House Report 116-100 - DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2020

[House Report 116-100]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

116th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 116-100

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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2020

_______

June 3, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed

_______

Ms. McCollum, from the Committee on Appropriations,
submitted the following

R E P O R T

together with

MINORITY VIEWS

[To accompany H.R. 3052]

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, 2020. 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
10
Bureau of Land Management.......................... 2
10
United States Fish and Wildlife Service............ 9
17
National Park Service.............................. 16
30
United States Geological Survey.................... 22
43
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.................. 24
50
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement..... 26
51
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement.................................... 28
53
Bureau of Indian Affairs........................... 31
54
Bureau of Indian Education......................... 36
63
Office of the Secretary............................ 43
67
Insular Affairs.................................... 45
68
Office of the Solicitor............................ 48
70
Office of Inspector General........................ 49
71
Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians. 49
71
Department-wide Programs:.......................... 52
72
Wildland Fire Management, Interior Department...... 52
72
Central Hazardous Materials Fund................... 55
73
Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration. 56
73
Working Capital Fund............................... 56
74
Office of Natural Resources Revenue................ 58
74
General Provisions, Department of the Interior..... 59
75
Title II--Environmental Protection Agency: 72
76
Science and Technology............................. 72
78
Environmental Programs and Management.............. 73
83
Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest System Fund.... 75
91
Office of Inspector General........................ 76
91
Buildings and Facilities........................... 76
91
Hazardous Substance Superfund...................... 76
92
Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund Program 77
94
Inland Oil Spill Programs.......................... 78
95
State and Tribal Assistance Grants................. 78
96
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program
Account........................................ 88
99
Administrative Provisions.......................... 89
100
Title III--Related Agencies: 92
100
Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources
and Environment................................ 92
100
Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture..... 93
102
Wildland Fire Management, Forest Service........... 99
113
Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services............................. 107
114
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 117
121
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry... 117
122
Other Related Agencies:............................ 118
122
Council on Environmental Quality and Office of
Environmental Quality.......................... 118
122
Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board..... 119
123
Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation........ 120
123
Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native
Culture and Arts Development................... 121
124
Smithsonian Institution............................ 121
124
National Gallery of Art............................ 122
127
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts..... 124
128
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars... 125
129
National Endowment for the Arts.................... 125
129
National Endowment for the Humanities.............. 125
130
Commission of Fine Arts............................ 127
131
National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs......... 128
132
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.......... 128
132
National Capital Planning Commission............... 128
133
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum............ 128
133
Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission........... 129
134
Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission.............
134
World War I Centennial Commission.................. 129
135
Title IV--General Provisions 130
135
House of Representatives Report Requirements:
137
Full Committee Votes...............................
137
Statement of General Performance Goals and
Objectives.....................................
144
Rescission of Funds................................
144
Transfer of Funds..................................
144
Disclosure of Earmarks and Congressionally Directed
Spending Items.................................
145
Ramseyer Rule......................................
145
Changes in Application of Existing Law.............
152
Appropriations Not Authorized by Law...............
170
Comparison with the Budget Resolution..............
171
Five-Year Outlay Projections.......................
172
Assistance to State and Local Governments..........
172
Program Duplication................................
172
Committee Hearings.................................
173
Comparative Statement of New Budget Authority......
175
Minority views.....................................
236

INTRODUCTION

The Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related
Agencies Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2020 totals
$37,277,000,000, $1,725,000,000 above the fiscal year 2019
enacted level and $7,238,189,00 above the fiscal year 2020
budget request.
The amounts in the accompanying bill are reflected by title
in the table below. References throughout this report to the
enacted bill and the budget request refer to the fiscal year
2019 enacted level and the fiscal year 2020 budget request
unless otherwise stated.

