[House Report 115-765]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


115th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session                                                     115-765

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

 
     DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                       APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2019

                                _______
                                

 June 19, 2018.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

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

                              R E P O R T

                             together with

                            DISSENTING VIEWS

                        [To accompany H.R. 6147]

    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, 2019. The bill provides 
regular annual appropriations for the Department of the 
Interior (except the Bureau of Reclamation and the Central Utah 
Project), the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other 
related agencies, including the Forest Service, the Indian 
Health Service, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National 
Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities.

                                CONTENTS

                                                            Page Number

                                                            Bill Report
Title I--Department of the Interior:                            2
                                                                      7
        Bureau of Land Management..........................     2
                                                                      7
        United States Fish and Wildlife Service............     8
                                                                     11
        National Park Service..............................    14
                                                                     20
        United States Geological Survey....................    19
                                                                     30
        Bureau of Ocean Energy Management..................    22
                                                                     34
        Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.....    23
                                                                     35
        Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and 
            Enforcement....................................    25
                                                                     36
        Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian 
            Education......................................    28
                                                                     38
        Office of the Secretary............................    38
                                                                     44
        Insular Affairs....................................    40
                                                                     45
        Office of the Solicitor............................    43
                                                                     46
        Office of Inspector General........................    43
                                                                     46
        Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians.    43
                                                                     46
        Department-wide Programs:                              46
                                                                     48
        Wildland Fire Management, Interior Department......    46
                                                                     48
        Central Hazardous Materials Fund...................    49
                                                                     49
        Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration.    49
                                                                     49
        Working Capital Fund...............................    50
                                                                     49
        Office of Natural Resources Revenue................    52
                                                                     50
        Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT)...................    52
                                                                     50
        General Provisions, Department of the Interior.....    52
                                                                     50
Title II--Environmental Protection Agency:                     64
                                                                     51
        Science and Technology.............................    64
                                                                     53
        Environmental Programs and Management..............    65
                                                                     56
        Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund....
                                                                     61
        Office of Inspector General........................    66
                                                                     61
        Buildings and Facilities...........................    67
                                                                     61
        Hazardous Substance Superfund......................    67
                                                                     62
        Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program    68
                                                                     63
        Inland Oil Spill Programs..........................    68
                                                                     64
        State and Tribal Assistance Grants.................    69
                                                                     64
        Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program 
            Account........................................    77
                                                                     67
        Administrative Provisions..........................    78
                                                                     67
Title III--Related Agencies:                                   82
                                                                     68
        Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources 
            and Environment................................    82
                                                                     68
        Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.....    82
                                                                     70
        Wildland Fire Management, Forest Service...........    87
                                                                     78
        Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health 
            and Human Services.............................    95
                                                                     78
        National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences   105
                                                                     81
        Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry...   105
                                                                     82
        Other Related Agencies:                               106
                                                                     82
        Council on Environmental Quality and Office of 
            Environmental Quality..........................   106
                                                                     82
        Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.....   107
                                                                     83
        Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation........   108
                                                                     84
        Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native 
            Culture and Arts Development...................   109
                                                                     84
        Smithsonian Institution............................   109
                                                                     84
        National Gallery of Art............................   110
                                                                     87
        John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.....   112
                                                                     87
        Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars...   113
                                                                     88
        National Endowment for the Arts....................   113
                                                                     88
        National Endowment for the Humanities..............   113
                                                                     90
        Commission of Fine Arts............................   115
                                                                     91
        National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs.........   116
                                                                     91
        Advisory Council on Historic Preservation..........   116
                                                                     91
        National Capital Planning Commission...............   116
                                                                     92
        United States Holocaust Memorial Museum............   116
                                                                     92
        Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission...........   117
                                                                     93
        Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission.............   117
                                                                     93
        World War I Centennial Commission..................   117
                                                                     94
Title IV--General Provisions:                                 118
                                                                     94
        Dissenting Views...................................
                                                                    217

                              INTRODUCTION

    The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2019 totals 
$35,252,000,000, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level.
    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 2019   fiscal year 2019   budget estimates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I, Department of the Interior:
    New budget authority...............................    $10,526,970,000    $13,046,509,000    +$2,519,539,000
Title II, Environmental Protection Agency:
    New budget authority...............................     $6,191,887,000     $7,958,488,000    +$1,766,601,000
Title III, Related Agencies:
    New budget authority...............................    $11,558,033,000    $13,882,003,000    +$2,323,970,000
Title IV, General Provisions:
    New budget authority...............................                 $0       $365,000,000      +$365,000,000
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
          Grand total, New budget authority............    $28,276,890,000    $35,252,000,000    +$6,975,110,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Committee Oversight

    Members of Congress have provided considerable input in 
fashioning this bill. In total, 364 Members submitted 5,220 
programmatic requests relating to multiple agencies and 
programs.
    The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies 
Subcommittee conducted nine budget hearings and briefings this 
year (including four hearings involving American Indians and 
Alaska Natives) to carefully review the programs and budgets 
under its jurisdiction. The Subcommittee held the following 
oversight hearings:
    Department of the Interior FY19 budget oversight hearing--
April 11, 2018
    Smithsonian Institution FY19 budget oversight hearing--
April 12, 2018
    Indian Health Service FY19 budget oversight hearing--April 
17, 2018
    Members of Congress Witness Day hearing--April 19, 2018
    Environmental Protection Agency FY19 budget oversight 
hearing--April 26, 2018
    American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--May 9, 2018 
(morning)
    American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--May 9, 2018 
(afternoon)
    American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--May 10, 
2018 (morning)
    American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--May 10, 
2018 (afternoon)
    In total, 89 individuals representing the Executive Branch, 
Congress, State, Tribal, and local governments, and the general 
public testified before the Subcommittee. In addition to those 
who testified in person, another 64 Members of Congress, 
organizations, or coalitions provided written testimony for the 
hearing record which is publicly available online.

                    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 2018, 49 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will 
receive PILT payments. The projected full-year cost estimate 
for PILT for fiscal year 2019 is not yet available and will be 
considered by the Committee at such time as the Department 
conveys this information to the Committee prior to the 
enactment of this Act. The Committee includes bill language 
providing $500,000,000 in PILT funding for fiscal year 2019, 
$35,000,000 above the budget request.

                        RECREATION FEE AUTHORITY

    Enacted in 2004, the Federal Land Recreation Enhancement 
Act (FLREA) authorized five agencies to collect and expend 
recreation fees on land they manage: the Department of the 
Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of 
Reclamation (BOR), National Park Service (NPS), and U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's Forest Service (USFS). These fees, which leverage 
other funding sources and complement appropriated dollars, 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 
$312 million, of which the National Park Service collects 
nearly $284 million. In 2017, the recreation fee program 
collected nearly $419 million from the Forest Service and the 
Department of the Interior combined. An extension of recreation 
fee authority is necessary for land managers to plan for 
upcoming seasons including selling annual passes, hiring 
seasonal employees, planning projects, organizing volunteers, 
and accepting reservations. The Committee has included within 
Title IV General Provisions a one-year extension of the current 
recreation fee authority as requested.

                           COST OF LITIGATION

    The Committee remains concerned that many of the legitimate 
goals of the Forest Service, the Department of the Interior, 
and other agencies under the Committee's jurisdiction--as well 
as the work of this Committee--are undermined by litigation 
filed in an effort to shift land management decisions from the 
agencies to the courts, regardless of merit.
    Litigation is a huge unbudgeted cost for land management 
agencies. The Committee is concerned that, as budgets shrink, 
agencies are forced to settle lawsuits quickly because they 
don't have funds available to complete court-imposed work. In 
addition, the courts are not concerned whether agencies have 
funding necessary to meet court mandates. As a result, the 
courts are playing an increasing role in determining how and 
where agencies use their funding.
    Given ongoing concerns, the Department of the Interior, 
EPA, and the Forest Service are directed to provide to the 
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, and to make 
publicly available no later than 60 days after enactment of 
this Act, detailed Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) fee 
information as specified in House Report 112-151.

                          STATE WILDLIFE DATA

    The Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest Service are 
expected to prioritize continued coordination with other 
Federal agencies and State fish and wildlife agencies to 
recognize and fully utilize State fish and wildlife data and 
analyses as a primary source to inform land use, planning, and 
related natural resource decisions. Federal agencies should not 
unnecessarily duplicate raw data, but when appropriate, 
evaluate existing analysis of data prepared by the States, and 
reciprocally share data with State wildlife managers, to ensure 
that the most complete data set is available for decision 
support systems.

                            PAPER REDUCTION

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

                   EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS

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

                       HARASSMENT-FREE WORKPLACE

    The Committee continues to be deeply concerned about 
reports of harassment and hostile work environments and notes 
with disappointment the finding from the Department of the 
Interior's 2017 Work Environment Study that 35 percent of its 
employees experienced some form of harassment and/or assault-
related behaviors in the 12 months preceding the survey. The 
Committee expects all Federal employees, including those in 
leadership positions at the agencies funded through this bill, 
to take the necessary steps to create and maintain harassment-
free workplaces and directs the Department of the Interior and 
Environmental Protection Agency to comply with the directive 
included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L. 
115-31) by July 1, 2018.

                    LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND

    The Committee recognizes that investments in the Land and 
Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) support public land conservation 
and ensure access to the outdoors for all Americans and 
provides $360,199,000 for LWCF programs.
    The recommendation includes funding for projects expected 
to be submitted to the Committee for Congressional 
consideration in accordance with the direction provided in the 
explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 115-141. 
Consistent with the process used in previous fiscal years, the 
Committee will review and recommend levels of funding based on 
Congressional priorities including, but not limited to, strong 
State and local support for the project, leveraging of existing 
lands, increased access to recreational opportunities, and 
project-readiness.

                21ST CENTURY CONSERVATION SERVICE CORPS

    The Committee encourages the Departments of Agriculture and 
the Interior to continue facilitating the approval of 21st 
Century Conservation Service Corps organizations and work in 
partnership to engage young adults and veterans in 
conservation, recreation, infrastructure, wildfire, disaster 
response, and community development service projects on public 
lands and in rural and urban communities, as authorized by the 
Public Lands Corps Act (16 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.).

                          TRIBAL CONSULTATION

    The Committee notes with concern the frustrations heard 
from Tribes about agency failures to conduct ``true'' and 
``meaningful'' government-to-government consultation. Although 
the level of frustration varies by agency and event, the common 
theme is that while most consultations solicit input and 
feedback from Tribes, the communication is one way and fails to 
return feedback to Tribes. Tribes often report that they don't 
know whether and how their input is considered. On decisions 
made in consultation with Tribes, the Committee expects 
agencies funded in this bill to publish decision rationale in 
the context of and in reasonable detail to the Tribal input 
received during consultation.

                      ARTS AND HUMANITIES ADVOCACY

    The Committee acknowledges and appreciates decades of arts 
and humanities advocacy by the late Rep. Louise M. Slaughter. 
In her memory, the Committee encourages NEA and NEH to expand 
grant-making activities in a manner that honors her advocacy, 
especially in rural and under-served areas, so more Americans 
are able to benefit from the economic, social, and educational 
impacts of the arts and humanities.

                        REPROGRAMMING GUIDELINES

    The Committee retains the reprogramming guidelines 
contained in the joint explanatory statement accompanying 
Public Law 115-141.

                  TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


                       Bureau of Land Management


                   MANAGEMENT OF LANDS AND RESOURCES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................    $1,166,043,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       911,320,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................     1,228,579,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       +62,536,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +317,259,000
 

    The Committee recommends $1,228,579,000 for Management of 
Lands and Resources, $62,536,000 above the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level and $317,259,000 above the budget request. A 
detailed table of funding recommendations below the account 
level is provided at the end of this report.
    The Committee does not accept the Bureau's proposal to 
consolidate accounts within Management of Land and Resources at 
this time. However, the Committee appreciates the Bureau's 
efforts to reduce complexity in its budget and increase its 
flexibility so that it can better achieve its multiple-use 
mission and will work with the Bureau throughout the fiscal 
year 2019 appropriations process to determine the best path 
forward.
    The Bureau is encouraged to promote and expand the use of 
agreements with Indian Tribes to protect Indian trust resources 
from catastrophic wildfire, insect and disease infestation or 
other threats from adjacent Federal lands, as authorized by 
law.
    Soil, Water, and Air Management.--The Committee recommends 
$43,609,000 for soil, water, and air management, equal to the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $43,609,000 above the budget 
request.
    The Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program is funded 
at $2,000,000. The Committee requests that the Bureau provide 
detailed information in its fiscal year 2020 budget request for 
the program and work with the basin States to conduct a long-
term trend analysis on salinity levels in the Colorado River 
Basin.
    Bighorn Sheep.--The Bureau is encouraged to collaborate 
with the U.S. Forest Service and the Agricultural Research 
Service on research involving the risk of disease transmission 
between domestic and bighorn sheep.
    Plant Conservation Program.--The Committee is pleased the 
Bureau's plant conservation program is back on track. The 
Committee expects no additional delays in program 
implementation in fiscal year 2019 and encourages the Bureau to 
focus on increasing the availability of appropriate seed to 
address high-priority restoration needs and to collaboratively 
work with other Federal agencies, States, researchers, and 
private partners to implement the strategy.
    Aquifer Recharge and Water Quality.--The Committee 
encourages the Bureau to continue to work with the State of 
Idaho to provide appropriate access to Federal lands for the 
purposes of aquifer recharge projects and to work with Blaine 
County and interested community stakeholders to address the 
increased sediment buildup in the Hulen Meadows Pond by 
examining collaborative solutions to restoring the pond to 
adequate health through dredging and other cost-effective 
measures.
    Drought in Western United States.--The Committee is 
concerned about the ongoing drought affecting the western 
United States and supports the Bureau's work with the State of 
Utah, through the Watershed Restoration Initiative, to develop 
water resources to benefit the public, wildlife, endangered 
species, permittees, and other users. The Bureau is encouraged 
to continue to work with the State and other interested 
entities to identify and pursue the highest priority projects.
    Wild Horse and Burro Management.--The Committee recommends 
$90,000,000 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, $15,000,000 
above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $23,281,000 above 
the budget request. The Committee notes that its recommendation 
may change based upon the receipt of additional information 
prior to enactment of the fiscal year 2019 Interior 
Appropriations Act.
    The Committee appreciates the April 26, 2018, report to 
Congress titled ``Management Options for a Sustainable Wild 
Horse and Burro Program'' and recognizes the challenges 
Congress, the Bureau, and interested stakeholders face in 
setting this program on a better course to reduce costs, 
improve the condition of the range, and ensure a healthy wild 
horse and burro population. The Committee strongly encourages 
all parties to work together to address these challenges.
    The Committee requests that the Bureau conduct an analysis 
that identifies factors for success, total funding 
requirements, and expected results on potential options that 
(1) remove animals from the range; (2) increase the use of 
sterilization; (3) increase the use of short-term fertility 
control; (4) provide an adoption incentive of $1,000 per 
animal; and either (a) allow animals older than 10 years of age 
to be humanely euthanized; or (b) prohibit the use of 
euthanasia on healthy wild horses and burros.
    The Committee also requests an analysis on (1) options to 
enter into long-term contractual or partnership agreements with 
private, non-profit entities to reduce the cost of holding wild 
horses and burros for their natural lives and (2) the 
feasibility of assigning full responsibility for care for wild 
horses and burros removed from the range to these types of 
entities.
    The Committee further directs the Bureau to immediately 
begin designing the regulatory framework and technical 
protocols for an active sterilization program. The Bureau 
should ensure it considers the health and welfare of individual 
wild horses and burros and their populations and evaluates the 
costs of such a program. It also should draw upon the expertise 
of Federal, State, and private equine veterinarians, veterinary 
medical schools, and those with related training and 
experience.
    In the bill, the Committee provides the Bureau legislative 
authority to manage groups of wild horses and burros as non-
reproducing or single sex herds, including through the use of 
chemical or surgical sterilization.
    The bill maintains existing protections regarding the sale 
and use of euthanasia for wild horses and burros and continues 
two general provisions within Title I allowing the Bureau to 
enter into long-term contracts and agreements for holding 
facilities off the range and for the humane transfer of excess 
animals for work purposes.
    Wildlife Management.--The Committee recommends 
$103,281,000, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. This 
includes $60,000,000 for sage-grouse and related sage-steppe 
conservation activities, which is equal to the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level.
    Recreation Resources Management.--The Committee recommends 
$55,465,000 for recreation resources management, $1,000,000 
above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $2,231,000 above 
the budget request. The recommended increase is provided to 
support the Bureau's front line field office staff in States 
that have taken on additional recreational responsibilities 
that have affected delivery of land management programs and 
services.
    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.
    Off-Highway Vehicle Pilot Program.--The Committee directs 
the Bureau to develop guidance and procedures that the 
California State Office can use to implement an independent 
monitoring pilot program for certain off-highway vehicle 
events. The guidance should include eligibility criteria and 
responsibilities for organizations that are independent 
monitors, as well as a clear process that State or field 
offices can use to partner with organizations for independent 
monitoring. The Committee encourages the Bureau to work with 
the off-highway vehicle community and other interested entities 
to refine the pilot so that it can be successfully implemented 
on a broader scale.
    Energy and Minerals.--The Committee recommends a total of 
$200,089,000, $6,161,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $15,123,000 above the budget request.
    Soda Ash.--The Committee is concerned about maintaining the 
United States' global competitiveness in the production of 
natural soda ash and supports a reduction in the Federal 
royalty rate for soda ash mined on Federal land to a minimum of 
2 percent, which is consistent with current law. The Committee 
directs the Bureau to take the necessary steps to reduce the 
Federal royalty rate for soda ash as appropriate.
    Placer Mining Reclamation Activities.--The Committee 
continues to hear concerns about the new reclamation standards 
for placer mining operations and directs the Bureau to work 
with States and placer miners to address these concerns.
    Realty and Ownership Management.--The Committee recommends 
a total of $73,480,000, $1,000,000 below the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level and $11,610,000 above the budget request.
    Red River Survey.--The Bureau is directed to contract with 
independent, third-party surveyors who are licensed and 
qualified to conduct official gradient boundary surveys and who 
are selected jointly and operate under the direction of the 
Texas General Land Office and the Oklahoma Commissioners of the 
Land Office, in consultation with each affected federally 
recognized Indian tribe.
    Resource Management Planning.--Committee recommends 
$62,125,000 for resource management planning, $2,000,000 above 
the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $25,994,000 above the 
budget request. The additional funds are provided to support 
the planning process for newly created and recently modified 
National Monuments.
    Law Enforcement.--The Committee recommends $29,000,000 for 
law enforcement, $1,384,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $4,834,000 above the budget request. The additional 
funds are provided to fill vacant ranger positions.
    Transportation and Facilities Maintenance.--The Committee 
recommends $154,201,000 for Transportation and Facilities 
Maintenance, $35,875,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $95,702,000 above the budget request. This includes 
an additional $35,000,000 to address deferred maintenance 
needs.
    National Landscape Conservation System.--The Committee 
recommends $36,819,000 for the national landscape conservation 
system, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$10,559,000 above the budget request.
    The Committee notes the Bureau has been working with Canyon 
Lake, California, regarding the sale and disposal of a parcel 
of BLM land and encourages the Bureau to expeditiously conclude 
the negotiations.
    The Committee directs the Bureau to prioritize filling 
critical staff vacancies at the State and field level and 
requests a report showing the approved staffing plans for each 
field component, including vacant positions, by September 30, 
2018, and semiannual updates on the status of efforts to fill 
these vacancies.
    The Committee supports the innovative use of technology to 
improve the timeliness and accuracy of permitting decisions and 
encourages the Bureau to continue to partner with industry on 
these efforts, as appropriate. The Committee directs the Bureau 
to provide a report within 90 days of enactment of this Act on 
the feasibility of developing and implementing a remote permit 
demonstration project that utilizes technologies, such as high-
definition video and GPS location data, to facilitate the 
permit decision-making process. The report should include 
information on the cost and staffing requirements for the 
Bureau, the role of industry, and the types of technologies and 
practices that could be utilized.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $24,916,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        -6,608,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        17,392,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        -7,524,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +24,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $17,392,000 for land acquisition, 
$7,524,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$24,000,000 above the budget request. A detailed table of 
funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 
the end of this report.
    The Committee does not have sufficient information to 
recommend specific Federal acquisition projects at this time, 
but will review and recommend levels of funding for projects 
submitted to the Committee in accordance with the direction 
provided in the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 
115-141.

                   OREGON AND CALIFORNIA GRANT LANDS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $106,985,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        90,031,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       106,985,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +16,954,000
 

    The Committee recommends $106,985,000 for the Oregon and 
California grant lands, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $16,954,000 above the budget request. The Committee 
accepts the Bureau's new budget structure that provides for a 
Western Oregon Grant Lands Management program. 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 $25,850,000 for Service Charges, Deposits, and 
Forfeitures, as requested.

                       MISCELLANEOUS TRUST FUNDS

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

          ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

    The Committee recommendation includes the requested 
Administrative Provisions as enacted in the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2018.

                UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal 
agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing 
fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats. The Service 
manages more than 150 million acres in the National Wildlife 
Refuge System, which encompasses 566 national wildlife refuges, 
thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas 
and Marine National Monuments. It also operates 71 national 
fish hatcheries, 65 fish and wildlife management offices, and 
80 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces 
Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, 
manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally 
significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat 
such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their 
conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance 
program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in 
excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to State fish and 
wildlife agencies.

                          RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................    $1,279,002,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................     1,130,644,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................     1,288,808,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +9,806,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +158,164,000
 

    The Committee recommends $1,288,808,000 for Resource 
Management. All subactivities and program elements presented in 
the budget estimate submitted to the Congress are continued at 
fiscal year 2018 enacted levels and adjusted for requested 
fixed costs and transfers. None of the requested program 
changes are agreed to unless specifically addressed below. 
Recommended program changes, instructions, and details follow 
below and in the table at the end of this report. Additional 
instructions are included in the front of this report.
    Ecological Services.--The recommendation includes 
$249,661,000 in Ecological Services for Endangered Species Act 
and related activities, $1,836,000 above the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level and $37,885,000 above the budget request. 
Ecological Services programs are expected to focus on 
inherently Federal activities to the greatest extent 
practicable.
    Listing.--The recommendation includes $10,941,000 as 
requested for ESA listings and related activities. Bill 
language is continued as requested in order to protect the rest 
of the Resource Management account from listing-related 
judicial mandates.
    The Service is commended for ensuring that States impacted 
by a potential listing are provided the opportunity to be 
involved in or lead the Species Status Assessment process.
    The Service is expected to work with the States to develop 
reasonable regulatory assurance criteria that include 
responsible land management commitments by private landowners, 
as discussed in detail in House Report 115-238.
    Planning and Consultation.--The recommendation includes 
$108,169,000 for timely evaluations and permitting of 
development projects that contribute to economic growth and job 
creation, $2,590,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. 
Included is a $50,000 program increase as requested for energy 
consultations, and a $1,907,000 general program increase which 
should be allocated in proportion to workload as measured 
across the Service rather than by region.
    The Service is urged to provide technical assistance upon 
request from partners making good faith efforts to develop and 
implement responsible Habitat Conservation Plans.
    The Committee is aware of the ongoing re-consultation by 
the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (FWS), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), 
the State of California, and local public agencies identified 
in Section 4004 of Public Law 114-322, on coordinated 
operations of the Central Valley Project and the California 
State Water Project. The Committee directs the Secretary of the 
Interior, acting through the Director of the Fish and Wildlife 
Service, in conjunction with the Secretary of Commerce, to 
ensure completion of the biological opinions by May 31, 2020, 
consistent with Section 4004 of Public Law 114-322. 
Furthermore, the Committee requests the Secretary of the 
Interior submit to Congress a timeline and plan for the 
deployment of resources and staff to ensure the biological 
opinions are completed by the above date, as well as regular 
subsequent updates until the biological opinions are finalized. 
In addition, given the complexities surrounding this issue, the 
Committee strongly encourages the Secretary of the Interior to 
work with the Secretary of Commerce to develop a joint 
biological opinion, to the extent practicable, to minimize 
conflicts between potential reasonable and prudent 
alternatives/measures imposed by a biological opinion issued by 
FWS and a biological opinion imposed by NMFS. In its notice of 
intent dated December 29, 2017, the Bureau of Reclamation 
stated the purpose of this re-consultation is ``to evaluate 
alternatives that maximize water deliveries and optimize 
marketable power generation consistent with applicable laws, 
contractual obligations, and agreements; and to augment 
operational flexibility by addressing the status of listed 
species.'' The Committee supports these objectives.
    Conservation and Restoration.--The recommendation includes 
$34,031,000 for Conservation and Restoration, $1,635,000 above 
the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. Included is a $1,457,000 
general program increase for Candidate Conservation, which 
should be allocated to Regions having adopted the Southeast 
model of true collaboration with the States.
    Recovery.--The recommendation includes $96,520,000 for 
Endangered Species Act recovery activities, $5,488,000 above 
the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. Funding to recover 
threatened and endangered bats affected by white nose syndrome 
is continued at $2,000,000. The recommendation includes a 
$2,543,000 general program increase as requested for inherently 
Federal activities, and an equal $2,543,000 program increase 
for Recovery Challenge matching grants to incentivize greater 
public and private involvement in recovery activities that are 
not inherently Federal.
    Recovery Challenge matching grants are to be used to 
implement high priority recovery actions as prescribed in 
recovery plans, including genetically-sound breeding, rearing, 
and reintroduction programs. Longstanding partnerships, 
including for the northern aplomado falcon, California condor, 
and Steller's eider, should be funded at not less than 
$2,000,000 and partner contributions should be not less than 
their current amounts. The remaining funds should be dedicated 
to new, multi-year partnerships and should require a 50:50 
match, which may include in-kind services. Unless an affected 
State is a partner on the project, none of the funds may be 
awarded to a project until the project partners have consulted 
with such State. The Service is expected to enter into an 
agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to 
administer the program in full consultation with the Service 
and subject to Service approval of all grants and cooperative 
agreements. None of the funds may be used for indirect costs.
    The Livestock Loss Demonstration Program is continued at 
$1,000,000. The Service is directed to explore the feasibility 
of expanding the Livestock Loss Demonstration Program to 
include the Florida panther, and to report back to the 
Committee within 120 days of enactment of this Act.
    The Service is directed to complete all five-year reviews 
within the 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 and complete the rulemaking process prior to 
initiating the next status review for such species. In addition 
to amounts discussed above, $4,373,000 is provided exclusively 
to eliminate the backlog of downlistings and delistings.
    The Committee notes the ongoing study to determine whether 
or not animals currently classified as red wolves and Mexican 
gray wolves are taxonomically valid species and subspecies 
designations, respectively. If the Service concludes that such 
animals are not taxonomically valid, the Service is directed to 
propose rules to remove such animals from the List of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in section 17.11 of title 
50, Code of Federal Regulations.
    Habitat Conservation.--The recommendation includes 
$65,290,000 for voluntary, non-regulatory habitat conservation 
partnerships with public and private landowners, of which 
$51,870,000 is to implement the Partners for Fish and Wildlife 
Act and $13,420,000 is for the Coastal Program.
    National Wildlife Refuge System.--The recommendation 
includes $488,773,000 for the National Wildlife Refuge System, 
$2,016,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level.
    The recommendation supports the directive in House Report 
114-632 instituting signage on any individual refuge where 
trapping occurs and establishing guidance to be included in the 
refuge manual. Until the Committee is notified in writing that 
all directives are complied with, $2,000,000 of the funding 
provided for Wildlife and Habitat Management is not available 
for obligation.
    The Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge and 
Conservation Area was created to protect one of the last 
remaining grassland and longleaf pine savanna landscapes in 
eastern North America while securing water resources for seven 
million people in south Florida. The Committee supports 
collaborative efforts to protect, restore, and conserve 
habitats for one of the greatest ecological treasures of the 
United States.
    The Committee notes with concern the Service's unilateral 
decision to change the name of the Loess Bluffs National 
Wildlife Refuge without first consulting local stakeholders via 
an open process. The Service is directed to update its manual 
to require consultation before deciding whether or not to 
change the name of a refuge. The Service is further directed to 
open the public process within 30 days of enactment of this 
Act, on the question of whether or not to rename the Loess 
Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge.
    Migratory Bird Management.--The recommendation includes 
$46,113,000 for migratory bird management, of which $350,000 is 
for bird-livestock conflicts. The Service is commended for its 
efforts to work with landowners to reduce black vulture 
predation on livestock.
    The Committee supports the Migratory Bird Program's 
strategic investment in new technologies to more effectively 
track the movements of bats and migrating birds and requests a 
briefing on the two-year study to test the ability of digital 
high-frequency nanotag transmitters.
    Aviation Management is increased to $3,237,000 as requested 
but is transferred to the General Operations activity to more 
accurately reflect the program's responsibilities across the 
Service.
    Law Enforcement.--The recommendation includes $77,380,000 
for law enforcement. Funds appropriated specifically to combat 
wildlife trafficking may continue to be used as necessary to 
supplement inspections.
    The Service is directed to enforce illegal logging 
violations pursuant to the Lacey Act.
    The Service is expected to fully address the 
recommendations in Government Accountability Office report GAO-
18-7, regarding the clarification of roles and responsibilities 
for combatting wildlife trafficking in Southeast Asia.
    International Affairs.--The recommendation includes 
$15,895,000 for international affairs. The recommendation 
includes requested increases of $1,093,000 to combat wildlife 
trafficking and $368,000 to modernize the international trade 
permitting system. The increases are offset by a general 
reduction in international conservation financial and technical 
assistance as requested, which are funded through the 
Multinational Species Conservation Fund.
    The Committee recognizes the Service's work with Honduras, 
El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico to conserve priority species 
and ecosystems, and urges the continuation of these 
international partnerships in fiscal year 2019.
    Fish and Aquatic Conservation.--The recommendation includes 
$163,316,000 for Fish and Aquatic Conservation as discussed 
below. The Service is expected to continue its tradition since 
1871 of improving freshwater subsistence, commercial, and 
recreational fishing.
    National Fish Hatchery System Operations.--The 
recommendation provides $56,107,000 and includes: $550,000 to 
implement the Great Lakes Consent Decree; $1,430,000 for the 
national wild fish health survey program, $1,475,000 to 
continue mass marking salmonids in the Pacific Northwest; and 
$1,200,000 for the Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership. 
The Service is encouraged to reexamine its funding priorities 
with regard to the National Fish Hatchery System and to take 
return on investment into account in determining those 
priorities.
    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 Tribes.
    The Service is expected to continue funding mitigation 
hatchery programs via reimbursable agreements with Federal 
partners. Future agreements should include reimbursement for 
production, facilities, and administrative costs. The Service 
is expected to ensure that its costs are fully reimbursed 
before proposing to reduce or redirect base funding.
    Maintenance and Equipment.--The recommendation provides 
$22,965,000, which includes $13,249,000 to reduce the deferred 
maintenance backlog and which, in addition to amounts provided 
in the Construction account, should continue to be allocated to 
facilities with the most severe health and safety deficiencies 
across the System as a whole, rather than by region. All other 
funds should continue to be allocated as in prior years and 
should include mitigation hatcheries as needed to supplement 
reimbursable funds.
    Habitat Assessment and Restoration.--The recommendation 
includes $32,678,000, of which: $268,000 is for the Chehalis 
Fisheries Restoration Program; $5,000,000 is to implement the 
Delaware River Basin Conservation Act; $13,998,000 is for the 
National Fish Passage Program; and $6,664,000 is for the 
National Fish Habitat Action Plan. The Service is expected to 
be transparent with its partners regarding Federal costs for 
program coordination and administration of the National Fish 
Habitat Action Plan. The Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement is 
funded at $1,610,000 as requested.
    Population Assessment and Cooperative Management.--The 
recommendation provides $30,250,000, of which $554,000 is to 
implement the Great Lakes Consent Decree, and $455,000 is to 
implement the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act. 
The Lake Champlain sea lamprey program is funded at the 
requested level.
    Aquatic Invasive Species.--The recommendation includes 
$21,748,000, of which: $1,000,000 is to help States implement 
plans required by the National Invasive Species Act (NISA); 
$1,623,000 is for NISA coordination; $3,088,000 is to implement 
subsection 5(d)(2) of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act; 
$10,400,000 is for controlling Asian carp in the Mississippi 
and Ohio River Basins and preventing them from entering and 
establishing in the Great Lakes; and $2,000,000 is to prevent 
the spread of quagga and zebra mussels in the West.
    Of the amount recommended for Asian carp control and 
prevention, $2,000,000 is to expand and perfect the combined 
use of contract fishing and deterrents to extirpate Asian carp, 
including grass carp, where already established, pursuant to 
individual State laws and regulations and as called for in 
management plans. Contract fishing has proven to be an 
extremely effective management tool and it is not meant to 
develop a sustainable commercial fishery. The Service shall 
continue to work with its State partners to gather data to 
analyze the impacts of contract fishing to control abundance 
and movement of Asian carp.
    Cooperative Landscape Conservation.--The recommendation 
provides $12,988,000 for cooperative landscape conservation. 
The Committee recognizes the disparate levels of partner 
support across the States and expects the Service to focus 
funding where partnerships are strong.
    Science Support.--The recommendation includes $17,267,000 
for the Science Support program and includes $3,500,000 for 
white-nose syndrome in bats. The Service should continue to co-
lead and implement the North American Bat Monitoring Program 
with other Federal, State, and non-governmental partners. The 
Service is expected to partner with Cooperative Research Units 
whenever possible.
    General Operations.--The recommendation includes 
$152,125,000 for General Operations programs, and includes 
requested program changes for Central and Regional Office 
operations, including the proposed realignment for common 
regional boundaries.
    The recommendation includes $12,022,000 for the National 
Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and includes $2,000,000 
previously provided through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
and $3,000,000 previously provided through the Forest Service. 
Bill language is added requiring that NFWF match the funds and 
authorizing an advance lump-sum grant, as was previously 
provided through the BLM and Forest Service. NFWF is expected 
to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service on the use of 
these funds to help the Service meet its mission and strategic 
goals. In addition, NFWF is expected to administer the Delaware 
River Basin Conservation Act program and the Recovery Challenge 
grant program in full consultation with the Service, as 
discussed previously in this report.
    Aviation Management is funded at $3,237,000 as requested 
but is transferred from Migratory Bird Management in order to 
accurately reflect the program's responsibilities across the 
Service.
    The Service is encouraged to explore the benefits of States 
using a portion of funds allocated by the Pittman-Robertson 
Wildlife Restoration Act for public relations or any activity 
or project designed to recruit or retain hunters and 
recreational shooters.
    Everglades.--The recommendation continues funding at fiscal 
year 2018 enacted levels across multiple programs for 
Everglades restoration and implementation of the Comprehensive 
Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).

