies to increase markets to offset or alleviate this 
additional cost. The Committee believes green building markets 
are a growing opportunity for American-grown wood and continues 
to encourage the Forest Service to work through the science and 
technology capabilities of the Laboratory to position wood as a 
green building material and improve the performance and 
affordability of wood-framed construction.
    The Committee encourages the agency to increase its 
research on wood building products that can be used to improve 
the performance and affordability of wood-framed construction.
    Urban Forest Research.--The Committee encourages the Forest 
Service to support urban forest research initiatives, related 
social and socio-economic research, and cooperative activities 
that help cities monitor and care for their urban forests. The 
Committee directs the Forest Service to provide information and 
tools, including inventories of urban forests, to help cities, 
towns, and metropolitan areas systematically assess the health 
and changing conditions of their urban forests and to plan 
strategic actions to sustainably maintain these forests.
    Bighorn Sheep Research.--The Forest Service is urged to 
collaborate with the Bureau of Land Management and the 
Agricultural Research Service on research involving the risk of 
disease transmission between domestic and bighorn sheep.
    Local Need Research.--The Committee is concerned about the 
lack of localized need research projects currently underway. 
The Committee directs the research stations to focus on the 
needs of the forests and to develop projects in coordination 
with the National Forest System.
    Northern Long-Eared Bat.--The Committee is encouraged by 
the Forest Service's research, in partnership with private 
landowners, State agencies, and non-profit organizations, that 
successfully treated northern long-eared and other bat species 
for white-nose syndrome, and directs the Service to allocate 
$1,000,000 for additional research on this disease.

                       STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $232,653,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       236,611,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       220,665,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       -11,988,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -15,946,000
 

    The Committee recommends $220,665,000 for State and Private 
Forestry, $11,988,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and $15,946,000 below the budget request.
    Landscape Scale Restoration.--The Committee recommends 
$14,000,000 for Landscape Scale Restoration, equal to the 
fiscal year 2015 level and $9,513,000 below the budget request.
    The Committee supports continuing to use the majority of 
these resources for interstate competitive projects and 
recommends these competitive projects address national 
priorities of concern. The Committee encourages application in 
priority landscapes as identified in State Forest Action Plans, 
producing measurable economic, ecological and social benefits.
    Forest Health Management.--The Committee recommends 
$99,600,000 for Forest Health Management, $4,977,000 below the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $76,000 below the budget 
request.
    Forest Stewardship Program.--The Committee recommends 
$23,036,000 for the Forest Stewardship Program, equal to the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $13,000 below the budget 
request.
    The Committee recognizes the Forest Stewardship Program is 
undergoing revisions to better align and focus it on delivering 
on-the-ground outcomes based on the priorities identified in 
the State Forest Action Plans. The Committee is encouraged by 
this progress and urges the agency to continue to deliver on-
the-ground results on priority resource concerns, to use 
program resources for the most efficient strategies for 
accomplishing results, to leverage collaborative public-private 
efforts, and to better engage landowners in action that 
addresses priority resource concerns, especially landowners who 
are not currently engaged in active management.
    Forest Legacy.--The recommendation includes $50,660,000 for 
Forest Legacy, of which $44,410,000 fully funds the first 13 
projects in the budget request, and of which not to exceed 
$6,250,000 may be used for program administration.
    Community Forest and Open Space Conservation.--The 
Committee recommends $1,683,000 for Community Forest and Open 
Space Conservation, $317,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and equal to the budget request.
    Urban and Community Forestry.--The Committee recommends 
$23,686,000 for Urban and Community Forestry, $4,354,000 below 
the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and equal to the budget 
request.
    International Forestry.--The Committee recommends 
$8,000,000 for International Forestry, equal to the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $3,996,000 above the budget request.
    The Committee supports the Forest Service's International 
Program and recognizes its successful work to advance 
international trade for U.S. timber producers and forestry 
interests at international policy deliberations, to protect the 
United States from invasive species that threaten our forests, 
and to recover U.S. migratory waterfowl in decline. The 
International Program enables experts from the Federal 
government to participate in negotiations for trade agreements 
and assist with forestry work abroad. This program plays a 
large role in protecting the U.S. forest products industry by 
improving the sustainability and legality of timber management 
overseas thereby reducing the amount of underpriced and 
illegally harvested timber on the world market.

                         NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................    $1,494,330,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................     1,648,314,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................     1,490,093,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        -4,237,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................      -158,221,000
 

    The Committee recommends $1,490,093,000 for the National 
Forest System, $4,237,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $158,221,000 below the budget request.
    Integrated Resource Restoration.--The Committee notes that 
similar to each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015, the budget 
request includes a major restructuring in which several 
programs are combined to form the Integrated Resource 
Restoration (IRR) budget line. The Committee supports the 
continuation of the pilot project established in the fiscal 
year 2012 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies 
conference report. The Committee must see demonstrable results 
from the program, including true management efficiencies, 
tangible accomplishments, and accountability prior to the 
consideration of expanding IRR nationwide. As such, the 
Committee rejects the proposed restructuring and continues 
funding for the individual budget line items as in the 
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015.
    Land Management Planning, Inventory and Monitoring.--The 
Committee recommends $32,020,000 for Land Management Planning 
and $144,890,000 for Inventory and Monitoring. The Committee 
does not accept the proposed merging of the Land Management 
Planning and Inventory and Monitoring line items.
    Recreation, Heritage and Wilderness.--The Committee 
recommends $256,839,000 for Recreation, Heritage and 
Wilderness, $4,880,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and $7,103,000 below the budget request. Of the funds available 
to Manage Recreation Operations, $750,000 shall be for the 
maintenance of rural airstrips. The Committee directs the 
Forest Service to consult with Congress, State and local 
officials, and affected stakeholders prior to making a 
determination to close or terminate the use of any rural 
airstrips.
    The Committee encourages the Service to continue long-
standing partnerships that support outdoor ethics and 
stewardship programming.
    The Committee directs the Forest Service to conduct the 
appropriate analysis regarding any lands that could be 
incorporated into the Granite Chief Wilderness area of the 
Tahoe National Forest. The analysis should take into special 
consideration the potential effect of expanding the wilderness 
area on local water agencies, households and other water users. 
The Committee reminds the Service of the importance to engage 
all local stakeholders, including local government 
institutions, private citizens, and community groups, in its 
analysis.
    The Committee understands that the Service is conducting a 
wilderness inventory and evaluation for portions of the Inyo, 
Sierra and Sequoia National Forest. Recreation and tourism at 
these national forests support the economies of many 
communities near these forests. Under current law and 
regulation, any land recommended by the Forest Service for 
wilderness protection will significantly restrict access and 
recreation in these forests, creating de facto wilderness 
without Congressional approval. The Committee directs the 
Service to carefully conduct its analysis, ensuring that it 
takes into full account the economic effects of its decisions, 
the desires and needs of the local communities and their local, 
State and federally elected representatives.
    Grazing Management.--The Committee recommends $55,356,000 
for Grazing Management, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $5,650,000 above the budget request. The Committee 
rejects the proposal to increase fees for grazing.
    The Committee encourages the Forest Service to improve its 
monitoring of grazing permits in allotments where riparian 
streamside health is a concern for listed or threatened 
species. The Committee also requests each Forest Service region 
to increase transparency and reporting on how their monitoring 
resources are used on the ground to satisfy monitoring 
requirements or for other purposes.
    Forest Products.--The Committee recommends $355,000,000 for 
Forest Products, $15,870,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level. The Committee rejects the proposal to consolidate this 
budget line into the Integrated Resource Restoration program.
    The Committee believes improving implementation and 
efficiency of timber sales is a vital component to forest 
health. The budget request assumes 3.2 billion board feet of 
timber volume will be sold in fiscal year 2016. The Committee 
recommends $15,870,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
for the Forest Products account to support an increased level 
of timber sales and encourages the Forest Service to implement 
larger projects and reduce unit costs.
    The Committee requests the Forest Service provide a report 
within 60 days of enactment of this Act regarding personal-use 
firewood permits and sales. The report should include 
historical information regarding the personal use of firewood 
from national forests as well as firewood's relation to the 
Federal timber program.
    The Forest Service has identified 58 million acres at high 
risk to catastrophic wildfires. The Committee commends the 
Service for increasing the acres it has treated but notes that 
to make a substantial reduction in fire suppression costs many 
more acres need to be treated per year. As such, the Committee 
directs the Forest Service to include hard targets in 
performance evaluations. In addition, individual ranger 
districts, where appropriate, should develop a systematic, 
long-term entry approach to access land in need of treatment.
    Vegetation and Watershed Management.--The Committee 
recommends $184,716,000 for Vegetation and Watershed 
Management, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. The 
Committee rejects the proposal to consolidate this budget line 
into the Integrated Resource Restoration program.
    Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat Management.--The Committee 
recommends $140,466,000 for Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat 
Management, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. The 
Committee rejects the proposal to consolidate this budget line 
into the Integrated Resource Restoration program.
    Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund.--The 
Committee recommends $40,000,000, for the Collaborative Forest 
Landscape Restoration Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $20,000,000 below the budget request.
    The Committee recognizes the need to ensure forest 
resiliency and support multiple uses on national forest lands. 
The Committee urges the Forest Service to incorporate a variety 
of landscapes, including wet forests, as it develops future 
projects for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration 
Program.
    The Committee reminds the Forest Service that stewardship 
contracts are not intended to replace, diminish, or adversely 
impact the Service's timber sales program. The Committee 
encourages the Service to focus on stewardship contracts that 
include low per-unit costs for timber sales, high-value timber 
harvesting and hazardous fuels reduction measures.
    Minerals and Geology Management.--The Committee recommends 
$76,423,000 for Minerals and Geology Management, equal to the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $5,734,000 above the budget 
request.
    The Committee expects that the Forest Service will not 
promulgate regulations under the authority provided by section 
2508 of Public Law 102-486 regarding certain oil and gas 
activities where the Federal government has acquired an 
interest in surface lands but not in oil and gas deposits that 
may be present under these lands. The Committee intends that 
the Third Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Minard Run Oil 
Co. v. U.S. Forest Serv., 670 F.3d 236 (3d Cir. 2011) will 
continue to apply to all Forest Service actions regarding oil 
and gas development of outstanding and reserved mineral rights 
on the Allegheny National Forest.
    Landownership Management.--The Committee recommends 
$77,730,000 for Landownership Management, equal to the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and $6,129,000 above the budget 
request.
    Law Enforcement Operations.--The Committee recommends 
$126,653,000 for Law Enforcement Operations, equal to the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $623,000 above the budget 
request.
    The Committee continues to be concerned about the 
increasing incidence of illegal marijuana cultivation on public 
lands and the corresponding effects it has on the environment, 
forest restoration and habitat, employee and public safety, 
tourism, and communities. The Committee believes Forest Service 
Law Enforcement and Investigations should be included as an 
integral participant in the annual forest planning process as a 
means to ensure stronger collaboration among all partners and 
focused enforcement strategies aimed at safety, interdiction 
and mitigation.
    Valles Caldera National Preserve.--The Committee provides 
no funding for the Preserve. The National Defense Authorization 
Act, 2015, transferred responsibility for the Preserve from the 
Forest Service to the Department of the Interior.
    DeSoto National Forest.--The Committee directs the Service 
to provide the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations a 
report on any closures that occurred between January 1, 2010, 
and June 1, 20151 including the rationale for the closure, in 
the DeSoto National Forest.

                  CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $360,374,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       341,924,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       357,363,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        -3,011,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       +15,439,000
 

    The Committee recommends $357,363,000 for Capital 
Improvement and Maintenance, $3,011,000 below the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $15,439,000 above the budget request.
    Facilities Maintenance and Construction.--The Committee 
recommends $71,390,000 for Facilities Maintenance and 
Construction, $210,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and $305,000 below the budget request. Specifically, the 
Committee recommends $55,369,000 for facilities maintenance and 
$16,021,000 for facilities construction.
    Road Maintenance and Construction.--The Committee 
recommends $165,293,000 for Road Maintenance and Construction, 
$2,801,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$11,031,000 above the budget request. Specifically, the 
Committee recommends $140,653,000 for road maintenance and 
$24,640,000 for road construction.
    Should the Forest Service find it necessary within the 
Gifford Pinchot National Forest or any National Forest within 
the State of Washington to either reduce the roads to 
maintenance level 1 or to decommission, the Forest Service 
should give precedence to the reduction of the road to 
Maintenance Level 1. Decommissioning should only be done after 
final plantation restoration work in Late Successional Reserve 
habitat development, or on a portion of road where resource 
protection cannot be adequately met by closing and stabilizing.
    Trail Maintenance and Construction.--The Committee 
recommends $77,530,000 for Trail Maintenance and Construction, 
equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $4,986,000 
below the budget request. Specifically, the Committee 
recommends $69,777,000 for trail maintenance and $7,753,000 for 
trail construction.
    Deferred Maintenance.--The Committee recommends $3,150,000 
for Deferred Maintenance, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $30,301,000 below the budget request.
    Legacy Roads and Trail Remediation.--The Committee 
recommends $40,000,000 for Legacy Roads and Trails, equal to 
the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. The Committee rejects the 
proposal to consolidate this budget line into the Integrated 
Resource Restoration program.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $47,500,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        63,000,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        20,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       -27,500,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -43,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $20,000,000 for Land Acquisition, 
$27,500,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$43,000,000 below the budget request. In addition to the table 
at the end of this report, the recommendation includes the 
following instructions and changes to the budget request:
    The recommendation includes $9,000,000 for land acquisition 
projects included in the fiscal year 2016 budget request. The 
Forest Service is directed to re-prioritize its project list as 
necessary to focus on acquisitions where opportunities for 
recreation, and local, State, and congressional support, are 
strongest.
    The recommendation includes $1,500,000 for inholdings. The 
Service is directed to notify the Committee of any land 
acquired with these funds. The Committee defines ``inholding'' 
as non-Federal land within authorized National Forest System 
boundaries and bordered not less than 51 percent by Federal 
public land.
    Consistent with other land acquisition accounts funded by 
this appropriation, the recommendation includes $2,000,000 for 
acquisitions that improve access to existing Federal public 
lands via road, river, or trail for hunting, fishing, and other 
public recreation, as authorized by law or regulation.