DISCRETIONARY BUDGET AUTHORITY RECOMMENDED IN BILL BY TITLE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee bill
Activity Budget estimates, Committee bill, compared with
fiscal year 2020 fiscal year 2020 budget estimates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I, Department of the Interior:
New budget authority............................... $11,683,237,000 $14,086,717,000 +$2,403,480,000
Title II, Environmental Protection Agency:
New budget authority............................... $6,222,490,000 $9,526,691,000 +$3,304,201,000
Title III, Related Agencies:
New budget authority............................... $14,503,084,000 $15,913,592,000 +$1,410,508,000
Title IV, General Provisions:
New budget authority............................... $0 $0 +0
--------------------------------------------------------
Grand total, New budget authority............ $32,408,811,000 $39,527,000,000 +$7,118,189,000
Less Fire Cap Adjustment..................... -$2,250,000,000 -$2,250,000,000
Net, New budget authority.................... $30,158,811,000 $37,277,000,000 +$7,118,189,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Committee Oversight

Members of Congress have provided considerable input in
fashioning this bill. In total, 381 Members submitted 6,434
programmatic requests relating to multiple agencies and
programs.
The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Subcommittee conducted sixteen oversight 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:
Government Accountability Office, The Power of the
Purse: A Review of Agency Spending Restrictions During
a Shutdown--February 6, 2019
Public Witness Day hearing--February 26, 2019
(morning)
Public Witness Day hearing--February 26, 2019
(afternoon)
American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--March
6, 2019 (morning)
American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--March
6, 2019 (afternoon)
American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--March
7, 2019 (morning)
American Indian/Alaska Native Public Witnesses--March
7, 2019 (afternoon)
Department of the Interior FY20 budget oversight
hearing--March 26, 2019
Members of Congress Witness Day hearing--March 27,
2019
Forest Service FY20 budget oversight hearing--March
28, 2019
Environmental Protection Agency FY20 budget oversight
hearing--April 2, 2019
National Park Service, Fish & Wildlife Service, and
U.S. Geological Survey FY20 budget oversight hearing--
April 3, 2019
Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, and Bureau of Safety and Environmental
Enforcement FY20 budget oversight hearing--April 4,
2019
Indian Health Service FY20 budget oversight hearing--
April 9, 2019
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian
Education FY20 budget oversight hearing--April 3, 2019
Department of the Interior FY20 budget oversight
hearing--May 7, 2019
In total, 123 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 146 Members of
Congress, organizations, or coalitions provided written
testimony for the hearing record which is publicly available
online.

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 and 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.).

BIRD COLLISIONS ON FEDERAL PROPERTY

Collisions with glass kill up to one billion birds per year
in the United States. All agencies under the jurisdiction of
this Act are directed to monitor visitor and nature centers and
office buildings for bird collisions with glass during spring
migration (April 1-June 1) and fall migration (September 1-
November 1); determine the scale of collisions; and assess
whether retrofits to windows will reduce collisions. At a
minimum, all agencies are directed to take low cost or no cost
action, such as turning off interior lights at night or
applying films or other adhesives to glass windows to reduce
bird collisions.

CONSERVATION COLLABORATION EFFORTS

The Committee encourages the Department of the Interior and
the Forest Service to support the conservation efforts of
regional multi-organizational collaborations that help forests
reduce emissions and improve climate change adaptation.

CORAL REEF HEALTH

The Committee is concerned that emerging coral diseases
have proven to be a major source of coral mortality, especially
along the Florida Reef Tract, and pose a significant obstacle
to coral reef restoration efforts. The Committee encourages the
Department of the Interior to work with the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, as well as state and
territorial government partners, to support coral monitoring,
research, and restoration efforts in highly impacted and high
priority coral reef habitats in U.S. waters, including in
Biscayne National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

The Committee directs each of the agencies funded by this
Act to develop standards to improve customer service and
incorporate the standards into the performance plans required
under title 31 of the United States Code.

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. The Committee directs the
Departments funded by this Act to report on these efforts
within 60 days of enactment of this Act.

FIREFIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES

The Committee supports 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 as
part of the AlertWildfire system, treatments to reduce
accumulated fuels loads, and growing use of Unmanned Aircraft
Systems. The Committee strongly encourages the Department of
the Interior to work closely with the Forest Service, other
Federal agencies, States, and other partners on these efforts.
To improve the effectiveness and safety of nighttime aircraft
operations, the Committee encourages the Department of the
Interior and the Forest Service to explore advances in night
vision goggles and infrared technology.