                              CONSTRUCTION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $66,540,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        13,746,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        59,734,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        -6,806,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +45,988,000
 

    The Committee recommends $59,734,000 for Construction and 
includes $44,961,000 for the backlog of deferred maintenance 
principally at national fish hatcheries and national wildlife 
refuges. Within line-item construction, the recommendation does 
not include requested new projects at Valle de Oro and Midway 
Atoll National Wildlife Refuges. The detailed allocation of 
funding by activity is included in the table at the end of this 
explanatory statement.
    When a construction project is completed or terminated and 
appropriated funds remain, the Service may use those balances 
to respond to unforeseen reconstruction, replacement, or repair 
of facilities or equipment damaged or destroyed by storms, 
floods, fires and similar unanticipated events.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $63,839,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         6,953,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        47,438,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       -16,401,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +40,485,000
 

    The Committee recommends $47,438,000 for land acquisition, 
$16,401,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$40,485,000 above the budget request. A detailed table of 
funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 
the end of this report.
    The Committee does not have sufficient information to 
recommend specific Federal acquisition projects at this time, 
but will review and recommend levels of funding for projects 
submitted to the Committee in accordance with the direction 
provided in the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 
115-141.
    In a time when budgetary constraints allow for only a 
limited number of new land acquisition projects, the Committee 
is encouraged by programs that leverage public/private 
partnerships for land conservation like the Highlands 
Conservation Act, which has a record of more than a 2 to 1 
ratio in non-Federal matching funds. Therefore, the Committee 
recommendation includes $10,000,000 for the Highlands 
Conservation Act Grants and directs the Fish and Wildlife 
Service to work with the Highlands States regarding priority 
projects for fiscal year 2019.

            COOPERATIVE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

    The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund 
(CESCF; Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act), administered 
by the Service's Ecological Services program, provides grant 
funding to States and Territories for species and habitat 
conservation actions on non-Federal lands, including habitat 
acquisition, conservation planning, habitat restoration, status 
surveys, captive propagation and reintroduction, research, and 
education.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $53,495,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................                 0
Recommended, 2019.....................................        53,495,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +53,495,000
 

    The Committee recommends $53,495,000 for the Cooperative 
Endangered Species Conservation Fund, equal to the fiscal year 
2018 enacted level. A detailed table of funding recommendations 
below the account level is provided at the end of this report. 
The Service is commended for lifting the cap on funding for 
each Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), and is expected to 
continue to apportion funding to HCPs based on need in order to 
eliminate unobligated balances.
    The Service is strongly encouraged to consider structuring 
land acquisitions for HCPs in a manner similar to projects in 
the Land Acquisition account. Such projects are typically 
delineated by refuge unit, and high priority projects are 
typically funded over several years. In so doing, the Service 
and its partners are able to plan more efficiently and move 
more quickly when willing sellers become available.
    The Service is expected to seek consensus agreement with 
the State regarding the use of funds before awarding any 
traditional conservation grant.

                     NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FUND

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

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $13,228,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................                 0
Recommended, 2019.....................................        13,228,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +13,228,000
 

    The Committee recommends $13,228,000 for the National 
Wildlife Refuge Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level.

               NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION FUND

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

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $40,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        33,600,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        42,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +2,000,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +8,400,000
 

    The Committee recommends $42,000,000 for the North American 
Wetlands Conservation Fund, $2,000,000 above the fiscal year 
2018 enacted level.

                NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION

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

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................        $3,910,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         3,900,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................         3,910,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................           +10,000
 

    The Committee recommends $3,910,000 for neotropical 
migratory bird conservation, equal to the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level.

                MULTINATIONAL SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

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

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $11,061,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         6,000,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        11,061,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +5,061,000
 

    The Committee recommends $11,061,000 for the Multinational 
Species Conservation Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level. A detailed table of funding recommendations 
below the account level is provided at the end of this report.

                    STATE AND TRIBAL WILDLIFE GRANTS

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

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $63,571,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        31,286,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        63,571,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +32,285,000
 

    The Committee recommends $63,571,000 for State and Tribal 
Wildlife Grants, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. A 
detailed table of funding recommendations below the account 
level is provided at the end of this report. Funding for 
competitive grants is restored and the Service is directed to 
focus such grants on species included in the most recent 
Candidate Notice of Review. States are encouraged to do the 
same with the formula grants to the greatest extent 
practicable.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    The recommendation continues various administrative 
provisions from fiscal year 2018. The requested authority for 
reimbursement of damages is not included. The Service should 
seek this authority from the authorizing committees of 
jurisdiction.

                         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 417 separate and distinct units, is recognized 
globally as a leader in park management and resource 
preservation. The national park system represents much of the 
finest the Nation has to offer in terms of natural beauty and 
wildlife, historical and archeological relics, and cultural 
heritage. Through its varied sites, the National Park Service 
attempts to explain America's history, interpret its culture, 
preserve examples of its natural ecosystems, and provide 
recreational and educational opportunities for U.S. citizens 
and visitors from all over the world. In addition, the National 
Park Service provides support to Tribal, local, and State 
governments to preserve culturally significant, ecologically 
important, and public recreational lands.

                 OPERATION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................    $2,477,969,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................     2,425,117,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................     2,527,810,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       +49,841,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +102,693,000
 

    The Committee recommends $2,527,810,000 for Operation of 
the National Park System (ONPS), $49,841,000 above the fiscal 
year 2018 enacted level and $102,693,000 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:
    Operation of the National Park System.--Maintaining 
operations and visitor services at our national parks is a core 
responsibility of the Service. The Committee notes that our 
national parks hosted nearly 331 million recreation visits in 
2017. Of the 385 park units that track visitors, 61 set new 
visitation records. In recent years, the Committee has made a 
concerted effort to direct appropriated funds toward the ONPS 
account to support a variety of critical priorities. These 
funds support operations and visitor services including law 
enforcement; facility operations; new responsibilities and 
critical needs at new Park Service units including sites 
associated with the Civil Rights movement; and longstanding 
deferred maintenance priorities including repair and 
rehabilitation projects and cyclic maintenance needs on high 
priority park assets across the entire system.
    The Committee opposes reductions proposed in the budget 
request that would diminish visitor services and reduce park 
and program operations system-wide. Such actions would have an 
immediate impact on day-to-day operations and would result in 
limiting the use of or closing certain areas, such as 
campgrounds and facilities, and reducing or eliminating hours 
of operations and visitor services to the public, at national 
parks. Proposed reductions to both the seasonal and permanent 
workforce would also have an immediate impact on park 
operations. Such proposals do not serve the public well 
particularly at this time of record National Park Service 
visitation.
    Resource Stewardship.--The bill provides $334,437,000 for 
resource stewardship, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level. The bill includes $3,000,000, equal to the fiscal year 
2018 enacted level, to continue zebra and quagga mussel 
containment, prevention, and enforcement efforts.
    Visitor Services.--The bill provides $255,683,000 for 
visitor services, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. 
The bill includes funding for the National Capital Area 
Performing Arts Program, which was proposed for termination in 
the budget request, at the fiscal year 2018 enacted level.
    Park Protection.--The bill provides $362,226,000 for park 
protection, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level.
    Facility Maintenance and Operations.--The bill provides 
$850,019,000 for facility maintenance and operations, 
$40,000,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. The 
recommendation retains the increases for repair and 
rehabilitation projects and cyclic maintenance needs included 
in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018. The bill includes 
an additional $15,000,000 for repair and rehabilitation 
projects and $25,000,000 for cyclic maintenance needs. These 
funds are critical to addressing longstanding deferred 
maintenance needs across the Service.
    Park Support.--The bill provides $540,012,000 for park 
support, $3,980,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. 
The recommendation includes $1,080,000 as requested to support 
new responsibilities at existing park units and $900,000 to 
support the Department's proposal to establish common regional 
boundaries. Further, the recommendation includes $2,000,000 to 
support an open, competitively awarded process for upgrading 
Global Positioning System (GPS) devices used by the Service.
    The Committee recommendation for Operation of the National 
Park System includes the following additional guidance:
    Aquatic Invasive Mussels.--The Committee remains concerned 
about the rapid spread of quagga and zebra mussels in the 
western United States. Regional coordination of prevention 
efforts and watercraft inspection programs is vital to protect 
western water bodies from invasive mussels. The Committee 
recognizes and commends the considerable effort and 
collaboration involving western governors, as well as Federal, 
State, and Tribal partners, to develop a package of actions and 
initiatives to protect areas in the West from the economic and 
ecological threats posed by invasive mussels.
    The Committee directs the Secretary of the Interior, in 
cooperation with the Chief of the Forest Service, through the 
Secretary of Agriculture, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/
Civil Works, to work with the Western Governors Association and 
individual western governors to develop a joint Federal/State 
incident command system that would allow for cooperative and 
rapid response to new detections of invasive mussels in the 
West. Such incident command system must address appropriate 
division of labor between Federal and State governments, 
identify pre-arranged mechanisms for the Federal/State partners 
to fund rapid response actions, and address in advance any 
necessary environmental compliance requirements that might be 
associated with a predictable range of rapid response actions. 
The Committee expects a report on the creation of such an 
incident command system within 180 days of enactment of this 
Act.
    Further, consistent with fiscal year 2018, the Committee 
provides the Service with $3,000,000 for quagga and zebra 
mussel containment, prevention, and enforcement. These funds 
complement additional funds contained in this bill directed 
toward protecting our waterways and ecosystems from the serious 
threat of invasive mussels and other invasive species.
    Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.--The 
Committee is concerned that the Service's preliminary report of 
May 1, 2018 did not include a structured plan to move forward 
on the effort to identify sites for a permanent headquarters 
and visitor use facility at the Mississippi National River and 
Recreation Area. The Service is directed to work with the 
General Services Administration and other government and non-
government partners to further evaluate potential sites, and to 
identify a timeline and necessary steps to proceed to the 
development of a permanent headquarters before the expiration 
of the current Park office lease. The Service shall report back 
to the Committee on its progress within 90 days of the 
enactment of this Act.
    Elwha Water Facilities.--The Committee commends the 
Department for its willingness to address longstanding issues 
relating to the Elwha Water Facilities. The Committee reminds 
the Service of the directive contained in the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115-141) to work with the 
City of Port Angeles in developing a report, within six months 
from the date of enactment, outlining how the Service has met 
or intends to meet its obligations under Section 4(a)(3) of 
Public Law 102-495 prior to initiating any transfer of the 
Elwha Water Facilities. Per the directive, the report must 
include (1) a plan to assist the City in securing all necessary 
permits required for the City to operate the EWF; and (2) 
whether the City believes capital improvements are required to 
reduce operating costs, and if so, the scope of the capital 
improvements. The Committee urges the parties to reach 
agreement on transfer expeditiously.
    St. Anthony Falls Lock.--The Committee is aware that the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is undertaking a study related to 
the disposition of St. Anthony Falls Lock in Minnesota. The 
Committee opposes the Service taking on the ownership of this 
lock, as it is beyond the Service's current operations and 
could require significant funds. As such, prior to entering 
into any agreement with the Corps regarding ownership of the 
lock or establishment of facilities operated or maintained by 
the Service at the lock, the Service is directed to request and 
receive any necessary appropriations from Congress.
    Hydration in Park Units.--The management of disposable 
plastic water bottles at facilities managed by the National 
Park Service has been inconsistent under the prior two 
Administrations. Despite the inconsistencies in policy, the 
Committee believes efforts should be taken to provide visitors 
to national parks with choices when it comes to hydration. The 
Committee urges the Service to prioritize hydration options for 
visitors, including the sale of bottled water and other 
beverages and the use of free water filling stations.
    Everglades Restoration.--The Committee notes the 
substantial progress made toward restoration of the Everglades 
ecosystem and continues to support, at the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level, this multi-year effort to preserve one of the 
great ecological treasures of the United States.
    Equipment Modernization.--The Committee notes that the 
Service's current inventory of GPS equipment utilizes an 
operating system which is no longer supported by the 
manufacturer thereby precluding any software or security 
upgrades on devices presently in use resulting in their 
incompatibility with the Service's information technology 
infrastructure. The recommendation includes $2,000,000 to 
support an open, competitive process for upgrading Global 
Positioning System (GPS) devices used by the Service.
    Gettysburg National Military Park.--The Committee is 
concerned about degradation at Little Round Top impacting 
earthworks and commemorative monuments. The Committee urges the 
Service to assess on-the-ground conditions and proceed with 
rehabilitation plans, including walking paths, to ensure the 
area is preserved for future generations.
    Human Trafficking in National Parks.--The Committee notes 
concern raised about reports of human trafficking in our 
nation's national parks. The Committee urges the Service to 
provide training to staff to identify signs of trafficking and 
how to combat it.
    Outreach.--The Committee recognizes that the Service has 
taken steps to increase outreach, make parks more accessible, 
and increase recruitment within minority schools and 
communities. The Committee encourages the Service to continue 
these efforts and work to develop partnerships and programs 
with Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges 
and Universities, and other Minority Serving Institutions that 
contribute to the mission of the National Park Service.
    World Heritage Sites.--The Committee urges the Service to 
prioritize funding for the backlog of maintenance and 
preservation projects including National Park System units 
designated as World Heritage Sites.
    Arlington Memorial Bridge.--The Committee commends the 
Department for its efforts, working with bipartisan Federal, 
State, and local leaders, to secure $227,000,000 to 
rehabilitate the Arlington Memorial Bridge, a historic and 
critical transportation link in the nation's capital. As 
awarded, the design-build contract will save $35,000,000 and 
accelerate the project's completion by 18 months. Major 
construction is scheduled to begin later in 2018.
    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 2018 enacted level.
    Yosemite Medical Clinic.--The Committee recognizes the 
valuable medical services provided by the Yosemite National 
Park Medical Clinic. With the nearest full-service hospital 
hours away, Yosemite National Park has operated a medical 
clinic since 1929 to stabilize and treat victims of illnesses 
and injuries within the park. The Committee understands that 
the clinic no longer has retention authority for fees collected 
by the clinic for services provided. The Committee urges the 
Service to report to the Committee within 60 days of enactment 
of this Act on steps being taken to ensure the continued 
operation of the clinic in fiscal year 2019.
    World War I Memorial (Pershing Park).--The Committee 
supports the creation of a national World War I Memorial to be 
dedicated to those who sacrificed for freedom. The Committee 
urges the Service to prioritize funding for its backlog of 
maintenance projects, including Pershing Park in Washington DC.
    Historic Working Dairies and Ranches.--The Committee urges 
the National Park Service to save and preserve, for purposes of 
public recreation, benefit, and inspiration, a portion of the 
diminishing seashore of the United States that remains 
undeveloped, and to sustain the working dairies and ranches on 
agricultural property for historic and cultural uses.
    National Park Service Commercial Use Authorization Fee.--
The Committee notes concerns raised by commercial tour 
operators regarding the Service's April 2018 plan standardizing 
its Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) requirements and changes 
to CUA fees for road-based commercial tour operators. The 
Committee urges the Service to engage in constructive dialogue 
with affected stakeholders to address these concerns.
    U.S. Virgin Islands.--The Committee is aware that the 
Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands has requested initiation of 
discussions between the USVI Government and the Service to 
identify a suitable location for a USVI school on National Park 
Service land. The Committee directs the Service to participate 
in these discussions with the goal of finding a mutually-
agreeable solution.
    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 costs and security risks of alternative 
sites before making final decisions on the future location of 
permanent security screening facilities.

                  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, 2018...........................       $63,638,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        32,199,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        63,638,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +31,439,000
 

    The Committee recommends $63,638,000 for national 
recreation and preservation, equal to the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level. 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.--The bill provides 
$20,321,000 for the Heritage Partnership Program (HPP), equal 
to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. These funds support 
grants to local nonprofit groups in support of historical and 
cultural recognition, preservation and tourism activities. The 
Committee commends the Alliance of National Heritage Areas for, 
in response to congressional direction, developing an 
allocation model that maintains core services of more 
established areas while proposing additional resources to newer 
areas. The Committee notes this progress and directs the 
Service to work with heritage areas to further develop 
consensus toward a sustainable funding distribution. As this 
effort continues, the Committee expects the Service to 
distribute funds in the same manner as fiscal year 2018. 
Further, the Committee encourages the timely obligation of 
Heritage Partnership Program funding by the Department.
    Chesapeake Gateways and Trails.--The Committee maintains 
funding for the Chesapeake Gateways and Trails program at the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level.
    Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation 
Grants.--The Committee supports the Native American Graves 
Protection and Repatriation Grant Program and maintains funding 
at the fiscal year 2018 enacted level.
    Japanese American Confinement Site Grants.--The Committee 
supports the Japanese American Confinement Site Grant Program 
and maintains funding at the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. 
The program 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 American Battlefield 
Protection Program and maintains funding at the fiscal year 
2018 enacted level. The Committee recognizes the importance of 
public-private partnerships to maintain the preservation of 
America's battlefields and urges the Service to give priority 
to projects with broad partner support, including non-profits, 
academic institutions, and regional, State, Tribal and local 
government agencies, and in which the partner commits to match 
the grants on a 1:1 basis. The Committee is aware of increased 
workload and associated delays in grant processing due to the 
program's expansion of eligibility to sites associated with the 
Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, and has provided funds 
within the Land Acquisition and State Assistance account to 
allow for the timely review and processing of grants.
    Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic 
District.--The Committee recognizes the Shenandoah Valley 
Battlefields National Historic District covering eight counties 
in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Shenandoah Valley 
Battlefields Foundation that manages and protects it, as a 
unique model for the protection and preservation of nationally 
significant sites. The Committee urges the National Park 
Service to work with the District and the authorizing 
committees of jurisdiction to ensure that authorities provided 
under the District's enabling legislation are fully utilized to 
maximize the effectiveness of this unique and proven public-
private partnership.
    Crossroads of the West Historic District.--The Committee 
supports the congressionally created Crossroads of the West 
Historic District and urges the Service to support efforts to 
tie the culture and historic resources of the District to the 
broader story of the importance of railroads, including the 
transcontinental railroad, in the settlement of the American 
West.
    Maritime Heritage Preservation.--The Committee is aware of 
the Service's cooperative partnership with the Maritime 
Administration to promote public awareness and appreciation for 
the Nation's maritime heritage, including the National Maritime 
Heritage Grant Program. The Committee supports the efforts of 
this grant program to advance educational efforts and address 
preservation of historically significant maritime properties, 
including historic battleships. The Committee urges the Service 
to consider threats to and significance of maritime resources 
when making preservation grant awards.
    Wetumpka Marine Impact Crater.--The Wetumpka Impact Crater, 
located in Elmore County, Alabama, is a uniquely preserved 
marine impact crater created approximately 80 million years ago 
when an asteroid measuring an estimated 350 meters in diameter 
struck a coastal basin under 300-400 feet of water. The crater 
is widely considered to be the best preserved marine impact 
crater ever discovered and one of only about six in the entire 
world. Given that the crater is an extremely rare and well-
preserved geologic feature of national and international 
significance, the Committee urges the Service to assess the 
suitability of designating the Wetumpka Marine Impact Crater as 
a National Natural Landmark.

                       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, 2018...........................       $96,910,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        32,672,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        91,910,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        -5,000,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +59,238,000
 

    The Committee recommends $91,910,000 for historic 
preservation, $5,000,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level.
    Additional Guidance.--The following guidance is provided 
with respect to funding provided within this account:
    State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices.--The bill 
provides $48,925,000 for State Historic Preservation Offices 
and $11,485,000 for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, equal 
to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. The Committee encourages 
the Service, in consultation with State Historic Preservation 
Officers, to evaluate the Historic Preservation Grants Manual 
to consider the threshold for a Tier 3 apportionment. The bill 
also provides the following grant program funding at the fiscal 
year 2018 enacted level: $13,500,000 for competitive grants of 
which $500,000 is for grants to underserved communities and 
$13,000,000 is for competitive grants to document, interpret, 
and preserve historical sites associated with the Civil Rights 
Movement; $5,000,000 for competitive grants to Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and $13,000,000 for 
the Save America's Treasures competitive grant program for 
preservation of nationally significant sites, structures, and 
artifacts.

                              CONSTRUCTION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $359,704,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       241,333,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       366,333,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +6,629,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +125,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $366,333,000 for Construction, 
$6,629,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$125,000,000 above the budget request.
    Line-Item Construction.--The bill provides $157,011,000 for 
line-item construction including $149,011,000 for line-item 
construction projects in the fiscal year 2019 budget request. 
Requests for reprogramming will be considered pursuant to the 
guidelines contained in this report.
    General Program Increase.--A general program increase of 
$125,000,000 above the budget request is provided to address 
only longstanding deferred maintenance and major construction 
related requirements of the Service. The Committee directs the 
Service to provide no later than 60 days after enactment of 
this Act an operating plan for allocation of funds.
    Helium Act Mandatory Appropriation.--The Committee supports 
the two-year funding provided by the Helium Stewardship Act (PL 
113-40) for the National Park Service for deferred maintenance 
and to correct deficiencies in infrastructure. Funding in 
fiscal year 2018 supported 29 projects at 17 parks with 25 
partners contributing $28.8 million. The Committee recognizes 
the importance of public-private partnerships to leverage this 
funding.
    Bill Language.--The Committee has maintained bill language 
from prior years providing that a single procurement may be 
issued which includes the full scope of the project for any 
project initially funded in a fiscal year with a future phase 
indicated in the 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, 2018...........................                $0
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       -28,140,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................                 0
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +28,140,000
 

    The bill does not include the rescission of the annual 
contract authority provided by 16 U.S.C. 460l-10a in fiscal 
year 2019.

                 LAND ACQUISITION AND STATE ASSISTANCE

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $180,941,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        -1,212,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       172,363,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        -8,578,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +173,575,000
 

    The Committee recommends $172,363,000 for land acquisition 
and state assistance, $8,578,000 below the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level and $173,575,000 above the budget request.
    The recommendation includes $100,000,000 for State 
Conservation Grants; $20,000,000 for the competitive Outdoor 
Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) grant program; and 
$22,000,000 for acquisitions. Additionally, $10,000,000 is 
included for the American Battlefield Protection Program 
(ABPP), equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. The 
Committee recommends $4,069,000 for inholdings, donations, and 
exchanges and encourages the Service to prioritize acquiring 
inholdings at National Battlefield Parks. A detailed table of 
funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 
the end of this report.
    The Committee does not have sufficient information to 
recommend specific Federal acquisition projects at this time, 
but will review and recommend levels of funding for projects 
submitted to the Committee in accordance with the direction 
provided in the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 
115-141.

                          CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $23,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................                 0
Recommended, 2019.....................................        30,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +7,000,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +30,000,000
 

    The Committee has provided $30,000,000 for the Centennial 
Challenge matching grant program. From amounts in the 
Centennial Challenge account, the Committee urges the 
Department to make $5,000,000 available for critical programs 
and projects, pursuant to 54 U.S.C. 1011 Subchapter II, subject 
to the terms and conditions outlined in Title IV of P.L. 114-
289. The Committee notes that the $20,000,000 in Centennial 
Challenge funds provided to the Service in fiscal year 2017 was 
matched with nearly $33,000,000 from partner organizations 
nationwide. The Committee commends the National Park Foundation 
and other non-Federal partners for their efforts to address 
longstanding deferred maintenance needs across the National 
Park System.
    The Committee understands that funds provided will be 
matched on at least a 1:1 basis and administered under existing 
Service partnership authorities. Funds provided will be 
dedicated to supporting signature projects and programs which 
provide critical enhancements for the parks beyond amounts 
provided for basic operations. The Committee directs that 
preference be given to projects that have a clear and immediate 
visitor benefit as well as a higher partner match. The 
Committee further encourages the Service to provide 
consideration to Centennial Challenge projects which have a 
deferred maintenance component in order to alleviate the 
sizeable deferred maintenance backlog within the System. The 
Committee notes that the Service has a long history of working 
with philanthropic partners and fully supports the use of 
public-private partnerships wherever feasible.