         ACQUISITION OF LANDS FOR NATIONAL FORESTS SPECIAL ACTS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................          $950,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................         1,950,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................           950,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -1,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $950,000 for Acquisition of Lands 
for National Forests Special Acts, equal to the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $1,000,000 below the budget request.

            ACQUISITION OF LANDS TO COMPLETE LAND EXCHANGES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................          $216,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................           216,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................           216,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $216,000 for Acquisition of Lands 
to Complete Land Exchanges under the Act of December 4, 1967 
(16 U.S.C. 484a), equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and the budget request.

                         RANGE BETTERMENT FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $2,320,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................         2,320,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         2,320,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $2,320,000, for the Range 
Betterment Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2015 level and budget 
request, to be derived from grazing receipts from national 
forests (Public Law 94-579) and to be used for range 
rehabilitation, protection, and improvements including seeding, 
reseeding, fence construction, weed control, water development, 
and fish and wildlife habitat enhancement in 16 western States.

    GIFTS, DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS FOR FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................           $45,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................            45,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................            45,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $45,000 for Gifts, Donations and 
Bequests for Forest and Rangeland Research, equal to the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and the budget request.

        MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL FOREST LANDS FOR SUBSISTENCE USES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $2,500,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        $2,441,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         2,441,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................           -59,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $2,441,000 for the Management of 
National Forest Lands for Subsistence Uses in Alaska, $59,000 
below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and equal to the 
budget request.

                             WILDLAND FIRE

    The Wildland Fire Management and FLAME wildfire suppression 
reserve accounts support the wildland fire activities of the 
Forest Service. The Committee recommends a total of 
$2,688,078,000 for the Forest Service wildland fire accounts, 
including $315,000,000 in the FLAME wildfire suppression 
reserve fund. This fully funds the fire accounts at the 10-year 
average of expenditures.

                        WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................    $2,333,298,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................     2,354,029,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................     2,373,078,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       +39,780,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       +19,049,000
 

    The Committee recommends $2,373,078,000 for Wildland Fire 
Management, $39,780,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted 
level and $19,049,000 above the budget request.
    The Committee notes that the budget request included a 
provision almost identical to legislation that has been 
developed in the House (H.R. 167) and the Senate (S. 235). The 
budget request proposes to allow wildland fire suppression 
costs above 70 percent of the 10-year average for fire 
suppression to be paid from within the discretionary budget cap 
adjustment established for natural disasters, recognizing that 
wildland fires are a natural disaster akin to hurricanes, 
tornadoes, and floods. As the issue of the disaster cap 
adjustment falls outside the Committee's jurisdiction, this 
Committee's recommendation does not include the request for 
suppression funding through the disaster cap adjustment. As in 
recent years, suppression operations are fully funded at the 
10-year average level within the suppression operations account 
and the FLAME wildfire suppression reserve fund.
    Satellite Technologies.--The Committee encourages the 
Forest Service to consider the potential use of existing 
commercial satellite technology to provide early warning, 
mitigation and response capabilities for wildland fires and to 
determine whether such technology may provide a low-cost early 
warning capability to save lives and property.
    Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.--The Committee is aware of the 
successful firefighting demonstration performed by an unmanned 
helicopter at a Federal Aviation Administration unmanned 
aircraft system test site in November 2014 and urges the 
Service to continue to evaluate the effectiveness of this 
technology and its potential integration into the aviation 
asset modernization plan.
    Partnerships.--The Committee recognizes the severe threat 
of wildfire to communities and natural resources within the 
Wildland Urban Interface. The Committee maintains that limited 
Federal budgets require innovative approaches that directly 
improve the capacity and capability of firefighters and 
communities to respond to and fight wildland fires. The 
Committee directs the Service to utilize regional partnerships 
to implement cost-shared approaches to install fire suppression 
response and suppression infrastructure as well as to 
coordinate programs that emphasize collaborative management of 
such programs. Priority should be given to on-going programs 
that have demonstrated the ability to implement such 
approaches.
    Wildfire Preparedness.--The Committee recommends 
$1,082,620,000 for Wildfire Preparedness, $63,220,000 below the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and equal to the budget request.
    Wildfire Suppression Operations.--The Committee recommends 
$811,000,000 for Wildfire Suppression Operations, $103,000,000 
above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $16,466,000 above 
the budget request. The Committee recommendation fully meets 
the 10-year average expenditure on all suppression activities.
    Hazardous Fuels.--The Committee recommends $361,749,000 for 
hazardous fuels reduction, equal to the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $2,623,000 above the budget request, and 
includes $5,000,000 for biomass utilization grants. The 
Committee recommends prioritizing funding for proactive 
hazardous fuels management and fire mitigation.
    The Forest Service is directed to implement effective 
treatments in frequent fire forests that restore forest 
resiliency and reduce hazardous fuels. Treatments should be 
placed to effectively modify fire behavior and protect assets 
at risk including life and property.
    The Committee continues to be concerned with the pace of 
planning and implementation of post-fire rehabilitation by the 
Forest Service. The slow pace of rehabilitation leaves 
communities unable to access timber resources and delays the 
regeneration of Federal forests. The Committee directs the 
Forest Service to prioritize and expedite planning and 
implementation of post-fire rehabilitation projects.
    Fire Plan Research and Development.--The Committee 
recommends $19,795,000 for Fire Plan Research and Development, 
equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $25,000 below 
the budget request.
    Joint Fire Science Program.--The Committee recommends 
$6,914,000 for the Joint Fire Science Program, equal to the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $3,000 below the budget 
request.
    State Fire Assistance.--The Committee recommends 
$78,000,000 for State Fire Assistance, equal to the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $12,000 below the budget request.
    Volunteer Fire Assistance.--The Committee recommends 
$13,000,000 for Volunteer Fire Assistance, equal to the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and the budget request.

                FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $303,060,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................                 0
Recommended, 2016.....................................       315,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................       +11,940,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................      +315,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $315,000,000 for the FLAME 
Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund, $11,940,000 above the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and $315,000,000 above the budget 
request. As discussed above under Wildland Fire Management, the 
Committee fully funds the 10-year average expenditure for 
wildfire suppression.

               ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS, FOREST SERVICE

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

    The Committee has included administrative provisions as 
requested, unless otherwise stated below.
    The Committee continues the administrative provision 
regarding Wildland Fire Management and the FLAME Wildfire 
Suppression Reserve Fund as included in the Consolidated and 
Further Appropriations Act, 2015.
    The Committee retains the administrative provision 
regarding reprogramming authority.

                DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


                         Indian Health Service

    The provision of Federal health services to Indians is 
based on a relationship between Indian Tribes and the U.S. 
Government first set forth in the 1830s by the U.S. Supreme 
Court under Chief Justice John Marshall. Numerous treaties, 
statutes, constitutional provisions, and international laws 
have reconfirmed this relationship. Principal among these is 
the Snyder Act of 1921, which provides the basic authority for 
most Indian health services provided by the Federal government 
to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The Indian Health 
Service (IHS) provides direct health care services in 28 
hospitals, 61 health centers, three school health centers, and 
34 health stations. Tribes and tribal groups, through contracts 
and compacts with the IHS, operate 17 hospitals, 249 health 
centers, six school health centers, and 70 health stations 
(including 164 Alaska Native village clinics).

                         INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................    $4,182,147,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................     4,463,260,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................     4,321,539,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................      +139,392,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................      -141,721,000
 

    The Committee recommends $4,321,539,000 for Indian Health 
Services, $139,392,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and $141,721,000 below the budget request. In addition to the 
table at the end of this report, the recommendation includes 
the following instructions and changes to the budget request:
    Staffing for New Facilities.--The recommendation includes 
$16,222,000 for the staffing of newly opened health facilities, 
as requested. Funds for the staffing of new facilities are 
limited to facilities funded through the Health Care Facilities 
Construction Priority System or the Joint Venture Construction 
Program that have opened in fiscal year 2015 or will open in 
fiscal year 2016. None of these funds may be allocated to a 
facility until such facility has achieved beneficial occupancy 
status.
    Dental Health.--The recommendation includes $178,959,000 
for dental health, $4,977,000 above the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level. The Service is encouraged to coordinate with the 
Bureau of Indian Education to establish a pilot program 
integrating preventive dental care at schools within the Bureau 
system.
    Purchased/Referred Care (formerly Contract Health 
Services).--The recommendation includes $935,726,000 for 
Purchased/Referred Care. The Committee urges the Service, 
Tribes, and the congressional authorizing committees to make 
reasonable and expeditious progress to address the concerns and 
recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office 
(GAO), most notably with regard to unfair allocations, third-
party overbilling, and under-enrollment in other qualifying 
Federal programs.
    The Committee urges the Service to work expeditiously with 
the relevant Congressional authorizing committees to enact 
authorization for the Service to cap payment rates for non-
hospital services, as recommended by the Government 
Accountability Office (GAO 13-272). Failure to do so costs the 
program an estimated $30 million annually that could be used to 
purchase more services.
    Contract Support Costs.--The recommendation includes 
$717,970,000 as requested for full funding of estimated 
contract support costs. Bill language has been added making 
these funds available until expended and protecting against the 
use of other appropriations to meet unanticipated shortfalls. 
The Service is directed to work with Tribes and tribal 
organizations to ensure that budget estimates continue to be as 
accurate as possible.
    Eligibility.--The Committee recognizes the Federal 
government's trust responsibility for providing healthcare for 
American Indians and Alaska Natives. The Committee is aware 
that the definition of who is an ``Indian'' is inconsistent 
across various Federal health programs, which has led to 
confusion, increased paperwork and even differing 
determinations of health benefits within Indian families 
themselves. The Committee therefore directs the Department of 
Health and Human Services, the Indian Health Service, and the 
Department of the Treasury to work together to establish a 
consistent definition of an ``Indian'' for purposes of 
providing health benefits.
    Urban Indian Health.--The recommendation includes 
$44,410,000 for Urban Indian Health, $806,000 above the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and the budget request. The agency is 
directed to include current services estimates for Urban Indian 
Health in future budget requests. The Committee notes the 
agency's failure to report the results of the needs assessment 
directed by House Report 111-180. Therefore the recommendation 
includes a reduction to the Service leadership budget, along 
with bill language requiring a program strategic plan developed 
in consultation with urban Indians and the National Academy of 
Public Administration.
    Shortage of Health Care Providers.--The Service is 
encouraged to work with Tribes and health care organizations to 
find creative ways to address the Service's health care 
provider shortage, including improvements to the credentialing 
process.

                        INDIAN HEALTH FACILITIES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $460,234,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       639,725,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       466,329,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        +6,095,000
    Budget estimate, 2015.............................      -173,396,000
 

    The Committee recommends $466,329,000 for Indian Health 
Facilities, $6,095,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and $173,396,000 below the budget request. In addition to the 
table at the end of this report, the recommendation includes 
the following instructions:
    Staffing for New Facilities.--The recommendation includes 
$1,584,000 for the staffing of newly opened health facilities 
as requested. The stipulations included in the Indian Health 
Services account regarding the allocation of funds pertains to 
this account as well.

                     National Institutes of Health


          NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

    The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, an 
agency within the National Institutes of Health, was authorized 
in section 311(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 and in section 126(g) 
of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 to 
conduct certain research and worker training activities 
associated with the nation's Hazardous Substance Superfund 
program.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $77,349,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        77,349,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        77,349,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $77,349,000 for the National 
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, equal to the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and the budget request.

            Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry


            TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH

    The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 
(ATSDR), an agency in the Department of Health and Human 
Services, was created in section 104(i) of the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 
1980. The Agency's mission is to serve the public through 
responsive public health actions to promote healthy and safe 
environments and prevent harmful toxic exposures. ATSDR 
assesses hazardous exposures in 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, 2015...........................       $74,691,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        74,691,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        74,691,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $74,691,000 for the Agency for 
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, equal to the fiscal year 
2015 level and the budget request.

                         OTHER RELATED AGENCIES


                   Executive Office of the President


  COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

    The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) was established 
by Congress under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA). The Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ), which 
provides professional and administrative staff for the Council, 
was established in the Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 
1970. The Council on Environmental Quality has statutory 
responsibility for overseeing Federal agency implementation of 
the requirements of NEPA. CEQ also assists in coordinating 
environmental programs among the Federal agencies in the 
Executive Branch.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $3,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................         3,015,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         3,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................           -15,000
 

    The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for the Council on 
Environmental Quality and Office of Environmental Quality, 
equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $15,000 below 
the budget request.

             Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is 
an independent Federal agency charged with investigating 
industrial chemical accidents. The board members are appointed 
by the 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, 2015...........................       $11,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        12,271,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        11,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -1,271,000
 

    The Committee recommends $11,000,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, 
equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $1,271,000 
below the budget request.

              Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

    The Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation was 
established by Public Law 93-531 to plan and conduct relocation 
activities associated with the settlement of a land dispute 
between the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $7,341,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................         8,400,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         7,341,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -1,059,000
 

    The Committee recommends $7,341,000 for the Office of 
Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation, equal to the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $1,059,000 below the budget request. Of 
this amount, $200,000 shall be transferred to the Department of 
the Interior Office of Inspector General to continue auditing 
the program. Members of the Committee recently traveled to the 
lands in dispute and met with members of the Hopi Tribe and the 
Navajo Nation to better understand the issues. The Committee 
will be working to bring this program to an expeditious and 
fair end in the near future.

    Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts 
                              Development


                     2015 PAYMENT TO THE INSTITUTE

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $9,469,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        11,619,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         9,469,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -2,150,000
 

    The Committee recommends $9,469,000 in direct 
appropriations for the Institute of American Indian and Alaska 
Native Culture and Arts Development, equal to the fiscal year 
2015 enacted level and $2,150,000 below the budget request. The 
Committee encourages the Institute to submit a budget request 
beginning with fiscal year 2017, in coordination with other 
tribal colleges and universities, to transition appropriations 
to a school calendar as opposed to a fiscal calendar, over a 
period of three to five years.

                        SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

    The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum 
and research complex, with 19 museums and galleries, numerous 
research centers, libraries, archives, and the National 
Zoological Park. Funded by both private and Federal sources, 
the Smithsonian is unique in the Federal establishment. Created 
by an Act of Congress in 1846 to carry out the trust included 
in James Smithson's will, it has been engaged for 169 years in 
the ``increase and diffusion of knowledge.'' Last year, the 
Smithsonian attracted over 27 million visits to its museums, 
galleries, and zoological park. Additional millions also view 
Smithsonian traveling exhibitions and participate in the annual 
Folklife Festival on the National Mall. As custodian of the 
National Collections, the Smithsonian is responsible for more 
than 138 million art objects, natural history specimens, and 
artifacts. These scientific and cultural collections are a 
vital resource for global research and conservation efforts. 
The collections are displayed for the enjoyment and education 
of visitors and are available for research by the staff of the 
Institution and by thousands of visiting students, scientists, 
and historians each year.