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. The Committee also directs the Office of
Inspector General (OIG), not later than 180 days after the
enactment of this Act, to report to the Committee on Forest
Service progress to implement the recommendations included in
the February 2019 OIG report entitled ``Forest Service
Initiatives to Address Workplace Misconduct''.

LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND

The Committee recommends $523,950,000 for the various Land
and Water Conservation Fund accounts and activities contained
in the bill. This amount is $88,952,000 above the enacted level
and $547,400,000 above the budget request, including
rescissions. The Committee notes that, with respect to the
budget request, the administration has proposed $32,882,000 in
new funding but has also proposed rescissions totaling
$56,332,000, thereby producing a net appropriation of
-$23,450,000. Details of the recommendation are shown below and
throughout the table at the back of this report.
For the past two fiscal years, Congress has requested that
the four land management bureaus forward to the House and
Senate Appropriations Committees detailed and prioritized
project lists containing federal acquisitions that could be
funded in the coming fiscal year. This was a change from the
previous long-standing practice of including these lists in the
budget justifications submitted with the president's annual
budget submission. While the Committee understands and
appreciates that it remains the prerogative of the
administration to request no funding for land acquisition
activities, it is not acceptable for the administration to
unduly delay a congressional request for project information as
Congress decides on funding levels for the program as it has
done on a bicameral and bipartisan basis since enactment of the
Land and Water Conservation Act more than 50 years ago.
Consequently, the Committee has reluctantly concluded that an
explicit statutory directive is necessary to obtain the
requested information in a timely manner. The Committee regrets
taking this position but believes the dilatory actions of the
leadership of the Interior and Agriculture departments have
left it no other option.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2019 Enacted Budget Request This Bill
--------------------------------------------------------
(Excluding (Excluding
Rescission) Rescission)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State, Local and Forest Legacy Programs................ $248,796,000 $5,000,000 $280,000,000
National Park Service State Assistance............. 124,006,000 0 140,000,000
Coop. Endangered Species Conservation Fund......... 30,800,000 0 40,000,000
American Battlefield Protection Act................ 10,000,000 5,000,000 15,000,000
Highlands Conservation Act......................... 20,000,000 0 10,000,000
Forest Legacy Program.............................. 63,990,000 0 75,000,000
Federal Land Acquisition............................... 189,505,000 27,882,000 243,950,000
Bureau of Land Management.......................... 28,316,000 0 33,800,000
Fish and Wildlife Service.......................... 45,189,000 9,864,000 57,750,000
National Park Service.............................. 34,436,000 9,828,000 53,400,000
Forest Service..................................... 72,564,000 0 90,000,000
DoI, Office of Valuation Services.................. 9,000,000 8,190,000 9,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Land and Water Conservation Fund Total......... 438,301,000 32,882,000 523,950,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MITIGATION FROM BORDER BARRIER CONSTRUCTION

Construction of a border barrier can adversely impact
sensitive lands along the southwest border, including national
wildlife refuges, national forests, national monuments, and
wilderness areas. It can also jeopardize wildlife and the
survival of imperiled species. The current Administration has
instituted waivers of the National Environmental Policy Act and
the Endangered Species Act, circumventing the normal process
that would provide safeguards for species and habitats. The
Committee directs the Department of the Interior and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture to work with the Department of
Homeland Security and the Department of Defense to provide a
report to the Committee within 180 days of enactment of this
Act that: (1) describes the impacts of border barrier
construction on sensitive lands, habitat, and wildlife; (2)
describes any measures that might contribute to mitigation of
these impacts, including land acquisitions for national
wildlife refuges and other federal public land units; and (3)
estimates the costs of these mitigation measures.

MONARCH BUTTERFLY POPULATIONS

The Committee is aware the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
is gathering information to determine whether the monarch
butterfly should be listed as a threatened or endangered
species under the Endangered Species Act. Monarch butterflies
are a fixture in crop fields across the Nation and listing them
could have significant impacts on agriculture. The Committee
directs the Secretary of the Interior to work with the
Secretary of Agriculture in coordination with the states, and
private and nonprofit organizations to develop and implement
strategies, such as setting up milkweed reserves, to help
protect monarch butterfly populations and preserve the natural
habitats critical to their survival. The Secretaries are
directed to report back within 120 days of enactment of this
Act on the status of this plan and any other actions the
Departments are taking to encourage support of monarch
conservation.

PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES

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 2019, 49 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will
receive PILT payments. The recommendation includes full funding
for PILT for fiscal year 2020 in Section 114 of Title I General
Provisions.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

The Committee directs all agencies funded by this Act to
comply with title 31 of the United States Code, including the
development of their organizational priority goals and outcomes
such as performance outcome measures, output measures,
efficiency measures, and customer service measures.

RAINY RIVER WATERSHED

The Committee is deeply dissatisfied with the inexplicable
actions taken by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S.
Forest Service over the past two years with respect to the
advancement of a copper-sulfide ore mine on the Rainy River
Watershed in Minnesota. Located within the Superior National
Forest and adjacent to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park, this administration has
vigorously pushed to reinstate two 1966 mineral leases that
have sat dormant for more than 50 years and which have been
determined by the Forest Service to have the potential to do
``serious and irreparable harm.'' The attack on this pristine
area began in December of 2017 when the Department of the
Interior's Solicitor issued an opinion overturning two prior
opinions concerning the renewability of the leases. This led to
the reissuance of these leases by the Bureau of Land Management
in May 2018. Subsequently, in September of 2018, and contrary
to assurances to this Committee, the Secretary of Agriculture
abruptly canceled a scientific study associated with a mineral
withdrawal action that would have proven beneficial to the
decision-making process. In addition to the unsubstantiated
nature of that action, the Committee is at a loss to explain
the disparate treatment between the Rainy River withdrawal
proposal and two other similar proposals in Washington and
Montana which were allowed to be completed despite all three
locations facing similar threats of acid drainage from sulfide-
ore mining. The Committee has asked both the Department of
Agriculture and the Department of the Interior for background
material on these decisions and others.
The actions taken by the Interior and Agriculture
departments over the past two years with regards to mining in
the Superior National Forest overturn long-standing policies
and practices, ignore science, limit public participation, and
undermine the protection of iconic and irreplaceable wilderness
and national park resources. Until the departments address the
question of whether mining, especially copper-sulfide ore
mining, is appropriate on National Forest System lands in the
Rainy River Watershed, no action to advance mining in this area
should occur. Accordingly, the Committee directs the Secretary
of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, to reinstate
and complete the Rainy River Watershed mineral withdrawal study
in accordance with Section 204 of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976, and to provide that study and all
associated analysis to the Committee. Further, the Committee
directs that the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture
shall take such actions as are necessary to segregate such
lands during the period of study and forego taking any action
that would advance mining within the watershed during the
period of study and review.

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
$406 million, of which the National Park Service collects
nearly $310 million. 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. As part of this extension, the
Committee reiterates longstanding Congressional intent that the
collection and use of these fees is meant to complement, not
supplant, annual appropriations. In particular, the Committee
notes that fee revenues have never been intended to be used as
a substitute for annual appropriations to fund agency
operations in the event of a lapse in appropriations and
expects the Department of the Interior and Forest Service to
refrain from any future action to use fee revenues in this
manner. The Committee was deeply troubled by the decision by
senior officials at the Department of the Interior to change
longstanding policy during the fiscal year 2019 partial
government shutdown and use fee revenues to provide services
for certain national parks and other public lands. This
decision contributed to national parks being kept open to the
public during the shutdown without sufficient staffing to
adequately protect public safety or natural and cultural
resources.

REPROGRAMMING GUIDELINES

The Committee has historically included reprogramming
guidelines in reports accompanying Interior and Environment
appropriations bills that explicitly outline what actions by
agencies under the Subcommittee's jurisdiction trigger the
requirement to formally notify the Committees on Appropriations
of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Committee
worked with the Department of the Interior on concerns and
challenges with implementation and has incorporated their input
into the Title IV General Provision that codifies these
guidelines. This language protects the integrity of this
Committee and establishes parity with other Appropriations
Subcommittees whose bills contain similar language.

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.

WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The Committee encourages the Interagency Fire Center to
review operational requirements to ensure that wildland
firefighters maintain proper hydration and have access to on-
the-move, hands-free hydration systems.