                    United States Geological Survey

    The United States Geological Survey (USGS, or ``Survey'') 
was established by an Act of Congress on March 3, 1879, to 
support the mission of the Department of the Interior and its 
science requirements. The USGS also works in collaboration with 
other Federal, State, and Tribal cooperators to conduct 
research and provide scientific data and information to 
describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and 
property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, 
energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our 
quality of life. The USGS is the Federal government's largest 
earth-science research agency and the primary source of data on 
the Nation's surface and ground water resources. 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, 2018...........................    $1,148,457,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       859,680,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................     1,167,291,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       +18,834,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +307,611,000
 

    The Committee recommends $1,167,291,000 for Surveys, 
Investigations, and Research, $18,834,000 above the fiscal year 
2018 enacted level and $307,611,000 above the budget request. 
The Committee recommends that any administrative savings 
identified for a program be used to address base staffing needs 
within that program. A detailed table of funding 
recommendations below the account level is provided at the end 
of this report.
    The Survey provides critical scientific research and data 
to land and water managers in priority landscapes including the 
California Bay Delta, the Everglades, the Chesapeake Bay and 
the Great Lakes. This work is funded through multiple mission 
areas and accounts, and the Committee expects this work to 
continue at no less than fiscal year 2018 funding levels.
    Ecosystems.--The Committee recommends $157,748,000 for 
Ecosystems programs. The Committee recognizes that other 
Interior bureaus, Federal, State, Tribal and local partners 
rely on the Survey's Species-Specific Wildlife Research, 
Species-Specific Fisheries Research, and Land and Water 
Management Research programs, and recommends these programs 
continue to be funded at fiscal year 2018 enacted levels.
    The Committee is concerned that despite collaborative 
efforts to understand and enhance the Great Lakes ecosystem, 
significant data gaps still exist. The Committee encourages the 
Survey to host a collaborative forum with Federal, State, and 
Tribal partners, academia, and other interested stakeholders to 
share current science, identify data gaps and areas of concern, 
and to prioritize next steps and identify resources needed for 
a Great Lakes integrated science plan. The Survey should brief 
the Committee on the findings from this forum and what is 
needed for this plan by the end of fiscal year 2019.
    The recommendation includes Contaminants Research funding 
at the fiscal year 2018 enacted levels.
    The Committee continues to be concerned about the economic, 
ecologic, and health threats posed by invasive species. The 
recommendation includes $6,620,000 for Asian carp control, 
which includes $1,000,000 for research on Asian grass carp to 
contain or eradicate them. Additionally, the Committee 
recognizes that invasive species managers face continued 
challenges from ongoing invasions by wide-spread weed species, 
such as cheatgrass. These challenges can be confronted through 
development of new tools for ongoing management and early 
detection and rapid response efforts. The Committee recommends 
an additional $200,000 for such efforts.
    The Committee recognizes the value of the Cooperative 
Research Units (CRUs) program and rejects the proposed 
elimination of the program. The recommendation includes an 
additional $1,916,000 for the purposes of filling critical 
vacancies at research institutions as quickly as practicable. 
The CRUs are expected to coordinate new research projects with 
the Fish and Wildlife Service to the greatest extent 
practicable.
    Land Resources.--The Committee recommends $158,299,000 for 
Land Resources. The recommendation includes an additional 
$5,800,000 for the continued development of a ground system for 
Landsat-9 and provides the $11,905,000 needed for the 
maintenance, hardware, and software refresh of satellite 
operations. Within funds provided for the National Land Imaging 
program, $4,847,000 is included for the National Civil 
Applications Center and $1,215,000 for Remote Sensing State 
grants.
    Energy, Mineral, and Environmental Health.--The Committee 
recommends $106,900,000 for Energy, Mineral Resources and 
Environmental Health.
    The Committee supports the Survey's efforts to develop a 
Three Dimensional mapping and Economic Empowerment Program, to 
improve the topographic, geological, and geophysical mapping of 
the United States and provides $10,598,000 for this program. 
The Committee understands the Survey is still in the process of 
finalizing its proposed prioritization and implementation plan, 
and directs the program to brief the Committee on the plan and 
funding break-out once it is finalized.
    The Committee understands the Secretary is in the process 
of reviewing the list of critical minerals the Survey compiled 
in accordance with Presidential Executive Order No. 13817, and 
encourages consideration of phosphate rock for the importance 
of phosphate fertilizer availability for agriculture and food 
security.
    The Committee supports the continued operations of the 
Environmental Health program. The recommendation funds 
Containment Biology at the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
provides a $200,000 increase to the Toxic Substances Hydrology 
program. The Committee supports the continuation of USGS 
research on understanding the prevalence of toxins in the 
nation's natural bodies of water by expanding its understanding 
of cyanobacteria and toxins in stream and wetland ecosystems, 
and directs no less than $1,750,000 to these efforts. USGS is 
encouraged to participate in interagency efforts to expedite 
the development and deployment of remote sensing tools to 
assist with early event warning delivered through mobile 
devices and web portals.
    Natural Hazards.--The Committee recommends $170,108,000 for 
natural hazards programs.
    The Committee strongly supports the Earthquake Hazards 
program and includes a $3,200,000 increase for base staffing 
necessary to support the Advanced National Seismic System 
(ANSS). The Committee recommends $16,100,000 for continued 
development and expansion of the ShakeAlert West Coast 
earthquake early warning (EEW) system and $5,000,000 in 
infrastructure funding for capital costs associated with the 
buildout of the ShakeAlert EEW. Additionally, the 
recommendation includes $5,000,000 in infrastructure funding 
for ANSS deferred maintenance and modernization.
    The Committee is concerned about the lack of knowledge and 
offshore real-time instrumentation available for the Cascadia 
subduction zone. Our scientific understanding of earthquakes 
and the ocean environment will benefit from the wealth of 
offshore data that should be collected. The continued 
development of an early earthquake warning system for the 
Cascadia region would help prepare for and mitigate the 
negative human and economic impacts to the Pacific Northwest.
    The Committee commends the Survey and the National Science 
Foundation (NSF) for the successful transition of EarthScope 
stations in the Central and Eastern U.S. Network (CEUSN) and 
includes $800,000 for the program. Fiscal year 2018 funding 
included $1,400,000 for the adoption of EarthScope US Array 
seismic stations in Alaska from the NSF. The Committee 
encourages continued coordination between the Survey and NSF, 
and supports a transition plan cost schedule with the same 
terms the agencies were able to arrange for the CEUSN.
    The Committee recommends $32,766,000 for the Volcano 
Hazards program, of which $1,500,000 is provided for base 
staffing needs and $1,500,000 is for seismometer and radio 
telemetry modernization. The reduction from fiscal year 2018 
funding is not a cut to the program, but a removal of the one-
time infrastructure funding provided for the repair and 
replacement of analog systems on high-threat volcanoes. The 
Survey is directed to keep the Committee informed on progress 
made with the additional funding provided in the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141).
    The Committee remains concerned that systems and equipment 
used to monitor, detect, and warn the public of volcano and 
seismic hazards, including lahars, and earthquakes on high-
threat volcanoes in the U.S., are outdated and inadequate to 
address the substantial risks, and recommends $2,645,000, 
including $1,645,000 in infrastructure funding, for necessary 
work on next-generation lahar detection systems at very high-
threat volcanoes.
    The Committee recommends $3,688,000 for the Landslides 
Hazards program, with a $150,000 increase above the fiscal year 
2018 enacted funding level provided to advance tools and 
methods for post-wildfire debris flow hazard assessments and 
early warning.
    The USGS Geomagnetism program is part of the U.S. National 
Space Weather Program (NSWP), an interagency collaboration that 
includes programs in the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, the Department of Defense, the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Science 
Foundation. The program provides data to the NSWP agencies, oil 
drilling services companies, geophysical surveying companies, 
and electrical transmission utilities. The Committee funds this 
program at the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and expects this 
work to continue.
    The Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources program 
supports hazards programs across the Survey and the 
Administration's priorities to ensure secure and reliable 
supplies of critical mineral and energy resources. The 
recommendation includes $41,710,000, a $1,200,000 increase 
above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level to support staffing 
needs, restore cooperative agreements with State agencies and 
academic institutions, and increase research vessel sea-time 
for offshore surveys and investigations.
    Water Resources.--The Committee recommends $231,123,000 for 
Water Resources. The recommendation rejects reductions to 
Research and Development to Advance Water Science, formerly the 
National Research Program, which would reduce research at USGS 
Water Science Centers across the country. Regional Groundwater 
Evaluations in the Coastal Lowlands and California Coastal 
Basin Aquifers, and the Groundwater Model Development, 
Maintenance, and Sustainability program are funded at fiscal 
year 2018 levels.
    The Cooperative Matching Funds program is designed to bring 
State, Tribal, and local partners together to respond to 
emerging water issues through shared efforts and funding. The 
recommendation provides $61,946,000, $2,069,000 above the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level. The Committee includes 
$1,250,000 in the Water Availability and Use Science Program 
for integrated water availability assessments and an additional 
$819,000 in the National Water Quality Program for the purposes 
of working with State, local, and Tribal partners to monitor, 
model, and forecast the occurrence of harmful algal blooms and 
algal toxins.
    Streamgages are crucial to early warning and flood damage 
reduction efforts across the United States. The Committee 
recommends $86,673,000 for the National Groundwater and 
Streamflow Information Program. This includes a $12,500,000 
increase above the fiscal year 2018 enacted funding level for 
infrastructure investments in the streamgage network. Within 60 
days of enactment of this Act, the Survey is directed to 
provide the Committee with a report on the Next Generation 
Water Observing System, explaining the limitations of the 
current water monitoring system and the enhancements and 
modernization needed. The report should include the costs to 
implement the system over a ten-year period and the costs to 
operate and maintain the system.
    Groundwater monitoring activities are funded at the fiscal 
year 2018 enacted level. The Committee directs the Survey to 
consider expanding the groundwater and surface water quality 
monitoring capacity in regions potentially impacted by energy 
development and resource extraction and to brief the Committee 
on the benefits of expanded sampling and the possible 
positioning of some of the newly acquired streamgages to fill 
scientific data gaps.
    The Committee recommends $91,648,000 for the National Water 
Quality Program and directs no less than $2,819,000 for harmful 
algal blooms. The Urban Waters Federal Partnership is funded at 
the fiscal year 2018 enacted level of $717,000.
    The Water Resources Research Act was designed to provide 
more effective coordination of the nation's water research by 
establishing Water Resources Research Institutes at 
universities in each State, Territory, and the District of 
Columbia. These institutes provide vital support to 
stakeholders, States, and Federal agencies for long-term water 
planning, policy development, and resource management. The 
program is funded at the fiscal year 2018 enacted level of 
$6,500,000.
    Core Science Systems.--The Committee recommends 
$119,102,000 for Core Science Systems. The recommendation 
includes $25,397,000, a $1,000,000 increase over the fiscal 
year 2018 enacted level for the National Cooperative Geologic 
Mapping program.
    The Committee encourages the Survey to continue research to 
advance the understanding of short and long term mechanisms 
that trigger a karst and to expand the information contained on 
the current website.
    The recommendation includes $69,654,000 for the National 
Geospatial Program, with a $1,500,000 increase for 3DEP 
National Enhancement and a $300,000 increase for the US Topo 
program to shift map production toward dynamic product-on-
demand mapping. Landscape level assessments for Chesapeake Bay, 
Alaska Mapping and Modernization, Geospatial Research, 3DEP 
Technical Support, and 3DEP Program Functions are funded at 
fiscal year 2018 enacted levels.
    Science Support.--The Committee recommends $103,628,000 for 
science support and expects administration and management 
services and information services to continue without 
reductions that would delay hiring, contracting, accounting 
functions, and other activities that support the missions of 
the Survey.
    Facilities.--The recommendation includes $120,383,000 as 
requested. This includes $12,454,000 for the Menlo Park 
facility transition and retains the $7,884,000 fiscal year 2018 
infrastructure funding increase for deferred maintenance and 
capital improvement.

                   Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

    The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is responsible for 
the development of the Nation's offshore energy and mineral 
resources. The Bureau's management of these resources helps 
meet the Nation's energy needs by providing access to--and fair 
return to the American taxpayer for--offshore energy and 
mineral resources through strategic planning and resource and 
economic evaluation. Conventional energy activities include 
development of the five-year National Outer Continental Shelf 
(OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program; management and 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, 2018...........................      $171,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       179,266,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       180,222,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +9,222,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................          +956,000
 

    The Committee recommends $180,222,000 for Ocean Energy 
Management, as requested. This amount will be partially offset 
with the estimated collection of rental receipts and cost 
recovery fees totaling $49,816,000. The Committee 
recommendation does not provide funding for National Ocean 
Policy Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning.
    The recommendation includes increases proposed in the 
budget request for the National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program 
with the expectation that the Bureau will have the resources 
necessary for extensive outreach and coordination with the 
States and to be responsive to Congressional, State, industry 
and coastal community comments and requests for information.
    The Committee is encouraged that the budget request did not 
include plans to divert Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas 
revenues from Gulf of Mexico states and coastal communities. 
However, the Committee reaffirms its commitment to the Gulf 
States and directs the Department to distribute revenues from 
Gulf of Mexico operations in a manner consistent with the Gulf 
of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-432).
    The Committee believes that a strong Federal-State 
partnership is critical for the success of offshore renewable 
energy projects. The Committee is concerned that changes may 
have been made to the proposed wind farm off Ocean City, MD 
after review of the project by the State Public Service 
Commission, and the Committee is aware of the Town of Ocean 
City's concerns regarding the height of the wind turbines. The 
Bureau is urged to consult with the Maryland State 
Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force prior to the 
review and approval of a construction and operations plan (COP) 
for projects offshore Maryland.
    The Department is reminded that it may not approve a COP or 
issue any construction and operations approvals prior to 
holding a public scoping meeting and the COP is made available 
to the public. In accordance with 30 CFR 585.627, the COP 
should include detailed information including assessments of 
visual, social, and economic impacts to local communities, 
biological resources, habitats, National Park Service assets 
and coastal and marine uses, to assist BOEM in complying with 
NEPA and other relevant laws, including 16 U.S.C. 1.

             Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

    The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement is 
responsible for oversight of exploration, development, and 
production operations for oil, gas, and other marine minerals 
on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Leases in Federal waters 
off the shores of California, Alaska, and the Gulf of Mexico 
provide about 19 percent of the Nation's oil production and 
about 4 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, 2018...........................      $186,411,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       187,240,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       186,632,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................          +221,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................          -608,000
 

    The Committee recommends $186,632,000 for Offshore Safety 
and Environmental Enforcement. This amount will be partially 
offset with the estimated collection of offsetting rental 
receipts, cost recovery fees, and inspection fees totaling 
$65,889,000.

                           OIL SPILL RESEARCH

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $14,899,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        12,700,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        14,899,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +2,199,000
 

    The Committee recommends $14,899,000 for Oil Spill 
Research, equal to fiscal year 2018 enacted level.

          Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

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

                       REGULATION AND TECHNOLOGY

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $115,804,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       101,298,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       113,969,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        -1,835,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +12,671,000
 

    The Committee recommends $113,969,000 for Regulation and 
Technology, $1,835,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted level 
and $12,671,000 above the budget request. The Committee 
continues to reject the proposal to reduce State grants and 
maintains funding for State regulatory grants at $68,590,000, 
equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level.
    The Committee supports States that want to have direct 
control over the regulation of coal mining activities through 
primacy and includes $2,300,000 in the form of grant payments 
to States preparing to assume primacy. The funding should 
support activities such as development of regulatory language, 
hiring personnel, and establishment of a State primacy program.

                    ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $139,672,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        20,375,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       114,546,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       -25,126,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +94,171,000
 

    The Committee recommends $114,546,000 for the Abandoned 
Mine Reclamation Fund. Of the funds provided, $24,546,000 shall 
be derived from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund and 
$90,000,000 shall be derived from the General Fund.
    The Committee provides $90,000,000 for grants to States for 
the reclamation of abandoned mine lands in conjunction with 
economic and community development and reuse goals. States 
shall use these funds to accelerate the remediation of AML 
sites with economic and community development end uses in mind. 
In doing so, the Committee envisions a collaborative 
partnership between the State AML programs and their respective 
State and local economic and community development programs 
that will explore ways to return legacy coal sites to 
productive reuse. The Committee notes that these grants are 
provided from the General Fund and are therefore separate from 
the mandatory payments from the Abandoned Mine Land fund in 
fiscal year 2019.
    For fiscal year 2019, $90,000,000 shall be provided to the 
three Appalachian states with the largest unfunded needs for 
the reclamation of Priority 1 and Priority 2 sites as 
delineated in the Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System. 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.
    The Committee believes that Tribal economic development is 
also important and continues to provide $10,000,000 to Tribes 
for the purposes of economic development for fiscal year 2019. 
However, in lieu of providing funds through OSM, the Committee 
recommends a $10,000,000 increase to the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs' Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development in 
order to leverage Federal funds and benefit more Tribes. The 
funding will increase the Indian Loan Guarantee Program by 
$10,000,000 and is projected to generate an additional 
$200,000,000 in private sector loans to finance business, 
economic, energy, and infrastructure projects in Indian 
Country.

        Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education

    The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, 
and Office of the Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs 
(together, ``Indian Affairs'') programs serve 573 federally 
recognized Indian Tribes, a service population of approximately 
two million American Indians and Alaska Natives in Tribal and 
Native communities. The Bureau of Indian Affairs provides 
direct services and funding for compacts and contracts for 
Tribes to provide Federal programs for a wide range of 
activities necessary for community development. Programs 
address Tribal government, natural resource management, trust 
services, law enforcement, economic development, and social 
service needs. The Bureau of Indian Education manages a school 
system with 169 elementary and secondary schools and 14 
dormitories providing educational services to 47,000 individual 
students, with an Average Daily Membership of 41,000 students 
in 23 States. The BIE also operates two post-secondary schools 
and administers grants for 29 Tribally controlled colleges and 
universities and two Tribal technical colleges.
    In preparation for the fiscal year 2019 appropriation bill, 
the Subcommittee held two days of hearings and received 
testimony from over 80 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 for Indian Country 
programs in this bill in order to address longstanding and 
underfunded needs.

                      OPERATION OF INDIAN PROGRAMS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................    $2,411,200,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................     2,002,996,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................     2,436,821,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       +25,621,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +433,825,000
 

    The Committee recommends $2,436,821,000 for Operation of 
Indian programs. All subactivities and program elements 
presented in the budget estimate submitted to the Congress are 
continued at fiscal year 2018 enacted levels and adjusted for 
requested fixed costs and transfers. None of the requested 
program changes are agreed to unless specifically addressed 
below. Recommended program changes, instructions, and details 
follow below and in the table at the end of this report. 
Additional instructions are included in the front of this 
report.
    Tribal Priority Allocations.--The recommendation includes 
$706,373,000 for Tribal Priority Allocation (TPA) programs, 
$15,289,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$127,698,000 above the budget request. TPA programs fund basic 
Tribal services, such as social services, job placement and 
training, child welfare, natural resources management, and 
Tribal courts. TPA programs give Tribes the opportunity to 
further Indian self-determination by establishing their own 
priorities and reallocating Federal funds among programs in 
this budget category.
    Tribal Government.--The recommendation includes 
$323,438,000 for Tribal government programs and includes 
$1,120,000 for new Tribes as requested. Road maintenance is 
funded at $38,288,000 and includes a program increase of 
$3,465,000. Indian Affairs is urged to use the increase to 
improve the condition of unpaved roads and bridges used by 
school buses transporting students.
    Human Services.--The recommendation includes $161,416,000 
for human services programs.
    Funding for the Tiwahe (family) initiative is restored. As 
originally proposed by the Department and supported by the 
Congress, fiscal year 2019 is the fifth and final year of the 
initiative. After the fiscal year has ended, and in 
consultation with affected Tribes, the Bureau is directed to 
publish a final report that includes measures of success and 
guidelines for other Tribes wanting to implement the model with 
Tribal Priority Allocation funds.
    Trust--Natural Resources.--The recommendation includes 
$207,370,000 for natural resources programs. Forestry is funded 
at $55,236,000 and includes a program increase of $500,000 in 
Tribal Priority Allocations.
    Within the amounts provided for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, 
the recommendation continues $545,000 for substantially 
producing Tribal hatcheries in BIA's Northwest Region currently 
not receiving annual BIA hatchery operations funding. This 
funding should be allocated in the same manner as in fiscal 
year 2018 but should be considered base funding in fiscal year 
2019 and thereafter.
    The Committee supports the Bureau of Indian Affairs' 
efforts to address the needs of coastal Tribal communities by 
working to address threats to public safety, natural resources, 
and sacred sites. Consistent with the Federal government's 
treaty and trust obligations, the Committee directs the Bureau 
of Indian Affairs to work with at-risk Tribes to identify and 
expedite the necessary resources.
    Trust--Real Estate Services.--The recommendation includes 
$130,680,000 for real estate services.
    The Committee directs the Assistant Secretary for Indian 
Affairs to identify the funding determined necessary, in 
collaboration with congressional and agency stakeholders, 
within the Trust--Real Estate Services budget activity to 
improve the efficiency of the Realty Trust acquisition program 
at BIA. The Committee understands that the program has long 
suffered from shortages of personnel which has resulted in a 
history of backlogs, slow processing times and has hindered 
engagement with Tribes and Tribal members. Furthermore, the 
Committee understands the program is transitioning to a more 
automated tracking process and looks forward to more timely and 
accurate processing and reporting. The Committee expects the 
Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs to be in regular 
communication with the Committee regarding direction or 
assistance needed until the problems of backlogs and slow 
processing times have been adequately resolved.
    The Committee directs the Secretary, or his designee, to 
work with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe to identify appropriate 
lands in Clallam County, Washington, to satisfy the 
requirements of section 7 of the Elwha River Ecosystem and 
Fisheries Restoration Act (P.L. 102-495).
    Public Safety and Justice.--The recommendation includes 
$418,915,000 for Public Safety and Justice. Program increases 
include: $2,500,000 in Criminal Investigations and Police 
Services to bring the total to $10,303,000 for additional 
patrol officers in areas hit hardest by the opioid epidemic; 
$1,148,000 for facility operations and maintenance; and 
$8,000,000 for Tribal courts. The Committee recognizes that one 
of the most fundamental aspects of the Federal government's 
Trust responsibility is the obligation to protect public safety 
on Tribal lands.
    For the purpose of addressing the needs of juveniles in 
custody at Tribal detention centers operated or administered by 
the BIA, educational and health-related services to juveniles 
in custody are allowable costs for detention/corrections 
program funding. Indian Affairs is urged to provide mental 
health and substance abuse services when needed by juvenile and 
adult detainees and convicted prisoners.
    Community and Economic Development.--The recommendation 
includes $51,579,000 for Community and Economic Development. 
Implementation of the Native American Tourism Improvement and 
Visitor Experience Act of 2016 (NATIVE Act), including via 
cooperative agreements with Tribes or Tribal organizations, is 
continued at $3,400,000.
    The recommendation includes a program increase of 
$2,000,000 in Minerals and Mining Projects for modernizing oil 
and gas records management in Bureau of Indian Affairs Agency 
Offices, including: digitizing oil and gas lease and other 
records; deploying computer systems such as the National Indian 
Oil and Gas Management System (NIOGEMS); and providing 
petroleum engineers and geologists to train and advise Agency 
Office staff and Tribal Minerals Oversight entities.
    The recommendation includes a program increase of 
$3,000,000 for the Office of Indian Energy and Economic 
Development to provide more assistance for: feasibility studies 
of development projects; greater access to private financing 
for such projects; technical assistance for more Tribes to 
establish commercial codes, courts and other business 
structures to enhance economic development; building Tribal 
capacity for leasing Tribal lands and managing economic and 
energy resource development; and incubators of Tribal-owned and 
other Native American-owned businesses. The Office is expected 
to track accomplishments for each of these purposes, and to 
report annually in its budget justification.
    Executive Direction and Administrative Services.--The 
recommendation includes $224,880,000 for Executive Direction 
and Administrative Services.
    The following programs are funded at the requested levels: 
Assistant Secretary Support; Executive Direction (Central); 
Executive Direction (Regional); Administrative Services 
(Central); Administrative Services (Regional); and Rentals.
    Indian Affairs is directed to complete annual health and 
safety inspections of all BIE system facilities and to publish 
quarterly updates on the status of such inspections.
    Human Resources is directed to make filling vacancies 
within the Bureau of Indian Education its highest priority. The 
increase requested for common regional bounaries is provided 
from within funds.
    Bureau of Indian Education.--The recommendation includes 
$918,543,000 for the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). The one-
time increase of $16,885,000 provided in fiscal year 2018, to 
complete the transition to a school year funding cycle for all 
Tribal colleges and universities, has been redistributed as 
program increases among the following elementary/secondary and 
post-secondary programs: student transportation, $2,500,000; 
Tribal grant support costs, $1,187,000 to remain fully funded; 
facilities operations, $8,000,000; Haskell and SIPI, 
$1,848,000; Tribal colleges and universities, $3,000,000; and 
Tribal technical colleges, $350,000. Additional details and 
instructions are included below and in the table at the end of 
this report.
    Education Program Enhancements are funded at $12,278,000 
and include $3,000,000 for capacity building grants for Bureau 
and tribally operated schools to expand existing language 
immersion programs or to create new programs. Prior to 
distributing these funds, the Bureau shall coordinate with the 
Department of Education and Department of Health and Human 
Services to ensure that Bureau investments complement, but do 
not duplicate, existing language immersion programs.
    Consistent with GAO report 13-774, the Secretary is urged 
to reorganize Indian Affairs so that control and accountability 
of the BIE system is consolidated within the BIE, to present 
such reorganization proposal in the next fiscal year budget 
request, and to submit to the Committees a corresponding 
updated workforce plan.
    The BIE is encouraged to coordinate with the Indian Health 
Service to integrate preventive dental care and mental health 
care at schools within the BIE system.

                         CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $241,600,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       247,000,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       247,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +5,400,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends an indefinite appropriation 
estimated to be $247,000,000 for contract support costs 
incurred by the agency as required by law. The bill includes 
language making available for two years such sums as are 
necessary to meet the Federal government's full legal 
obligation, and prohibiting the transfer of funds to any other 
account for any other purpose.

                              CONSTRUCTION

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $354,113,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       133,288,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       354,485,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................          +372,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +221,197,000
 

    The Committee recommends $354,485,000 for Construction, 
$221,197,000 above the request. All subactivities and program 
elements contained in the justification submitted to the 
Congress are continued at fiscal year 2018 enacted levels and 
adjusted for fixed costs, except as otherwise discussed below.
    Education Construction.--The recommendation includes 
$238,250,000 for Education Construction, of which $105,504,000 
is for campus-wide replacement, $23,935,000 is for component 
facilities replacement, $13,576,000 is for employee housing 
repair, and $95,235,000 is for facilities improvement and 
repair.
    The Committee recognizes the School Facilities & 
Construction Negotiated Rulemaking Committee established under 
Public Law 107-110 for the equitable distribution of funds. 
Appropriations in this bill for campus-wide replacement are 
limited to the 10 schools selected via the rulemaking committee 
process and published by Indian Affairs on April 5, 2016.\1\ 
Indian Affairs should submit a similar list for facilities with 
the fiscal year 2020 budget request.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\https://www.bia.gov/as-ia/ofpsm
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The Committee continues to strongly support innovative 
financing options to supplement annual appropriations and 
accelerate repair and replacement of Bureau schools, including 
through the use of construction bonds, tax credits, and grant 
programs. Indian Affairs is urged to work with any Tribes 
willing to include such financing in ongoing and future 
projects.
    Public Safety and Justice Construction.--The recommendation 
includes $35,310,000 for Public Safety and Justice 
Construction, of which $18,000,000 is for facilities 
replacement and new construction, $4,494,000 is for employee 
housing, $9,372,000 is for facilities improvement and repair, 
$170,000 is for fire safety coordination, and $3,274,000 is for 
fire protection.
    The Bureau is directed to maintain a master plan detailing 
the location, condition, and function of existing owned and 
leased facilities relative to location and size of the user 
populations. The plan shall be used to prioritize facilities 
replacement and new construction to fill in the largest service 
gaps first. Regional justice centers that combine functions and 
serve multiple user populations, while providing for reasonable 
driving distances for visitation and transport, should be 
strongly considered.
    Other Program Construction.--The recommendation includes 
$13,694,000 for other construction. The Fort Peck Water System 
is funded at $2,247,000 as requested. There is a $300,000 
program increase to improve officer safety by eliminating radio 
communications dead zones.

 INDIAN LAND AND WATER CLAIM SETTLEMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS PAYMENTS TO 
                                INDIANS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $55,457,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        45,644,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        50,057,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       -$5,400,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +4,413,000
 

    The Committee recommends $50,057,000 for Indian Land and 
Water Claim Settlements and Miscellaneous Payments to Indians. 
The recommended level enables Indian Affairs to make a balloon 
payment in the final year of any settlement agreement if needed 
to complete the Federal obligation. The Navajo Water Resources 
Development Trust Fund project and the Navajo-Gallup Water 
Supply Project will be completed in fiscal year 2019. A 
detailed table of funding recommendations below the account 
level is provided at the end of this report.

                 INDIAN GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................        $9,272,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         6,699,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        19,279,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       +10,007,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +12,580,000
 

    The Committee recommends $19,279,000 for the Indian 
Guaranteed Loan Program Account, $10,007,000 above the fiscal 
year 2018 enacted level. The increase includes fixed costs and 
the transfer of $10,000,000 from the Tribal grant program in 
the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. The 
transfer to this account will significantly increase the number 
of eligible Tribes and generate an additional $200,000,000 in 
private sector loans to finance business, economic, energy and 
infrastructure projects in Indian Country. The Indian 
Guaranteed Loan Program is the most effective Federal program 
tailored to facilitating greater access to private capital for 
Indian Tribes and Indian-owned economic enterprises.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    The bill continues language limiting the expansion of 
grades and schools in the BIE system while allowing for the 
expansion of additional grades to schools that meet certain 
criteria. 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 bill continues 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.

                          Departmental Offices


                        Office of the Secretary

    The Office of the Secretary supports a wide-range of 
Departmental business, policy, and oversight functions.

                        DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $124,182,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       134,673,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       134,673,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       +10,491,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $134,673,000 for Departmental 
Operations. The Committee recommendation reflects the transfer 
of the Office of the Special Trustee's Office of Appraisal 
Services (OAS) to the Office of the Secretary. Under the 
recently established Department-wide Appraisals and Valuation 
Services Office (AVSO), OAS has been combined with the 
Department's Office of Valuation Services (OVS) so all 
appraisal and valuations are conducted by a single entity 
within the Department. The AVSO is expected to track and report 
separately on the performance of services for Indian Country 
and the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and to include such 
report in its annual budget justification.
    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.
    Chief Standing Bear Trail.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of Chief Standing Bear as one of America's earliest 
civil rights leaders. The Committee supports the work on the 
State and local level to establish a multi-state trail 
commemorating his accomplishments and urges the Secretary to 
assist in these efforts.
    Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.--The Committee urges the 
Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the National Park 
Service, in conjunction with the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, to work with relevant stakeholders to respectfully 
address the issue of human remains being left at the Vietnam 
Veterans Memorial Wall.
    American Discovery Trail.--The Committee encourages the 
Secretary to work with the National Park Service, the Bureau of 
Land Management and other appropriate agencies, in conjunction 
with all relevant law, regulations, and policies, to work with 
appropriate stakeholders to facilitate installing signage for 
the American Discovery Trail.
    Tamarisk Eradication.--The Secretary is directed to 
coordinate with the Department of Agriculture, other Federal 
agencies, States, Tribes, private entities, and communities to 
eradicate tamarisk in the southwestern United States using a 
scientifically based and watershed-focused approach. The 
Committee requests the Department provide a cross-cut of 
tamarisk and other high-priority invasive species programs and 
budgets in its fiscal year 2020 budget request.
    State and Tribal Consultation.--The Committee recognizes 
concerns raised by State and Tribal leaders about the 
Department's insufficient level of consultation regarding the 
Department's proposed reorganization. The Committee urges the 
Department to redouble its efforts to consult with State and 
Tribal leaders, including entering into formal Tribal 
consultation, and to adjust its reorganization proposal as 
necessary to meet the Department's needs while avoiding undue 
additional burdens on States and Tribes.
    National Seed Strategy.--The Committee is aware the Bureau 
of Land Management has been implementing a National Seed 
Strategy to improve seed supplies for restoring healthy and 
productive native plant communities. As such, the Department is 
encouraged to give preference, when practicable, to the use of 
locally adapted native plant materials in undertaking a land 
management activity on Federal lands, including maintenance and 
restoration in response to degradation caused by human activity 
or natural events, such as fire, flood, or infestation.