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $675,343,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       735,825,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       680,422,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        +5,079,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -55,403,000
 

    The Committee recommends $680,422,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the Smithsonian Institution, $5,079,000 above the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $55,403,000 below the budget 
request.
    Additional Guidance.--The following additional direction 
and guidance is provided with respect to funding provided 
within this account:
    Collections Care.--The Committee maintains its longstanding 
commitment to the preservation of priceless, irreplaceable 
Smithsonian Institution collections and has provided funds, as 
requested, for the collections care initiative. The Committee 
is pleased by continuing efforts to improve the long-term 
inventory, preservation, and storage of historical collections 
including the military uniform collection at the National 
Museum of American History.
    National Museum of African American History and Culture.--
The Committee maintains its support for the National Museum of 
African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) and recognizes 
the need to address a number of funding priorities in advance 
of the museum's opening in 2016.
    Science Education.--STEM education (Science, Technology, 
Engineering, and Mathematics) is critical to our country's 
capacity to innovate and better prepare our Nation's young 
people for the high technology jobs of tomorrow. The Committee 
remains concerned by the lack of coordination and communication 
of STEM activities, budgets, and achievements across the 
Federal government. The Committee has not included requested 
funding for STEM engagement believing funds should be directed 
to higher priority needs within the Institution.
    Latino Programs, Exhibitions, Collections and Public 
Outreach.--The Committee supports the Smithsonian Latino 
Center's goal of promoting the inclusion of Latino 
contributions in Smithsonian Institution programs, exhibitions, 
collections and public outreach. The Committee urges 
collaboration among interested parties to advance these goals 
more fully by utilizing existing Smithsonian Institution museum 
locations for the expansion of the Smithsonian Latino Center's 
programming, exhibition and collection space. The Committee has 
provided funds, as requested, to support the Institution's 
Latino initiatives.
    Ocean Education and Research.--The Smithsonian is 
encouraged to work with Executive Branch agencies, including 
NOAA, and other relevant organizations to further education 
related to America's oceans and to advance research in marine 
science.

                           FACILITIES CAPITAL

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $144,198,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       200,000,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       139,119,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        -5,079,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -60,881,000
 

    The Committee recommends $139,119,000 for Facilities 
Capital, $5,079,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and $60,881,000 below the budget request.
    The Committee supports revitalization of Smithsonian 
Institution facilities and the planning and design of future 
projects. The Committee has provided funds to continue ongoing 
revitalization projects at the National Museum of Natural 
History, National Zoological Park, National Museum of American 
History, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of the 
American Indian, Museum Support Center, and the Suitland 
Collections Facility. The Committee urges the Smithsonian to 
use remaining revitalization funds provided to support the 
highest priority projects on the Facilities Capital Program 
list.

                        NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

    The National Gallery of Art is one of the world's great 
galleries. Its magnificent works of art, displayed for the 
benefit of millions of visitors annually, and its two iconic 
buildings and sculpture garden, serve as an example of a 
successful cooperative endeavor between private individuals and 
institutions and the Federal government. With the special 
exhibitions shown in the Gallery, and through the many 
exhibitions which travel across the country, the Gallery brings 
great art treasures to Washington, D.C., and to the Nation. 
Through its educational and teacher training programs and its 
website, the Gallery provides art history materials, rich 
online educational materials, direct loans, and broadcast 
programs to millions of Americans in every State.

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $119,500,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       126,660,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       119,500,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -7,160,000
 

    The Committee recommends $119,500,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the National Gallery of Art, equal to the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and $7,160,000 below the budget 
request.
    Bill Language.--The Committee has included bill language, 
as requested, specifying the amount provided for Special 
Exhibitions.

            REPAIR, RESTORATION AND RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $19,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        26,000,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        19,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -7,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $19,000,000 for Repair, 
Restoration and Renovation of buildings at the National Gallery 
of Art, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
$7,000,000 below the budget request.
    Bill Language.--The Committee has included bill language, 
as requested, relating to lease agreements of no more than 10 
years that addresses space needs created by ongoing renovations 
in the Master Facilities Plan.

             John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

    The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a 
living memorial to the late President Kennedy and is the 
National Center for the Performing Arts. The Center houses nine 
stages and seven theaters which have a total of more than 7,300 
seats. The Center consists of over 1.5 million square feet of 
usable floor space with visitation averaging 8,000 on a daily 
basis. The support systems in the building often operate at 
capacity 18 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

                       OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $22,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        21,660,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        21,660,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................          -340,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $21,660,000 for Operations and 
Maintenance, $340,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and equal to the budget request.

                     CAPITAL REPAIR AND RESTORATION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $10,800,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        14,740,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        11,140,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................          +340,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -3,600,000
 

    The Committee recommends $11,140,000 for Capital Repair and 
Restoration $340,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and $3,600,000 below the budget request.

            Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars 
promotes policy-relevant research and dialogue to increase 
understanding and enhance the capabilities and knowledge of 
leaders, citizens, and institutions worldwide. The Center hosts 
scholars and policy makers to do their own advanced study, 
research and writing and facilitates debate and discussions 
among scholars, public officials, journalists and business 
leaders from across the country on relevant, major long-term 
issues facing this Nation and the world.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $10,500,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        10,420,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        10,420,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................           -80,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $10,420,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for 
Scholars, $80,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
equal to the budget request.

           National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities


                    National Endowment for the Arts


                       GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $146,021,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       147,949,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       146,021,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -1,928,000
 

    The Committee recommends $146,021,000 for the National 
Endowment for the Arts (NEA), equal to the fiscal year 2015 
enacted level and $1,928,000 below the budget request.
    Consistent with the Consolidated and Further Continuing 
Appropriations Act, 2015, no funds have been provided for the 
``Our Town'' initiative. The Committee believes direct grant 
funding can be better utilized supporting other effective 
priorities including arts therapy and engagement treatment 
programs for service members. The Committee supports the NEA's 
participation in the National Initiative on Arts and the 
Military, a collaborative effort involving Federal agencies, 
the military, and nonprofit and private sector partners working 
to advance the policy, research, and practice of arts therapy 
for military veterans and their families.
    Further, the Committee commends the NEA for its 
collaboration with the Walter Reed National Military Center in 
creating the NEA/Walter Reed Healing Arts Partnership. Since 
2011, this unique partnership has supported creative and 
innovative arts therapies for service members returning from 
Afghanistan and Iraq. This collaborative relationship has also 
resulted in clinical research at the Fort Belvoir Community 
Hospital Brain Injury Clinic in Virginia to evaluate the 
potential health benefits of creative arts therapy 
interventions for troops including service members with 
Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress.
    The Committee values greatly the longstanding collaborative 
relationship between the NEA and the States. State Arts 
Agencies support the arts for communities at the grassroots 
level regardless of their geographic location, providing much 
of their funding to smaller organizations, community groups, 
and schools rather than well-established arts organizations.
    The Committee remains committed to supporting proven 
national initiatives with broad geographic reach. The Big Read, 
Challenge America, and Shakespeare in American Communities are 
among the cost-effective grant programs with broad, bipartisan 
Congressional support that meet these criteria, supporting the 
NEA's goal of extending the arts to underserved populations in 
both urban and rural communities across the United States.
    Bill Language.--Each year, the Committee provides in bill 
language specific guidelines under which the Endowment is 
directed to distribute taxpayer dollars in support of the arts. 
With the exception of established honorific programs, grant 
funding to individual artists is strictly prohibited. The 
Committee directs that priority be given to providing services 
or grant funding for projects, productions, or programs that 
encourage public knowledge, education, understanding, and 
appreciation of the arts. Any reduction in support to the 
States for arts education should be no more than proportional 
to other funding decreases taken in other NEA programs.
    Reforms originally instituted by the Committee in P.L. 108-
447 relating to grant guidelines and program priorities are 
fully restated in Sections 413 and 414 of the bill. The 
Committee expects the NEA to adhere to them fully. These 
reforms maintain broad bipartisan support and continue to serve 
well both the NEA and the public.

                 National Endowment for the Humanities


         GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION (INCLUDING MATCHING GRANTS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................      $146,021,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................       147,942,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................       146,021,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -1,921,000
 

    The Committee recommends a total of $146,021,000 for the 
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), equal to the 
fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $1,921,000 below the budget 
request.
    The Committee commends the NEH for its support of grant 
programs like the Warrior-Scholar Project to benefit veterans 
and service members transitioning to civilian life. Within 
funds provided, the Committee encourages the NEH to prioritize 
efforts to connect the humanities to the experience of veterans 
and provide educational opportunities for these American 
heroes.
    The Committee commends the NEH Federal/State Partnership 
for its ongoing, successful collaboration with State humanities 
councils in each of the 50 states as well as Washington, D.C., 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American 
Samoa. Every NEH dollar received by a council is matched by a 
local contribution. In recent years, the proportion of NEH 
program funds supporting the work of State humanities councils 
has grown to nearly 40 percent. The Committee urges the NEH to 
provide program funding to support the work of State humanities 
councils consistent with the guidance provided in the 
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015.

                        Commission of Fine Arts

    The Commission of Fine Arts was established in 1910 to 
advise the Federal government on matters pertaining to the 
design of national symbols, and particularly to guide the 
architectural development of Washington, D.C. The Commission's 
work includes advice on designs for parks, public buildings, 
public art, as well as the design of national monuments, coins 
and medals, and overseas American military cemeteries. In 
addition, the Commission conducts design reviews of semipublic 
and private structures within the Old Georgetown Historic 
District and within certain areas of the National Capital that 
are adjacent to areas of Federal interest. The Commission 
reviews approximately 700 projects annually. The Commission 
also administers the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs 
program.

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $2,524,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................         2,653,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         2,524,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................          -129,000
 

    The Committee recommends $2,524,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the Commission of Fine Arts, equal to the fiscal 
year 2015 enacted level and $129,000 below the budget request.

               National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs


 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $2,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................         2,000,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         2,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................                 0
 

    The National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs (NCACA) 
program was established in Public Law 99-190 to support 
organizations that perform, exhibit, and/or present the arts in 
the Nation's Capital. The Committee recommends $2,000,000, 
equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and the budget 
request.
    Bill Language.--The bill does not include requested 
language addressing limitations on grant recipient eligibility. 
The Committee directs the program to provide a report, not 
later than 90 days after enactment of this Act, detailing the 
potential future impact of inclusion of such bill language on 
those arts and cultural affairs organizations that received 
NCACA grant funding in fiscal year 2015.

               Advisory Council on Historic Preservation


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 established 
the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). The ACHP 
was granted permanent authorization as part of the National 
Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 2006 (Public Law 109-
453). The ACHP promotes the preservation, enhancement, and 
productive use of our nation's historic resources and advises 
the President and Congress on national historic preservation 
policy.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $6,204,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................         6,080,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         6,080,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................          -124,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $6,080,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 
(ACHP), $124,000 below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and 
equal to the budget request.

                  National Capital Planning Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    The National Capital Planning Act of 1952 designated the 
National Capital Planning Commission as the central planning 
agency for the Federal government in the National Capital 
Region. The three major functions of the Commission are to 
prepare and adopt the Federal elements of the National Capital 
Comprehensive Plan; prepare an annual report on a five-year 
projection of the Federal Capital Improvement Program; and 
review plans and proposals submitted to the Commission.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $7,948,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................         8,348,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................         7,948,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................          -400,000
 

    The Committee recommends $7,948,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the National Capital Planning Commission, equal to 
the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and $400,000 below the 
budget request.

                United States Holocaust Memorial Museum


                       HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

    In 1980, Congress passed legislation creating a 65-member 
Holocaust Memorial Council with the mandate to create and 
oversee a living memorial/museum to victims of the Holocaust. 
The museum opened in April 1993. Construction costs for the 
museum came solely from donated funds raised by the U.S. 
Holocaust Memorial Museum Campaign, and appropriated funds were 
used for planning and development of programmatic components, 
overall administrative support, and annual commemorative 
observances. Since the opening of the museum, appropriated 
funds have been provided to pay for the ongoing operating costs 
of the museum as authorized by Public Law 102-529 and Public 
Law 106-292. Private funds support educational outreach 
throughout the United States.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................       $52,385,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        54,959,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................        52,385,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -2,574,000
 

    The Committee recommends $52,385,000 for the Holocaust 
Memorial Museum, equal to the fiscal year 2015 enacted level 
and $2,574,000 below the budget request.

                Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission

    The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission was created by 
Congress in 1999 through Public Law 106-79 for the purpose of 
establishing a permanent national memorial to Dwight D. 
Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe in 
World War II and 34th President of the United States. The 
Commission consists of 12 members including four members of the 
House of Representatives, four Senators, and four private 
citizens appointed by the President.