PUBLIC ACCESS

The Department of the Interior and the Forest Service are
directed to notify the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations in advance of any proposed project specifically
intending to close an area to recreational shooting, hunting,
or fishing on a non-emergency basis of more than 30 days.

TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

MANAGEMENT OF LANDS AND RESOURCES

(INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $1,178,696,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 1,054,430,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 1,243,793,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +65,097,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +189,363,000

MANAGEMENT OF LAND AND RESOURCES

The Committee recommends $1,243,793,000 for the Management
of Lands and Resources appropriation. This amount is
$65,097,000 above the enacted level and $189,363,000 above the
budget request. The recommendation includes $10,387,000 for
fixed costs, as requested, and a general rescission of
$14,000,000 from unobligated funds originally made available in
fiscal year 2016 and prior years. Details of the recommendation
are explained in the narrative below and through the table at
the back of this report.
Land Resources.--The Committee recommends $229,682,000 for
Land Resources, $17,940,000 above the enacted level and
$36,080,000 above the budget request. The recommendation
includes $1,940,000 for fixed costs; $20,080,000 in
programmatic increases to restore reductions proposed in the
budget request; and additional increases of $5,000,000 in
rangeland management, $2,000,000 in forestry management,
$3,000,000 in cultural resources management, and $6,000,000 in
the wild horse and burro line. The Committee directs that half
of the additional cultural resources funding be allocated
toward updating the predictive modeling and data analysis
capabilities of the National Cultural Resources Information
Management System, which allows for better siting and planning
decisions leading to more efficient project implementation.
With respect to the Wild Horse and Burro program, the
Committee recognizes and appreciates that several stakeholder
groups who each have avid, although diverging, interests in the
program, have come together on a non-lethal compromise proposal
based on the following four aspects: strategic gatherings in
the most densely populated herd management areas; relocating
animals currently in holding facilities and those being removed
from the range to larger, more cost-effective pasture
facilities; increased and vigorous fertility control strategies
to help reduce the population growth; and increased adoptions.
The Committee believes these concepts, once more fully
developed by program specialists at the Bureau, have merit. The
Committee therefore recommends a program increase of $6,000,000
for the Bureau to work with interested stakeholders to further
develop a science-based removal, fertility control, and
relocation pilot program targeted to the two or three most
severely impacted herd management areas, and to begin to
implement and scale up such plans once metrics for delineating
a positive outcome have been designed and achieved. All
removals must follow the guidelines outlined in the Bureau's
Comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy. All private parties
providing care for wild horses and burros shall provide proof
of their ability to offer humane conditions and protection
against abuse, neglect, or slaughter. Private parties shall
ensure that wild horses and burros will not be returned to the
range. The Bureau should plan on presenting the Committee with
a detailed briefing prior to obligation and expenditure of the
program increase, and quarterly once the program is
implemented.
Wildlife and Aquatic Habitat Management.--The Committee
recommends $197,836,000 for Wildlife and Aquatic Habitat
Management, $15,332,000 above the enacted level and $79,404,000
above the budget request. The recommendation includes
$1,332,000 for fixed costs; $65,404,000 in programmatic
increases to restore reductions proposed in the budget request;
and additional increases of $10,000,000 in wildlife habitat
management and $4,000,000 in aquatic habitat management. Of the
increase provided for wildlife habitat, $2,000,000 is for
threatened and endangered species, $5,000,000 is for sage-
grouse conservation for a total of $65,000,000, and $3,000,000
is for plant conservation including efforts to advance the
national seed strategy. The Committee notes that at the
recommended level, the bill supports the Plant Conservation and
Restoration Program, including the Seeds of Success program,
above the enacted level. Of the increase provided for aquatic
habitat, the recommendation provides for the continuation of
support at the $2,000,000 level for the Colorado Basin Salinity
Control Program.
Recreation Management.--The Committee recommends
$81,455,000 for Recreation Management, $7,726,000 above the
enacted level and $9,726,000 above the budget request. The
recommendation includes $726,000 for fixed costs; $2,726,000 in
programmatic increases to restore the net reductions proposed
in the budget request; and additional increases of $2,000,000
in wilderness management and $5,000,000 in recreation resources