                            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. A Compact Review Agreement with Palau was 
approved and implemented in fiscal year 2018. 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, 2018...........................       $96,870,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        80,967,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        96,870,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +15,903,000
 

    The Committee recommends $96,870,000 for Assistance to 
Territories, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$15,903,000 above 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 the Office of Insular Affairs 
funds important efforts to improve education, health, 
infrastructure, judicial training, and economic sustainability 
in the Insular areas and expects funds to continue to be 
awarded accordingly. Additionally, the Office is directed to 
continue to award noncompetitive technical assistance funds to 
support investments in civic education programs for Insular 
Area students.

                      COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $127,187,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         3,109,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................         3,363,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................      -123,824,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................          +254,000
 

    The Committee recommends $3,363,000 for Compact of Free 
Association, $123,824,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $254,000 above the budget request. The Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) provided $123,824,000 
in necessary funds to finalize the 2010 Compact Review 
Agreement with Palau and bring it into force. 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, 2018...........................       $66,675,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        65,674,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        65,674,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        -1,001,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $65,674,000 for salaries and 
expenses of the Office of the Solicitor, as requested.

                      Office of Inspector General


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $51,023,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        52,486,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        52,486,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +1,463,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $52,486,000 for salaries and 
expenses of the Office of Inspector General, as requested.

           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, 2018...........................      $119,400,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       104,067,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       110,692,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        -8,708,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +6,625,000
 

    The Committee recommends $110,692,000 for Federal trust 
programs in the Office of the Special Trustee (OST). Appraisal 
Services is transferred to the Office of the Secretary as 
requested. All other budget line items are funded at fiscal 
year 2018 enacted levels and adjusted for fixed costs. A 
detailed table of funding recommendations below the account 
level is provided at the end of this report.
    The Committee encourages the Department to align OST-
specific reorganization efforts with section 304(a)(3) of the 
Indian Trust Asset Reform Act (P.L. 114-178), which outlines 
specific information regarding OST that must be reported to 
Congress and must include consultation with Indian Tribes.

                   NAVAJO AND HOPI INDIAN RELOCATION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................                $0
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         3,000,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................         3,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +3,000,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for Navajo and Hopi 
Indian Relocation, as requested.
    The Committee recognizes the OST's proposed temporary and 
dual roles of land management and transition planning for the 
Department in preparation for the fair and orderly closure of 
the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (ONHIR), an 
independent agency, and the transfer of appropriate legacy 
responsibilities and funds to other Federal agencies or the 
Tribes. Upon completion of planning, the OST's roles are 
expected to end unless the parties involved conclude that a 
legacy financial management responsibility requires the OST's 
services.
    A transparent, inclusive, and deliberative process between 
affected Tribes and Federal agencies is paramount to completing 
ONHIR's mission and enabling relocated families to begin to 
find closure. In leading the transition planning process, the 
OST is expected to seek fair and reasonable compromises among 
the parties involved. Additional guidance is contained in the 
front of this report under Tribal Consultation and later in 
this report under Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation.

                        Department-Wide Programs


                             Wildland Fire

    The Department's Wildland Fire Management account supports 
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 
$939,660,000 for the Department's wildland fire accounts. This 
fully funds the fire suppression account at the 10-year average 
of expenditures.

                        Wildland Fire Management


 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $948,087,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       870,384,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       939,660,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        -8,427,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +69,276,000
 

    The Committee recommends $939,660,000 for Wildland Fire 
Management at the Department of the Interior. The detailed 
allocation of funding for these accounts is included in the 
table at the end of this report.
    The Committee directs the Department to work closely with 
the Office of Management and Budget and Forest Service on cost-
recovery and other issues. The Committee believes more accurate 
accounting for wildfire suppression costs will help the Federal 
government, States, and other partners to better understand 
cost drivers, control costs, and budget appropriately in the 
future. Without progress on this front, the condition of the 
national forests is likely to continue to deteriorate, which is 
an unacceptable outcome for the American people and our 
Nation's natural resource heritage.
    Wildland Fire Preparedness.--The Committee recommends 
$332,784,000 for Wildland Fire Preparedness, equal to the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $10,605,000 above the budget 
request. The Department should immediately notify the 
Committees on Appropriations if it appears that funding 
shortfalls may limit needed firefighting capacity.
    Wildland Fire Suppression.--The Committee recommends 
$389,406,000, for Wildland Fire Suppression, equal to the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $1,271,000 above the budget 
request. The recommended amount exceeds the 10-year average 
cost for wildland fire suppression.
    Fuels Management.--The Committee recommends $194,000,000 
for the Fuels Management program, $10,000,000 above the fiscal 
year 2018 enacted level and $43,397,000 above the budget 
request.
    Burned Area Rehabilitation.--The Committee recommends 
$20,470,000 for the Burned Area Rehabilitation program, equal 
to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $11,003,000 above the 
budget request.
    The Committee notes that funding for Burned Area 
Rehabilitation is meant to supplement emergency stabilization 
funding provided under suppression, not replace it.
    Fire Facilities.--The Committee recommends $0 for Fire 
Facilities, $18,427,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and equal with the request. The Committee accepts the 
proposal to fund fire facilities through the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, 
and National Park Service facility accounts.
    The Committee supports the Department's efforts to 
incorporate new approaches to fire science into its fire-
fighting strategy. Such techniques include, but are not limited 
to, analyzing fire data to improve forecasts, using high-
definition cameras part of the AlertWildfire system, treatments 
to reduce accumulated fuels loads, and growing use of Unmanned 
Aircraft Systems. The Committee strongly encourages the 
Department to work closely with the Forest Service, other 
Federal agencies, States, and other partners on these efforts.

                    CENTRAL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $10,010,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         2,000,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        10,010,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +8,010,000
 

    The Committee recommends $10,010,000 for the Central 
Hazardous Materials Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $8,010,000 above the budget request.

           Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration


                NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................        $7,767,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         4,600,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................         7,767,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +3,167,000
 

    The Committee recommends $7,767,000 for the Natural 
Resource Damage Assessment Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level and $3,167,000 above 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, 2018...........................       $62,370,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        56,735,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        58,778,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        -3,592,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +2,043,000
 

    The Committee recommends $58,778,000 for the Working 
Capital Fund, $3,592,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $2,043,000 above the budget request.

                  Office of Natural Resources Revenue


                       NATURAL RESOURCES REVENUE

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $137,757,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       137,505,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       137,505,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................          -252,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee provides $137,505,000 for the Office of 
Natural Resources Revenue, as requested.

                    PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES (PILT)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $530,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       465,000,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       500,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       -30,000,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +35,000,000
 

    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 2018, 49 states, the 
District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
and the U.S. Virgin Islands will receive PILT payments. The 
bill includes $500,000,000 for PILT, $35,000,000 above the 
budget request. The projected full-year cost estimate for PILT 
for fiscal year 2019 is not yet available and will be 
considered by the Committee at such time as the Department 
conveys this information to the Committee prior to the 
enactment of this Act. Funding for PILT in fiscal year 2018 was 
provided under a Title I general provision.

             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 allowing the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education to more 
efficiently and effectively perform reimbursable work.
    Section 113 permits the humane transfer of excess wild 
horses and burros for work purposes.
    Section 114 continues bill language establishing a 
Department of the Interior Experienced Services Program.
    Section 115 prohibits the use of funds to list the greater 
sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act.
    Section 116 returns management of recovered gray wolves in 
Wyoming and the Great Lakes to the States and ends unnecessary 
litigation.
    Section 117 returns management of recovered gray wolves 
range-wide to the States and ends unnecessary litigation.
    Section 118 prohibits the use of funds to implement a 
statute impacting Tribes' sovereign rights to operate certain 
businesses on reservations.
    Section 119 extends the authority for the Secretary to 
accept public and private contributions for the orderly 
development and exploration of Outer Continental Shelf 
resources.
    Section 120 prohibits the use of funds to list in the 
National Register of Historic Places property deemed crucial to 
national security and military training.
    Sec. 121 retitles the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and 
re-designates the Paul H. Douglas Trail.
    Sec. 122 prohibits funding to require the transfer of 
groundwater rights as a condition for approving certain 
permits.

               TITLE II--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created by 
Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970, which consolidated nine 
programs from five different agencies and departments. Major 
EPA programs include air and water quality, drinking water, 
hazardous waste, research, pesticides, radiation, toxic 
substances, enforcement and compliance assurance, pollution 
prevention, Inland oil spill, Superfund, Brownfields, and the 
Leaking Underground Storage Tank program. In addition, EPA 
provides Federal assistance for wastewater treatment, sewer 
overflow control, drinking water facilities, other water 
infrastructure projects, and diesel emission reduction 
projects. The Agency is responsible for conducting research and 
development, establishing environmental standards through the 
use of risk assessment and cost-benefit, monitoring pollution 
conditions, seeking compliance through enforcement actions, 
managing audits and investigations, and providing technical 
assistance and grant support to States and Tribes, which are 
delegated authority for much of the program implementation. 
Under existing statutory authority, the Agency contributes to 
specific homeland security efforts and may participate in 
international environmental activities.
    Among the statutes for which the Environmental Protection 
Agency has sole or significant oversight responsibilities are:
    National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended.
    Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as 
amended.
    Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended.
    Clean Water Act [Federal Water Pollution Control Act], as 
amended.
    Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended.
    Ocean Dumping Act [Marine Protection, Research, and 
Sanctuaries Act of 1972], as amended.
    Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
    Safe Drinking Water Act [Public Health Service Act (Title 
XIV)], as amended.
    Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act.
    Clean Air Act, as amended.
    Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002.
    Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002.
    Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), as amended.
    Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields 
Revitalization Act of 2002 (amending CERCLA).
    Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986.
    Pollution Prevention Act of 1990.
    Pollution Prosecution Act of 1990.
    Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2003.
    Energy Policy Act of 2005.
    Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
    For fiscal year 2019, the Committee recommends 
$7,958,488,000 for the Environmental Protection Agency, 
$100,000,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$1,766,601,000 above the budget request. Comparisons to the 
budget request and fiscal year 2018 enacted levels are shown by 
account in the table at the end of this report.
    Reprogramming.--The Agency is held to the reprogramming 
limitation of $1,000,000. This limitation will be applied to 
each program area in every account at the levels provided in 
the table at the end of this report. This will allow the Agency 
the flexibility to reprogram funds within a set program area. 
However, where the Committee has cited funding levels for 
certain program projects or activities within a program area, 
the reprogramming limitation continues to apply to those 
funding levels. Further, the Agency may not use any amount of 
de-obligated funds to initiate a new program, office, or 
initiative without the prior approval of the Committee.
    Congressional Budget Justification.--The Committee directs 
the Agency to include in future justifications the following 
items: (1) a comprehensive index of programs and activities 
within the program projects; (2) the requested bill language, 
with changes from the enacted language highlighted, at the 
beginning of each account section; (3) a justification for 
every program/project, including those proposed for 
elimination; (4) a comprehensive, detailed explanation of all 
changes within a program project; (5) a table showing 
consolidations, realignments or other transfers of resources 
and personnel from one program project to another such that the 
outgoing and receiving program projects offset and clearly 
illustrate a transfer of resources; and, (6) a table listing 
the budgets and FTE by major office within each National 
Program Management area with pay/non-pay breakouts. Further, if 
EPA is proposing to change State allocation formulas for the 
distribution of appropriated funds, then EPA should include 
such proposals in the congressional justification.

                         Science and Technology

    The Science and Technology (S&T) account funds all 
Environmental Protection Agency research (including Superfund 
research activities paid with funds moved into this account 
from the Hazardous Substance Superfund account). This account 
includes programs carried out through grants, contracts, and 
cooperative agreements, cooperative research and development 
agreements, and interagency agreements, with other Federal 
agencies, States, universities, nonprofit organizations, and 
private business, as well as in-house research. It also funds 
personnel compensation and benefits, travel, supplies and 
operating expenses, including rent, utilities and security, for 
all Agency research. Research addresses a wide range of 
environmental and health concerns across all environmental 
media and encompasses both long-term basic and near-term 
applied research to provide the scientific knowledge and 
technologies necessary for preventing, regulating, and abating 
pollution, and to anticipate emerging environmental issues.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $706,473,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       448,965,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       643,763,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       -62,710,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +194,798,000
 

    The bill provides $643,763,000 for Science and Technology, 
$62,710,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$194,798,000 above the budget request. The Committee recommends 
that $15,496,000 be paid to this account from the Hazardous 
Substance Superfund account for ongoing research activities. A 
detailed table of funding recommendations below the account 
level is provided at the end of this report, and the Committee 
provides the following additional detail by program area:
    Indoor Air and Radiation.--The recommendation includes 
$5,337,000. The Committee recommendation maintains the radon 
program at the fiscal year 2018 enacted level.
    Operations and Administration.--The recommendation includes 
$74,828,000, as requested. The bill concurs with the Agency's 
proposed allocation of resources for workforce reshaping.
    Research: Air and Energy.--The bill provides $81,796,000 
for Research: Air and Energy. Within available funds, the 
Agency is directed to continue supporting the Partnership 
Research as outlined in the explanatory statement accompanying 
Public Law 115-141. This jointly funded, multi-year government-
industry research initiative should be used to produce credible 
science of national scope on such development, including review 
of existing exposure and health studies already underway, and 
future research. The Agency is encouraged to submit a report 
updating the Committee on the implementation of this 
partnership within 90 days of enactment of this Act.
    Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability.--The 
recommendation includes $113,935,000 for Research: Chemical 
Safety and Sustainability and funds the computational 
toxicology and endocrine disruptor programs at the fiscal year 
2018 enacted levels. Following guidance contained in the 
explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 115-141, the 
Committee continues to support the Agency's computational 
toxicology research activities to advance New Approach 
Methodologies for testing and risk assessment methods for 
prioritization, screening, and testing under the Frank R. 
Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act provisions 
of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The Agency is 
encouraged to expand its collaborations with scientific experts 
in the field to advance development and use of human biology-
based experimental and computational approaches for chemical 
risk assessments. As part of this effort, the Committee 
encourages the Agency to develop and implement tiered 
integrated approaches to testing and assessments which 
incorporate considerations of potential exposures.
    Research: National Priorities.--The bill provides 
$4,100,000 which shall be used for extramural research grants, 
independent of the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grant 
program, to fund high-priority water quality and availability 
research by not-for-profit organizations who often partner with 
the Agency. Because these grants are independent of the STAR 
grant program, the Agency should strive to award grants in as 
large an amount as is possible to achieve the most 
scientifically significant research. Funds shall be awarded 
competitively with priority given to partners proposing 
research of national scope and who provide a 25 percent match. 
The Agency is directed to allocate funds to grantees within 180 
days of enactment of this Act.
    Research: Safe and Sustainable Water Resources.--The 
Committee recommends $94,569,000. Further, augmenting drinking 
water supplies through artificial or enhanced recharge into 
aquifers, represents a cost-effective way of increasing the 
availability of water. Enhanced Aquifer Recharge (EAR) also 
represents a key practice for the management and restoration of 
ecosystems. Therefore, the Committee directs the Agency to 
coordinate with other Federal research efforts in this area. 
Given ongoing concerns related to Harmful Algal Bloom toxins in 
the Great Lakes and other coastal and inland waters, the Agency 
is encouraged to continue working to understand the risk of 
exposure such toxins, especially through pathways including 
recreation and drinking water.
    Additional Guidance.--The Committee includes the following 
additional guidance with respect to funding provided under this 
account:
    Alternatives Testing.--The Committee commends EPA for 
developing new scientific methods, removing barriers, and 
fostering cooperation in implementing the toxicity testing 
agenda included in the 2007 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) 
report, ``Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century.'' The Committee 
is also aware that the Agency released a Strategic Plan to 
Promote the Development and Implementation of Alternative Draft 
Test Methods on March 7, 2018, and is also incorporating an 
alternative scientific approach to screen chemicals within its 
Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program as called for in fiscal 
year 2015 (House Report 113-551). The Committee continues to be 
interested in understanding how the Agency is implementing the 
same approach in all of its programs that involve toxicity 
testing and recommends that the Agency work to submit to the 
Committee a report that outlines (1) progress to date to 
research, develop, validate and translate innovative non-animal 
chemical testing methods that characterize toxicity pathways, 
(2) efforts to coordinate this across Federal agencies, and (3) 
future plans to continue to implement the toxicity testing 
vision outlined in the January 2017 NAS report, ``Using 21st 
Century Science to Improve Risk-Related Evaluations'' on all 
Agency programs that involve toxicity testing.
    Innovative Research Partnerships.--Interest continues to 
grow to identify innovative, technologically feasible solutions 
that will lead to air and water quality improvements and better 
environmental outcomes. The Committee has consistently 
supported partnerships with respect to research areas of 
national importance, and the Committee encourages EPA to 
identify partnerships with institutes, foundations and 
universities that would leverage scientific expertise. EPA is 
encouraged to present the Committee with options for new or 
expanded partnerships within the context of the fiscal year 
2020 budget. Such topics could include but are not limited to 
enhanced aquifer recharge, toxicity testing without the use of 
animals, capture of methane or other fugitive emissions, 
cleaning of produced water and other activities from oil and 
gas operations, removing siloxanes produced at wastewater 
treatment systems, investigating new and emerging technologies, 
like syntactic foams, in drinking water filtration and 
desalination, and efficiencies to improve manufacturing 
operations. To help inform this effort, the Committee 
encourages EPA to solicit input from all interested parties.
    Intramural Animal Testing.--The Committee commends EPA for 
recent progress towards reducing unnecessary animal testing by 
promoting the adoption of cutting-edge methodologies that allow 
chemical screening more efficiently and cost-effectively. The 
Committee encourages EPA to ensure that the Agency's own 
research is also the subject of Agency efforts to reduce and 
replace animal tests.
    STAR Grants.--The Committee provides funds to continue the 
Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program.
    Water Distribution Systems.--The Agency is encouraged to 
continue utilizing infrastructure solutions, such as 
distribution networks and municipal leak detection and sanitary 
sewer monitoring technologies, during upgrades to water and 
wastewater systems to optimize water delivery performance, 
limit water waste in distribution systems, and enhance modeling 
of sewer collection networks. This will help to improve 
maintenance and capital expenditure in planning and budgeting, 
and increase spatial and temporal monitoring data available on 
U.S. water quality and quantity.
    Water Security Test Bed.--For both fiscal year 2019 and 
future budget requests, the Committee recommends that EPA 
include adequate funding for advancing full scale applied 
research and testing capabilities to address threats to 
drinking water and drinking water infrastructure.

                 Environmental Programs and Management

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

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................    $2,597,999,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................     1,784,852,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................     2,433,282,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................      -164,717,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +648,430,000
 

    The bill provides $2,433,282,000 for Environmental Programs 
and Management, $164,717,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $648,430,000 above the budget request. A detailed 
table of funding recommendations below the account level is 
provided at the end of this report, and the Committee provides 
the following additional detail by program area:
    Clean Air.--The Committee recommends $243,066,000. Within 
this amount, the Committee includes $3,000,000 to enhance the 
efficiency and effectiveness of both preconstruction and 
operating permitting programs. In addition, the Committee 
continues to support the EnergySTAR program for both appliances 
and buildings at the fiscal year 2018 enacted level, and does 
not recommend a shift to a fee-based funding mechanism as 
proposed. In 2009, the Agency and the Department of Energy 
(DOE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) related to the 
EnergySTAR program, shifting some functions related to home 
appliance products from the DOE to EPA. The Committee is 
encouraged by the Agency's progress thus far in reviewing the 
MOU, and expects the Agency to continue working in coordination 
with DOE through fiscal year 2019 to ensure the expected 
efficiencies for home appliance products have been achieved. It 
is also the Committee's expectation that any disclosure 
relating to participation in the EnergySTAR program will not 
create an express or implied warranty, or give rise to any 
private claims or right of action under State or Federal law. 
Further, the Committee does not support the termination of 
voluntary programs such as Natural GasSTAR, AgSTAR, and other 
partnership programs where EPA works collaboratively with non-
governmental entities to identify beneficial methods to reduce 
emissions, pollution, and increase efficiency.
    Compliance.--The Committee recommends $90,482,000. Tracking 
the import and export of hazardous waste shipment remains a key 
priority for the Committee.
    Environmental Protection: National Priorities.--The bill 
provides $12,700,000 for a competitive grant program for 
qualified non-profit organizations, excluding institutions of 
higher education, to provide technical assistance for improved 
water quality or safe drinking water, adequate waste water to 
small systems or individual private well owners. The Agency 
shall provide $10,000,000 for Grassroots Rural and Small 
Community Water Systems Assistance Act, for activities 
specified under Section 1442(e) of the Safe Drinking Water Act 
(42 U.S.C. 300j-1(e)(8)). The Agency is also directed to 
provide $1,700,000 million for grants to qualified not-for-
profit organizations for technical assistance for individual 
private well owners, with priority given to organizations that 
currently provide technical and educational assistance to 
individual private well owners. The Agency is directed to 
provide on a national and multi-State regional basis, 
$1,000,000 for grants to qualified organizations, for the sole 
purpose of providing on-site training and technical assistance 
for wastewater systems. 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 $434,857,000. The 
Committee provides 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 2018 enacted level 
and $270,000,000 above the budget request. The Agency shall 
continue to follow the direction as provided in House Report 
112-589. In addition, as EPA distributes funds across the five 
focus areas, tribal related activities should be maintained at 
not less than the fiscal year 2018 level. Further, the 
Committee supports ongoing work to reduce the growth of harmful 
algal blooms and encourages continued targeting of watersheds 
that could pose a threat to human health in drinking water.
    Chesapeake Bay.--The Committee recommends $73,000,000 for 
the Chesapeake Bay program, equal to the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level and $65,700,000 above the budget request. From 
within the amount provided, $6,000,000 is for nutrient and 
sediment removal grants and $6,000,000 is for small watershed 
grants to control polluted runoff from urban, suburban and 
agricultural lands.
    Puget Sound.--The Committee recommends $28,000,000 for 
Puget Sound, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$28,000,000 above the budget request. Funds shall be allocated 
in the same manner as directed in House Report 112-331. The 
Committee directs the Agency 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 
$25,637,000, and the Agency should continue to operate the 
program following the priorities and direction under this 
heading in House Report 114-632 to implement the National Radon 
Action Plan and should utilize funds to disseminate a guide for 
health care providers to physicians.
    Operations and Administration.--The recommendation includes 
$480,206,000, as requested. The bill concurs with the Agency's 
proposed allocation of resources for workforce reshaping.
    Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).--The 
Committee recommends $104,000,000, $5,377,000 below the fiscal 
year 2018 enacted level and $30,149,000 above the budget 
request. Of the funds provided under this section, not less 
than $3,000,000 should be allocated for the purpose of 
developing and implementing a Federal permit program for the 
regulation of coal combustion residuals in nonparticipating 
States, as authorized under section 4005(d)(2)(B) of the Solid 
Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6945(d)(2)(B)). This remains a 
key priority for the Committee. Further, the Committee does not 
support the proposed modification of cleanups under the RCRA 
Waste Management program nor the proposed elimination of the 
RCRA Waste Minimization and Recycling program.
    Toxics Risk Review and Prevention.--The Committee 
recommends $92,521,000, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level. For fiscal year 2019, the budget again proposes an 
aggressive schedule for developing the new TSCA fee rule, and 
for the transition of FTE to be covered by new fee collections. 
In order to avoid a funding lapse that could impact 
implementation, the recommended level provides for a more 
gradual transition to fee funded FTE for fiscal year 2019. 
Further, the Committee does not support the elimination of the 
Pollution Prevention program.
    Water: Ecosystems.--The Committee recommends $47,788,000, 
equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. 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. Further, in the 
Administrative Provisions section, the Committee directs that 
$1,500,000 in competitive grants be made available for 
additional projects, and encourages the Agency to work in 
consultation with the NEP directors to identify worthy projects 
and activities.
    Water Quality Protection.--The Committee recommends 
$187,271,000 and supports continued funding for the WaterSENSE 
program and certain activities under the Urban Waters program. 
The Committee also supports ongoing activities related to 
integrated planning, which will be increasingly necessary as 
States and communities evaluate wastewater systems for lead 
contamination issues and pipe replacement. Further, the 
Committee is aware that more than one quarter of the U.S. 
population relies on onsite-decentralized systems to treat 
wastewater. The Committee urges the Agency to designate 
additional technical assistance, resources and expertise toward 
onsite wastewater recycling issues within the Decentralized 
Wastewater Program.
    Additional Guidance.--The Committee includes 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 2017 and 2018 funding was used, by account, 
program area, and program project. Each activity funded should 
include a justification for the effort and any anticipated 
results.
    Antimicrobial Solutions for Citrus Disease.--The Committee 
recognizes the importance of antimicrobial crop protection 
tools in combating citrus greening and continues to support 
EPA's cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 
Multi-Agency Coordination Group.
    E-15 Outreach.--The Committee is aware of the potential for 
consumers to misfuel with E15 and higher ethanol grades of 
gasoline in engines not designed, approved, or warranted to use 
blends above 10 percent ethanol content (E10). Misfueling can 
damage engines, void product warranties, and result in undue 
economic loss to consumers. The Committee has previously 
encouraged EPA to utilize general funds 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 Program. The 
Committee notes that no action has been taken to date on a 
consumer education campaign, and continues to encourage the EPA 
to establish new outreach methods to educate consumers on 
misfueling.
    Ecolabels for Federal Procurement.--The Agency is 
encouraged to adhere to direction provided under this heading 
in the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 115-141 
related to the USDA BioPreferred program.
    Electric Pathway Applications.--The Committee notes the 
backlog of applications under the Renewable Fuels Pathway II 
rule finalized in 2014. No applications for the electric 
pathway which could help support rural agricultural communities 
have been approved since the rule went into effect. The 
Committee strongly encourages the Agency to take action on the 
existing applications within 90 days of the enactment of this 
Act.
    Exempt Aquifers.--For fiscal year 2019, the Committee 
anticipates that the Agency will continue to receive exempt 
aquifer applications from the State of California for 
processing and approval. The Committee continues to support 
protecting underground sources of drinking water and promoting 
robust economic development. Accordingly, the Agency is urged 
to work expeditiously to process exempt aquifer applications 
and use the existing regulatory framework to process these 
applications as provided in House Report 114-170 and House 
Report 114-632.
    Lead Test Kit.--The Committee fully supports activities by 
EPA, States, contractors, and homeowners that result in the 
safe and proper reduction of lead paint in homes. The Committee 
believes it is incumbent upon contractors to be fully trained, 
certified, and knowledgeable about the risks related to lead 
exposure especially for children and at-risk populations. It is 
imperative that EPA and the States continue to make those 
training opportunities readily available and easily accessible 
along with improved outreach to build awareness for homeowners 
during renovations and to identify and remove lead as quickly 
as possible.
    Marine Engines.--The Committee is concerned that for 
certain smaller commercial marine vessels, such as pilot boats, 
marine engines certified to the EPA Tier 4 marine engine 
standards may not be available that meet the engine needs of 
these marine vessels. Thus, the Committee urges the Agency to 
swiftly move forward with assessing the need for revisions to 
the Agency's Tier 4 marine engine requirements for those 
impacted marine vessels to ensure that the industries dependent 
on them are not negatively impacted. The Agency should also 
identify any immediate steps the Agency can take to provide 
relief.
    Regulation of Groundwater.--The Agency shall continue to 
follow the direction provided under this heading in the 
explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 115-141.
    Science Advisory Board.--The Agency is directed to develop 
updated policy statements in order to fulfill previous 
Congressional directives.
    State Water Quality Standards.--The Committee finds that 
the Agency should support States proposing Clean Water Act 
standards using a science-based approach, which utilizes a 
methodology for deriving water quality criteria for the 
production of human health that has been publicly vetted and 
scientifically peer-reviewed, that have incorporated public 
comment regarding human health criteria for fish consumption, 
where the standards are based on EPA's most recent guidance. 
Failure to accept such State proposals runs contrary to the 
underlying principles of the Clean Water Act that support 
cooperative Federalism.
    Use Attainability Analysis.--The Committee recognizes that 
the Use Attainability Analysis (UAA) process, when properly 
applied and implemented, can be a vital tool in determining 
defensible water quality standards and for maintaining and 
restoring water quality. The Committee encourages the Agency to 
submit a report within 90 days of enactment of this Act 
identifying steps the Agency has taken, or plans to take, to 
make the UAA process operate more effectively, including the 
process to obtain and maintain a UAA under 40 CFR 131.10(g)(6).
    Water Quality Certification.--The Committee encourages the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to 
finalize guidance on the implementation of Clean Water Act 
Section 401 (33 U.S.C. 1341). Such guidance shall reinforce 
that the statutory time period for review does not exceed one 
year, that the scope of review is limited to Federal water 
quality standards, and that waiver of the certification 
obligation occurs when a State fails to act within one year 
from the date of application. The guidance shall also include a 
suggested schedule for a State making a Section 401 decision, 
which recognizes that the entirety of the State's review must 
occur within one year.
    Worker Protection Standards.--The Committee directs the 
Agency to engage the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers, 
farm workers, industry and other interested organizations as it 
implements its standard and report back to the Committee 
concerning these efforts within 90 days of enactment of this 
Act.