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................        $1,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016.................................         2,000,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................                 0
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................        -1,000,000
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................        -2,000,000
 

    The bill does not include funding for the Salaries and 
Expenses account.
    The Committee strongly supports the construction of a 
permanent memorial to Dwight D. Eisenhower. However, the 
Commission's ongoing indifference to the views of the 
Eisenhower family, and the resulting lack of consensus on the 
memorial design, remain an area of significant concern. It is 
inconceivable and unacceptable to the Committee that a memorial 
to Dwight D. Eisenhower could be designed, approved, and built 
without the active support of the Eisenhower family. Legitimate 
issues raised by the Eisenhower family over the size, scope, 
and values reflected in the memorial's design have been 
routinely disregarded even as the Commission has continued to 
aggressively pursue required project approvals.
    Accordingly, the Committee believes a ``reset'' is 
necessary in order for the project to continue. Such a reset 
should include 1) an open competition and selection and 
approval of a new design utilizing the existing designated 
memorial site that includes the participation of the Eisenhower 
family and other partners in the planning and approval process 
and, 2) the appointment of new Commission staff.
    The Committee notes with concern both the number of 
consultants under contract with the Commission and the amount 
paid to these consultants. The Committee has learned that, to 
date, the Commission has paid contract staff and consultants 
nearly $7,000,000 from the salaries and expenses account. 
Additional amounts, including $16,000,000 for the memorial's 
architect and design firm, have been paid from the construction 
account. The Committee understands that some contract expenses 
which had been paid from the salaries and expenses account are 
now being paid using previously appropriated construction 
account funds.
    The Committee further understands that the unobligated 
balance for the Salary and Expenses account is presently more 
than $1,000,000. The Committee believes additional review of 
these Commission expenditures is necessary and, therefore, 
directs the Commission to provide not later than 30 days after 
enactment of this Act, a list of all paid contractors and 
consultants to the Commission since fiscal year 2011, their 
function, contract amount, payment amounts made to each to 
date, and whether payments to such contractors or consultants 
have been paid from the Salaries and Expenses account or the 
Construction account.
    Also worth noting is the Commission's anemic fundraising 
record. In spite of paying a fundraising consultant $1,400,000 
over the last four years, the Commission has raised less than 
$450,000 to date (including $300,000 from a single donor). This 
leaves the Commission well behind its fundraising goal to 
complete the memorial. The Eisenhower family, whose support is 
critical to raising funds, has indicated its willingness and 
desire to assist with fundraising should a memorial be built 
that more closely reflects the Eisenhower family's values.
    Given these concerns, the Committee strongly urges the 
authorizers of jurisdiction in the House and Senate to work 
expeditiously on legislation to authorize an open, public, and 
transparent new design process that is collaborative and 
involves the various constituencies as partners including, but 
not limited to, the Congress, the Eisenhower family, the 
Eisenhower Commission, the National Park Service, the 
Commission on Fine Arts, and the National Capitol Planning 
Commission. Such legislation should direct the appointment of a 
new Commission staff.
    In the interim, the Committee directs that monthly 
expenditures by the Commission shall be limited to payroll, 
rent, utilities and other fixed costs associated with essential 
daily operations of the Commission only. No funds previously 
appropriated shall be used for travel-related expenses. The 
Committee also directs the Commission to submit to the 
Committees on Appropriations a monthly report on all 
expenditures from amounts previously appropriated.

                          CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2015...........................                $0
Budget estimate, 2016.................................        68,200,000
Recommended, 2016.....................................                 0
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2015...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2016.............................       -68,200,000
 

    The bill does not include funding for the Capital 
Construction account. No additional funding will be provided 
until a public competition for a new design occurs utilizing 
the existing designated memorial site. The Committee continues 
bill language maintaining the approved site of the memorial and 
preventing construction of the memorial to begin until all 
necessary construction funds have been appropriated.

                      TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    Section 401 continues a provision prohibiting activities to 
promote public support or opposition to legislative proposals.
    Section 402 continues a provision providing for annual 
appropriations unless expressly provided otherwise in this Act.
    Section 403 continues a provision providing restrictions on 
departmental assessments unless approved by the Committees on 
Appropriations.
    Section 404 continues a limitation on accepting and 
processing applications for patents and on the patenting of 
Federal lands; permits processing of grandfathered 
applications; and permits third-party contractors to process 
grandfathered applications.
    Section 405 continues a provision regarding the payment of 
contract support costs for fiscal year 2014 and prior years.
    Section 406 addresses the payment of contract support costs 
for fiscal year 2016.
    Section 407 continues a provision allowing Forest Service 
land management plans to be more than 15 years old if the 
Secretary is acting in good faith to update such plans and 
prohibiting the use of funds to implement new wilderness 
directives under the planning rule.
    Section 408 continues a provision limiting preleasing, 
leasing, and related activities within the boundaries of 
National Monuments.
    Section 409 continues a provision which restricts funding 
for acquisition of land from being used for declarations of 
taking or complaints in condemnation.
    Section 410 continues a provision addressing timber sales 
involving Alaskan western red cedar.
    Section 411 continues a provision which prohibits no-bid 
contracts and grants except under certain circumstances.
    Section 412 continues a provision which requires public 
disclosure of certain reports.
    Section 413 continues a provision which delineates the 
grant guidelines for the National Endowment for the Arts.
    Section 414 continues a provision which delineates the 
program priorities for the programs managed by the National 
Endowment for the Arts.
    Section 415 continues a provision requiring the Department 
of the Interior, the EPA, the Forest Service, and the Indian 
Health Service to provide the Committees on Appropriations a 
quarterly report on the status of balances of appropriations.
    Section 416 requires the President to submit a report to 
the Committees on Appropriations no later than 120 days after 
the fiscal year 2017 budget is submitted to Congress describing 
in detail all Federal agency obligations and expenditures for 
climate change programs and activities in fiscal years 2015 and 
2016.
    Section 417 continues a provision prohibiting the use of 
funds to promulgate or implement any regulation requiring the 
issuance of permits under title V of the Clean Air Act for 
carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapor, or methane 
emissions.
    Section 418 continues a provision prohibiting the use of 
funds to implement any provision in a rule if that provision 
requires mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from 
manure management systems.
    Section 419 provides a one-year extension of the current 
recreation fee authority.
    Section 420 continues a provision from the Consolidated and 
Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 modifying 
authorities relating to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial 
Commission.
    Section 421 prohibits the use of funds to regulate the lead 
content of ammunition or fishing tackle.
    Section 422 prohibits the use of funds to develop, adopt, 
implement, administer, or enforce a change or supplement to a 
rule or guidance documents pertaining to the definition of 
waters under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
    Section 423 prohibits the use of funds to develop, carry 
out, implement, or enforce proposed regulations published on 
June 18, 2010.
    Section 424 prohibits the use of funds to limit 
recreational shooting and hunting on Federal and public lands 
except for public safety.
    Section 425 prohibits the use of funds for the National 
Ocean Policy developed under Executive Order 13547.
    Section 426 prohibits EPA from using funds to implement, 
administer, or enforce the lead renovation rule until EPA has 
approved a commercially available lead test kit.
    Section 427 prohibits EPA from using funds to develop, 
propose, finalize, implement, enforce, or administer any 
regulation that would establish new financial responsibility 
requirements under CERCLA.
    Section 428 prohibits EPA from using funds to develop, 
issue, implement, or enforce any greenhouse gas New Source 
Performance Standards on any new or existing source that is an 
electric utility generating unit.
    Section 429 prohibits the use of funds from making any 
change to the regulations in effect on October 1, 2012, 
pertaining to the definitions of the terms ``fill material'' or 
``discharge of fill material''.
    Section 430 continues a provision through fiscal year 2017 
authorizing the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of 
Agriculture to consider local contractors when awarding 
contracts for certain activities on public lands.
    Section 431 extends the authorization for the Chesapeake 
Bay Initiative.
    Section 432 extends certain authorities through fiscal year 
2016 allowing the Forest Service to renew grazing permits.
    Section 433 makes available vacant allotments for 
permittees impacted by drought or wildland fire.
    Section 434 clarifies the protection of water rights with 
regard to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management permits.
    Section 435 limits the use of funds for status changes of 
certain chemicals.
    Section 436 sets requirements for the use of American iron 
and steel for certain loans and grants.
    Section 437 prohibits the use of funds pertaining to 
certain updates to the social cost of carbon.
    Section 438 prohibits the use of finds to revise primary 
and secondary standards for ozone until at least 85 percent of 
counties in nonattahunent achieve compliance with previous 
standards.
    Section 439 prohibits the use of funds for certain 
activities related to the final rule on hydraulic fracturing on 
Federal and Indian Lands.
    Section 440 establishes a Spending Reduction Account in the 
bill.

                    Bill-Wide Reporting Requirements

    The following items are included in accordance with various 
requirements of the Rules of the House of Representatives:

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

         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              $28,000,000.
 Conservation Fund (contract authority)...............
    Environmental Protection Agency: STAG.............       $8,000,000.
 

                           TRANSFERS OF FUNDS

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following table is submitted 
describing the transfer of funds in the accompanying bill.

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

   DISCLOSURE OF EARMARKS AND CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING ITEMS

    Neither the bill nor the report contains any Congressional 
earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as 
defined by clause 9 of rule XXI.

          Compliance With Rule XIII, Cl. 3(e) (Ramseyer Rule)

    In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italics, existing law in which no change 
is proposed is shown in roman):

                 CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012


                          (Public Law 112-74)

AN ACT Making appropriations for military construction, the Department 
 of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 
              September 30, 2012, and for other purposes.



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


                                TITLE I


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



              bureau of indian education operated schools

    Sec. 115. (a)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law 
or Federal regulation, including section 586(c) of title 40, 
United States Code, the Director of the BIE, or the Director's 
designee, is authorized to enter into agreements with public 
and private persons and entities that provide for such persons 
and entities to rent or lease the land or facilities of a 
Bureau-operated school for such periods of time as the school 
is Bureau operated, in exchange for a consideration (in the 
form of funds) that benefits the school, as determined by the 
head of the school.
    (2) Funds received under paragraph (1) shall be retained by 
the school and used for school purposes otherwise authorized by 
law. Any funds received under paragraph (1) are hereby made 
available until expended for such purposes, notwithstanding 
section 3302 of title 31, United States Code.
    (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow for 
the diminishment of, or otherwise affect, the appropriation of 
funds to the budget accounts for the operation and maintenance 
of Bureau-operated schools. No funds shall be withheld from the 
distribution to the budget of any Bureau-operated school due to 
the receipt by the school of a benefit in accordance with this 
section.
    (b) Notwithstanding any provision of title 5, United States 
Code, or any regulation promulgated under such title, education 
personnel who are under the direction and supervision of the 
Secretary of the Interior may participate in a fundraising 
activity for the benefit of a Bureau-operated school in an 
official capacity as part of their official duties. When 
participating in such an official capacity, the employee may 
use the employee's official title, position, and authority. 
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize 
participation in political activity (as such term is used in 
section 7324 of title 5, United States Code) otherwise 
prohibited by law.
    (c) The Secretary of the Interior shall promulgate 
regulations to carry out this section not later than 16 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. Such regulations 
shall include--
            (1) standards for the appropriate use of Bureau-
        operated school lands and facilities by third parties 
        under a rental or lease agreement;
            (2) provisions for the establishment and 
        administration of mechanisms for the acceptance of 
        consideration for the use and benefit of a school in 
        accordance with this section (including, in appropriate 
        cases, the establishment and administration of trust 
        funds);
            (3) accountability standards to ensure ethical 
        conduct; and
            (4) provisions for monitoring the amount and terms 
        of consideration received, the manner in which the 
        consideration is used, and any results achieved by such 
        use.
    (d) Provisions of this section shall apply to fiscal years 
2012 through [2017] 2027.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


  bureau of land management actions regarding grazing on public lands

    Sec. 122. (a) Exhaustion of Administrative Review 
Required.--
            (1) For [fiscal years 2012 through 2016] fiscal 
        year 2012 and each fiscal year thereafter, a person may 
        bring a civil action challenging a decision of the 
        Bureau of Land Management concerning grazing on public 
        lands (as defined in section 103(e) of the Federal Land 
        Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702(e))) 
        in a Federal district court only if the person has 
        exhausted the administrative hearings and appeals 
        procedures established by the Department of the 
        Interior, including having filed a timely appeal and a 
        request for stay.
            (2) An issue may be considered in the judicial 
        review of a decision referred to in paragraph (1) only 
        if the issue was raised in the administrative review 
        process described in such paragraph.
            (3) An exception to the requirement of exhausting 
        the administrative review process before seeking 
        judicial review shall be available if a Federal court 
        finds that the agency failed or was unable to make 
        information timely available during the administrative 
        review process for issues of material fact. For the 
        purposes of this paragraph, the term ``timely'' means 
        within 120 calendar days after the date that the 
        challenge to the agency action or amendment at issue is 
        received for administrative review.
    (b) Acceptance of Donation of Certain Existing Permits or 
Leases.--
            (1) During fiscal year 2012 and thereafter, the 
        Secretary of the Interior shall accept the donation of 
        any valid existing permits or leases authorizing 
        grazing on public lands within the California Desert 
        Conservation Area. With respect to each permit or lease 
        donated under this paragraph, the Secretary shall 
        terminate the grazing permit or lease, ensure a 
        permanent end (except as provided in paragraph (2)), to 
        grazing on the land covered by the permit or lease, and 
        make the land available for mitigation by allocating 
        the forage to wildlife use consistent with any 
        applicable Habitat Conservation Plan, section 
        10(a)(1)(B) permit, or section 7 consultation under the 
        Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
        seq.).
            (2) If the land covered by a permit or lease 
        donated under paragraph (1) is also covered by another 
        valid existing permit or lease that is not donated 
        under such paragraph, the Secretary of the Interior 
        shall reduce the authorized grazing level on the land 
        covered by the permit or lease to reflect the donation 
        of the permit or lease under paragraph (1). To ensure 
        that there is a permanent reduction in the level of 
        grazing on the land covered by a permit or lease 
        donated under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not 
        allow grazing use to exceed the authorized level under 
        the remaining valid existing permit or lease that is 
        not donated.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                                TITLE IV


GENERAL PROVISIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



                        contracting authorities

    Sec. 412. In awarding a Federal contract with funds made 
available by this Act, notwithstanding Federal Government 
procurement and contracting laws, the Secretary of Agriculture 
and the Secretary of the Interior (the ``Secretaries'') may, in 
evaluating bids and proposals, through [fiscal year 2015,] 
fiscal year 2017, give consideration to local contractors who 
are from, and who provide employment and training for, 
dislocated and displaced workers in an economically 
disadvantaged rural community, including those historically 
timber-dependent areas that have been affected by reduced 
timber harvesting on Federal lands and other forest-dependent 
rural communities isolated from significant alternative 
employment opportunities:  Provided, That notwithstanding 
Federal Government procurement and contracting laws the 
Secretaries may award contracts, grants or cooperative 
agreements to local non-profit entities, Youth Conservation 
Corps or related partnerships with State, local or non-profit 
youth groups, or small or micro-business or disadvantaged 
business:  Provided further, That the contract, grant, or 
cooperative agreement is for forest hazardous fuels reduction, 
watershed or water quality monitoring or restoration, wildlife 
or fish population monitoring, road decommissioning, trail 
maintenance or improvement, or habitat restoration or 
management:  Provided further, That the terms ``rural 
community'' and ``economically disadvantaged'' shall have the 
same meanings as in section 2374 of Public Law 101-624 (16 
U.S.C. 6612):  Provided further, That the Secretaries shall 
develop guidance to implement this section:  Provided further, 
That nothing in this section shall be construed as relieving 
the Secretaries of any duty under applicable procurement laws, 
except as provided in this section.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