management, of which $1,000,000 is for the scenic trails
program. The Committee agrees to the Bureau's proposed Lake
Havasu watercraft decontamination project.
Energy and Minerals.--The Committee recommends $193,700,000
for Energy and Minerals, $724,000 below the enacted level and
$4,665,000 below the budget request. The recommendation
includes $2,065,000 in fixed costs, along with the proposed
increase in the renewable energy subactivity but does not
include the increase proposed in the coal management
subactivity. The Committee notes that the requested reduction
in the oil and gas permit processing subactivity is due to the
expiration of the funding anomaly contained in section 3021 of
the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act. Because the full
amount of application fees collected is now available to the
Bureau, additional appropriations provided through this bill
are no longer necessary.
The Bureau of Land Management is directed to use $500,000
from within available funding, in conjunction with $500,000
provided by the United States Geological Survey, to commission
a report from the National Academy of Sciences on the impacts
on ecosystem services of the Superior National Forest and the
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness resulting from a Twin
Metals sulfide-ore copper mine located in the watershed of the
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Realty and Ownership Management.--The Committee recommends
$73,480,000 for Realty and Ownership Management, $3,190,000
above the enacted level and equal to the budget request. The
recommendation includes $691,000 for fixed costs.
Resource Protection and Maintenance.--The Committee
recommends $140,062,000 for Resource Protection and
Maintenance, $10,821,000 above the enacted level and
$29,951,000 above the budget request. The recommendation
includes $821,000 for fixed costs; $19,951,000 in programmatic
increases to restore reductions proposed in the budget request;
and additional increases of $5,000,000 in resource management
planning, $1,000,000 in resource protection and law
enforcement, and $4,000,000 in abandoned mine lands and
hazardous materials management for additional clean-up work.
The Committee directs the Bureau to provide a detailed list of
all abandoned mine projects on Bureau-managed land within 30
days of enactment of this Act. From within available funds in
resource management planning, the Bureau is directed to
contract with an independent, qualified scientific organization
for a refined range mapping pilot project to develop or update
range and habitat use maps for at least 30 threatened and
endangered species that occur on Bureau-managed lands. Improved
range mapping would support more effective and efficient
conservation and recovery of threatened and endangered species
on public lands.
Transportation and Facilities Management.--The Committee
recommends $125,653,000 for Transportation and Facilities
Management, $10,653,000 above the enacted level and $32,327,000
above the budget request. The recommendation includes $653,000
in fixed costs; $22,327,000 in programmatic increases to
restore reductions proposed in the budget request; and an
additional increase of $3,000,000 in annual maintenance and
$7,000,000 in deferred maintenance. With a deferred maintenance
backlog exceeding $900,000,000 funding cuts in this area are
unwarranted. The Committee also notes that these maintenance
funds shall remain available until expended.
Workforce and Organizational Support.--The Committee
recommends $178,117,000 for Workforce and Organizational
Support, $3,134,000 below the enacted level and $1,460,000
below the budget request. The recommendation includes
$1,866,000 for fixed costs; does not accept any programmatic
changes proposed in the budget request; and includes a further
baseline reduction of $5,000,000 in the administrative support
subactivity to account for the discontinuance of the proposed
reorganization, which the recommendation does not fund. The
Bureau is directed to use the current enacted funding on the
shared services component. The Committee is not convinced of
the efficacy of moving additional personnel out of the
headquarters area when approximately 93 percent of Bureau
employees are already working in the field and directs that no
additional relocations of headquarters staff take place.
National Landscape Conservation System.--The Committee
recommends $45,112,000 for National Landscape Conservation
Lands, $5,293,000 above the enacted level and $8,000,000 above
the budget request. The recommendation includes $293,000 in
fixed costs; $3,000,000 in programmatic increases to restore
reductions proposed in the budget request; and an additional
increase of $5,000,000. The Committee believes a modest
increase in this program will allow for greater inventory and
monitoring of cultural resources and encourages the Bureau to
increase its cultural resources staff.
Communication Site Management.--The Committee recommends
$2,000,000 for communications site management, equal to the
budget request. This amount is reduced by $2,000,000 in
offsetting collections.
Mining Law Administration.--The Committee recommends
$39,696,000 for mining law administration, equal to the budget