            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, 2018...........................        $3,674,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................                 0
Recommended, 2019.....................................                 0
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        -3,674,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee has not provided any funds for the Hazardous 
Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund because the program will 
be fully funded by e-Manifest user fee collections in fiscal 
year 2019.

                      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, 2018...........................       $41,489,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        37,475,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        41,489,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +4,014,000
 

    The bill provides $41,489,000, which is equal to the fiscal 
year 2018 enacted level and $4,014,000 above the budget 
request. In addition, the Committee recommends $8,778,000 as a 
payment to this account from the Hazardous Substance Superfund 
account. The Inspector General is directed to prioritize funds 
to projects that prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse at 
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, 2018...........................       $34,467,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        39,553,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        39,553,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +5,086,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The bill provides $39,553,000 as requested, and $5,086,000 
above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. 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, 2018...........................    $1,091,947,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................     1,088,830,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................     1,127,090,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       +35,143,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +38,260,000
 

    The bill provides $1,127,090,000 for the Hazardous 
Substance Superfund program, which is $35,143,000 above the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $38,260,000 above the budget 
request. When combined with an additional $40,000,000 for the 
Superfund Remedial program in a general provision in Title IV, 
the bill provides a total of $1,167,090,000 for the Hazardous 
Substance Superfund.
    Superfund Cleanup.--The Committee recommends $776,167,000, 
which is $54,427,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level 
and is combined with an additional $40,000,000 in funds for the 
Remedial Program included in a Title IV general provision. The 
Committee appreciates the Administration's continued commitment 
to streamlining and improving the program, and concurs with the 
designation of the program as a national infrastructure 
priority. The Committee expects the recommended resources will 
accelerate 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 also encourages the Agency, within 180 days 
of enactment of this Act, to submit a report on the status of 
each time-critical removal action for which Federal funds 
greater than $1,000,000 have been expended since January 1, 
2017, along with the Federal cost of clean-up efforts, whether 
responsible parties have faced criminal charges, and the amount 
of recovered Federal dollars.
    Additional Guidance.--The Committee includes the following 
additional guidance with respect to funding provided under this 
account:
    Superfund Site Remediation.--The Committee recognizes that 
oftentimes there are Superfund remediation projects that suffer 
delays and costly litigation when the Agency is unable to 
determine liability for specific pollution discharges. These 
delays can be exacerbated by the technical challenge of 
discerning the relative risks of in place pollutants resulting 
from prior actions versus those from on-going sources. Because 
of such concerns in the Pacific Northwest, the Committee 
directs the Agency's Region 10 to submit a report within 180 
days of enactment of this Act identifying how utilizing recent 
advances in technology can provide quick and low-cost 
techniques for definitively identifying pollution sources and 
thereby accelerating Superfund clean-up activities.

          Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program

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

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $91,941,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        47,532,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        91,941,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +44,409,000
 

    The bill provides $91,941,000 for the Leaking Underground 
Storage Tank (LUST) Trust Fund Program, equal to the fiscal 
year 2018 enacted level and $44,409,000 above the budget 
request.

                       Inland Oil Spill Programs

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

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $18,209,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        15,673,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        18,209,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +2,536,000
 

    The bill provides $18,209,000 for the Inland Oil Spill 
program, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$2,536,000 above 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, 2018...........................    $3,562,161,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................     2,929,467,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................     3,588,161,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       +26,000,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +658,694,000
 

    The bill provides $3,588,161,000 for the State and Tribal 
Assistance Grants account, $26,000,000 above the fiscal year 
2018 enacted level and $658,694,000 above the budget request. 
The Committee provides the following additional detail by 
program area:
    Infrastructure Assistance.--The bill provides 
$2,522,120,000 in base funds for infrastructure assistance. 
When combined with an additional $300,000,000 in a Title IV 
general provision, the bill provides a total of $2,822,120,000 
for infrastructure assistance. The amount provided increases 
funding for the State Revolving Loan Funds $300,000,000 above 
the fiscal year 2018 enacted level of base funding. This 
includes a total of $1,543,887,000 for the Clean Water State 
Revolving Loan Fund and $1,013,233,000 for the Drinking Water 
State Revolving Loan Fund.
    The Committee notes that more than $6 billion is currently 
revolving in the system and available for drinking water and 
wastewater infrastructure loans. The Committee believes that 
EPA and the States must aggressively allocate existing funds to 
projects in order to address the pressing infrastructure needs 
facing the country. In addition, the Committee continues to 
encourage EPA and water infrastructure stakeholders to promote 
alternate financing mechanisms for water infrastructure at 
local, State and Federal levels as it is widely accepted that 
Federal financing through the State Revolving Funds remains an 
important yet insufficient tool to address the Nation's water 
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. The Committee encourages the 
Agency to study the effectiveness of private companies working 
in conjunction with water and wastewater utilities and 
municipalities to improve infrastructure, financial strength, 
and customer satisfaction.
    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.
    Brownfields Program.--The bill provides $80,000,000 for 
Brownfields grants and directs that at least 10 percent of such 
grants be provided to areas in which at least 20 percent of the 
population has lived under the poverty level over the past 30 
years as determined by censuses and the most recent Small Area 
Income and Poverty Estimates.
    Diesel Emissions Reductions Grants (DERA).--The bill 
provides $100,000,000 for DERA grants. More than 10 million 
older, heavily polluting diesel engines remain in use that have 
yet to be retrofitted, repowered, or replaced, and over one 
million are expected to remain in use in 2030. For fiscal year 
2019, the Committee directs EPA to continue to make at least 70 
percent of DERA grants available to improve air quality in non-
attainment areas.
    Targeted Airshed Grants.--The bill provides $55,000,000 for 
targeted airshed grants to reduce air pollution in non-
attainment areas. These grants shall be distributed on a 
competitive basis to non-attainment areas that EPA determines 
are ranked as the top five most polluted areas relative to 
annual ozone or particulate matter 2.5 standards as well as the 
top five areas based on the 24-hour particulate matter 2.5 
standard where the design values exceed the 35  g/m3 standard. 
To determine these areas, the Agency shall use the most recent 
design values calculated from validated air quality data. The 
Committee notes that these funds are available for emission 
reduction activities deemed necessary for compliance with 
national ambient air quality standards and included in a State 
Implementation Plan submitted to EPA. Not later than the end of 
fiscal year 2019, EPA should provide a report to the Committees 
on Appropriations that includes a table showing how fiscal year 
2017 and 2018 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 $1,066,041,000.
    Hazardous Waste Financial Assistance.--The bill provides 
$99,693,000, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. Of 
the funds provided, no less than $3,000,000 is for grants to 
States for the purpose of developing and administering State-
specific permit programs to enforce Federal coal combustion 
residual requirements, in accordance with section 4005(d)(2)(B) 
of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6945(d)(2)(B)).
    Radon.--The Committee continues to support State radon 
program efforts that raise awareness about the associated risks 
of radon exposure as ongoing, unmitigated exposures result in 
over 21,000 radon-induced lung cancer deaths per year. The 
Committee provides $8,051,000, equal to the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level, and the Agency shall allocate radon grants in 
fiscal year 2019 following the direction in House Report 114-
632.

          WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE AND INNOVATION PROGRAM

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $10,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        20,000,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        50,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       +40,000,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +30,000,000
 

    The bill provides a total of $75,000,000 for the Water 
Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program. 
Within base funding in Title II, the bill provides $50,000,000 
for the WIFIA program, and a Title IV general provision 
provides an additional $25,000,000 for the program. By 
utilizing $5,000,000 in base funds and $3,000,000 in Title IV 
funds, the Agency may use up to $8,000,000 to assist with the 
administrative expenses of the program. The remaining 
$67,000,000 in WIFIA funds are provided for direct loan 
subsidization which may translate into a potential loan 
capacity in excess of $8,000,000,000 to eligible entities for 
water infrastructure projects.
    Greater investment in the replacement of aging 
infrastructure will help mitigate nationwide issues the 
Committee is tracking related to contaminants such as lead and 
arsenic, help address Combined Sewer Overflows and Sanitary 
Sewer Overflows, and allow systems to improve water delivery 
for residents. As the Agency issues loans throughout fiscal 
year 2019, the Committee will continue to closely monitor these 
actions.
    The Committee encourages the Agency to consider how to 
utilize current authorities under the Water Infrastructure 
Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 to facilitate loans and loan 
guarantees for very large or a combination of water 
infrastructure projects, including the use of supplemental fees 
and, as appropriate, common security pledges for qualified 
projects. The Committee directs the Agency to provide a report, 
within 180 days of enactment of this Act, on any WIFIA loan 
applications that include the use of a supplemental fee to 
facilitate a loan or loan guarantee.

                       Administrative Provisions


             (INCLUDING TRANSFERS AND RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

    The Committee continues the language, carried in prior 
years, concerning Tribal Cooperative Authority, the collection 
and obligation of pesticides fees, and transfer authorities for 
the purposes of implementing the Great Lakes Restoration 
Initiative.
    The bill includes language expanding the eligible 
activities that pesticide fees may cover.
    The bill authorizes the collection and obligation of TSCA 
user fees.
    The bill authorizes the collection and obligation of 
Electronic Manifest fees.
    The bill continues language authorizing up to $150,000 to 
be spent for facility repairs at any one time.
    The bill authorizes certain uses for Section 319 non-point 
source grants.
    The bill rescinds $75,000,000 of unobligated balances from 
the State and Tribal Assistance Grants account.
    The bill directs the availability of not less than 
$1,500,000 of funds for the National Estuary program as 
competitive grants.

                      TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES


                       Department of Agriculture


                             FOREST SERVICE

    The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of 
National Forests, Grasslands, and 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.

  OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................          $875,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................           875,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................           875,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $875,000 for the Office of the 
Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, equal to 
the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and the budget request.
    Forest Service Accounting, Budgeting, and Management.--The 
Committee supports the Service's continuing efforts to improve 
its accounting, budgeting, and management practices and 
appreciates the efforts of the Service, Office of Budget and 
Program Analysis, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and 
Environment, and Secretary of Agriculture to make improvements. 
The Committee is particularly interested in the Service's plans 
to standardize its budgeting and accounting practices, adopt 
the best practices developed through the Integrated Resource 
Restoration pilot program, to increase transparency and 
accountability by aligning funding and program goals, and to 
eliminate the use of cost-pools. The Committee looks forward to 
considering proposed recommendations in the fiscal year 2020 
budget request.
    Two-year Budget Authority.--Building upon efforts included 
in the Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2017, P.L. 115-31, the 
Committee provides two-year budget authority for most Forest 
Service accounts in the fiscal year 2019 bill. The Committee 
understands this may require a transition period and pledges to 
work with the Service to identify appropriate mechanisms to 
provide for a smooth implementation, if needed.
    Wildland Fire Management.--The Consolidated Appropriations 
Act, 2018 (P.L 115-141) provided a budget cap adjustment for 
wildfire suppression costs and included several forest 
management reforms. The goal of these provisions is to improve 
the condition of our national forests. As such, the Committee 
directs and strongly encourages the Service to provide a high 
level of scrutiny for the Wildland Fire Management account in 
the remaining months of fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019 
in order to ensure increased and appropriate transparency and 
identify effective cost-containment measures. The Committee 
supports the Service's plans to engage the Office of Management 
and Budget and the Department of the Interior on cost-recovery 
and other issues, as well as the States on similar issues. The 
Committee believes more accurate accounting for wildfire 
suppression costs will help the Federal government, States, and 
other partners to better understand cost drivers, control 
costs, and budget appropriately in the future. Without progress 
on this front, the condition of the national forests is likely 
to continue to deteriorate, which is an unacceptable outcome 
for the American people and our Nation's natural resource 
heritage.
    Government Accountability Office Report.--The Committee 
supports the Service's plan to implement the Government 
Accountability Office (GAO) recommendations included in the 
report titled ``Forest Service: Improvements Needed in Internal 
Control over Budget Execution Process'' (GAO-18-56) and reminds 
the Service to work with the Committee should it find 
challenges to implementing the recommendations. The Service is 
directed to provide to the Committee a summary of its 
implementation activities on July 31, 2018, and January 31, 
2020.
    Forest Service Research.--The Committee supports forestry 
research, but it continues to have concerns about the lack of a 
regular, rigorous review cycle for research programs and 
projects; the lack of focus on the needs of the National Forest 
System; little coordination with the Department of 
Agriculture's and other Federal research agencies; and 
responsiveness to industry, stakeholder, and partner input. As 
such, the Committee directs the Service to develop and begin to 
implement a plan to strengthen its research program, within one 
year of enactment of this Act, using existing guidelines and 
best practices for Federal research agencies. The Service is 
directed to consult with the Committee; other congressional 
committees, as appropriate; the Department of Agriculture, 
including its Chief Scientist and the Agricultural Research 
Service; and other Federal agencies and interested parties.
    Pests, Diseases, and Invasive Species.--The Committee 
recognizes that National Forest System lands, as well as other 
forested lands in the United States, are at increasing risk for 
insect and disease outbreaks and invasive plant infestations, 
which often result in catastrophic wildland fire. The Emerald 
Ash Borer, bark beetle, and cogon grass are but three examples 
of these threats. As such, the Committee recommends an increase 
of $19,500,000 for Federal and Cooperative Land forest health 
management and $20,000,000 for Hazardous Fuels and encourages 
the Service to work in concert with Federal agencies, States, 
and other entities to prioritize the allocation of these funds 
to address the greatest threats.
    Indian Trust Lands.--The Service is encouraged to promote 
and expand the use of agreements with Indian Tribes to protect 
Indian trust resources from catastrophic wildfire, insect and 
disease infestation or other threats from adjacent Federal 
lands, as authorized by law.
    Puerto Rico Hurricane Recovery.--The Committee encourages 
the Service, including El Yunque National Forest and the 
International Institute of Tropical Forestry, to continue 
working with private partners and the Government of Puerto Rico 
to restore and rehabilitate the island's unique forest 
ecosystems.
    Knutson-Vandenberg Program.--The Committee encourages the 
Service to fully utilize the Knutson-Vandenberg fund as 
authorized by 16 U.S.C. 576b and to improve its processes and 
policies to ensure smooth implementation of the activities 
authorized and funded under the Act.
    Wildfire Hazard Severity Mapping for Communities.--The 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) required 
the Service to develop and publish a geospatial map appropriate 
for community-level use that depicts wildfire hazard severity. 
The Service is directed to consult specifically with the Bureau 
of Land Management on the wildfire hazard severity of land 
managed by the Bureau, as well as similar lands, to ensure at-
risk communities have the best available information to help 
mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildland fire.

                     FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $297,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       258,800,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       297,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +38,200,000
 

    The Committee recommends $297,000,000 for Forest and 
Rangeland Research, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level 
and $38,200,000 above the budget request. This includes 
$77,000,000 for Forest Inventory and Analysis.
    The Committee notes the interest of Members of Congress, 
States, and forestry and research associations in funding 
specific research laboratories, programs, and projects, 
including those noted below. However, until the Service 
strengthens its research program, which it has been directed to 
do within one year of the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Committee will refrain from directing funding to specific 
projects, programs, or laboratories. In the meantime, the 
Service is directed to use the funds provided for the highest 
priority research needs, including projects conducted through 
the Joint Fire Science program.
    Fire Plan Research and Development.--The Committee supports 
continued research that significantly contributes to the 
understanding of wildfire regimes.
    Wood Products Research.--The Committee supports continued 
research to improve the environmental performance, resiliency, 
and affordability of mass timber and other wood products.
    Bighorn Sheep Research.--The Service is urged to 
collaborate with the Bureau of Land Management and the 
Agricultural Research Service on research involving the risk of 
disease transmission between domestic and bighorn sheep.
    Forest Carbon Research.--The Committee encourages the 
Service to work with other U.S. Department of Agriculture 
agencies and offices to establish the methods and tools needed 
to quantify forest carbon as a resource.
    Cellulose Nanomaterials.--The Committee commends the 
Service for its work on cellulose nanomaterials and encourages 
continued research and development in this area.

                       STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $329,587,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       172,296,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       334,945,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +5,358,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +162,649,000
 

    The Committee recommends $334,945,000 for State and Private 
Forestry, $5,358,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level 
and $162,649,000 above the budget request.
    Landscape Scale Restoration.--The Committee recommends 
$10,000,000 for Landscape Scale Restoration, $4,000,000 below 
the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $10,000,000 above the 
budget request. The Committee notes that the Agriculture and 
Nutrition Act of 2018, H.R. 2, (the 2018 farm bill) establishes 
a State and Private Forest Landscape-Scale Restoration Program 
and sets its authorization of appropriations at $10,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. Should the 
authorization of appropriations be enacted at a different 
level, the Committee will consider adjusting the amount it 
provides for the program.
    Forest Health Management.--The Committee recommends 
$116,000,000 for Forest Health Management, $19,500,000 above 
the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $30,129,000 above the 
budget request. The Committee encourages the Service to address 
high priority invasive species, pests, and diseases, including 
the Emerald Ash Borer, bark beetle, and cogon grass 
infestations.
    Cooperative Fire Assistance.--The Committee recommends 
$80,000,000 for State Fire Assistance, equal to the fiscal year 
2018 enacted level and $14,070,000 above the budget request, 
and $16,000,000 for Volunteer Fire Assistance, equal to the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $4,980,000 above the budget 
request.
    Forest Stewardship Program.--The Committee recommends 
$20,500,000 for the Forest Stewardship Program, equal to the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $1,025,000 above the budget 
request.
    Forest Legacy.--The recommendation includes $48,445,000 for 
Forest Legacy, $18,580,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $48,445,000 above the budget request.
    Community Forest and Open Space Conservation.--The 
Committee recommends $4,000,000 for Community Forest and Open 
Space Conservation, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level 
and $4,000,000 above the budget request.
    Urban and Community Forestry.--The Committee recommends 
$30,000,000 for Urban and Community, $1,500,000 above the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $30,000,000 above the budget 
request.
    International Forestry.--The Committee recommends 
$10,000,000 for International Forestry, $1,000,000 above the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $10,000,000 above the budget 
request.

                         NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................    $1,923,750,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................     1,719,954,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................     1,972,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       +48,250,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +252,046,000
 

    The Committee recommends $1,972,000,000 for the National 
Forest System, $48,250,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $252,046,000 above the budget request.
    Recreation, Heritage and Wilderness.--The Committee 
recommends $260,000,000 for Recreation, Heritage and 
Wilderness, $2,152,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level 
and $19,764,000 above the budget request. Of the funds 
available to Manage Recreation Operations, $750,000 shall be 
for the maintenance of rural airstrips.
    Off-Highway Vehicle Report.--The Committee directs the 
Service to expeditiously provide the report on its off-highway 
vehicle (OHV) mixed-use analysis that was requested on July 21, 
2017, in House Report 115-238. The report should include 
information on how OHV access to forest roads would affect 
recreational opportunities and related economic activity in 
forest communities; how many miles potentially could become 
available; estimated budget needs for expanded access; plans 
for opening new routes; and how other vehicles, such as all-
terrain vehicles, could be utilized by wounded veterans and 
disabled citizens. The Committee reminds the Service of the 
importance of making the national forests as accessible as 
possible to the American people and requests that the Service 
work with States, local officials, communities, and partners as 
it implements the travel analysis process.
    Wilderness Area Management.--The Committee recognizes that 
the management of National Forest System land recommended as 
wilderness is not consistent across all regions nor are the 
full spectrum of adaptive management steps, as provided in the 
Forest Service Handbook Chapter 70, consistently utilized to 
maintain existing uses to the extent possible. While the 
Service is required to protect the characteristics that provide 
the basis for a wilderness recommendation, the Committee 
encourages the Service to allow and manage existing uses, to 
the extent possible, utilizing all the adaptive management 
steps provided in the handbook, so that such uses do not 
prevent the protection and maintenance of the social and 
ecological characteristics that provide the basis for a 
wilderness designation. The Committee also encourages the 
Service to fully consider historic uses that have been 
prevented in previous decisions that can be managed utilizing 
adaptive management, as appropriate.
    Gifford Pinchot National Forest.--The Committee directs the 
Service to work expeditiously and collaboratively with States, 
local officials, forest communities, and other interested 
entities to develop a plan to allow vehicles, such as all-
terrain vehicles that are licensed by a State for road use, to 
travel on low maintenance Level 2 Forest Roads.
    Grazing Management.--The Committee recommends $60,000,000 
for Grazing Management, $3,144,000 above the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level and $11,930,000 above the budget request.
    The Committee encourages the Service to improve its 
monitoring of grazing permits in allotments where riparian 
streamside health is a concern for listed or threatened 
species. The Committee also requests that each Forest Service 
region increase transparency and reporting on how their 
monitoring resources are used on the ground to satisfy 
monitoring requirements or for other purposes.
    Hazardous Fuels.--The Committee recommends $450,000,000 for 
hazardous fuels, $20,000,000 above the fiscal year 2018 level 
and $60,000,000 above the budget request. Included in this 
amount is $3,000,000 for the Southwest Ecological Restoration 
Institutes to continue to assist communities and land managers 
in applying hazardous fuels and wildfire risk reduction 
research, conduct monitoring and evaluation research, and 
provide technical assistance.
    The Committee directs the Service to use the best available 
science that takes into account historical fire data, landscape 
characteristics, and forest composition as well as the effects 
of past and current human influences, such as development and 
land-use patterns, and climatic conditions to identify the 
highest priority areas for hazardous fuel reduction and forest 
health and management treatments. The Committee also recommends 
prioritizing funding for proactive hazardous fuels management 
and fire mitigation in high-priority areas to protect life and 
property.
    Lake Tahoe Basin.--The Committee is encouraged by the work 
conducted in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and expects 
the Service to prioritize funding the implementation of P.L. 
106-506, as amended, and to do so in consultation with affected 
States, local governments, and other stakeholders. The 
Committee also recognizes the Service's efforts to create fire-
resilient communities through a combination of active fuel 
reduction treatments and collaboration with municipal water and 
fire agencies to improve critical infrastructure and expand 
fire-fighting capabilities in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Service 
is encouraged to continue to fund programs and initiatives that 
support these partnerships.
    Forest Products.--The Committee recommends $380,000,000 for 
Forest Products, $14,000,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $38,835,000 above the budget request.
    The Committee believes timber sales are a vital component 
of forest health. The budget request assumes 3.7 billion board 
feet of timber volume will be sold in fiscal year 2019. The 
Committee encourages the Service to work toward sales of 4 
billion board feet.
    Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund.--The 
Committee recommends $40,000,000, for the Collaborative Forest 
Landscape Restoration Fund, equal to the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level and $40,000,000 above the budget request.
    The Committee recognizes the need to ensure forest 
resiliency and support multiple uses on national forest lands. 
The Committee urges the Service to incorporate a variety of 
landscapes, including wet forests, as it develops future 
projects for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration 
Program.
    The Committee directs the Service to prioritize vegetation 
treatments developed by collaborative entities that utilize 
current science and forest practices, treatments, and 
techniques that produce a greater average volume per acre and 
integrate ecological, social, and economic goals consistent 
with the Northwest Forest Plan, as appropriate.
    Minerals and Geology Management.--The Committee recommends 
$75,000,000 for Minerals and Geology Management, $800,000 above 
the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $10,400,000 above the 
budget request.
    The Committee expects that the Service will not promulgate 
regulations under the authority provided by section 2508 of 
Public Law 102-486 regarding certain oil and gas activities 
where the Federal government has acquired an interest in 
surface lands but not in oil and gas deposits that may be 
present under these lands. The Committee intends that the Third 
Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Minard Run Oil Co. v. U.S. 
Forest Serv., 670 F.3d 236 (3d Cir. 2011) will continue to 
apply to all Forest Service actions regarding oil and gas 
development of outstanding and reserved mineral rights on the 
Allegheny National Forest.
    Landownership Management.--The Committee recommends 
$75,000,000 for Landownership Management, $1,000,000 above the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $9,450,000 above the budget 
request.
    The Committee recognizes the challenges of providing for 
the appropriate and responsible stewardship of National Forest 
System lands as well as the urgent need to deploy broadband 
networks nationwide, which may require communications networks 
to be placed on or across these lands. As such, the Committee 
directs the Service to coordinate with the other Federal 
agencies and departments involved in the broadband deployment 
effort to simplify and standardize Federal rights-of-way, 
property, permitting, and access regulations to ensure a timely 
decision-making process.
    Law Enforcement Operations.--The Committee recommends 
$132,000,000 for Law Enforcement Operations, $2,847,000 above 
the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and the budget request.
    Illegal Marijuana Cultivation Site Remediation.--The 
Committee recommends $2,500,000 to continue the Service's 
initiative to remediate illegal growing sites and directs the 
Service to expeditiously implement the recommendations in the 
Office of Inspector General audit report 08003-0001-22 
regarding illegal drug enforcement on National Forest System 
lands.
    Tongass National Forest.--Without a comprehensive stand-
level inventory, the transition plan described by the Tongass 
Land and Resource Management Plan Amendment lacks the 
scientific basis needed for success. The Committee expects the 
Service to meet the requirements of section 705(a) of the 
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 
539d(a)) and to consider a plan revision, plan replacement, or 
new plan amendment based on the results of the inventory. Any 
plan revision or amendment should include a timber management 
program sufficient to preserve a viable timber industry in the 
region. Until the Service has determined, based on a completed 
stand-level inventory, the timing and supply of economic young 
growth needed for a successful final transition and whether the 
2016 Forest Plan should be amended, replaced, or revised, the 
Service is directed not to implement a final transition away 
from its Tongass old growth timber program to a program based 
primarily on young growth.
    The Committee calls the Service's attention to the 
significant public interest in the environmental assessment it 
is conducting on the proposal to withdraw lands within the 
Superior National Forest's Boundary Waters Canoe Area 
Wilderness from mineral and geothermal leasing laws, subject to 
valid existing rights, and directs the Service to ensure it 
evaluates the environmental consequences of the proposed 
action, allows for State environmental agencies and the public 
to participate, and is completed no later than January 1, 2019.
    Bill Language.--The Committee includes the following bill 
language in Title IV General Provisions: Section 407, allowing 
forest management plans to expire if the Forest Service has 
made a good faith effort to update plans commensurate with 
appropriated funds; Section 410, regarding timber sales of 
Alaskan western red cedar; Section 423, allowing the Forest 
Service to renew grazing permits; Section 425, extending the 
Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act for one year; Section 
435, prohibiting the use of appropriated funds to close areas 
open to recreational hunting and shooting as of January 1, 
2013; and Section 436, making vacant allotments for permittees 
affected by drought or wildfire.

                  CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $449,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        94,708,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       499,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       +50,000,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +404,292,000
 

    The Committee recommends $499,000,000 for Capital 
Improvement and Maintenance, $50,000,000 above the fiscal year 
2018 enacted level and $404,292,000 above the budget request. 
The appropriation is offset by the deferral of the road and 
rail fund payment of $15,000,000. Overall, the recommendation 
includes $50,000,000 to address deferred facility, road, and 
trail maintenance needs.
    Facilities Maintenance and Construction.--The Committee 
recommends $176,000,000 for Facilities Maintenance and 
Construction, $25,000,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $164,838,000 above the budget request.
    Smokejumper Base.--The Committee is aware the North 
Cascades Smokejumper Base in Winthrop, Washington, needs 
facility upgrades, improvements, and renovations to meet 
Federal Aviation Administration compliance standards and 
requirements and understands the Service has completed a 
Preliminary Project Analysis that recommends maintaining the 
base. The Committee urges the Service to devote the necessary 
resources to ensure the base can maintain operational 
excellence.
    Road Maintenance and Construction.--The Committee 
recommends $238,000,000 for Road Maintenance and Construction, 
$20,000,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$166,519,000 above the budget request.
    Uhwarrie National Forest.--The Committee encourages the 
Service to address road conditions in the Uhwarrie National 
Forest, working with the State and surrounding communities to 
identify priority projects.
    Trail Maintenance and Construction.--The Committee 
recommends $85,000,000 for Trail Maintenance and Construction, 
$5,000,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$72,935,000 above the budget request.
    American Discovery Trail.--The Committee encourages the 
Service to work with interested parties to facilitate the 
installation of signage for the American Discovery Trail, in 
accordance with current law and regulation.
    Legacy Roads and Trail Remediation.--The Committee 
continues to recognize the need to remediate legacy roads and 
trails and directs the Service to address these projects as 
they rank in priority along with all other infrastructure needs 
from the appropriations provided for roads and trails through 
the Capital Improvement and Maintenance account.
    Capital Improvement Plan.--The Committee reminds the 
Service of the directive included in the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2018, (Public Law 115-141), to develop a 
comprehensive capital improvement plan by December 30, 2018.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $64,337,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       -17,000,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        34,761,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       -29,576,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +51,761,000
 

    The Committee recommends $34,761,000 for Land Acquisition, 
$29,576,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$51,761,000 above the budget request. A detailed table of 
funding recommendations below the account level is provided at 
the end of this report.
    The Committee does not have sufficient information to 
recommend specific Federal acquisition projects at this time, 
but will review and recommend levels of funding for projects 
submitted to the Committee in accordance with the direction 
provided in the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 
115-141.
    The Committee is pleased with the cooperative agreement 
between the Forest Service and local authorities in Skamania 
County and encourages the Service to remain supportive of the 
agreement and to move forward with the land transfer process.
    The Committee supports the continuation of efforts to 
resolve the long-standing management challenges regarding the 
school trust lands within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in the 
Superior National Forest in Minnesota and encourages the 
Service to collaborate with nonprofit partners on the private 
forestland exchange alternative, which will provide the added 
benefit of preserving valuable forestlands outside of Superior 
National Forest.

         ACQUISITION OF LANDS FOR NATIONAL FORESTS SPECIAL ACTS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................          $850,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................           700,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................           700,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................          -150,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $700,000 for Acquisition of Lands 
for National Forests Special Acts, equal to the budget request.

            ACQUISITION OF LANDS TO COMPLETE LAND EXCHANGES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................          $192,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................           150,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................           150,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................           -42,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $150,000 for Acquisition of Lands 
to Complete Land Exchanges under the Act of December 4, 1967 
(16 U.S.C. 484a), equal to the budget request.