             SECTION 102301 OF TITLE 54, UNITED STATES CODE


Sec. 102301. Volunteers in parks program

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary may recruit, train, and 
accept, without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of 
chapter 53 of title 5 or regulations prescribed under that 
chapter or subchapter, the services of individuals without 
compensation as volunteers for or in aid of interpretive 
functions or other visitor services or activities in and 
related to System units and related areas. In accepting those 
services, the Secretary shall not permit the use of volunteers 
in hazardous duty or law enforcement work or in policymaking 
processes, or to displace any employee. The services of 
individuals whom the Secretary determines are skilled in 
performing hazardous activities may be accepted.
    (b) Incidental Expenses.--The Secretary may provide for 
incidental expenses of volunteers, such as transportation, 
uniforms, lodging, and subsistence.
    (c) Federal Employee Status for Volunteers.--
            (1) Employment status of volunteers.--Except as 
        otherwise provided in this section, a volunteer shall 
        not be deemed a Federal employee and shall not be 
        subject to the provisions of law relating to Federal 
        employment, including those relating to hours of work, 
        rates of compensation, leave, unemployment 
        compensation, and Federal employee benefits.
            (2) Tort claims.--For the purpose of sections 
        1346(b) and 2401(b) and chapter 171 of title 28, a 
        volunteer under this chapter shall be deemed a Federal 
        employee.
            (3) Volunteers deemed civil employees.--For the 
        purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, 
        volunteers under this chapter shall be deemed civil 
        employees of the United States within the meaning of 
        the term ``employee'' as defined in section 8101 of 
        title 5, and subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5 
        shall apply.
            (4) Compensation for losses and damages.--For the 
        purpose of claims relating to damage to, or loss of, 
        personal property of a volunteer incident to volunteer 
        service, a volunteer under this chapter shall be deemed 
        a Federal employee, and section 3721 of title 31 shall 
        apply.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section not more than 
[$3,500,000] $7,000,000 for each fiscal year.
                              ----------                              


                        ACT OF OCTOBER 11, 2000


                          (Public Law 106-291)

  AN ACT Making appropriations for the Department of the Interior and 
related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for 
                            other purposes.



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



             GENERAL PROVISIONS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

    Sec. 157. (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as 
the ``Wheeling National Heritage Area Act of 2000''.
    (b) Findings and Purposes.--
            (1) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
                    (A) the area in an around Wheeling, West 
                Virginia, possesses important historical, 
                cultural, and natural resources, representing 
                major heritage themes of transportation, 
                commerce and industry, and Victorian culture in 
                the United States;
                    (B) the City of Wheeling has played an 
                important part in the settlement of this 
                country by serving as--
                            (i) the western terminus of the 
                        National Road of the early 1800's;
                            (ii) the ``Crossroads of America'' 
                        throughout the nineteenth century;
                            (iii) one of the few major inland 
                        ports in the nineteenth century; and
                            (iv) the site for the establishment 
                        of the Restored State of Virginia, and 
                        later the State of West Virginia, 
                        during the Civil War and as the first 
                        capital of the new State of West 
                        Virginia;
                    (C) the City of Wheeling has also played an 
                important role in the industrial and commercial 
                heritage of the United States, through the 
                development and maintenance of many industries 
                crucial to the Nation's expansion, including 
                iron and steel, textile manufacturing, boat 
                building, glass manufacturing, and stogie and 
                chewing tobacco manufacturing facilities, many 
                of which are industries that continue to play 
                an important role in the national economy;
                    (D) the city of Wheeling has retained its 
                national heritage themes with the designations 
                of the old custom house (now Independence Hall) 
                and the historic suspension bridge as National 
                Historic Landmarks; with five historic 
                districts; and many individual properties in 
                the Wheeling area listed or eligible for 
                nomination to the National Register of Historic 
                Places;
                    (E) the heritage themes and number and 
                diversity of Wheeling's remaining resources 
                should be appropriately retained, enhanced, and 
                interpreted for the education, benefit, and 
                inspiration of the people of the United States; 
                and
                    (F) in 1992 a comprehensive plan for the 
                development and administration of the Wheeling 
                National Heritage Area was completed for the 
                National Park Service, the City of Wheeling, 
                and the Wheeling National Task Force, 
                including--
                            (i) an inventory of the national 
                        and cultural resources in the City of 
                        Wheeling;
                            (ii) criteria for preserving and 
                        interpreting significant natural and 
                        historic resources;
                            (iii) a strategy for the 
                        conservation, preservation, and reuse 
                        of the historical and cultural 
                        resources in the City of Wheeling and 
                        the surrounding region; and
                            (iv) an implementation agenda by 
                        which the State of West Virginia and 
                        local governments can coordinate their 
                        resources as well as a complete 
                        description of the management entity 
                        responsible for implementing the 
                        comprehensive plan.
            (2) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
                    (A) to recognize the special importance of 
                the history and development of the Wheeling 
                area in the cultural heritage of the Nation;
                    (B) to provide a framework to assist the 
                City of Wheeling and other public and private 
                entities and individuals in the appropriate 
                preservation, enhancement, and interpretation 
                of significant resources in the Wheeling area 
                emblematic of Wheeling's contributions to the 
                Nation's cultural heritage;
                    (C) to allow for limited Federal, State and 
                local capital contributions for planning and 
                infrastructure investments to complete the 
                Wheeling National Heritage Area, in partnership 
                with the State of West Virginia, the City of 
                Wheeling, and other appropriate public and 
                private entities; and
                    (D) to provide for an economically self-
                sustaining National Heritage Area not dependent 
                on Federal financial assistance beyond the 
                initial years necessary to establish the 
                heritage area.
    (c) Definitions.--As used in this section--
            (1) the term ``city'' means the City of Wheeling;
            (2) the term ``heritage area'' means the Wheeling 
        National Heritage Area established in subsection (d);
            (3) the term ``plan'' means the ``Plan for the 
        Wheeling National Heritage Area'' dated August, 1992;
            (4) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
        the Interior; and
            (5) the term ``State'' means the State of West 
        Virginia.
    (d) Wheeling National Heritage Area.--
            (1) Establishment.--In furtherance of the purposes 
        of this section, there is established in the State of 
        West Virginia the Wheeling National Heritage Area, as 
        generally depicted on the map entitled ``Boundary Map, 
        Wheeling National Heritage Area, Wheeling, West 
        Virginia'' and dated March, 1994. The map shall be on 
        file and available for public inspection in the 
        appropriate offices of the National Park Service.
            (2) Management entity.--
                    (A) The management entity for the heritage 
                area shall be the Wheeling National Heritage 
                Corporation, a non-profit corporation chartered 
                in the State of West Virginia.
                    (B) To the extent consistent with this 
                section, the management entity shall manage the 
                heritage area in accordance with the plan.
    (e) Duties of the Management Entity.--
            (1) Mission.--
                    (A) The primary mission of the management 
                entity shall be--
                            (i) to implement and coordinate the 
                        recommendations contained in the plan;
                            (ii) ensure integrated operation of 
                        the heritage area; and
                            (iii) conserve and interpret the 
                        historic and cultural resources of the 
                        heritage area.
                    (B) The management entity shall also direct 
                and coordinate the diverse conservation, 
                development, programming, educational, and 
                interpretive activities within the heritage 
                area.
            (2) Recognition of plan.--The management entity 
        shall work with the State of West Virginia and local 
        governments to ensure that the plan is formally adopted 
        by the City and recognized by the State.
            (3) Implementation.--To the extent practicable, the 
        management entity shall--
                    (A) implement the recommendations contained 
                in the plan in a timely manner pursuant to the 
                schedule identified in the plan;
                    (B) coordinate its activities with the 
                City, the State, and the Secretary;
                    (C) ensure the conservation and 
                interpretation of the heritage area's 
                historical, cultural, and natural resources, 
                including--
                            (i) assisting the City and the 
                        State in the preservation of sites, 
                        buildings, and objects within the 
                        heritage area which are listed or 
                        eligible for listing on the National 
                        Register of Historic Places;
                            (ii) assisting the City, the State, 
                        or a nonprofit organization in the 
                        restoration of any historic building in 
                        the heritage area;
                            (iii) increasing public awareness 
                        of and appreciation for the natural, 
                        cultural, and historic resources of the 
                        heritage area;
                            (iv) assisting the State or City in 
                        designing, establishing, and 
                        maintaining appropriate interpretive 
                        facilities and exhibits in the heritage 
                        area;
                            (v) assisting in the enhancement of 
                        public awareness and appreciation for 
                        the historical, archaeological, and 
                        geologic resources and sites in the 
                        heritage area; and
                            (vi) encouraging the City and other 
                        local governments to adopt land use 
                        policies consistent with the goals of 
                        the plan, and to take actions to 
                        implement those policies;
                    (D) encourage intergovernmental cooperation 
                in the achievement of these objectives;
                    (E) develop recommendations for design 
                standards within the heritage area; and
                    (F) seek to create public-private 
                partnerships to finance projects and 
                initiatives within the heritage area.
            (4) Authorities.--The management entity may, for 
        the purposes of implementing the plan, use Federal 
        funds made available by this section to--
                    (A) make grants to the State, City, or 
                other appropriate public or private 
                organizations, entities, or persons;
                    (B) enter into cooperative agreements with, 
                or provide technical assistance to Federal 
                agencies, the State, City or other appropriate 
                public or private organizations, entities, or 
                persons;
                    (C) hire and compensate such staff as the 
                management entity deems necessary;
                    (D) obtain money from any source under any 
                program or law requiring the recipient of such 
                money to make a contribution in order to 
                receive such money;
                    (E) spend funds on promotion and marketing 
                consistent with the resources and associated 
                values of the heritage area in order to promote 
                increased visitation; and
                    (F) contract for goods and services.
            (5) Acquisition of real property.--
                    (A) Except as provided in paragraph (B), 
                the management entity may not acquire any real 
                property or interest therein within the 
                heritage area, other than the leasing of 
                facilities.
                    (B)(i) Subject to subparagraph (ii), the 
                management entity may acquire real property, or 
                an interest therein, within the heritage area 
                by gift or devise, or by purchase from a 
                willing seller with money which was donated, 
                bequeathed, appropriated, or otherwise made 
                available to the management entity on the 
                condition that such money be used to purchase 
                real property, or interest therein, within the 
                heritage area.
                            (ii) Any real property or interest 
                        therein acquired by the management 
                        entity pursuant to this paragraph shall 
                        be conveyed in perpetuity by the 
                        management entity to an appropriate 
                        public or private entity, as determined 
                        by the management entity. Any such 
                        conveyance shall be made as soon as 
                        practicable after acquisition, without 
                        consideration, and on the condition 
                        that the real property or interest 
                        therein so conveyed shall be used for 
                        public purposes.
            (6) Revision of plan.--Within 18 months after the 
        date of enactment, the management entity shall submit 
        to the Secretary a revised plan. Such revision shall 
        include, but not be limited to--
                    (A) a review of the implementation agenda 
                for the heritage area;
                    (B) projected capital costs; and
                    (C) plans for partnership initiatives and 
                expansion of community support.
    (f) Duties of the Secretary.--
            (1) Interpretive support.--The Secretary may, upon 
        request of the management entity, provide appropriate 
        interpretive, planning, educational, staffing, 
        exhibits, and other material or support for the 
        heritage area, consistent with the plan and as 
        appropriate to the resources and associated values of 
        the heritage area.
            (2) Technical assistance.--The Secretary may upon 
        request of the management entity and consistent with 
        the plan, provide technical assistance to the 
        management entity.
            (3) Cooperative agreements and Grants.--The 
        Secretary may, in consultation with the management 
        entity and consistent with the management plan, make 
        grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with 
        the management entity, the State, City, non-profit 
        organization or any person.
            (3) Plan amendments.--No amendments to the plan may 
        be made unless approved by the Secretary. The Secretary 
        shall consult with the management entity in reviewing 
        any proposed amendments.
    (g) Duties of Other Federal Agencies.--Any Federal 
department, agency, or other entity conducting or supporting 
activities directly affecting the heritage area shall--
            (1) consult with the Secretary and the management 
        entity with respect to such activities.
            (2) cooperate with the Secretary and the management 
        entity in carrying out their duties under this Act, and 
        to the extent practicable, coordinate such activities 
        directly with the duties of the Secretary and the 
        management entity.
            (3) to the extent practicable, conduct or support 
        such activities in a manner which the management entity 
        determines will not have an adverse effect on the 
        heritage area.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be 
        appropriated to carry out this section [$11,000,000] 
        $13,000,000, except that not more than $1,000,000 may 
        be appropriated to carry out this section for any 
        fiscal year.
            (2) Matching funds.--Federal funding provided under 
        this section shall be matched at least 25 percent by 
        other funds or in-kind services.
    (i) Sunset.--The Secretary may not make any grant or 
provide any assistance under this section after September 30, 
2021.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                           PUBLIC LAW 104-333


AN ACT To provide for the administration of certain Presidio properties 
    at minimal cost to the Federal taxpayer, and for other purposes.



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
DIVISION II

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


TITLE II--TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR HERITAGE AREA

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 208. SUNSET.

    The Secretary may not make any grant or provide any 
assistance under this title after September 30, [2015] 2017.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


TITLE III--AUGUSTA CANAL NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 310. SUNSET.

    The Secretary may not make any grant or provide any 
assistance under this title after September 30, [2015] 2017.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


TITLE IV--STEEL INDUSTRY HERITAGE PROJECT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 409. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
under this title not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. 
Not more than a total of [$15,000,000] $17,000,000 may be 
appropriated for the Heritage Area under this title.
    (b) 50 Percent Match.--Federal funding provided under this 
title, after the designation of this Heritage Area, may not 
exceed 50 percent of the total cost of any assistance or grant 
provided or authorized under this title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


TITLE V--ESSEX NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 508. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
under this title not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. 
Not more than a total of [$15,000,000] $17,000,000 may be 
appropriated for the Area under this title.
    (b) 50 Percent Match.--Federal funding provided under this 
title, after the designation of the Area, may not exceed 50 
percent of the total cost of any assistance or grant provided 
or authorized under this title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


TITLE VI--SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 607. SUNSET.