                         RANGE BETTERMENT FUND

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................        $2,065,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         1,700,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................         1,700,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................          -365,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $1,700,000 for the Range 
Betterment Fund, equal to the budget request, to be derived 
from grazing receipts from national forests (Public Law 94-579) 
and to be used for range rehabilitation, protection, and 
improvements including seeding, reseeding, fence construction, 
weed control, water development, and fish and wildlife habitat 
enhancement in 16 western States.

    GIFTS, DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS FOR FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................           $45,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................            45,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................            45,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

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

        MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL FOREST LANDS FOR SUBSISTENCE USES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................        $2,500,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        $1,850,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................         1,850,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................          -650,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $1,850,000 for the Management of 
National Forest Lands for Subsistence Uses in Alaska, equal to 
the budget request.

                             WILDLAND FIRE

    The Wildland Fire Management account supports the wildland 
fire activities of the Forest Service. The Committee recommends 
a total of $3,004,986,000 for the Forest Service wildland fire 
accounts. This includes an additional $500,000,000 above the 
10-year average of wildland fire suppression costs.

                        WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................    $2,880,338,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................     2,439,986,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................     3,004,986,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................      +124,648,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +565,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $3,004,986,000 for Wildland Fire 
Management, $124,648,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $565,000,000 above the budget request.
    Wildland Fire Preparedness.--The Committee recommends 
$1,339,620,000 for Wildfire Preparedness, $16,100,000 above the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level and equal to the budget request.
    Wildland Fire Suppression Operations.--The Committee 
recommends $1,165,366,000 for Wildfire Suppression Operations, 
$108,548,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and equal 
to the budget request. The Committee recommendation fully meets 
the 10-year average expenditure for suppression activities.
    The Committee supports the Service's efforts to incorporate 
new approaches to fire science into its fire-fighting strategy. 
Such techniques include, but are not limited to, analyzing fire 
data to improve forecasts, using high-definition cameras part 
of the AlertWildfire system, treatments to reduce accumulated 
fuels loads, and growing use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. The 
Committee strongly encourages the Service to work closely with 
the Department of the Interior, other Federal agencies, States, 
and other partners on these efforts.

               ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS, FOREST SERVICE

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

    The Committee has included administrative provisions as 
requested.

                DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


                         Indian Health Service

    The provision of Federal health services to Indians is 
based on a relationship between Indian Tribes and the U.S. 
Government first set forth in the 1830s by the U.S. Supreme 
Court under Chief Justice John Marshall. Numerous treaties, 
statutes, constitutional provisions, and international laws 
have reconfirmed this relationship. Principal among these is 
the Snyder Act of 1921, which provides the basic authority for 
most Indian health services provided by the Federal government 
to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). The Indian 
Health Service (IHS) provides direct health care services in 26 
hospitals, 55 health centers, two school health centers, and 21 
health stations. Tribes and Tribal groups, through contracts 
and compacts with the IHS, operate 22 hospitals, 280 health 
centers, six school health centers, and 62 health stations 
(including 134 Alaska Native village clinics).

                         INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................    $3,952,290,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................     3,945,975,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................     4,202,639,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................      +250,349,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +256,664,000
 

    The Committee recommends $4,202,639,000 for Indian Health 
Services. All proposed cuts are restored and IHS is expected to 
continue all programs at fiscal year 2018 enacted levels except 
as otherwise discussed below and summarized in the table at the 
end of this report. The bill makes funds available for two 
years unless otherwise specified.
    Current Services.--The recommendation includes an increase 
of $42,799,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level to 
cover estimated fixed cost increases, as requested.
    Hospitals and Health Clinics.--The recommendation includes 
$1,969,000 for new Tribes as requested. The Committee has 
recently been made aware of ongoing litigation between the 
Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee 
Indians (UKB), which could be influenced by congressional 
action on $99,000 for UKB included in the budget request. The 
Committee is neutral on the matter, and will consult with all 
parties involved before taking final congressional action on 
the fiscal year 2019 budget.
    Indian Health Care Improvement Fund.--The recommendation 
includes $125,666,000 for the Indian Health Care Improvement 
Fund in order to continue to reduce health care disparities 
across the IHS system.
    Staffing for New Facilities.--The recommendation includes 
$103,931,000 for staffing newly opened health facilities, which 
is the full amount based upon updated estimates provided to the 
Committee. 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 2018 or will open in 
fiscal year 2019. None of these funds may be allocated to a 
facility until such facility has achieved beneficial occupancy 
status.
    Accreditation Emergencies.--The recommendation includes 
$58,000,000 as requested to assist IHS-operated facilities that 
have been terminated or received notice of termination from the 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare 
program. Funding shall be allocated to such facilities in 
amounts to: restore compliance; supplement purchased/referred 
care, including transportation, in the event of temporary 
closure of such facility or one or more of its departments; and 
compensate for third-party collection shortfalls resulting from 
being out of compliance. Primary consideration should be given 
to facilities that have been without certification the longest. 
Shortfalls shall be calculated relative to the average of the 
collections in each of the two fiscal years preceding the year 
in which an agreement with CMS was terminated or put on notice 
of termination. Funds allocated to a facility to address 
compliance issues shall be made available to Tribes newly 
assuming operation of such facilities pursuant to the Indian 
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 (P.L. 
93-638).
    Village Built Clinics.--The recommendation includes 
$18,000,000 for the village built clinics leasing program, 
equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level.
    Dental Health.--The recommendation includes $207,906,000 
for Dental Health, $12,623,000 above the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level. Increases are for fixed costs, staffing for new 
facilities, and the requested transfer. The Service is expected 
to staff all leadership positions in the headquarters office.
    Urban Indian Health.--The recommendation includes 
$60,000,000 for Urban Indian Health, $13,578,000 above the 
budget request. The Service is expected to include current 
services estimates for Urban Indian Health in annual budget 
requests.
    Indian Health Care Improvement Act.--It has been over eight 
years since the permanent reauthorization of the Indian Health 
Care Improvement Act (IHCIA), yet many of the provisions in the 
law remain unfunded. Tribes have specifically requested that 
priority areas for funding focus on diabetes treatment and 
prevention, behavioral health, and health professions. The 
Committee is aware of the work being done by the IHS in 
consultation with Tribes to re-evaluate the existing formula 
for calculating the level of need funded. The Service is 
expected to combine this calculation with other existing 
resource deficiency metrics to estimate a total amount 
necessary for fully funding existing health services, and 
report to the Committee no later than 180 days after enactment 
of this Act.
    Maternal and Child Health.--The Committee is aware the 
Indian Health Service Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has 
established the hiring of a national maternal/child health 
coordinator as a top priority for the Office of Clinical and 
Preventive Services. In addition, the CMO has also appointed a 
Chief Clinical Consultant for Obstetrics and Gynecology for 
issues related to maternal health. Within 90 days of enactment 
of this Act, the Indian Health Service shall report on its 
progress to hire a permanent Maternal and Child Health 
Coordinator at Headquarters with experience working as a health 
care provider on maternal and child health issues.
    Indian Health Professions.--The recommendation includes 
$70,765,000 for Indian Health Professions, $21,402,000 above 
the fiscal year 2018 enacted level. Loan repayments are funded 
at $55,700,000 and an additional $1,650,000 is provided for 
scholarships. The Committee recognizes the value of the loan 
repayment program and the scholarships program in helping to 
recruit and retain medical professionals.

                         CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $717,970,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       822,227,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       822,227,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................      +104,257,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends an indefinite appropriation 
estimated to be $822,227,000 for contract support costs 
incurred by the agency as required by law. The bill includes 
language making available for two years such sums as are 
necessary to meet the Federal government's full legal 
obligation, and prohibiting the transfer of funds to any other 
account for any other purpose.

                        INDIAN HEALTH FACILITIES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $867,504,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       505,821,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       882,748,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       +15,244,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +376,927,000
 

    The Committee recommends $882,748,000 for Indian Health 
Facilities, $15,244,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $376,927,000 above the budget request. All proposed 
cuts are restored and IHS is expected to continue all programs 
at fiscal year 2018 enacted levels except as otherwise 
discussed below and summarized in the table at the end of this 
report.
    Current Services.--The recommendation includes an increase 
of $3,942,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level to cover 
estimated fixed cost increases, as requested.
    Staffing for New Facilities.--The agreement includes 
$11,302,000 for staffing newly opened health facilities, which 
is the full amount based upon updated estimates provided to the 
Committee. The stipulations included in the ``Indian Health 
Services'' account regarding the allocation of funds pertain to 
this account as well.
    Indian Health Care Improvement Fund.--The bill includes 
language allowing funds in the Indian Health Care Improvement 
Fund to be used for activities in the Facilities account.
     The methodology used to distribute facilities funding 
should address the fluctuating annual workload and maintain 
parity among IHS areas and Tribes as the workload shifts.

                     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, 2018...........................       $77,349,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        53,967,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        80,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +2,651,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +26,033,000
 

    The Committee recommends $80,000,000 for the National 
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, $2,651,000 above 
the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $26,033,000 above 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 
(CERCLA) of 1980. The Agency's mission is to serve the public 
through responsive public health actions to promote healthy and 
safe environments and prevent harmful toxic exposures. ATSDR 
assesses hazardous exposures in communities near toxic waste 
sites and advises the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and 
other government agencies, community groups and industry 
partners on actions needed to protect people's health. In 
addition, ATSDR conducts toxicological and applied research to 
support environmental assessments, supports health surveillance 
systems and registries, develops and disseminates information 
on hazardous substances, provides education and training on 
hazardous exposures, and responds to environmental emergencies. 
Through a national network of scientists and public health 
practitioners in State health departments, regional EPA offices 
and headquarters, ATSDR helps to protect people from acute 
toxic exposures that occur from hazardous leaks and spills, 
environment-related poisonings, and natural and terrorism-
related disasters.

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $74,691,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        62,000,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        62,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       -12,691,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $62,000,000 for the Agency for 
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, $12,691,000 below the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level and equal to the budget request.
    The Committee directs the Agency to focus on its core 
mission of assessing hazardous exposures and working with 
communities, if requested, near toxic waste sites and not 
agricultural operations that are regulated under a variety of 
State and Federal laws.

                         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, 2018...........................        $3,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         2,994,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................         2,994,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................            -6,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $2,994,000 for the Council on 
Environmental Quality and Office of Environmental Quality, 
$6,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and equal to 
the budget request.
    The Committee recognizes that the Council on Environmental 
Quality (CEQ) plays a critical role in coordinating Federal 
efforts to protect our environment and natural resources. Given 
that role, the Committee urges CEQ to convene the Department of 
the Navy and the Department of the Interior, and other agencies 
as appropriate, to support ongoing efforts to determine the 
potential environmental impacts of military aviation noise on 
national parks, including with respect to measuring and 
reporting military aviation noise that impacts land under the 
administration of the National Park Service.

             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, 2018...........................       $11,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         9,500,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        12,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +1,000,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +2,500,000
 

    The bill provides $12,000,000 for Salaries and Expenses of 
the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. The Board 
has the responsibility of independently investigating 
industrial chemical accidents and collaborating with industry 
and professional organizations to share safety lessons that can 
prevent catastrophic incidents and the Committee expects this 
work to continue.

              Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    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, 2018...........................       $15,431,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         4,400,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................         4,750,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................       -10,681,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................          +350,000
 

    The Committee recommends $4,750,000 for the Office of 
Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (ONHIR) to complete its 
mission and bring about the closure of ONHIR in accordance with 
its authorizing statutes. The amount above the request may be 
used for activities such as hiring temporary personnel, 
contracting for litigation support to summarize files within 
the statute of limitations, contracting for post move 
counseling services, and hiring a consultant to facilitate 
transitioning ONHIR's database to the entity that assumes 
responsibility for ONHIR functions to ensure the information is 
readily available and accessible. ONHIR is directed to continue 
to work closely with the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, the 
Office of the Special Trustee, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 
and the Department of Justice to plan and implement the timely, 
reasonable, and fair closure of ONHIR and transfer of any 
legacy responsibilities to the appropriate parties.

    Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts 
                              Development


                        PAYMENT TO THE INSTITUTE

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................        $9,835,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         9,960,000
Recommended, 2019                                              9,960,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................          +125,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $9,960,000 for the Institute of 
American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development, 
as requested.

                        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 172 years in 
the ``increase and diffusion of knowledge.'' Last year, the 
Smithsonian attracted over 30 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 155 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, 2018...........................      $731,444,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       737,944,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       737,944,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +6,500,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $737,944,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the Smithsonian Institution, $6,500,000 above the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level and equal to 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 with continuing efforts to improve the long-term 
inventory, preservation, and storage of historical collections.
    National Museum of African American History and Culture.--
The Committee maintains its longstanding support of the 
National Museum of African American History and Culture 
(NMAAHC), and has provided funds, as requested.
    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.
    Asian Pacific American Initiatives and Outreach.--The 
Committee provides funds as requested for the Institution's 
Asian Pacific American initiatives and continues to support the 
Institution's efforts to develop programs and expand outreach 
to promote a better understanding of the Asian Pacific American 
experience.
    Outreach.--The Committee acknowledges the Smithsonian's new 
strategic plan and its goal to reach a billion people by 2022 
with a ``digital first'' strategy. The Committee encourages the 
Institution to increase outreach and support activities through 
collaboration with local museums and other interested public 
and non-profit organizations. The Committee continues its 
support of the Smithsonian's Traveling Exhibitions and 
Affiliations programs that share its expertise, art, science 
and historical artifacts throughout the Nation, as well as rich 
educational programming. These programs ensure that all 
Americans have the opportunity to learn and experience the 
magnificent history which millions find every year exhibited in 
Washington, D.C.
    STEM engagement.--The Committee commends the Smithsonian's 
efforts to provide authentic and inspiring STEM experiences for 
teachers and students by drawing on the scientific and 
engineering assets of the Federal government including 
scientists, labs, satellites, museums, and research centers. 
The Committee encourages the Smithsonian to continue its 
involvement and leadership in the Federal CoSTEM initiative 
which coordinates the efforts of STEM engagement across mission 
agencies, and other non-profit collaborators. The Committee is 
pleased that the Smithsonian continues to offer additional 
programs, experiences, and services in the creation, 
dissemination, and evaluation of STEM education content.

                           FACILITIES CAPITAL

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $311,903,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       219,500,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       317,500,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +5,597,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +98,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $317,500,000 for the Facilities 
Capital account, $5,597,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level. The recommendation includes funding, as requested, for 
the facilities capital account and an additional $98,000,000 
above the budget request for the National Air and Space Museum 
revitalization.
    National Air and Space Museum Revitalization.--The 
Committee supports the multi-year, multi-phase renovation of 
the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), including the 
replacement of the building's fawade and internal building 
systems. The bill includes $225,000,000 for this critical 
revitalization effort.
    The NASM faces mechanical, structural, and security 
challenges that necessitate action to ensure the facility's 
long-term viability. The NASM is the most visited museum in the 
United States and second most visited museum in the world with 
between seven and eight million visitors annually. Given the 
scale of the project, the Committee directs the Institution to 
provide the Committee on a timely basis the most updated and 
comprehensive information on project and funding requirements. 
The Government Accountability Office is directed to continue 
its ongoing review and analysis of the project's cost estimate, 
as directed in the Consolidated Appropriations Ace, 2017 (P.L. 
115-31). Further, the Committee commends the Smithsonian for 
its efforts to identify partnership and philanthropic 
opportunities that will provide additional non-Federal sources 
of funding to assist in offsetting the costs of this and other 
projects.

                        National Gallery of Art

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

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $141,790,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................       138,724,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       141,790,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +3,066,000
 

    The Committee recommends $141,790,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the National Gallery of Art, equal to the fiscal 
year 2018 enacted level and $3,066,000 above the budget 
request.
    Bill Language.--The Committee has included bill language 
specifying the amount provided for Special Exhibitions.

            REPAIR, RESTORATION AND RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $24,203,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         8,176,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        26,564,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +2,361,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................       +18,388,000
 

    The Committee recommends $26,564,000 for Repair, 
Restoration and Renovation of buildings at the National Gallery 
of Art, $2,361,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$18,388,000 above the budget request. The recommendation 
includes an additional $4,000,000 to begin projects identified 
for Work Area 9.3, including upgrading the East Building's main 
electrical service equipment.
    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, 2018...........................       $23,740,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        24,490,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        24,490,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................          +750,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $24,490,000 for Operations and 
Maintenance, $750,000 above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level 
and equal to the budget request.

                     CAPITAL REPAIR AND RESTORATION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $16,775,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        13,000,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        16,025,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................          -750,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +3,025,000
 

    The Committee recommends $16,025,000 for Capital Repair and 
Restoration, $750,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted level 
and $3,025,000 above the budget request.

            Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

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

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................       $12,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         7,474,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        12,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +4,526,000
 

    The Committee recommends $12,000,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for 
Scholars, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and 
$4,526,000 above the budget request.

           National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities


                    National Endowment for the Arts


                       GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................      $152,849,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        28,949,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       155,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +2,151,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +126,051,000
 

    The Committee recommends $155,000,000 for the National 
Endowment for the Arts (NEA), $2,151,000 above the fiscal year 
2018 enacted level and $126,051,000 above the budget request.
    The Committee notes the broad bipartisan support of the NEA 
in commending the NEA's participation in the National 
Initiative on Arts and the Military. This collaborative effort 
involving Federal agencies, the military, and nonprofit and 
private sector partners is working to advance the policy, 
research, and practice of arts therapy for military veterans 
and their families. Through the innovative program, ``Creative 
Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network,'' the NEA is 
partnering with the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs 
to place creative arts therapies at the core of patient-
centered care and increase access to therapeutic arts 
activities in local communities.
    The Committee commends the NEA for its ongoing 
collaboration with the National Intrepid Center of Excellence 
at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Since 2011, 
this unique partnership has supported creative and innovative 
arts therapies for service members. In 2013, this collaborative 
relationship expanded to bring art therapy to military patients 
at the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Brain Injury Clinic in 
Virginia to evaluate the potential health benefits of creative 
arts therapy interventions for service members with Traumatic 
Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress. Today, the NEA is 
engaged in this transformative approach to healing at 11 
clinical sites across the country.
    The Committee values greatly the longstanding collaborative 
relationship between the NEA and the States. State Arts 
Agencies support the arts for communities at the grassroots 
level regardless of their geographic location, providing much 
of their funding to smaller organizations, community groups, 
and schools.
    The Committee 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.
    The Committee supports the NEA's work with STEAM, adding 
the Arts to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and 
Mathematic) education initiatives. The Committee encourages the 
NEA to continue its research efforts and work with cultural 
institutions, arts organizations, and other Federal agencies in 
furthering STEAM initiatives. STEAM programs have proven 
effective in student achievement, subject area understanding, 
and fostering innovation and creativity and preparing young 
Americans for the 21st century and beyond.
    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, 2018...........................      $152,848,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        42,307,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................       155,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        +2,152,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................      +112,693,000
 

    The Committee recommends a total of $155,000,000 for the 
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), $2,152,000 above 
the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $112,693,000 above the 
budget request.
    The Committee notes the broad bipartisan support of the NEH 
in commending the NEH for its support of grant programs to 
benefit wounded warriors and to ensure educational 
opportunities for veterans and service members transitioning to 
civilian life. In partnership with NEH, State humanities 
councils have developed and delivered local programs that 
support veterans, their families and caregivers. The Committee 
encourages the NEH to fully support efforts to connect the 
humanities to the experience of veterans and provide 
educational opportunities to these American heroes.
    The Committee commends the NEH for its ongoing support to 
American Indian and Alaska Native communities in preserving 
their cultural and linguistic heritage through the Documenting 
Endangered Languages program and a variety of preservation and 
access grants that enable American Indian and Alaska Native 
communities to preserve cultural artifacts and make them 
broadly accessible. The Committee also commends the NEH for 
providing educational opportunities for Tribal communities 
through the Humanities Initiatives at Tribal Colleges and 
Universities program.
    The Committee commends the NEH Federal/State Partnership 
for its ongoing, successful collaboration with State humanities 
councils in each of the 50 states as well as Washington, DC, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American 
Samoa. The Committee recognizes the State humanities councils 
for the scope and reach of public humanities programming in 
congressional districts across the nation, which serve rural 
areas, promote family literacy, and support cultural tourism 
that contributes to local economies. Every NEH dollar received 
by a council is matched by a local contribution. In recent 
years, the proportion of NEH program funds supporting the work 
of State humanities councils has grown to nearly 40 percent. 
The Committee urges the NEH to provide program funding to 
support the work of State humanities councils consistent with 
the guidance provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
2018.

                        Commission of Fine Arts

    The Commission of Fine Arts was established in 1910 to 
advise the government on matters pertaining to the design of 
national symbols, and particularly to guide the architectural 
development of Washington, DC. The Commission's work includes 
advice on designs for parks, public buildings, public art, as 
well as the design of national monuments, coins and medals, and 
overseas American military cemeteries. In addition, the 
Commission conducts design reviews of semipublic and private 
structures within the Old Georgetown Historic District and 
within certain areas of the National Capital that are adjacent 
to areas of Federal interest. The Commission reviews 
approximately 750 projects annually. The Commission also 
administers the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs 
program.

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................        $2,762,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         2,771,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................         2,771,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................            +9,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $2,771,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the Commission of Fine Arts, $9,000 above the 
fiscal year 2018 enacted level and equal to the budget request.

               National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs


 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................        $2,750,000
Budget Estimate, 2019.................................                 0
Recommended, 2019.....................................         2,750,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +2,750,000
 

    The National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs (NCACA) 
program was established in Public Law 99-190 to support 
organizations that perform, exhibit, and/or present the arts in 
the Nation's Capital. NCACA provides grants to support Ford's 
Theater, the National Symphony Orchestra, the National Museum 
of Women in the Arts, and other arts organizations. The 
Committee recommends $2,750,000, equal to the fiscal year 2018 
enacted level.

               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, 2018...........................        $6,400,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         6,440,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................         6,440,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................           +40,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $6,440,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 
(ACHP), $40,000 above the fiscal year 2018 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, 2018...........................        $8,099,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         7,948,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................         8,099,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................          +151,000
 

    The Committee recommends $8,099,000 for Salaries and 
Expenses of the National Capital Planning Commission, equal to 
the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $151,000 above 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, 2018...........................       $59,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................        56,602,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................        58,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        -1,000,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        +1,398,000
 

    The Committee recommends $58,000,000 for the Holocaust 
Memorial Museum, $1,000,000 below the fiscal year 2018 enacted 
level and $1,398,000 above the budget request. The Committee 
provides $57,000,000 for operations and recommends an 
additional $1,000,000 to continue priority capital improvement 
and deferred maintenance projects.

                Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission

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

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................        $1,800,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         1,800,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................         1,800,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................                 0
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................                 0
 

    The bill includes $1,800,000 for the Salaries and Expenses 
account, equal to the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and the 
budget request. The Committee notes that the final installment 
of construction funding necessary to complete the memorial was 
provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public 
Law 115-141).

                 Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission

    The Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission was established 
by Congress in 2017 in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
2017, P.L. 115-31. The purpose of the commission is to study 
and make recommendations for the national commemoration of the 
ratification of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution on 
August 18, 1920, that guaranteed women the right to vote.

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................        $1,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................                 0
Recommended, 2019.....................................           500,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................          -500,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................          +500,000
 

    The bill provides $500,000 for the salaries and expenses 
account of the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission, $500,000 
below the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $500,000 above the 
budget request. The Committee notes that Congress has provided 
a total of $3,000,000 over the past two fiscal years for the 
Commission and activities related to the Women's Suffrage 
Centennial. However, a quorum has not been established and an 
executive director has not been appointed. When a quorum is 
achieved, the Committee requests a briefing on how the funding 
appropriated to date will be obligated and at such time will 
consider the need for additional appropriations for fiscal year 
2019.

                   World War I Centennial Commission

    The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission was created by 
an Act of Congress in 2013 as an independent agency of the 
Legislative Branch of the United States government. Members of 
the 12-member Commission were appointed by the President and 
the leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives, as 
well as the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and 
the National World War I Museum. The Commission's mission is to 
plan, develop, and execute programs, projects and activities to 
commemorate the Centennial of World War I.

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
Appropriation enacted, 2018...........................        $7,000,000
Budget estimate, 2019.................................         6,000,000
Recommended, 2019.....................................         3,000,000
Comparison:
    Appropriation, 2018...............................        -4,000,000
    Budget estimate, 2019.............................        -3,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for salaries and 
expenses of the World War I Centennial Commission. Additional 
funds are not provided because the Commission's budget was 
increased for fiscal year 2018 to coincide with the centennial 
of the end of the war.

                      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 Committee on 
Appropriations.
    Section 404 continues a limitation on accepting and 
processing applications for patents and on the patenting of 
Federal lands.
    Section 405 continues a provision regarding the payment of 
contract support costs for prior fiscal years.
    Section 406 addresses the payment of contract support costs 
for fiscal year 2019.
    Section 407 continues a provision providing that the 
Secretary of Agriculture shall not be considered in violation 
of certain provisions of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable 
Resources Planning Act solely because more than 15 years have 
passed without revision of a forest plan, provided that the 
Secretary is working in good faith to complete the plan 
revision.
    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 lands or interests in lands 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 programs managed by the National 
Endowment for the Arts.
    Section 415 continues a provision requiring the Department 
of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, Forest 
Service, and Indian Health Service to provide the Committees on 
Appropriations quarterly reports on the status of balances of 
appropriations.
    Section 416 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 417 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 418 prohibits the use of funds to regulate the lead 
content of ammunition or fishing tackle.
    Section 419 continues a provision through fiscal year 2020 
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 420 extends the authorization for the Chesapeake 
Bay Initiative through fiscal year 2020.
    Section 421 extends certain authorities through fiscal year 
2019 allowing the Forest Service to renew grazing permits.
    Section 422 prohibits the use of funds to maintain or 
establish a computer network unless such network is designed to 
block access to pornography websites.
    Section 423 extends the authority of the Forest Service 
Facility Realignment and Enhancement Act.
    Section 424 sets requirements for the use of American iron 
and steel for certain loans and grants.
    Section 425 prohibits the use of funds to destroy any 
building or structures on Midway Island that has been 
recommended by the U.S. Navy for inclusion in the National 
Register of Historic Places.
    Section 426 reauthorizes funding for one year for the John 
F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
    Section 427 provides authority for the Secretary of the 
Interior to enter into training agreements and to transfer 
excess equipment and supplies for wildfires.
    Section 428 provides a one-year extension of the current 
recreation fee authority.
    Section 429 addresses carbon emissions from forest biomass.
    Section 430 prohibits the use of funds to require permits 
for the discharge of dredged or fill material for certain 
agriculture activities.
    Section 431 addresses the Waters of the United States rule.
    Section 432 prohibits the use of funds to issue any 
regulation under the Solid Waste Disposal Act that applies to 
an animal feeding operation.
    Section 433 prohibits the use of funds to limit 
recreational shooting and hunting on Federal and public lands 
except for public safety.
    Section 434 makes available vacant grazing allotments for 
permittees impacted by drought or wildland fire.
    Section 435 makes additional investments in water 
infrastructure priorities and Superfund long-term cleanup 
remedies.
    Section 436 provides authority for the Secretary of 
Agriculture to hire resource assistants under certain 
circumstances.
    Sec. 437 expedites completion of a project providing 
reliable water supplies to Central and Southern California.
    Sec. 438 prohibits the use of funds to introduce grizzly 
bears into certain areas in the State of Washington.
    Sec. 439 provides authority for the Secretary of the 
Interior to use sterilization in the management of wild horses 
and burros.
    Sec. 440 prohibits the use of funds to set aside any 
additional forest habitat for the marbled murrelet seabird.
    Sec. 441 exempts California water infrastructure projects 
from judicial review.
    Sec. 442 redistributes proceeds from energy production in 
Alaska.
    Section 443 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 rescissions recommended in the accompanying 
bill:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Amounts
                Department and activity                 Precommended for
                                                           rescission
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of the Interior: Bureau of Indian Affairs          $4,000,000
 and Bureau of Indian Education, Administrative
 Provisions...........................................
Environmental Protection Agency: Science and                  $7,350,000
 Technology...........................................
Environmental Protection Agency: Environmental               $40,000,000
 Programs and Management..............................
Environmental Protection Agency: State and Tribal            $75,000,000
 Assistance Grants (STAG).............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           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 italic, existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

                 CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012

(Public Law 112-74)

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


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

                                TITLE I

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


  BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT ACTIONS REGARDING GRAZING ON PUBLIC LANDS

  Sec. 122. (a) Exhaustion of Administrative Review Required.--
          (1) For [fiscal years 2012 through 2022,] 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 2019] 
fiscal year 2020, 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.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                 CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2014

(Public Law 113-76)

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


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

                                TITLE I

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                         CONTRIBUTION AUTHORITY

  Sec. 113. In fiscal years 2014 through [2019,] 2024, the 
Secretary of the Interior may accept from public and private 
sources contributions of money and services for use by the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management or the Bureau of Safety and 
Environmental Enforcement to conduct work in support of the 
orderly exploration and development of Outer Continental Shelf 
resources, including preparation of environmental documents 
such as impact statements and assessments, studies, and related 
research.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                 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 
        (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary''), in 
        cooperation with the Administrator of the Environmental 
        Protection Agency (referred to in this section as the 
        ``Administrator''), shall provide technical and 
        financial assistance, in cooperation with other Federal 
        agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit 
        organizations, and the private sector--
                  (A) to identify, conserve, restore, and 
                interpret natural, recreational, historical, 
                and cultural resources within the Chesapeake 
                Bay Watershed;
                  (B) to identify and utilize the collective 
                resources as Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites for 
                enhancing public education of and access to the 
                Chesapeake Bay;
                  (C) to link the Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites 
                with trails, tour roads, scenic byways, and 
                other connections as determined by the 
                Secretary;
                  (D) to develop and establish Chesapeake Bay 
                Watertrails comprising water routes and 
                connections to Chesapeake Bay Gateways sites 
                and other land resources within the Chesapeake 
                Bay Watershed; and
                  (E) to create a network of Chesapeake Bay 
                Gateways sites and Chesapeake Bay Watertrails.
          (2) Components.--Components of the Chesapeake Bay 
        Gateways and Watertrails Network may include--
                  (A) State or Federal parks or refuges;
                  (B) historic seaports;
                  (C) archaeological, cultural, historical, or 
                recreational sites; or
                  (D) other public access and interpretive 
                sites as selected by the Secretary.
  (b) Chesapeake Bay Gateways Grants Assistance Program.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
        the Administrator, shall establish a Chesapeake Bay 
        Gateways Grants Assistance Program to aid State and 
        local governments, local communities, nonprofit 
        organizations, and the private sector in conserving, 
        restoring, and interpreting important historic, 
        cultural, recreational, and natural resources within 
        the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
          (2) Criteria.--The Secretary, in cooperation with the 
        Administrator, shall develop appropriate eligibility, 
        prioritization, and review criteria for grants under 
        this section.
          (3) Matching funds and administrative expenses.--A 
        grant under this section--
                  (A) shall not exceed 50 percent of eligible 
                project costs;
                  (B) shall be made on the condition that non-
                Federal sources, including in-kind 
                contributions of services or materials, provide 
                the remainder of eligible project costs; and
                  (C) shall be made on the condition that not 
                more than 10 percent of all eligible project 
                costs be used for administrative expenses.
  (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 1999 through [2019] 2020.
                              ----------                              


    FOREST SERVICE FACILITY REALIGNMENT AND ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2005



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
TITLE V--FOREST SERVICE FACILITY REALIGNMENT AND ENHANCEMENT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 503. AUTHORIZATION FOR CONVEYANCE OF FOREST SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE 
                    SITES.

  (a) Conveyances Authorized.--In the manner provided by this 
title, the Secretary may convey an administrative site, or an 
interest in an administrative site, that is under the 
jurisdiction of the Secretary.
  (b) Means of Conveyance.--The conveyance of an administrative 
site under this title may be made--
          (1) by sale;
          (2) by lease;
          (3) by exchange;
          (4) by a combination of sale and exchange; or
          (5) by such other means as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.
  (c) Size of Conveyance.--An administrative site or compound 
of administrative sites disposed of in a single conveyance 
under this title may not exceed 40 acres.
  (d) Certain Lands Excluded.--The following Federal land may 
not be conveyed under this title:
          (1) Any land within a unit of the National Forest 
        System that is exclusively designated for natural area 
        or recreational purposes.
          (2) Any land included within the National Wilderness 
        Preservation System, the Wild and Scenic River System, 
        or a National Monument.
          (3) Any land that the Secretary determines--
                  (A) is needed for resource management 
                purposes or to provide access to other land or 
                water;
                  (B) is surrounded by National Forest System 
                land or other publicly owned land, if 
                conveyance would not be in the public interest 
                due to the creation of a non-Federal inholding 
                that would preclude the efficient management of 
                the surrounding land; or
                  (C) would be in the public interest to 
                retain.
  (e) Congressional Notifications.--
          (1) Notice of anticipated use of authority.--As part 
        of the annual budget justification documents provided 
        to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations of 
        the Senate, the Secretary shall include--
                  (A) a list of the anticipated conveyances to 
                be made, including the anticipated revenue that 
                may be obtained, using the authority provided 
                by this title or other conveyance authorities 
                available to the Secretary;
                  (B) a discussion of the intended purposes of 
                any new revenue obtained using this authority 
                or other conveyance authorities available to 
                the Secretary, and a list of any individual 
                projects that exceed $500,000; and
                  (C) a presentation of accomplishments of 
                previous years using this authority or other 
                conveyance authorities available to the 
                Secretary.
          (2) Notice of changes to conveyance list.--If the 
        Secretary proposes to convey an administrative site 
        under this title or using other conveyance authorities 
        available to the Secretary and the administrative site 
        is not included on a list provided under paragraph 
        (1)(A), the Secretary shall submit to the congressional 
        committees specified in paragraph (3) written notice of 
        the proposed conveyance, including the anticipated 
        revenue that may be obtained from the conveyance.
          (3) Notice of use of authority.--At least once a 
        year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
        Agriculture, the Committee on Appropriations, and the 
        Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives 
        and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
        Forestry, the Committee on Appropriations, and the 
        Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate 
        a report containing a description of all conveyances of 
        National Forest System land made by the Secretary under 
        this title or other conveyance authorities during the 
        period covered by the report.
  (f) Duration of Authority.--The authority of the Secretary to 
initiate the conveyance of an administrative site under this 
title expires on September 30, [2018] 2019.
  (g) Repeal of Pilot Conveyance Authority.--Effective 
September 30, 2006, section 329 of the Department of the 
Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 (16 
U.S.C. 580d note; Public Law 107-63), is repealed. 
Notwithstanding the repeal of such section, the Secretary may 
complete the conveyance under such section of any 
administrative site whose conveyance was initiated under such 
section before that date.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                       JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER ACT



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
SEC. 13. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  [(a)  Maintenance, Repair, and Security.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Board to carry out section 
4(a)(1)(H), $23,740,000 for fiscal year 2018.
  [(b)  Capital Projects.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Board to carry out subparagraphs (F) and 
(G) of section 4(a)(1), $16,775,000 for fiscal year 2018.]
  (a) Maintenance, Repair, and Security.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Board to carry out section 
4(a)(1)(H), $24,490,000 for fiscal year 2019.
  (b) Capital Projects.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
to the Board to carry out subparagraphs (F) and (G) of section 
4(a)(1), $16,025,000 for fiscal year 2019.
  (c) John F. Kennedy Center Plaza.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Transportation for capital 
costs incurred in the planning, design, engineering, and 
construction of the project authorized by section 12 (including 
roadway improvements related to the North and South 
Interchanges and construction of the John F. Kennedy Center 
Plaza, but not including construction of any buildings on the 
plaza) a total of $400,000,000 for fiscal years 2003 through 
2010. Such sums shall remain available until expended.
  (d) Photovoltaic System.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Board such sums as are necessary to carry 
out section 7, to remain available until expended.
  (e) Limitation on Use of Funds.--No funds appropriated 
pursuant to this section may be used for any direct expense 
incurred in the production of a performing arts attraction, for 
personnel who are involved in performing arts administration 
(including any supply or equipment used by the personnel), or 
for production, staging, public relations, marketing, 
fundraising, ticket sales, or education. Funds appropriated 
directly to the Board shall not affect nor diminish other 
Federal funds sought for any performing arts function and may 
be used to reimburse the Board for that portion of costs that 
are Federal costs reasonably allocated to building services and 
theater maintenance and repair.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                FEDERAL LANDS RECREATION ENHANCEMENT ACT



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
DIVISION J--OTHER MATTERS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


TITLE VIII--FEDERAL LANDS RECREATION ENHANCEMENT ACT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 810. SUNSET PROVISION.

  The authority of the Secretary to carry out this Act shall 
terminate [September 30, 2019] September 30, 2021.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                           PUBLIC LAW 89-761

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, In order to 
preserve for the educational, inspirational, and recreational 
use of the public certain portions of the Indiana dunes and 
other areas of scenic, scientific, and historic interest and 
recreational value in the State of Indiana, the Secretary of 
the Interior is authorized to establish and administer the 
Indiana Dunes [National Lakeshore] National Park (hereinafter 
referred to as the ``[lakeshore] Park'') in accordance with the 
provisions of this Act. The [lakeshore] Park shall comprise the 
area within the boundaries delineated on a map identified as 
``Boundary Map, Indiana Dunes [National Lakeshore] National 
Park'', dated October 1992, and numbered 626-80,039-C, which 
map is on file and available for public inspection in the 
office of the Director of the National Park Service, Department 
of the Interior.
  Sec. 2. (a) Within the boundaries of the [lakeshore] Park the 
Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the 
``Secretary'') is authorized to acquire lands, waters, and 
other property, or any interest therein, by donation, purchase 
with donated or appropriated funds, exchange, or otherwise. The 
Indiana Dunes State Park may be acquired only by donation of 
the State of Indiana, and the Secretary is hereby directed to 
negotiate with the State for the acquisition of said park. In 
exercising his authority to acquire property by exchange for 
the purposes of this Act, the Secretary may accept title to 
non-Federal property located within the area described in 
section 1 of this Act and convey to the grantor of such 
property any federally owned property under the jurisdiction of 
the Secretary which he classifies as suitable for exchange or 
other disposal within the State of Indiana or Illinois. 
Properties so exchanged shall be approximately equal in fair 
market value, as determined by the Secretary who may, in his 
discretion, base his determination on an independent appraisal 
obtained by him: Provided, That the Secretary may accept cash 
from or pay cash to the grantor in such an exchange in order to 
equalize the values of the properties exchanged. The Secretary 
is expressly authorized to acquire by donation, purchase with 
donated or appropriated funds, or exchange, lands or interests 
therein which are owned for school or educational purposes by a 
State or a political subdivision thereof.
  (b) In exercising his authority to acquire property under 
subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary may enter into 
contracts requiring the expenditure, when appropriated, of 
funds authorized to be appropriated by section 9 of this Act, 
but the liability of the United States under any such contract 
shall be contingent on the appropriation of funds sufficient to 
fulfill the obligations thereby incurred.
  Sec. 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date of 
this Act, and following the acquisition by the Secretary of an 
acreage within the boundaries of the area described in section 
1 of this Act which in his opinion is efficiently administrable 
for the purposes of this Act, he shall establish the Indiana 
Dunes [National Lakeshore] National Park by publication of 
notice thereof in the Federal Register. By no later than 
October 1, 1977, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal 
Register a detailed description of the boundaries of the 
[lakeshore] Park and shall from time to time so publish any 
additional boundary changes as may occur. Following such 
establishment and subject to the limitations and conditions 
prescribed in section 2 hereof, the Secretary may continue to 
acquire lands and interests in lands for the [lakeshore] Park.
  Sec. 4. As used in this Act, the term ``improved property'' 
means a detached, one-family dwelling which meets each of the 
following criteria:
          (1) The construction of the dwelling began before the 
        date (shown in the table contained in this section) 
        corresponding to the appropriate map.
          (2) The property is located within the boundaries 
        delineated on the map described in such table which 
        corresponds to such date.
          (3) The property is not located within the boundaries 
        of any other map referred to in such table which bears 
        an earlier date.
The term ``appropriate map'', means a map identified as 
``Boundary Map--Indiana Dunes [National Lakeshore] National 
Park'' (or ``A Proposed Indiana Dunes [National Lakeshore] 
National Park'' in the case of a dwelling the construction of 
which was begun before January 4, 1965) which is dated and 
numbered as provided in the following table.


 
           Property within boundaries of map                            Construction began before
 
Dated October 1992, No. 626-80,039-C                     October 1, 1991
Dated October 1986, No. 626-80,033-B                     February 1, 1986
Dated December 1980, No. 626-91014                       January 1, 1981
Dated September 1976, No. 626-91007                      February 1, 1973
Dated September 1966, No. LNPNE-1008-ID                  January 4, 1965
 

   The term ``improved property'' also includes the lands on 
which the dwelling is situated which meets both of the 
following criteria:
          (A) The land is in the same ownership as the 
        dwelling.
          (B) The Secretary has designated the lands as 
        reasonably necessary for the enjoyment of the dwelling 
        for the sole purpose of noncommercial residential use.
Such term also includes any structures accessory to the 
dwelling which are situated on the lands so designated. The 
maps referred to in this section shall be on file and available 
for public inspection in the Office of the Director of the 
National Park Service, Department of the Interior. The 
Secretary shall designate the land referred to in subparagraph 
(B). The amount of land so designated shall in every case be 
not more than three acres in area, and in making such 
designation the Secretary shall take into account the manner of 
noncommercial residential use in which the dwelling and land 
have customarily been enjoyed: Provided, That the Secretary may 
exclude from the land so designated any beach or waters, 
together with so much of the land adjoining such beach or 
waters, as he may deem necessary for public access thereto or 
public use thereof. All rights of use and occupancy shall be 
subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary deems 
appropriate to assure the use of such property in accordance 
with the purposes of this Act.
  Sec. 5. (a)(1) Except for owners described in paragraph (2) 
and owners of improved property within the area on the map 
referred to in the first section of this Act, dated December 
1980, and numbered 626-91014, as area II-B, any owner or owners 
of record of improved property may retain a right of use and 
occupancy of said improved property for noncommercial 
residential purposes for a term (A) ending on his or her death 
or the death of his or her spouse, whichever occurs last, or 
(B) for a fixed term not to extend beyond September 30, 2010, 
or such lesser term as the owner or owners may elect at the 
time of acquisition by the Secretary. In the case of improved 
property within the boundaries of the map dated December 1980 
and numbered 626-91014 the retention of a retained right under 
clause numbered (A) shall only be available to homeowners of 
record as of October 1, 1980, who have attained the age of 
majority as of that date and make a bona fide written offer not 
later than October 1, 1985, to sell to the Secretary. Where any 
such owner retains a right of use and occupancy as herein 
provided, such right during its existence may be conveyed or 
leased for noncommercial residential purposes. The Secretary 
shall pay to the owner the fair market value of the property on 
the date of such acquisition, less the fair market value on 
such date of the right retained by the owner.
  (2)(A) In the case of property included within the boundaries 
of the [lakeshore] Park after 1980, any owner or owners of 
record of improved property may retain a right of use and 
occupancy for noncommercial residential purposes for a term 
ending at either of the following:
          (i) A fixed term not to extend beyond September 30, 
        2010, or such lesser fixed term as the owner or owners 
        may elect at the time of acquisition.
          (ii) A term ending at the death of any owner or of a 
        spouse of any owner, whichever occurs last.
The owner shall elect the term to be reserved.
  (B) The retention of rights under subparagraph (A) shall be 
available only to individuals who are homeowners of record as 
of July 1, 1986, who have attained the age of majority as of 
that date and who make a bona fide written offer not later than 
July 1, 1991, to sell to the Secretary.
  (3)(A) In the case of improved property included within the 
boundaries of the [lakeshore] Park after October 1, 1991, that 
was not included within such boundaries on or before that date, 
an individual who is an owner of record of such property may 
retain a right of use and occupancy of such improved property 
for noncommercial residential purposes for a term ending, 
subject to subparagraph (B), at either of the following:
          (i) A fixed term not to extend beyond October 1, 
        2020, or such lesser fixed term as the owner may elect 
        at the time of acquisition.
          (ii) A term ending at the death of the owner or the 
        owner's spouse, whichever occurs later. The owner or 
        owners shall elect the term to be reserved.
  (B) Subparagraph (A)(ii) shall apply only to improved 
property owned by an individual who--
          (i) was an owner of record of the property as of 
        October 1, 1991;
          (ii) had attained the age of majority as of that 
        date; and
          (iii) made a bona fide written offer not later than 
        October 1, 1997, to sell the property to the Secretary.
  (b) Upon his determination that the property, or any portion 
thereof, has ceased to be used in accordance with the 
applicable terms and conditions, the Secretary may terminate a 
right of use and occupancy. Nonpayment of property taxes, 
validly assessed, on any retained right of use and occupancy 
shall also be grounds for termination of such right by the 
Secretary. In the event the Secretary terminates a right of use 
and occupancy under this subsection he shall pay to the owners 
of the retained right so terminated an amount equal to the fair 
market value of the portion of said right which remained 
unexpired on the date of termination. With respect to any right 
of use and occupancy in existence on the effective date of this 
sentence, standards for retention of such rights in effect at 
the time such rights were reserved shall constitute the terms 
and conditions referred to in section 4.
  (c) With respect to improved properties acquired prior to the 
enactment of this subsection and upon which a valid existing 
right of use and occupancy has been reserved for a term of not 
more than twenty years, the Secretary may, in his discretion, 
extend the term of such retained right for a period of not more 
than nine years upon receipt of payment prior to September 30, 
1983, from the holder of the retained right. The amount of such 
payment shall be equivalent to the amount discounted from the 
purchase price paid by the Secretary for the identical period 
of time under the terms of the original sale adjusted by a 
general index adopted by the Secretary reflecting overall value 
trends within Indiana Dunes [National Lakeshore] National Park 
between the time of the original sale and the time of the 
retained right of extension offered by this subsection.
  Sec. 6. In order that the [lakeshore] Park shall be 
permanently preserved in its present state, no development or 
plan for the convenience of visitors shall be undertaken 
therein which would be incompatible with the preservation of 
the unique flora and fauna or the physiographic conditions now 
prevailing or with the preservation of such historic sites and 
structures as the Secretary may designate: Provided, That the 
Secretary may provide for the public enjoyment and 
understanding of the unique natural, historic, and scientific 
features within the [lakeshore] Park by establishing such 
trails, observation points, and exhibits and providing such 
services as he may deem desirable for such public enjoyment and 
understanding: Provided further, That the Secretary may develop 
for appropriate public uses such portions of the [lakeshore] 
Park as he deems especially adaptable for such uses.
  Sec. 7. (a) There is hereby established an Indiana Dunes 
[National Lakeshore] National Park Advisory Commission. Said 
Commission shall terminate on September 30, 1985.
  (b) The Commission shall be composed of thirteen members, 
each appointed for a term of two years by the Secretary, as 
follows: (1) one member who is a year-round resident of Porter 
County to be appointed from recommendations made by the 
commissioners of such county; (2) one member who is a year-
round resident of the town of Beverly Shores to be appointed 
from the recommendations made by the board of trustees of such 
town; (3) one member who is a year-round resident of the towns 
of Porter, Dune Acres, Pines, Chesterton, Ogden Dunes, or the 
village of Tremont, such member to be appointed from 
recommendations made by the boards of trustees or the trustee 
of the affected town or township; (4) two members who are year-
round residents of the city of Michigan City to be appointed 
from recommendations made by such city; (5) two members to be 
appointed from recommendations made by the Governor of the 
State of Indiana; (6) one member to be designated by the 
Secretary; (7) two members who are year-round residents of the 
city of Gary to be appointed from recommendations made by the 
mayor of such city; (8) one member to be appointed from 
recommendations made by a regional planning agency established 
under the authority of the laws of the State of Indiana and 
composed of representatives of local and county governments in 
northwestern Indiana; (9) one member who is a year-round 
resident of the city of Portage to be appointed from 
recommendations made by the mayor of such city; and (10) one 
member who holds a reservation of use and occupancy and is a 
year-round resident within the [lakeshore] Park to be 
designated by the Secretary.
  (c) The Secretary shall designate one member to be Chairman. 
Any vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the same 
manner in which the original appointment was made
  (d) A member of the Commission shall serve without 
compensation as such. The Secretary is authorized to pay the 
expense reasonably incurred by the Commission in carrying out 
its responsibilities under this Act on vouchers signed by the 
Chairman.
  (e) The Secretary or his designee shall, from time to time, 
consult with the Commission with respect to matters relating to 
the development of the Indiana Dunes [National Lakeshore] 
National Park and with respect to the provisions of sections 4, 
5, and 6 of this Act.
  (f) The Advisory Commission is authorized to assist with the 
identification of economically and environmentally acceptable 
areas, outside of the boundaries of the [lakeshore] Park, for 
the handling and disposal of industrial solid wastes produced 
by the coal-fired powerplant in Porter County, Indiana, section 
21, township 37 north, range 6 west.
  Sec. 8. Nothing in this Act shall deprive the State of 
Indiana or any political subdivision thereof of its civil and 
criminal jurisdiction over persons found, acts performed, and 
offenses committed within the boundaries of the Indiana Dunes 
[National Lakeshore] National Park or of its right to tax 
persons, corporations, franchises, or other non-Federal 
property on lands included therein.
  Sec. 9. The Secretary may expend such sums as may be 
necessary from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for 
acquisition of lands and interests in lands, and not to exceed 
$27,500,000 for development: Provided, That not more than 
$500,000 of said amount may be appropriated for the development 
of the Paul H. Douglas Environmental Education Center 
authorized pursuant to section 20 of this Act. By October 1, 
1979, the Secretary shall develop and transmit to the 
Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States 
Congress a general management plan detailing the development of 
the [national lakeshore] National Park consistent with the 
preservation objectives of this Act, indicating:
          (1) the facilities needed to accommodate the health, 
        safety, and recreation needs of the visiting public;
          (2) the location and estimated costs of all 
        facilities, together with a review of the consistency 
        of the master plan with State, areawide, and local 
        governmental development plans;
          (3) the projected need for any additional facilities 
        within the [national lakeshore] National Park; and
          (4) specific opportunities for citizen participation 
        in the planning and development of proposed facilities 
        and in the implementation of the general management 
        plan generally.
The Secretary shall conduct a feasibility study of establishing 
United States Highway 12 as the ``Indiana Dunes Parkway'' under 
the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. The Secretary 
shall submit the results of such study to the Committee on 
Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the United States Senate within two years after 
October 29, 1986. Effective October 1, 1986, there is 
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for 
the purposes of conducting the feasibility study.
  Sec. 10. Nothing in this Act shall diminish any existing (as 
of March 1, 1975) rights-of-way or easements which are 
necessary for high voltage electrical transmission, pipelines, 
water mains, or line haul railroad operations and maintenance. 
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish the existing 
property rights of Northern Indiana Public Service Company (as 
of October 1, 1986) with respect to--
          (1) a parcel of land owned in fee by the Northern 
        Indiana Public Service Company and used for high 
        voltage electrical transmission lines, pipelines, and 
        utility purposes, beginning at said Company's Dune 
        Acres substation and extending east to said Company's 
        Michigan City Generating Station, which parcel by this 
        Act is included within the boundaries of the Indiana 
        Dunes [National Lakeshore] National Park and herein 
        designated as area II-I on National Park Service 
        Boundary Map No. 626-80,033-B, dated October 1986, 
        excluding that certain parcel of approximately 6.0 
        acres adjacent Mineral Springs Road in areas II-I, and
          (2) land owned in fee by the Northern Indiana Public 
        Service Company and used for high voltage electrical 
        transmission lines, pipelines, and utility purposes as 
        has by this Act been included within the boundaries of 
        the Indiana Dunes [National Lakeshore] National Park 
        and herein designated as area II-H on said National 
        Park Service Boundary Map No. 626-80,033-B.
  Sec. 11. (a) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as 
prohibiting any otherwise legal cooling, process, or surface 
drainage into the part of the Little Calumet River located 
within the [lakeshore] Park: Provided, That this subsection 
shall not affect nor in any way limit the Secretary's authority 
and responsibility to protect park resources.
  (b) The authorization of lands to be added to the [lakeshore] 
Park by the Ninety-fourth Congress and the administration of 
such lands as part of the [lakeshore] Park shall in and of 
itself in no way operate to render more restrictive the 
application of Federal, State, or local air and water pollution 
standards to the uses of property outside the boundaries of the 
[lakeshore] Park, nor shall it be construed to augment the 
control of water and air pollution sources in the State of 
Indiana beyond that required pursuant to applicable Federal, 
State, or local law.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  Sec. 14. Within one year after the date of the enactment of 
this section, the Secretary shall submit, in writing, to the 
Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs and to the 
Committees on Appropriations of the United States Congress a 
detailed plan which shall indicate--
          (1) the lands which he has previously acquired by 
        purchase, donation, exchange, or transfer for 
        administration for the purpose of the [lakeshore] Park; 
        and
          (2) the annual acquisition program (including the 
        level of funding) which he recommends for the ensuing 
        five fiscal years.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  Sec. 18. (a) By July 1, 1977, the Secretary shall prepare and 
transmit to the Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs of 
the United States Congress a study of areas III-A, III-C, and 
II-A, as designated on map numbered 626-91007. The Secretary 
shall make reasonable provision for the timely participation of 
the State of Indiana, local public officials, affected property 
owners, and the general public in the formulation of said 
study, including, but not limited to, the opportunity to 
testify at a public hearing. The record of such hearing shall 
accompany said study. With respect to areas III-A and III-C, 
the study shall (a) address the desirability of acquisition of 
any or all of the area from the standpoint of resource 
management, protection, and public access; (b) develop 
alternatives for the control of beach erosion if desirable, 
including recommendations, if control is necessary, of 
assessing the costs of such control against those agencies 
responsible for such erosion; (c) consider and propose options 
to guarantee public access to and use of the beach area, 
including the location of necessary facilities for 
transportation, health, and safety; (d) detail the recreational 
potential of the area and all available alternatives for 
achieving such potential; (e) review the environmental impact 
upon the [lakeshore] Park resulting from the potential 
development and improvement of said areas; and (f) assess the 
cost to the United States from both the acquisition of said 
areas together with the potential savings from the retention of 
rights of use and occupancy and from the retention of the 
boundaries of the [lakeshore] Park, as designated on map 
numbered 626-91007, including the costs of additional 
administrative responsibilities necessary for the management of 
the [lakeshore] Park, including the maintenance of public 
services in the town of Beverly Shores, Indiana. With respect 
to area II-A, the Secretary shall study and report concerning 
the following objectives: (a) preservation of the remaining 
dunes, wetlands, native vegetation, and animal life within the 
area; (b) preservation and restoration of the watersheds of 
Cowles Bog and its associated wetlands; (c) appropriate public 
access to and use of lands within the area; (d) protection of 
the area and the adjacent [lakeshore] Park from degradation 
caused by all forms of construction, pollution, or other 
adverse impacts including, but not limited to, the discharge of 
wastes and any excessive subsurface migration of water; and (e) 
the economic consequences to the utility and its customers of 
acquisition of such area.
  (b)(1) The Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of 
agreement with the Northern Indiana Public Service Company 
(referred to as ``NIPSCO'') that shall provide for the 
following with respect to the area referred to as Unit II-A on 
the map described in the first section of this Act (referred to 
as the ``Greenbelt''):
          (A) NIPSCO shall provide the National Park Service 
        with access for resource management and interpretation 
        through the Greenbelt and across the dike for purposes 
        of a public hiking trail.
          (B) The National Park Service shall have rights of 
        access for resource management and interpretation of 
        the Greenbelt area.
          (c) NIPSCO shall preserve the Greenbelt in its 
        natural state. If NIPSCO utilizes the Greenbelt 
        temporarily for a project involving pollution 
        mitigation or construction on its adjacent facilities, 
        it shall restore the project area to its natural state.
          (D) If NIPSCO proposes a different use for the 
        Greenbelt, NIPSCO shall notify the National Park 
        Service, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
        of the Senate and the Committee on Interior and Insular 
        Affairs of the House of Representatives and make no 
        change in the use of the property until three years 
        after the date notice is given.
  (2) If a memorandum of agreement is entered into pursuant to 
paragraph (1), so long as the memorandum of agreement is in 
effect and is being performed, the Secretary may not acquire 
lands or interests in land in the Greenbelt belonging to 
NIPSCO.
  Sec. 19. After notifying the Committees on Interior and 
Insular Affairs of the United States Congress, in writing, of 
his intentions to do so and of the reasons therefor, the 
Secretary may, if he finds that such lands would make a 
significant contribution to the purposes for which the 
[lakeshore] Park was established, accept title to any lands, or 
interests in lands, located outside the present boundaries of 
the [lakeshore] Park but contiguous thereto or to lands 
acquired under this section, such lands the State of Indiana or 
its political subdivisions may acquire and offer to donate to 
the United States or which any private person, organization, or 
public or private corporation may offer to donate to the United 
States and he shall administer such lands as a part of the 
[lakeshore] Park after publishing notice to that effect in the 
Federal Register.
  Sec. 20. (a) The Indiana Dunes [National Lakeshore] National 
Park is hereby dedicated to the memory of Paul H. Douglas in 
grateful recognition of his leadership in the effort to 
protect, preserve, and enhance the natural, scientific, 
historic, and recreational value of the [lakeshore] Park for 
the use, enjoyment, and edification of present and future 
generations.
  (b) To further accomplish the purposes of subsection (a) of 
this section, the Secretary of the Interior shall designate the 
west unit of the [lakeshore] Park as the ``Paul H. Douglas 
Ecological and Recreational Unit'' and shall, subject to 
appropriations being granted, design and construct a suitable 
structure or designate an existing structure within the 
[lakeshore] Park to be known as the ``Paul H. Douglas Center 
for Environmental Education'' which shall provide facilities 
designed primarily to familiarize students and other visitors 
with, among other things: (1) the natural history of the 
[lakeshore] Park and its association with the natural history 
of the Great Lakes region; (2) the evolution of human 
activities in the area; and (3) the historical features which 
led to the establishment of the [lakeshore] Park by the 
Congress of the United States.
  (c) To inform the public of the contributions of Paul H. 
Douglas to the creation of the [lakeshore] Park, the Secretary 
of the Interior shall provide such signs, markers, maps, 
interpretive materials, literature, and programs as he deems 
appropriate.
  Sec. 21. (a) The Secretary in consultation with the Secretary 
of Transportation, shall conduct a study of various modes of 
public access into and within the [lakeshore] Park which are 
consistent with the preservation of the [lakeshore] Park and 
conservation of energy by encouraging the use of transportation 
modes other than personal motor vehicles.
  (b) In carrying out the study, the Secretary shall utilize to 
the greatest extent practicable the resources and facilities of 
the organizations designated as clearinghouses under title IV 
of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 as implemented 
by Office of Management and Budget Circular A-95, and which 
have comprehensive planning responsibilities in the regions 
where the [lakeshore] Park is located, as well as any other 
agencies or organizations which the Secretary may designate. 
The Secretary shall make provision for timely and substantive 
consultations with the appropriate agencies of the States of 
Indiana and Illinois, local elected officials, and the general 
public in the formulation and implementation of the study.
  (c) The study shall address the adequacy of access facilities 
for members of the public who desire to visit and enjoy the 
[lakeshore] Park. Consideration shall be given to alternatives 
for alleviating the dependence on automobile transportation. 
The study of public transportation facilities shall cover the 
distance from cities of thirty-five thousand population or more 
within fifty miles of the [lakeshore] Park.
  (d) The study shall include proposals deemed necessary to 
assure equitable visitor access and public enjoyment by all 
segments of the population, including those who are physically 
or economically disadvantaged. It shall provide for retention 
of the natural, scenic, and historic values for which the 
[lakeshore] Park was established, and shall propose plans and 
alternatives for the protection and maintenance of these values 
as they relate to transportation improvements.
  (e) The study shall examine proposals for the renovation and 
preservation of a portion of the existing South Shore Railroad 
passenger car fleet. The study shall consider the historic 
value of the existing rolling stock and its role in 
transporting visitors into and within the [lakeshore] Park.
  (f) The study shall present alternative plans to improve, 
construct, and extend access roads, public transportation, and 
bicycle and pedestrian trails. It shall include cost estimates 
of all plans considered in this study, and shall discuss 
existing and proposed sources of funding for the implementation 
of the recommended plan alternatives.
  (g) The study shall be completed and presented to the 
Congress within two complete fiscal years from the effective 
date of this provision.
  (h) Effective October 1, 1981, there is hereby authorized to 
be appropriated not to exceed $200,000 for this study.
  Sec. 22. In exercising his authority to acquire property 
under this Act, the Secretary shall give prompt and careful 
consideration to any offer made by an individual owning 
property within the [lakeshore] Park to sell such property, if 
such individual notifies the Secretary in writing that the 
continued ownership of such property is causing, or would 
result in, undue hardship.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 24. LITTLE CALUMET RIVER AND BURNS/PORTAGE WATERWAY.