    The Secretary may not make any grant or provide any 
assistance under this title after September 30, [2015] 2017.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


TITLE VIII--OHIO & ERIE CANAL NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 810. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
under this title not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. 
Not more than a total of [$15,000,000] $17,000,000 may be 
appropriated for the corridor under this title.
    (b) 50 Percent Match.--Federal funding provided under this 
title, after the designation of this corridor, may not exceed 
50 percent of the total cost of any assistance or grant 
provided or authorized under this title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                           PUBLIC LAW 113-76




           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
   DIVISION G--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2014


                                TITLE I


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



                    OFFSHORE PAY AUTHORITY EXTENSION

    Sec. 117. For fiscal years 2014 [and 2015] through 2017, 
funds made available in this title for the Bureau of Ocean 
Energy Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental 
Enforcement may be used by the Secretary of the Interior to 
establish higher minimum rates of basic pay described in 
section 121(c) of division E of Public Law 112-74 (125 Stat. 
1012).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                         ONSHORE PAY AUTHORITY

    Sec. 123. For fiscal years 2014 [and 2015] through 2017, 
funds made available in this title for the Bureau of Land 
Management and the Bureau of Indian Affairs may be used by the 
Secretary of the Interior to establish higher minimum rates of 
basic pay for employees of the Department of the Interior 
carrying out the inspection and regulation of onshore oil and 
gas operations on public lands in the Petroleum Engineer (GS-
0881) and Petroleum Engineering Technician (G-0802) job series 
at grades 5 through 14 at rates no greater than 25 percent 
above the minimum rates of basic pay normally scheduled, and 
such higher rates shall be consistent with subsections (e) 
through (h) of section 5305 of title 5, United States Code.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


      SECTION 810 OF THE FEDERAL LANDS RECREATION ENHANCEMENT ACT




           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
SEC. 810. SUNSET PROVISION.

    The authority of the Secretary to carry out this Act shall 
terminate [10 years after the date of the enactment of this 
Act] on September 30, 2017.
                              ----------                              


             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, 2015] September 30, 2016.
    (n) Memorial Fund.--
            (1) Establishment.--There is created in the 
        Treasury a fund for the memorial to Dwight D. 
        Eisenhower that includes amounts contributed under 
        subsection (j)(2).
            (2) Use of fund.--The fund shall be used for the 
        expenses of establishing the memorial.
            (3) Interest.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall 
        credit to the fund the interest on obligations held in 
        the fund.
    (o) Staff and Support Services.--
            (1) In general.--
                    (A) Powers.--The Commission may--
                            (i) make such expenditures for 
                        services and materials for the purpose 
                        of carrying out this section as the 
                        Commission considers advisable from 
                        funds appropriated or received as gifts 
                        for that purpose;
                            (ii) solicit and accept 
                        contributions to be used in carrying 
                        out this section or to be used in 
                        connection with the construction or 
                        other expenses of the memorial;
                            (iii) hold hearings and enter into 
                        contracts;
                            (iv) enter into contracts for 
                        specialized or professional services as 
                        necessary to carry out this section; 
                        and
                            (v) take such actions as are 
                        necessary to carry out this section.
                    (B) Specialized or professional services.--
                Services under subparagraph (A)(iv) may be--
                            (i) obtained without regard to the 
                        provisions of title 5, United States 
                        Code, including section 3109 of that 
                        title; and
                            (ii) may be paid without regard to 
                        the provisions of title 5, United 
                        States Code, including chapter 51 and 
                        subchapter III of chapter 53 of that 
                        title.
            (2) Gifts of property.--The Commission may accept 
        gifts of real or personal property to be used in 
        carrying out this section, including to be used in 
        connection with the construction or other expenses of 
        the memorial.
            (3) Federal cooperation.--At the request of the 
        Commission, a Federal department or agency may provide 
        any information or other assistance to the Commission 
        that the head of the Federal department or agency 
        determines to be appropriate.
            (4) Powers of members and agents.--
                    (A) In general.--If authorized by the 
                Commission, any member or agent of the 
                Commission may take any action that the 
                Commission is authorized to take under this 
                section.
                    (B) Architect.--The Commission may appoint 
                an architect as an agent of the Commission to--
                            (i) represent the Commission on 
                        various governmental source selection 
                        and planning boards on the selection of 
                        the firms that will design and 
                        construct the memorial; and
                            (ii) perform other duties as 
                        designated by the Chairperson of the 
                        Commission.
                    (C) Treatment.--An authorized member or 
                agent of the Commission (including an 
                individual appointed under subparagraph (B)) 
                providing services to the Commission shall be 
                considered an employee of the Federal 
                Government in the performance of those services 
                for the purposes of chapter 171 of title 28, 
                United States Code, relating to tort claims.
            (5) Travel.--Each member of the Commission shall be 
        allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
        subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of 
        agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, 
        United States Code, while away from their homes or 
        regular places of business in the performance of 
        services for the Commission.
    (p) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this 
section.
    (q) Appropriation of Funds.--In addition to amounts 
provided elsewhere in this Act, there is appropriated to the 
Commission $300,000, to remain available until expended.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                 CHESAPEAKE BAY INITIATIVE ACT OF 1998




           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
TITLE V--CHESAPEAKE BAY INITIATIVE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 502. CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS AND WATERTRAILS.

    (a) Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Interior 
        (referredto in this section as the ``Secretary''), in 
        cooperation with theAdministrator of the Environmental 
        Protection Agency (referredto in this section as the 
        ``Administrator''), shall provide technicaland 
        financial assistance, in cooperation with other 
        Federalagencies, State and local governments, nonprofit 
        organizations,and the private sector--
                    (A) to identify, conserve, restore, and 
                interpret natural,recreational, historical, and 
                cultural resources within theChesapeake Bay 
                Watershed;
                    (B) to identify and utilize the collective 
                resources asChesapeake Bay Gateways sites for 
                enhancing public educationof and access to the 
                Chesapeake Bay;
                    (C) to link the Chesapeake Bay Gateways 
                sites withtrails, tour roads, scenic byways, 
                and other connectionsas determined by the 
                Secretary;
                    (D) to develop and establish Chesapeake 
                BayWatertrails comprising water routes and 
                connections toChesapeake Bay Gateways sites and 
                other land resourceswithin the Chesapeake Bay 
                Watershed; and
                    (E) to create a network of Chesapeake Bay 
                Gatewayssites and Chesapeake Bay Watertrails.
            (2) Components.--Components of the Chesapeake 
        BayGateways and Watertrails Network may include--
                    (A) State or Federal parks or refuges;
                    (B) historic seaports;
                    (C) archaeological, cultural, historical, 
                or recreationalsites; or
                    (D) other public access and interpretive 
                sites asselected by the Secretary.
    (b) Chesapeake Bay Gateways Grants Assistance Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
        theAdministrator, shall establish a Chesapeake Bay 
        GatewaysGrants Assistance Program to aid State and 
        local governments,local communities, nonprofit 
        organizations, and the private sectorin conserving, 
        restoring, and interpreting important 
        historic,cultural, recreational, and natural resources 
        within the ChesapeakeBay Watershed.
            (2) Criteria.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
        theAdministrator, shall develop appropriate 
        eligibility,prioritization, and review criteria for 
        grants under this section.
            (3) Matching funds and administrative expenses.--
        Agrant under this section--
                    (A) shall not exceed 50 percent of eligible 
                project costs;
                    (B) shall be made on the condition that 
                non-Federalsources, including in-kind 
                contributions of services or inaterials,provide 
                the remainder of eligible projekt costs; and
                    (C) shall be made on the condition that not 
                morethan 10 percent of all eligible project 
                costs be used foradministrative expenses.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for 
eachof fiscal years 1999 through [2015] 2017.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                 CHANGES IN APPLICATION OF EXISTING LAW

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the following statements are 
submitted describing the effect of provisions in the 
accompanying bill, which directly or indirectly change the 
application of existing law. In most instances these provisions 
have been included in prior appropriations Acts.
    The bill includes the following changes in application of 
existing law:

                              OVERALL BILL

    Providing that certain appropriations remain available 
until expended or extends the availability of funds beyond the 
fiscal year where programs or projects are continuing but for 
which legislation does not specifically authorize such extended 
availability. This authority tends to result in savings by 
preventing the practice of committing funds on low priority 
projects at the end of the fiscal year to avoid losing the 
funds.
    Limiting, in certain instances, the obligation of funds for 
particular functions or programs. These limitations include 
restrictions on the obligation of funds for administrative 
expenses, travel expenses, the use of consultants, and 
programmatic areas within the overall jurisdiction of a 
particular agency.
    Limiting official entertainment or reception and 
representation expenses for selected agencies in the bill.
    Continuing ongoing activities of those Federal agencies, 
which require annual authorization or additional legislation, 
which has not been enacted.

                  TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


                       Bureau of Land Management


                   MANAGEMENT OF LANDS AND RESOURCES

    Providing funds to the Bureau for the management of lands 
and resources.
    Providing funds to the National Fish and Wildlife 
Foundation under certain conditions.
    Permitting the use of fees for processing applications for 
permit to drill.
    Permitting the use of mining fee collections for program 
operations.
    Permitting the use of fees from communication site rentals.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

    Providing that the appropriation shall be derived from the 
Land and Water Conservation Fund.

                   OREGON AND CALIFORNIA GRANT LANDS

    Providing funds for the Oregon and California Grant Lands.
    Authorizing the transfer of certain collections from the 
Oregon and California Land Grants Fund to the Treasury.

                           RANGE IMPROVEMENTS

    Allowing certain funds to be transferred to the Department 
of the Interior for range improvements.

               SERVICE CHARGES, DEPOSITS, AND FORFEITURES

    Allowing the use of certain collected funds for certain 
administrative costs and operation of termination of certain 
facilities.
    Allowing the use of funds on any damaged public lands.
    Authorizing the Secretary to use monies from forfeitures, 
compromises or settlements for improvement, protection and 
rehabilitation of public lands under certain conditions.

                       MISCELLANEOUS TRUST FUNDS

    Allowing certain contributed funds to be advanced for 
administrative costs and other activities of the Bureau.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    Permitting the Bureau to enter into agreements with public 
and private entities, including States.
    Permitting the Bureau to manage improvements to which the 
United States has title.
    Permitting the payment of rewards for information on 
violations of law on Bureau lands.
    Providing for cost-sharing arrangements for printing 
services.
    Permitting the Bureau to conduct certain projects for State 
governments on a reimbursable basis.
    Prohibiting the use of funds for the destruction of wild 
horses and burros.

                United States Fish and Wildlife Service


                          RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

    Limiting funds for certain Endangered Species Act programs.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

    Providing that the appropriation shall be derived from the 
Land and Water Conservation Fund.
    Providing that funding for projects may not be used for 
administrative costs.

            COOPERATIVE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

    Providing that the appropriation shall be derived from the 
Land and Water Conservation Fund.

                    STATE AND TRIBAL WILDLIFE GRANTS

    Providing for a State and Tribal wildlife grants program.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    Providing that programs may be carried out by direct 
expenditure, contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and 
reimbursable agreements with public and private entities.
    Providing for repair of damage to public roads.
    Providing options for the purchase of land not to exceed 
$1.
    Permitting cost-shared arrangements for printing services.
    Permitting the acceptance of donated aircraft.
    Providing that fees collected for non-toxic shot review and 
approval shall be available without further appropriation for 
the expenses of non-toxic shot review related expenses.

                         National Park Service


                 OPERATION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

    Designating funds for Everglades restoration.
    Providing for repair, rehabilitation and maintenance of 
National Park Service assets.

                  NATIONAL RECREATION AND PRESERVATION

    Providing for expenses not otherwise provided for.

                         HISTORIC PRESERVATION

    Providing for expenses derived from the Historic 
Preservation Fund.

                              CONSTRUCTION

    Providing funds for construction, improvements, repair or 
replacement of physical facilities including modified water 
deliveries to Everglades National Park with certain 
restrictions.
    Providing that a single procurement may be issued for any 
project funded in fiscal year 2015 with a future phase 
indicated in the National Park Service 5-year Line Item 
Construction Plan.

                    LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND

    Rescinding Land and Water Conservation Fund contract 
authority.

                 LAND ACQUISITION AND STATE ASSISTANCE

    Providing that the appropriation shall be derived from the 
Land and Water Conservation Fund.

                          CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE

    Providing funds for Centennial Challenge projects with no 
less than 50 percent of the cost of each project derived from 
non-Federal sources.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    Allowing certain franchise fees to be available for 
expenditure without further appropriation to extinguish or 
reduce liability for certain possessory interests.
    Providing for the retention of administrative costs under 
certain Land and Water Conservation Fund programs.
    Allowing National Park Service funds to be transferred to 
the Federal Highway Administration for purposes authorized 
under 23 U.S.C. 204 for reasonable administrative support 
costs.

                    United States Geological Survey


                 SURVEYS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND RESEARCH

    Providing funds to classify lands as to their mineral and 
water resources.
    Providing funds to give engineering supervision to power 
permittees and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensees.
    Limiting funds for the conduct of new surveys on private 
property without permission.
    Limiting funds for cooperative topographic mapping or water 
resource data collection and investigations.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    Allowing funds to be used for certain contracting, 
technical services, construction, maintenance, acquisition, and 
representation expenses.
    Permitting the use of certain contracts, grants, and 
cooperative agreements.
    Recognizing students and recent graduates as Federal 
employees for the purposes of travel and work injury 
compensation.

                   Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

    Permitting funds for mineral leasing and environmental 
study; enforcing laws and contracts; and for matching grants.
    Providing that funds may be used which shall be derived 
from non-refundable cost recovery fees collected in 2014.
    Permitting the use of certain excess receipts from Outer 
Continental Shelf leasing activities.
    Providing for reasonable expenses related to volunteer 
beach and marine cleanup activities.
    Prohibiting the use of funds for regulating non-lease 
holders.

             Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

    Permitting funds for mineral leasing and environmental 
study; enforcing laws and contracts; and for matching grants.
    Providing that funds may be used which shall be derived 
from non-refundable cost recovery fees collected in 2014.
    Permitting the use of certain excess receipts from Outer 
Continental Shelf leasing activities.
    Permitting the use of funds derived from non-refundable 
inspection fees collecting in 2014.
    Requiring that not less than 50 percent of inspection fees 
expended be used on personnel, expanding capacity and reviewing 
applications for permit to drill.

                           OIL SPILL RESEARCH

    Providing that funds shall be derived from the Oil Spill 
Liability Trust Fund.

          Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement


                       REGULATION AND TECHNOLOGY

    Permitting payment to State and tribal personnel for travel 
and per diem expenses for training.
    Permitting the use of certain offsetting collections from 
permit fees.

                    ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND

    Allowing the use of debt recovery to pay for debt 
collection.
    Allowing that certain funds made available under title IV 
of Public Law 95-87 may be used for any required non-Federal 
share of the cost of certain projects.
    Allowing funds to be used for travel expenses of State and 
tribal personnel while attending certain OSM training.

        Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education


                      OPERATION OF INDIAN PROGRAMS

    Limiting funds for official reception and representation 
expenses.
    Limiting funds for welfare assistance payments, except for 
disaster relief.
    Allowing tribal priority allocation funds to be used for 
unmet welfare assistance costs.
    Providing forward-funding for school operations of Bureau-
funded schools and other education programs.
    Providing that limited funds shall be available until 
expended for certain purposes.
    Allowing the transfer of certain forestry funds.
    Allowing the use of funds to purchase uniforms or other 
identifying articles of clothing for personnel.

                              CONSTRUCTION

    Providing for the transfer of Navajo irrigation project 
funds to the Bureau of Reclamation.
    Providing that six percent of Federal Highway Trust Fund 
contract authority may be used for construction management 
costs.
    Providing Safety of Dams funds on a non-reimbursable basis.
    Requiring the use of administrative and cost accounting 
principles for certain school construction projects and 
exempting such projects from certain requirements.
    Requiring conformance with building codes and health and 
safety standards.
    Specifying the procedure for dispute resolution.
    Limiting the control of construction projects when certain 
time frames have not been met.
    Allowing reimbursement of construction costs from the 
Office of Special Trustee.

                 INDIAN GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

    Limiting funds for administrative expenses and for 
subsidizing total loan principal.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    Allowing the use of funds for direct expenditure, 
contracts, cooperative agreements, compacts, and grants.
    Allowing contracting for the San Carlos Irrigation Project.
    Limiting the use of funds for certain contracts, grants and 
cooperative agreements.
    Allowing Tribes to return appropriated funds.
    Prohibiting funding of Alaska schools.
    Limiting the number of schools and the expansion of grade 
levels in individual schools.
    Specifying distribution of indirect and administrative 
costs for certain Tribes.
    Prohibiting the implementation of a new tribal recognition 
rule.

                          Departmental Offices


             OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    Allowing the use of certain funds for official reception 
and representation expenses.
    Permitting payments to former Bureau of Mines workers.
    Designating funds for mineral revenue management 
activities.
    Designating funds for consolidated appraisal services to be 
derived from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
    Designating funds for mineral revenue management 
activities.
    Allowing certain refunds of overpayments in connection with 
certain Indian leases.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    Allowing certain payments authorized for the Payments in 
Lieu of Taxes Program to be retained for administrative 
expenses.
    Providing that no Payments in Lieu of Taxes Program payment 
be made to otherwise eligible units of local government if the 
computed amount of the payment is less than $100.
    Providing that a payment made to a unit of general local 
government for fiscal year 2016 may be reduced by the Secretary 
to correct overpayments, and increased by the Secretary to 
correct underpayments, to such unit of local government for the 
previous fiscal year.
    Extending funding for Payment in Lieu of Taxes.

                            Insular Affairs


                       ASSISTANCE TO TERRITORIES

    Designating funds for various programs and for salaries and 
expenses of the Office of Insular Affairs.
    Allowing audits of the financial transactions of the 
Territorial and Insular governments by the GAO.
    Providing grant funding under certain terms of the 
Agreement of the Special Representatives on Future United 
States Financial Assistance for the Northern Mariana Islands.
    Providing for capital infrastructure in various 
Territories.
    Allowing appropriations for disaster assistance to be used 
as non-Federal matching funds for hazard mitigation grants.

                      COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION

    Providing grants to Palau, the Marshall Islands, and 
Micronesia.

               ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS, INSULAR AFFAIRS

    Allowing, at the request of the Governor of Guam, for 
certain discretionary or mandatory funds to be used to assist 
securing certain rural electrification loans through the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture.

             Office of Special Trustee for American Indians


                         FEDERAL TRUST PROGRAMS

    Limiting the amount of funding available for the historical 
accounting of Indian trust fund accounts.
    Allowing transfers to other Department of the Interior 
accounts.
    Providing no-year funding for certain Indian Self-
Determination Act grants.
    Exempting quarterly statements for Indian trust accounts 
$15 or less.
    Requiring annual statements and records maintenance for 
Indian trust accounts.
    Limiting use of funds to correct administrative errors in 
Indian trust accounts.
    Permitting the use of recoveries from erroneous payments 
pursuant to Indian trust accounts.

                        DEPARTMENT-WIDE PROGRAMS


                        Wildland Fire Management

    Providing funds for wildland fire management.
    Designating funds for renovation or construction of fire 
facilities and designating funds for Wildfire suppression 
operations.
    Permitting the repayments of funds transferred from other 
accounts for firefighting.
    Designating funds for hazardous fuels and burned area 
rehabilitation.
    Permitting the use of funds for lodging and subsistence of 
firefighters.
    Permitting the use of grants, contracts and cooperative 
agreements for hazardous fuels reduction, including cost-
sharing and local assistance.
    Permitting cost-sharing of cooperative agreements with non-
Federal entities under certain circumstances.
    Providing for local competition for hazardous fuel 
reduction activities.
    Permitting reimbursement to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service for 
consultation activities under the Endangered Species Act.
    Providing certain terms for leases of real property with 
local governments.
    Providing for the transfer of funds between the Department 
of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture for wildland 
fire management.
    Providing funds for support of Federal emergency response 
actions.
    Allowing for international forestry assistance to or 
through the Department of State.

                FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund

    Providing funds for the FLAME fund.

                    Central Hazardous Materials Fund

    Providing funds for response action, including associated 
activities, performed pursuant to the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.

                          Working Capital Fund

    Allowing funds for the financial and business management 
system and information technology improvement.
    Prohibiting use of funds to establish reserves in the 
working capital fund with exceptions.
    Allowing assessments for reasonable charges for training 
services at the National Indian Program Center and use of these 
funds under certain conditions.
    Providing space and related facilities or the lease of 
related facilities, equipment or professional services of the 
National Indian Program Training Center to state, local and 
Tribal employees or other persons for cultural, educational or 
recreational activities.
    Providing that the Secretary may enter into grants and 
cooperative agreements to support the Office of Natural 
Resource Revenue's collection and disbursement of royalties, 
fees, and other mineral revenue proceeds, as authorized by law.

                        Administrative Provision

    Allowing acquisition of certain aircraft.
    Allowing the sale of existing aircraft with proceeds used 
to offset the purchase price of replacement aircraft.

             General Provisions, Department of the Interior

    Allowing transfer of funds for certain reconstruction of 
facilities, aircraft or utilities in emergency situations.
    Allowing transfer of funds in certain emergency situations, 
including wildfires and oil spill response, if other funds 
provided in other accounts will be exhausted within 30 days and 
a supplemental appropriation is requested as promptly as 
possible.
    Permitting the Department to use limited funding for 
certain services.
    Permitting the transfer of funds between the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs and the Office of Special Trustee for American 
Indians and limiting amounts for historical accounting 
activities.
    Authorizing the redistribution of Tribal Priority 
Allocation funds to address unmet needs.
    Authorizing the acquisition of lands and leases for Ellis, 
Governors and Liberty Islands.
    Providing the authority for the Secretary to collect 
nonrefundable inspection fees.
    Permitting the reorganization of the Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management, Enforcement and Regulation.
    Permitting the Secretary of the Interior to enter into 
long-term agreements for wild horse and burro holding 
facilities.
    Requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to mark 
hatchery salmon.
    Addressing BLM actions regarding grazing on public lands.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to implement, administer or 
enforce Secretarial Order 3310.
    Providing the Secretary of the Interior statutory authority 
to enter into rental or lease agreements that benefit Bureau of 
Indian Education operated schools.
    Authorizing funds for the Volunteers in Parks program.
    Authorizing Indian Affairs to record obligations against 
accounts receivable, provided that total obligations do not 
exceed total budgetary resources.
    Providing authorities for heritage areas.
    Limiting funds for a proposed rule for sage-grouse pursuant 
to the Endangered Species Act.
    Extending authority to pay certain offshore petroleum-
related personnel at a higher rate.
    Extending authority to pay certain onshore petroleum-
related personnel at a higher rate.
    Maintaining the status quo on regulations relating to the 
legal domestic trade and transport of products containing 
ivory.
    Requiring the reissuance of certain final rules and 
prohibiting such rules from further judicial review.
    Requiring that an interim rule pursuant to section 4(d) of 
the Endangered Species Act be amended.
    Modifying Section 14.21(a)(1) of title 50, Code of Federal 
Regulations, to include echinoderms commonly known as sea 
urchins and sea cucumbers.

               TITLE II--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY


                         Science and Technology

    Providing for operating expenses in support of research and 
development.
    Designating funding for National Priorities research as 
specified in the explanatory statement to this Act.

                 ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS AND MANAGEMENT

    Allowing hire and maintenance of passenger motor vehicles 
and operation of aircraft and purchase of reprints and library 
memberships in societies or associations which issue 
publications to members only or at a price to members lower 
than to subscribers who are not members.
    Limiting amounts for official representation and reception 
expenses.
    Providing two-year funding availability for administrative 
costs of Brownfields program.
    Designating funding for National Priorities as specified in 
the explanatory statement to this Act.

                     HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SUPERFUND

    Allowing distribution of funds to purchase services from 
other agencies under certain circumstances.
    Providing for the transfer of funds within certain agency 
accounts.

                LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK PROGRAM

    Providing for grants to Federally-recognized Indian Tribes.

                   STATE AND TRIBAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS

    Limiting funding amounts for certain programs.
    Specifying funding for capitalization grants for the Clean 
Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds and allowing 
certain amounts for additional subsidies.
    Designating funds for specific sections of law.
    Providing certain grants under authority of Section 103, 
Clean Air Act.
    Providing waivers for certain uses of Clean Water and 
Drinking Water State Revolving Funds for State administrative 
costs for grants to federally-recognized Indian Tribes and 
grants to specific Territories and Freely Associated States.
    Requiring that 10 percent Clean Water and 20 percent of 
Drinking Water funds shall be used by States for forgiveness of 
principal or negative interest loans.
    Prohibiting the use of funds for jurisdictions that permit 
development or construction of additional colonia areas.
    Providing funding for environmental information exchange 
network initiatives grants, statistical surveys of water 
resources and enhancements to State monitoring programs, tribal 
grants, and underground storage tank projects.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    Allowing awards of grants to federally-recognized Indian 
Tribes.
    Authorizing the collection and obligation of pesticide 
registration service fees.
    Allowing the transfer of funds from the ``Environmental 
Programs and Management'' account to support the Great Lakes 
Restoration Initiative and providing for certain interagency 
agreements and grants to various entities in support of this 
effort.
    Providing amounts for construction, alteration, repair, 
rehabilitation, and renovation of facilities.
    Rescinding unobligated grants.
    Providing for grants to federally recognized Tribes.

                      TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES


                             Forest Service


                     FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

    Providing funds for forest and rangeland research.
    Designating funds for the forest inventory and analysis 
program.

                       STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY

    Providing for forest health management, including 
treatments of certain pests or invasive plants, and for 
restoring damaged forests, and for cooperative forestry, 
education and land conservation activities, and conducting an 
international program.
    Providing that the appropriation for the Forest Legacy 
program shall be derived from the Land and Water Conservation 
Fund.

                         NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM

    Providing funds for the National Forest System.
    Depositing funds in the Collaborative Forest Landscape 
Restoration Fund.
    Designating funds for forest products.
    Designating funds in the Integrated Resource Restoration 
pilot program.

                  CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

    Providing funds for construction, reconstruction, and 
maintenance and acquisition of buildings and other facilities 
and infrastructure; and for construction, capital improvement, 
decommissioning, and maintenance of forest roads and trails.
    Requiring that funds becoming available in fiscal year 2016 
for the road and trails fund (16 U.S.C. 501) shall be 
transferred to the Treasury.
    Providing for the transfer of funds to the National Forest 
System for the Integrated Resource Restoration pilot program.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

    Providing that the appropriation shall be derived from the 
Land and Water Conservation Fund.

         ACQUISITION OF LANDS FOR NATIONAL FORESTS SPECIAL ACTS

    Requiring that funding for the program is derived from 
forest receipts.

            ACQUISITION OF LANDS TO COMPLETE LAND EXCHANGES

    Requiring that funding for the program is derived from 
funds deposited by State, county, or municipal governments and 
non-Federal parties pursuant to Land Sale and Exchange Acts.

                         RANGE BETTERMENT FUND

    Providing that fifty percent of monies received for grazing 
fees shall be used for range improvements and limiting 
administrative expenses to six percent.

                     GIFTS, DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS

    Providing for gifts, donations and bequest per Federal law.

          MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL FORESTS FOR SUBSISTENCE USES

    Providing funds for subsistence uses per the Alaska 
National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

                        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.

                         Indian Health Service


                         INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES

    Providing that tribal contract and grant funding is deemed 
obligated at the time of grant or contract award and remains 
available until expended.
    Providing no-year funds for contract medical care including 
the Indian Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund.
    Providing for loan repayment under sections 104 and 108 of 
the Indian Health Care Improvement Act with certain conditions 
and making the funds available for certain other purposes.
    Providing that certain contracts and grants may be 
performed in two fiscal years.
    Providing for use of collections and reporting of 
collections under Title IV of the Indian Health Care 
Improvement Act.
    Providing no-year funding for scholarship funds.
    Providing for the collection of individually identifiable 
health information relating to the Americans with Disabilities 
Act by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
    Permitting the use of Indian Health Care Improvement Fund 
monies for facilities improvement and providing no-year funding 
availability.
    Providing that certain funds are made available until 
expended.