  (a) The Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement with 
the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, the 
State of Indiana or any political subdivision thereof for the 
planning, management, and interpretation of recreational 
facilities on the tract within the boundaries of Indiana Dunes 
[National Lakeshore] National Park identified as tract numbered 
09-177 or on lands under the jurisdiction of the State of 
Indiana or political subdivision thereof along the Little 
Calumet River and Burns Waterway. The cooperative agreement may 
include provision for the planning of public facilities for 
boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking, bicycling, and other 
compatible recreational activities. Any recreational 
developments on lands under the jurisdiction of the National 
Park Service planned pursuant to this cooperative agreement 
shall be in a manner consistent with the purposes of this Act, 
including section (b).
  (b) The Secretary shall conduct a study regarding the options 
available for linking the portions of the [lakeshore] Park 
which are divided by the Little Calumet River and Burns/Portage 
Waterway so as to coordinate the management and recreational 
use of the [lakeshore] Park. The Secretary shall submit the 
results of the study to the Committee on Interior and Insular 
Affairs of the United States House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States 
Senate within two years after October 29, 1986. Effective 
October 1, 1986, there is authorized to be appropriated such 
sums as may be necessary for the purposes of conducting the 
study.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                   SECTION 20001 OF PUBLIC LAW 115-97

SEC. 20001. OIL AND GAS PROGRAM.

  (a) Definitions.--In this section:
          (1) Coastal plain.--The term ``Coastal Plain'' means 
        the area identified as the 1002 Area on the plates 
        prepared by the United States Geological Survey 
        entitled ``ANWR Map - Plate 1'' and ``ANWR Map - Plate 
        2'', dated October 24, 2017, and on file with the 
        United States Geological Survey and the Office of the 
        Solicitor of the Department of the Interior.
          (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
        Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of 
        Land Management.
  (b) Oil and Gas Program.--
          (1) In general.--Section 1003 of the Alaska National 
        Interest Lands Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 3143) shall 
        not apply to the Coastal Plain.
          (2) Establishment.--
                  (A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                establish and administer a competitive oil and 
                gas program for the leasing, development, 
                production, and transportation of oil and gas 
                in and from the Coastal Plain.
                  (B) Purposes.--Section 303(2)(B) of the 
                Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act 
                (Public Law 96-487; 94 Stat. 2390) is amended--
                          (i) in clause (iii), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                          (ii) in clause (iv), by striking the 
                        period at the end and inserting ``; 
                        and''; and
                          (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                          ``(v) to provide for an oil and gas 
                        program on the Coastal Plain.''.
          (3) Management.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
        section, the Secretary shall manage the oil and gas 
        program on the Coastal Plain in a manner similar to the 
        administration of lease sales under the Naval Petroleum 
        Reserves Production Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6501 et 
        seq.) (including regulations).
          (4) Royalties.--Notwithstanding the Mineral Leasing 
        Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), the royalty rate for 
        leases issued pursuant to this section shall be 16.67 
        percent.
          (5) Receipts.--Notwithstanding the Mineral Leasing 
        Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), of the amount of adjusted 
        bonus, rental, and royalty receipts derived from the 
        oil and gas program and operations on Federal land 
        authorized under this section--
                  (A) [50] 47 percent shall be paid to the 
                State of Alaska and 3 percent shall be 
                deposited into the Fund established in section 
                6 of Public Law 92-203 to be divided and 
                distributed in the same manner as "revenues" 
                pursuant to section 7 of such Act; and
                  (B) the balance shall be deposited into the 
                Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
          (6) Use of distributions.--Notwithstanding any other 
        provision of law, amounts received as a distribution 
        under paragraph (5)(A) shall be used for the purpose of 
        providing for the social and economic needs of Natives 
        (as defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims 
        Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602)).
  (c) 2 Lease Sales Within 10 Years.--
          (1) Requirement.--
                  (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), 
                the Secretary shall conduct not fewer than 2 
                lease sales area-wide under the oil and gas 
                program under this section by not later than 10 
                years after the date of enactment of this Act.
                  (B) Sale acreages; schedule.--
                          (i) Acreages.--The Secretary shall 
                        offer for lease under the oil and gas 
                        program under this section--
                                  (I) not fewer than 400,000 
                                acres area-wide in each lease 
                                sale; and
                                  (II) those areas that have 
                                the highest potential for the 
                                discovery of hydrocarbons.
                          (ii) Schedule.--The Secretary shall 
                        offer--
                                  (I) the initial lease sale 
                                under the oil and gas program 
                                under this section not later 
                                than 4 years after the date of 
                                enactment of this Act; and
                                  (II) a second lease sale 
                                under the oil and gas program 
                                under this section not later 
                                than 7 years after the date of 
                                enactment of this Act.
          (2) Rights-of-way.--The Secretary shall issue any 
        rights-of-way or easements across the Coastal Plain for 
        the exploration, development, production, or 
        transportation necessary to carry out this section.
          (3) Surface development.--In administering this 
        section, the Secretary shall authorize up to 2,000 
        surface acres of Federal land on the Coastal Plain to 
        be covered by production and support facilities 
        (including airstrips and any area covered by gravel 
        berms or piers for support of pipelines) during the 
        term of the leases under the oil and gas program under 
        this section.

                 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 extending 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 certain critical Federal 
agencies or programs, which require re-authorization or other 
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.
    Permitting the use of fees for processing applications for 
permit to drill.
    Permitting the use of mining fee collections for program 
operations.
    Permitting the use of fees from communication site rentals.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

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

                   OREGON AND CALIFORNIA GRANT LANDS

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

                           RANGE IMPROVEMENTS

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

               SERVICE CHARGES, DEPOSITS, AND FORFEITURES

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

                       MISCELLANEOUS TRUST FUNDS

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

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

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

                United States Fish and Wildlife Service


                          RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

    Limiting funds for certain Endangered Species Act programs.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

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

            COOPERATIVE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

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

                    STATE AND TRIBAL WILDLIFE GRANTS

    Providing for a State and Tribal wildlife grants program.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

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

                         National Park Service


                 OPERATION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

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

                  National Recreation and Preservation

    Providing for expenses not otherwise provided for.

                         Historic Preservation

    Providing for expenses derived from the Historic 
Preservation Fund.

                              CONSTRUCTION

    Providing funds for construction, improvements, repair or 
replacement of physical facilities, and management planning and 
compliance for areas administered by the National Park Service.
    Providing that a single procurement may be issued for any 
project funded in fiscal year 2019 with a future phase 
indicated in the National Park Service 5-year Line Item 
Construction Plan.
    Providing that the solicitation and contract shall contain 
the availability of funds clause.
    Providing that fees may be made available for the cost of 
adjustments and changes within the original scope of effort for 
projects funded by the Construction appropriation.
    Providing that the Secretary of the Interior shall consult 
with the Committees on Appropriations in accordance with 
reprogramming thresholds prior to making any changes authorized 
by this section.

                 LAND ACQUISITION AND STATE ASSISTANCE

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

                          CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE

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

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

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

                    United States Geological Survey


                 SURVEYS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND RESEARCH

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

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

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

                   Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

    Permitting funds for granting and administering mineral 
leases 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 2018.
    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 granting and administering mineral 
leases 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.
    Permitting the use of certain excess receipts from Outer 
Continental Shelf leasing activities.
    Permitting the use of funds derived from non-refundable 
inspection fees.
    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.
    Allowing that certain funds made available under title V of 
Public Law 95-87 may be used for any required non-Federal share 
of the cost of certain projects.
    Permitting the use of certain offsetting collections from 
permit fees.

                    ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND

    Allowing the use of debt recovery to pay for debt 
collection.
    Allowing that certain funds made available under title IV 
of Public Law 95-87 may be used for any required non-Federal 
share of the cost of certain projects.
    Allowing funds to be used for travel expenses of State and 
Tribal personnel while attending certain OSM training.
    Providing that funds shall be used for economic and 
community development in conjunction with reclamation 
priorities.

        Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education


                      OPERATION OF INDIAN PROGRAMS

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

                         CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS

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

                              CONSTRUCTION

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

                 INDIAN GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

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

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

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

                          Departmental Offices


             OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    Allowing the use of certain funds for official reception 
and representation expenses.
    Permitting payments to former Bureau of Mines workers.
    Designating funds for consolidated appraisal services to be 
derived from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
    Designating funds for Indian land, mineral, and resource 
valuation activities.
    Permitting funds for Indian land, mineral, and resource 
valuation activities to be transferred to and merged with the 
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education 
``Operation of Indian Programs'' account and the Office of the 
Special Trustee for American Indians ``Federal Trust Programs'' 
account.
    Allowing funds to remain available until expended.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    Allowing certain payments authorized for the Payments in 
Lieu of Taxes Program to be retained for administrative 
expenses.
    Providing that the amounts provided are the only amounts 
available for payments authorized under chapter 69 of title 31, 
United States Code.
    Providing that in the event sums appropriated are 
insufficient to make the full payments then the payment to each 
local government shall be made proportionally.
    Providing that the Secretary may make adjustments to 
payment to individual units of local government to correct for 
prior overpayments or underpayments.
    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.

                            Insular Affairs


                       ASSISTANCE TO TERRITORIES

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

               ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS, INSULAR AFFAIRS

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

             Office of Special Trustee for American Indians


                         FEDERAL TRUST PROGRAMS

    Limiting the amount of funding available for the historical 
accounting of Indian trust fund accounts.
    Allowing transfers to other Department of the Interior 
accounts.
    Providing no-year funding for certain Indian Self-
Determination Act grants.
    Exempting quarterly statements for Indian trust accounts 
$15 or less.
    Requiring annual statements and records maintenance for 
Indian trust accounts.
    Limiting use of funds to correct administrative errors in 
Indian trust accounts.
    Permitting the use of recoveries from erroneous payments 
pursuant to Indian trust accounts.
    Exempting reconciliation of Special Deposit Accounts with 
low balances in certain circumstances.
    Allowing for limited aggregation of trust accounts of 
individuals whose whereabouts are unknown.

                        DEPARTMENT-WIDE PROGRAMS


                        Wildland Fire Management

    Providing funds for wildland fire management.
    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.

                    CENTRAL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FUND

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

                          WORKING CAPITAL FUND

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

                        ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

    Allowing acquisition and sale of certain aircraft.

                  OFFICE OF NATURAL RESOURCES REVENUE

    Designating funds for mineral revenue management 
activities.
    Allowing certain refunds of overpayments in connection with 
certain Indian leases.

                       PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES

    Extending funding for Payments in Lieu of Taxes.

             GENERAL PROVISIONS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

    Allowing transfer of funds for certain reconstruction of 
facilities, aircraft or utilities in emergency situations.
    Allowing transfer of funds in certain emergency situations, 
including wildfires and oil spill response, if other funds 
provided in other accounts will be exhausted within 30 days and 
a supplemental appropriation is requested as promptly as 
possible.
    Permitting the Department to use limited funding for 
certain services.
    Permitting the transfer of funds between the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education and the Office of 
Special Trustee for American Indians and limiting amounts for 
historical accounting activities.
    Authorizing the redistribution of Tribal Priority 
Allocation funds to address unmet needs.
    Authorizing the acquisition of lands and leases for Ellis, 
Governors and Liberty Islands.
    Providing the authority for the Secretary to collect 
nonrefundable inspection fees.
    Permitting the reorganization of the Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management, Enforcement and Regulation.
    Permitting the Secretary of the Interior to enter into 
long-term agreements for wild horse and burro holding 
facilities.
    Requiring the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to mark 
hatchery salmon.
    Addressing BLM actions regarding grazing on public lands.
    Continuing a provision allowing the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education to more efficiently and 
effectively perform reimbursable work.
    Permitting the transfer of excess wild horses and burros 
for work purposes.
    Continuing a provision allowing the establishment of the 
Department of the Interior Experienced Services Program.
    Regarding proposed rules for sage-grouse pursuant to the 
Endangered Species Act.
    Requiring the reissuance of certain final rules and 
prohibiting such rules from further judicial review.
    Prohibiting the treatment of gray wolves range-wide as an 
endangered or threatened species.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to implement a statute that 
interferes with Tribes' sovereign rights.
    Extending the authority for the Secretary to accept public 
and private contributions for the orderly development and 
exploration of Outer Continental Shelf resources.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to list in the National 
Register of Historic Places property deemed crucial to national 
security and military training.
    Retitling the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and re-
designating the Paul H. Douglas Trail.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to require the transfer of 
groundwater rights as a condition for approving certain 
permits.

               TITLE II--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY


                         SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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

                 ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS AND MANAGEMENT

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

                     HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SUPERFUND

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

                LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK PROGRAM

    Providing for grants to Federally-recognized Indian Tribes.

                   STATE AND TRIBAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS

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

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    Allowing awards of grants to federally-recognized Indian 
Tribes.
    Authorizing the collection and obligation of pesticide 
registration service fees.
    Authorizing the collection and obligations of TSCA fees.
    Authorizing the collection and obligations of Electronic 
Manifest 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.
    Providing for grants to federally recognized Tribes.
    Providing amounts for competitive grants under the National 
Estuary Program.
    Limiting the amount of funds that may be made available for 
the purchase of any individual fountain pen.

                      TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES


                             Forest Service


  OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

    Providing funds for the office of the Under Secretary for 
Natural Resources and Environment

                     FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

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

                       STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY

    Providing for forest health management, including 
treatments of certain pests or invasive plants, and for 
restoring damaged forests, and for cooperative forestry, 
education and land conservation activities, and conducting an 
international program.
    Deriving certain funds from the Land and Water Conservation 
Fund.

                         NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM

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

                  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 2019 
for the road and trails fund (16 U.S.C. 501) shall be 
transferred to the Treasury.

                            LAND ACQUISITION

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

         ACQUISITION OF LANDS FOR NATIONAL FORESTS SPECIAL ACTS

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

            ACQUISITION OF LANDS TO COMPLETE LAND EXCHANGES

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

                         RANGE BETTERMENT FUND

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

                     GIFTS, DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS

    Providing for gifts, donations and bequest per Federal law.

          MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL FORESTS FOR SUBSISTENCE USES

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

                        WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

    Permitting the use of funds for emergency rehabilitation 
and restoration and hazardous fuels reduction to support 
emergency response and wildfire suppression.
    Allowing the use of wildland fire funds to repay advances 
from other accounts.
    Allowing reimbursement of States for certain wildfire 
emergency activities.
    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 designated for suppression shall be 
assessed for cost pools.

                       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.
    Allowing funds to be used for technical assistance for 
rural communities.
    Allowing funds for payments to counties in the Columbia 
River Gorge National Scenic Area.
    Allowing funds to be used for the Older Americans Act.
    Permitting funding assessments for facilities maintenance, 
rent, utilities, and other support services.
    Limiting funds to reimburse the Office of General Counsel 
at the Department of Agriculture.
    Permitting eligible employees to be considered a Federal 
Employee.
    Requiring regular reporting of unobligated balances.

                         Indian Health Service


                         INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES

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

                         CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS

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

                        INDIAN HEALTH FACILITIES

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

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    Providing for per diem expenses for senior level positions.
    Providing for payments for telephone service in private 
residences in the field, purchase of motor vehicles, aircraft 
and reprints.
    Providing for purchase and erection of modular buildings.
    Providing funds for uniforms.
    Allowing funding to be used for attendance at professional 
meetings.
    Providing that health care may be extended to non-Indians 
at Indian Health Service facilities, subject to charges, and 
for the expenditure of collected funds.
    Providing for transfers of funds from the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development to the Indian Health Service.
    Prohibiting limitations on certain Federal travel and 
transportation expenses.
    Requiring departmental assessments to be identified in 
annual budget justifications.
    Allowing de-obligation and re-obligation of funds applied 
to self-governance funding agreements.
    Prohibiting the expenditure of funds to implement new 
eligibility regulations.
    Permitting certain reimbursements for goods and services 
provided to Tribes.
    Providing that reimbursements for training, technical 
assistance, or services include total costs.
    Prohibiting changes in organizational structure without 
advance notification to Congress.

            Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry


            TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH

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

                   Executive Office of the President


  COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

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

              Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation

    Providing that funds in this and prior appropriations Acts 
shall be used to relocate persons certified as eligible.
    Providing that no person can be evicted unless a 
replacement home is provided.
    Providing that no relocatee is provided with more than one 
new or replacement home.

             CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD INVESTIGATION BOARD

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

                        Smithsonian Institution


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

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

                           FACILITIES CAPITAL

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

                        National Gallery of Art


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

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

            REPAIR, RESTORATION, AND RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS

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

             John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts


                       OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

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

                     CAPITAL REPAIR AND RESTORATION

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

            Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

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

                    National Endowment for the Arts


                       GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION

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

                 National Endowment for the Humanities


                       GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION

    Specifying funds to carry out the matching grants program.
    Allowing obligation of National Endowment for the 
Humanities current and prior year funds from gifts, bequests, 
and devises of money for which equal amounts have not 
previously been appropriated.

  ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS, NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE 
                               HUMANITIES

    Prohibiting the use of funds for grants and contracts which 
do not include the text of 18 U.S.C. 1913.
    Prohibiting the use of appropriated funds and permitting 
the use of non-appropriated funds for reception expenses.
    Allowing the chairperson of the National Endowment for the 
Arts to approve small grants under certain circumstances.

                        Commission of Fine Arts


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    Permitting the charging and use of fees for its 
publications and accepting gifts related to the history of the 
Nation's Capital.
    Providing that one-tenth of one percent of funds provided 
may be used for official reception and representation expenses.

               National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs

    Providing funding for the National Capital Arts and 
Cultural Affairs.

                  National Capital Planning Commission

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

                United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

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

                Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    Providing funding for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial 
Commission.

                          CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION

                   World War I Centennial Commission


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    Providing funding for the World War I Centennial 
Commission.
    Providing that the Commission may accept support from any 
executive branch agency for activities of the Commission.

                      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 disclosure of administrative expenses, 
assessments and requirements for operating plans.
    Continuing a limitation on accepting and processing 
applications for patents and on the patenting of Federal lands; 
permitting processing of grandfathered applications; and 
permitting third-party contractors to process grandfathered 
applications.
    Continuing a provision regarding the payment of contract 
support costs for prior fiscal years.
    Addressing the payment of contract support costs for fiscal 
year 2019.
    Continuing a provision allowing Forest Service land 
management plans to be more than 15 years old if the Secretary 
is acting in good faith to update such plans and prohibiting 
the use of funds to implement new wilderness directives under 
the planning rule.
    Limiting leasing and preleasing activities within National 
Monuments.
    Limiting takings for acquisition of lands except under 
certain conditions.
    Continuing a provision addressing timber sales involving 
Alaskan western red cedar.
    Prohibiting funds to enter into certain no-bid contracts 
except under certain conditions.
    Requiring reports to Congress to be posted on public agency 
websites.
    Continuing a provision that delineates grant guidelines for 
the National Endowment for the Arts.
    Continuing a provision that delineates program priorities 
for the programs managed by the National Endowment for the 
Arts.
    Requiring that the Department of the Interior, the EPA, the 
Forest Service, and the Indian Health Service provide the 
Committees on Appropriations a quarterly report on the status 
of balances of appropriations.
    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.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to regulate the lead content 
of ammunition or fishing tackle.
    Extending authorities for awarding contracts for certain 
activities on public lands.
    Extending the authority for the Chesapeake Bay Initiative.
    Extending certain authorities allowing the Forest Service 
to renew grazing permits.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to maintain or establish a 
computer network unless such network blocks the viewing, 
downloading, and exchanging of pornography.
    Extending the Forest Service Facility Realignment and 
Enhancement Act.
    Setting requirements for the use of American iron and steel 
for certain loans and grants.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to destroy buildings or 
structures on Midway Island recommended for inclusion in the 
National Register of Historic Places.
    Extending by one year the authorization for the John F. 
Kennedy Center.
    Allowing the Secretary of the Interior to enter into 
training agreements and to transfer excess equipment and 
supplies for wildfires.
    Providing a one-year extension of the Federal Lands 
Recreation Enhancement Act.
    Addressing carbon emissions from forest biomass.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to require permits for the 
discharge of dredged or fill material for certain agriculture 
activities.
    Providing for the repeal of the Waters of the United States 
rule.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to issue any regulation under 
the Solid Waste Disposal Act that applies to an animal feeding 
operation.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to limit recreational shooting 
and hunting on Federal and public lands except for public 
safety.
    Making available vacant grazing allotments for permittees 
impacted by drought or wildfire.
    Making additional investments in water infrastructure 
priorities and Superfund long-term cleanup remedies.
    Providing authority for the Secretary of Agriculture to 
hire resources assistants under certain circumstances.
    Expediting completion of a project providing reliable water 
supplies to Central and Southern California.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to introduce grizzly bears 
into certain areas in the State of Washington.
    Providing authority for the Secretary of the Interior to 
use sterilization in the management of wild horses and burros.
    Prohibiting the use of funds to set aside any additional 
forest habitat for the marbled murrelet seabird.
    Exempting California water infrastructure projects from 
judicial review.
    Redistributing proceeds from energy production in Alaska.
    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(i) of H. Res. 5 (114th Congress), the 
bill includes the following rule makings:
          (1) Endangered Species Act, gray wolves, western 
        Great Lakes (in Section 117 of Title I)
          (2) Endangered Species Act, gray wolves, range-wide 
        (in Section 118 of Title I).

                    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]


                            DISSENTING VIEWS

    The Bipartisan Budget Act enacted early this year provided 
relief from unworkable discretionary spending caps. The 
agreement was supposed to provide the country with stability 
following a year of shutdowns, last-minute veto threats, and 
general uncertainty in government. That stability lasted long 
enough for Congress to pass a bipartisan Omnibus appropriations 
bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018, and then Republican chaos 
reigned again. The President threatened to veto the bill, 
unhappy with Congress' large investments in programs to help 
low- and middle-income Americans and rejection of his campaign-
promised border wall.
    Even after the President signed the bill, the 
Administration and Republican leadership in Congress who voted 
for the Bipartisan Budget Act and the Omnibus bill have 
continued to attempt to undo those bipartisan agreements. The 
majority passed H.R. 3, a rescission bill to undo funding and 
mollify an angry President. We have been told by OMB Director 
Mick Mulvaney that this is the first of many rescission 
packages meant to bring spending in line with the President's 
priorities, ignoring Congressional action that dismissed the 
President's draconian FY 2017 and FY 2018 budget requests.
    In addition to the unacceptable rescissions proposals, the 
majority's lack of transparency in allocating the FY 2019 
discretionary budget also endangers future bipartisan 
compromise. The majority abandoned longstanding committee 
practice to provide Members and the public with a budget 
blueprint for domestic spending, known as 302(b) allocations. 
Members were asked to vote on bills without having the full 
picture on what impact each bill would have on the other bills.
    The rationale for this secrecy is now obvious, because the 
302(b) allocations shortchange critical domestic priorities in 
favor of the President's border wall and deportation force. 
This approach, which siphons away money from the Interior, 
Environment and Related Agencies and the Labor, Health and 
Human Services, and Education appropriations bills, among 
others, means that Congress will fail to invest in efforts to 
create jobs, grow our economy, keep families healthy, and 
strengthen our communities.
    The Interior, Environment and Related Agencies (Interior) 
Appropriations bill provides $35.3 billion, which is equal to 
the FY 2018 enacted level. The bill continues last year's 
efforts to address the backlog of deferred maintenance on 
federal lands and to invest in Indian Country. Unfortunately, 
the majority targeted EPA's regulatory programs with a total 
cut of $100 million while refusing to rein in the spending of 
the Administrator of EPA. It is unconscionable that American 
taxpayers are on the hook for an EPA Administrator's misuse of 
federal dollars for lavish expenses, while they suffer the 
consequences of an EPA that prioritizes the interests of 
corporations over protecting American families.
    Despite this bill's shortcomings in environmental 
protection and resource conservation, the subcommittee 
continues its bipartisan approach to addressing Native American 
issues. The bill recommends an increase of $410 million over 
the FY 2018 enacted level for programs critical to Indian 
Country. The increased funding for the Bureau of Indian Affairs 
and the Indian Health Service is critical to fulfilling our 
federal trust and treaty responsibilities to tribal nations, 
including support for health care, education, and public 
safety.
    The bill also funds important Historic Preservation grant 
programs. The bill provides $13 million for the Save America's 
Treasures program that preserves nationally significant sites, 
structures, and artifacts. Additionally, we note the bill 
provides $13 million for the Civil Rights Initiative grant 
program and $5 million for grants-in-aid to Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities.
    Finally, the bill continues funding for the National 
Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the 
Humanities (NEH), rejecting the Administration's proposal to 
eliminate the programs. The bill further encourages NEA and NEH 
to expand grant-making activities in a manner that honors the 
advocacy of the late Representative Louise M. Slaughter.
    We wish the positives in the bill extended beyond Native 
American funding, Historic Preservation, and the arts. This 
bill went to Full Committee with 14 poison pill riders that do 
not belong in an appropriations bill, but instead should be 
fully and transparently debated by the authorizing committees. 
When Democrats attempted to strike those egregious riders, 
which affect the Department of the Interior, EPA, and U.S. 
Forest Service, through Ranking Member McCollum's amendment, 
the Majority rejected this effort and instead added additional 
policy riders that would block judicial review of California 
water projects, limit Clean Water Act Section 401 Authorities, 
and jeopardize imperiled species such as grizzly bears, marbled 
murrelet, and bi-state Sage Grouse.
    The Minority made multiple attempts to include commonsense 
oversight reforms in the bill, but the Majority strongly 
resisted any effort to rein in waste and abuse by the Trump 
Administration, most visibly the ethical lapses and 
unrestrained spending by the EPA Administrator. Representative 
Quigley offered an amendment that would have required EPA to 
publicly post the travel costs of the Administrator and Deputy 
Administrator within 10 days of completion of each trip, and 
Representative Pocan offered an amendment that would have 
provided EPA's Office of Inspector General with an additional 
$12 million above the Chairman's mark to fully fund the request 
IG Elkins made to the White House.
    EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is the subject of at least 
16 federal investigations, many of which are being conducted by 
the EPA IG. The investigations into Administrator Pruitt's 
ethical lapses and reckless spending must be able to reach 
their conclusions without delays because of a lack of funds. 
Providing the IG with the necessary resources to carry out 
critical work should be bipartisan, yet Republicans refused to 
stray from party lines and voted down these sensible attempts 
to ensure responsible expenditure of taxpayer dollars.
    We are frustrated that other good government amendments to 
protect the American taxpayer also failed. It is reasonable to 
request the Department of the Interior provide a blueprint and 
cost-benefit analysis to the Committee before embarking on a 
massive reorganization. We are extremely disappointed by the 
party-line defeat of Ranking Member McCollum's amendment, which 
would have withheld funds for the reorganization until those 
analyses were provided.
    Under Secretary Zinke's leadership, the Department of the 
Interior has failed to obligate funds in a timely manner. We 
have heard numerous examples of the Department withholding 
funds while unelected officials decide how to implement 
programs for which Congress has already given direction. In 
February, Congress appropriated $516 million to Interior for 
recovery from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. As of the 
week of May 14th, only $3 million was obligated, which means 
the Department had withheld $513 million. This is unacceptable 
when hurricane season begins this month. Most recently, the 
Department withheld the FY 2018 spend plans for its nine 
Bureaus until intense Congressional pressure spurred it into 
moving the funds. These bureaucratic delays have real 
consequences, such as nearly closing several National Heritage 
Areas.
    To address this problem, Representative Pingree offered an 
amendment that would have ensured the process for allocating 
funding provided by Congress occur no later than 60 days after 
enactment. Representative Pingree withdrew the amendment at the 
request of Chairman Calvert; however, we note the strong 
bipartisan support for the amendment by senior Republican 
members of the Committee. This is not a Republican or 
Democratic problem, but one that impacts all of our 
constituents. We will remain vigilant in pursuing measures to 
push this administration to follow congressional direction and 
allocate funding in a timely manner.
    The Interior bill has the potential to make a global 
difference in the quality of life for generations to come. Yet 
this bill is a mirror of the Trump Administration's actions 
toward the environment. This White House and Republican 
Congress have exited the global stage and yielded America's 
global leadership on the environment. The Republican majority 
has forgotten that President Reagan signed the Montreal 
Protocol treaty to address the rapidly vanishing Ozone layer. 
He trusted scientific research and understood the imperative 
for America to be an international leader when he said:

          ``The Montreal protocol is a model of cooperation. It 
        is a product of the recognition and international 
        consensus that ozone depletion is a global problem, 
        both in terms of its causes and its effects. The 
        protocol is the result of an extraordinary process of 
        scientific study, negotiations among representatives of 
        the business and environmental communities, and 
        international diplomacy. It is a monumental 
        achievement.''

    This Administration and this bill depart from scientific 
basis for decisions and instead prioritize the economic 
interest of a few over the health and well-being of Americans 
and our global neighbors.
    In its current form, this bill fails the American people by 
cutting environmental protection; shredding safeguards that 
protect our air, water, and endangered species; and allowing 
rampant corruption in the Executive Branch to go unchecked. 
Given these shortcomings, we cannot support this bill in its 
current form. Despite our current opposition, we intend to 
continue to work with Chairman Calvert through this year's 
appropriations process to produce a responsible bill that both 
parties can support.

                                                     Nita M. Lowey.
                                                    Betty McCollum.