                        Indian Health Facilities

    Providing that facilities funds may be used to purchase 
land, modular buildings and trailers.
    Providing for TRANSAM equipment to be purchased from the 
Department of Defense.
    Prohibiting the use of funds for sanitation facilities for 
new homes funded by the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development.
    Allowing for the purchase of ambulances.
    Providing for a demolition fund.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    Providing for per diem expenses for senior level positions.
    Providing for payments for telephone service in private 
residences in the field, purchase of motor vehicles, aircraft 
and reprints.
    Providing for purchase and erection of modular buildings.
    Providing funds for uniforms.
    Allowing funding to be used for attendance at professional 
meetings.
    Providing that health care may be extended to non-Indians 
at Indian Health Service facilities, subject to charges, and 
for the expenditure of collected funds.
    Providing for transfers of funds from the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development to the Indian Health Service.
    Prohibiting limitations on certain Federal travel and 
transportation expenses.
    Allowing de-obligation and re-obligation of funds applied 
to 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.
    Providing that a strategic plan be developed for the Urban 
Indian Health Program in consultation with the National Academy 
of Public Administration.

 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Toxic Substances and 
                      Environmental Public Health

    Providing for the conduct of health studies, testing, and 
monitoring.
    Providing deadlines for health assessments and studies.
    Limiting the number of toxicological profiles.

                   Executive Office of the President


  COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

    Limiting the use of funds for official reception and 
representation expenses.
    Designating the appointment and duties of the chairman.

              Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation

    Providing for the transfer of funds to the Department of 
the Interior Office of Inspector General.

             Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board

    Permitting use of funds for hire of passenger vehicles, 
uniforms or allowances, and limiting the use of funds for per 
diem expenses and the number of senior level positions.

                        Smithsonian Institution


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    Limiting certain lease terms.
    Providing for purchase of passenger vehicles and certain 
rental, repair and cleaning of uniforms.
    Designating funds for certain programs including the 
National Museum of African American History and Culture and 
providing no-year funds.
    Providing that funds may be used to support American 
overseas research centers.
    Allowing for advance payments to independent contractors 
performing research services or participating in official 
Smithsonian presentations.

                           Facilities Capital

    Designating funds for maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, 
and construction and for consultant services.

                        National Gallery of Art


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    Allowing payment in advance for membership in library, 
museum, and art associations or societies.
    Allowing for purchase, repair, and cleaning of uniforms for 
guards and employees and allowances therefor.
    Allowing purchase or rental of devices for protecting 
buildings and contents thereof, and maintenance, alteration, 
improvement, and repair of buildings, approaches, and grounds.
    Providing for restoration and repair of works of art by 
contract under certain circumstances.
    Providing no-year funds for special exhibitions.

            Repair, Restoration, and Renovation of Buildings

    Providing lease agreements of no more than 10 years 
addressing space needs created by renovations under the Master 
Facilities Plan.
    Permitting the Gallery to perform work by contract under 
certain circumstances.

             John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts


                       OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

    Providing funds to the John F. Kennedy Center for the 
Performing Arts Kennedy Center for operational and maintenance 
costs.

                     Capital Repair and Restoration

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

                    National Endowment for the Arts


                       GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION

    Providing funds for the support of projects and productions 
in the arts, including arts education and public outreach 
activities.

                 National Endowment for the Humanities


                       GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION

    Specifying funds to carry out the matching grants program.
    Allowing obligation of National Endowment for the 
Humanities current and prior year funds from gifts, bequests, 
and devises of money for which equal amounts have not 
previously been appropriated.
    Administrative Provisions, National Foundation on the Arts 
and the Humanities Prohibiting the use of funds for grants and 
contracts which do not include the text of 18 U.S.C. 1913.
    Prohibiting the use of appropriated funds and permitting 
the use of non-appropriated funds for reception expenses.
    Allowing the chairperson of the National Endowment for the 
Arts to approve small grants under certain circumstances.

                        Commission of Fine Arts


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    Permitting the charging and use of fees for its 
publications and accepting gifts related to the history of the 
Nation's Capital.

               National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs

    Providing funding for the National Capital Arts and 
Cultural Affairs.

                  National Capital Planning Commission

    Providing funding for the National Capital Planning 
Commission.
    Providing that one-quarter of one percent may be used for 
official reception and representational expenses.

                United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

    Designating funds for equipment replacement.
    Designating funds for repair, rehabilitation and for 
exhibition design and production and providing no year 
availability for these funds.

                      TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    Prohibiting the use of funds to promote or oppose 
legislative proposals on which Congressional action is 
incomplete.
    Providing for annual appropriations unless expressly 
provided otherwise in this Act.
    Providing for reprogramming procedures, disclosure of 
administrative expenses, assessments and requirements for 
operating plans.
    Continuing a limitation on accepting and processing 
applications for patents and on the patenting of Federal lands; 
permitting processing of grandfathered applications; and 
permitting third-party contractors to process grandfathered 
applications.
    Limiting the use of funds for contract support costs on 
Indian contracts.
    Allowing the extension of forest plans and prohibiting 
funds for the revised Chapter 70 of the Forest Service Handbook 
related to wilderness per the Forest and Rangeland Renewable 
Resources Planning Act.
    Limiting leasing and preleasing activities within National 
Monuments.
    Limiting takings for acquisition of lands except under 
certain conditions.
    Modifying a provision addressing timber sales involving 
Alaskan Red Cedar.
    Prohibiting funds to enter into certain no-bid contracts 
except under certain conditions.
    Requiring reports to Congress to be posted on public agency 
websites.
    Continuing a provision that delineates grant guidelines for 
the National Endowment for the Arts.
    Continuing a provision that delineates program priorities 
for the programs managed by the National Endowment for the 
Arts.
    Requiring that the Department of the Interior, the EPA, the 
Forest Service, and the Indian Health Service provide the 
Committees on Appropriations a quarterly report on the status 
of balances of appropriations.
    Requiring a government-wide report regarding expenditures 
on climate change.
    Continuing a provision prohibiting the use of funds to 
promulgate or implement any regulation requiring the issuance 
of permits under title V of the Clean Air Act for carbon 
dioxide, nitrous oxide, water vapor, or methane emissions.
    Continuing a provision prohibiting the use of funds to 
implement any provision in a rule if that provision requires 
mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from manure 
management systems.
    Providing a one-year extension of the Federal Lands 
Recreation Enhancement Act.
    Modifying authorities relating to the Dwight D. Eisenhower 
Memorial Commission.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to regulate the lead content 
of ammunition or fishing tackle.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to develop, adopt, implement, 
administer, or enforce a change or supplement to a rule or 
guidance documents pertaining to the definition of waters under 
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to develop, carry out, 
implement, or enforce proposed regulations published on June 
18, 2010.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to limit recreational shooting 
and hunting on Federal and public lands except for public 
safety.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to implement the National 
Ocean Policy under Executive Order 13547.
    Prohibiting EPA from using funds to implement, administer, 
or enforce the lead renovation rule until EPA has approved a 
commercially available lead test kit.
    Prohibiting EPA from using funds to develop, propose, 
finalize, implement, enforce, or administer any regulation that 
would establish new financial responsibility requirements under 
CERCLA.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to develop, issue, implement, 
or enforce any greenhouse gas New Source Performance Standards 
on any new or existing source that is an electric utility 
generating unit.
    Prohibiting the use of funds from making any change to the 
regulations in effect on October 1, 2012, pertaining to the 
definitions of the terms ``fill material'' or ``discharge of 
fill material''.
    Continuing a provision through fiscal year 2017 authorizing 
the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture 
to consider local contractors when awarding contracts for 
certain activities on public lands.
    Extending the authority for the Chesapeake Bay Initiative.
    Extending the maximum authorized term for grazing permits 
and leases.
    Making available vacant grazing allotments for permittees 
impacted by drought or wildfire.
    Clarifying the protection of water rights with regard to 
Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management permits.
    Limiting the use of funds for status changes of certain 
chemicals.
    Applying requirements for the use of American iron and 
steel for certain loans and grants.
    Prohibiting the use of funds pertaining to certain updates 
to the social cost of carbon.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to revise primary and 
secondary standards for ozone until at least 85 percent of 
counties in nonattainment achieve compliance with previous 
standards.
    Prohibiting the use of funds for certain activities related 
to the final rule on hydraulic fracturing on Federal and Indian 
Lands.
    Establishing a Spending Reduction Account in the bill.

                  Appropriations Not Authorized by Law

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(B) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the following table lists the 
appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not 
authorized by law:

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                   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:

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                      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:

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

               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:
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                          PROGRAM DUPLICATION

    No provision of this bill establishes or reauthorizes a 
program of the Federal government known to be duplicative of 
another Federal program, a program that was included in any 
report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress 
pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program 
related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance.

                          DIRECTED RULE MAKING

    Pursuant to section 3(1) of H. Res. 5 (114th Congress), the 
Committee estimates that the bill directs three rule makings in 
section 121 and section 122.

                    TABLE OF FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS

    The following table provides the amounts recommended by the 
Committee compared with the budget estimates by account.
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]


                             MINORITY VIEWS

    The FY 2016 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies 
appropriations bill falls far short of what is needed to 
advance the preservation of America's natural and cultural 
heritage and to protect the environment and public health. It 
is the latest in a series of measures that drastically short-
changes job-creating investments and vital environmental 
protections while carrying a laundry list of special interest 
policy riders and funding limitations that threaten the 
environment and public health and safety. As a result, we 
cannot support the bill in its current form.
    We appreciate that even as Chairman Calvert grappled with 
an inadequate subcommittee allocation, he carried out his work 
in a sincere and collaborative manner. The chairman is to be 
commended for his diligence in chairing 14 budget hearings 
where we received the testimony of nearly 150 witnesses.
    The subcommittee's 302(b) allocation for FY 2016 is $246 
million below the FY 2015 enacted level. When added to the cuts 
of the past five years, the bill is more than $2 billion below 
the FY 2010 enacted level. Moreover, when adjusted for 
inflation, this bill provides less than the appropriated levels 
in FY 2005. The majority's refusal to adopt a sufficient 
overall budget allocation for discretionary investments has led 
to a bill that severely underfunds far too many priorities.
    The current budget caps have put a stranglehold on the 
appropriations process that is dangerously eroding the 
committee's ability to meet its responsibilities to the 
American people. The President proposed to end sequestration 
through a more reasonable and realistic budget, but the 
majority has yet to engage in finding a workable solution.
    As a result of the majority's budget decisions, nearly all 
the agencies and programs funded under this bill are either 
flat-funded or receive cuts. This is despite the fact that 
environmental challenges continue to grow and threats from 
invasive species, drought, wildland fire, and climate change 
become more complex and more expensive.
    These funding decisions will harm the environment, 
undermine efforts to conserve our natural and cultural 
heritage, and limit our ability to meet our bipartisan 
commitment to improve the social and economic well-being of 
Native Americans.
    This year we received compelling testimony on the unmet 
needs in Indian Country, especially in the areas of education 
and health. Yet, the bill's inadequate budget allocation means 
that many Native American programs would receive far less 
funding than the President requested.
    2016 marks the Centennial of the National Park Service 
(NPS). However, even with park visitation at a record high, 
this bill fails to adequately invest in the National Park 
System and severely underfunds programs to enhance national 
parks as part of the NPS Centennial and preserve and interpret 
America's history as part of the Civil Rights Initiative.
    The pattern of shortchanging important programs is 
continued with the Land and Water Conservation Fund, where 
funding is cut by more than 25% below the FY 2015 enacted 
level. Wildlife programs are underfunded as well, with cuts or 
flat funding to programs that assist in the recovery of species 
or help prevent their listing in the first place. Funding 
decisions such as these set the Endangered Species Act up to 
fail.
    We remain troubled by the majority's continued assault year 
after year on the programs carried out by the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA). The most significant funding cut in 
the bill is again to the EPA, which would receive $718 million 
less than the FY 2015 enacted level, a 9% cut. This would be on 
top of the nearly 20% cut the agency has received over the past 
four years.
    The funding and policy decisions made in this bill threaten 
the quality of the very air we breathe and water we drink. And 
the consequences will be negatively felt in communities across 
this nation.
    The more than half billion dollar cut to the Clean Water 
and Safe Drinking Water Revolving Funds undermines programs 
that protect our drinking water, prevent the spread of disease, 
and create jobs in our communities.
    Rapidly escalating wildland fire costs are taking a larger 
and larger share of the funding available under the bill. Total 
fire costs in the bill are now nearly $4 billion or 13.2% of 
all funding. We need some relief from these mounting costs. Our 
colleague, Rep. Mike Simpson, has proposed the best solution: 
funding major wildland fire costs under the existing disaster 
relief budget cap.
    We are disappointed that the committee did not adopt the 
amendment offered by Rep. McCollum to fund a portion of the FY 
2016 wildland fire budget under the disaster relief budget cap. 
This approach has been endorsed by the administration, a 
diverse array of groups, and compliments bipartisan legislation 
that was introduced in this Congress and the last Congress. An 
added benefit of the amendment is that it would have freed up 
$407 million in the bill to put towards the clean water and 
safe drinking water revolving funds.
    We strongly oppose the numerous special interest riders and 
funding limitations included in this bill. These provisions 
don't belong in the bill. They only serve to undermine our 
nation's bedrock environmental laws, endanger public health and 
safety, and deny the impact that climate change is having on 
our planet.
    These provisions would substantially modify environmental 
and natural resource management policy, including making 
permanent changes in law and blocking implementation and 
enforcement of current and proposed rules. They should not be 
slipped into appropriations bills.
    Rep. McCollum's amendment, which was not adopted, would 
have stricken 24 of these riders and funding limitations from 
the bill, many of whose genesis was from stand-alone 
legislation that has repeatedly failed to be enacted into law. 
Suspending Clean Air and Clean Water Act enforcement, 
obstructing the listing of certain species under the Endangered 
Species Act, and blocking proposals to address greenhouse gas 
emissions are just a few examples of these problematic 
provisions.
    Among other amendments, there was an effort by Rep. Lowey 
to strip language from the bill that stops the EPA from 
implementing its lead abatement rule. The dangers from exposure 
to lead-based paint and lead contaminated dust are well 
established. The fact that this amendment was defeated places 
the health of millions of Americans, especially children, at 
risk.
    We are more than willing to support a bill that includes 
adequate funding levels to grow our economy, protect our 
environment, and refrains from including special interest 
riders and funding limitations.
    We are hopeful that as this bill moves through the 
legislative process it's funding and policy shortfalls can be 
corrected. We stand ready to work with the chairman and others 
to make improvements to the bill so that in the end we can have 
a legislative product that can garner bipartisan support.

                                   Nita M. Lowey.
                                   Betty McCollum.

                                  [all]