request. This amount is offset by $61,000,000 in offsetting
collections.
Rescission.--The Committee recommends a rescission of
$14,000,000 in funds made available under this heading in
fiscal years 2016 and prior. These funds are now more than 3
years old and, given the generally high obligation rates for
nearly all activities and subactivities in this appropriation,
are unlikely to be needed. The Committee believes that
repurposing these funds, which this recommendation does, is a
more efficient and transparent process.
Period of Availability.--The Committee recommends a change
to the period of availability of the Management of Lands and
Resources appropriation from indefinite, ``no-year`` funding to
2-year availability, with the exception of annual and deferred
maintenance funding which will remain available until expended.
This adjustment will align the Bureau's primary operations
account to more closely mirror those of the other bureaus
within the Department. The Committee is also keenly aware of
its responsibilities to the American taxpayer in providing
oversight of bureau activities and finds that large balances of
unobligated funds substantially detracts from that
responsibility.
Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act.--The Committee
has not agreed to the proposed rescission of Southern Nevada
Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA) funds. The Committee notes
that expected receipts in fiscal year 2019 and 2020 are
estimated to be $91,000,000 and $131,000,000, respectively. The
Bureau is directed to report to the Committee, within 30 days
of enactment of this Act, on the status of balances in the
SNPLMA account and the projects these balances are intended to
fund.
Sage Grouse.--The Committee is extremely concerned about
the dismantling by the current administration of the
unprecedented conservation partnership forged in 2015 by 11
Western states, ranchers and other interested stakeholders to
keep the sage-grouse off the endangered species list. This
administration is moving forward with revisions that will
weaken protections and conservation prescriptions for sage-
grouse that were included in the 2015 science-based greater
sage grouse strategy. The Committee is also concerned that the
Fish and Wildlife Service is no longer in initial discussions
on amendments to land-use plans to provide the best available
science or technical advice. The future of the sage-grouse, a
species that is emblematic of the health of the sagebrush
habitat that it shares with 350 other kinds of wildlife,
depends on decisions being made with the best available science
and technical advice. The Bureau and the Department are
directed to include the Fish and Wildlife Service in any
discussions pertaining to BLM leasing in the sagebrush habitat
to prevent degradation to the habitat, minimize disturbance,
and mitigate impacts.
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.
Bighorn Sheep Research.--To prevent disease transmission
between domestic sheep and bighorn sheep, the Committee directs
the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to work with
Indian Tribes, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies and the Agricultural Research Service to complete a
risk of contact analysis. Together, the agencies are encouraged
to convene a meeting of interested stakeholders to share the
findings of this analysis and collaborate on strategies to
address the risk of disease transmission. The agencies are
further directed to report to the Committee, within 180 days of
enactment of this Act, on the progress made to complete the
analysis and engage with stakeholders.
Soda Ash.--The Committee is concerned about maintaining the
United States' global competitiveness in the production of
natural soda ash and directs the Bureau to analyze this matter
and report to the Committee within 60 days of enactment of this
Act on whether a revision of the rate is warranted.
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.
Off-Highway Vehicle Pilot Program.--The Bureau is directed
to provide a report to the Committee, within 90 days of
enactment of this Act, on the status of the Bureau's efforts
regarding the directive contained in House Report 115-765.
Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape.--The Committee recognizes
that the Bureau of Land Management has delayed scheduled lease
sales in areas within a 10-mile radius of Chaco Culture
National Historical Park on three occasions since March 2018.
The Committee is also aware of the recent decision from the
United States Court of Appeals vacating the Bureau of Land
Management environmental analysis for oil and gas leasing in
the area. The Greater Chaco cultural landscape has inestimable
value for Native people and for the American public. The
Committee directs the Bureau to refrain from leasing or
proposing new leases within a 10-mile radius of the Chaco
Culture National Historical Park. The Committee further directs
the Bureau to prioritize planning updates for the region,
increase cultural resources inventories in cooperation with the
State of New Mexico and tribes to ensure well-informed land
management decisions, and engage in meaningful government-to-
government consultation with tribes, including conducting
ethnographic studies outside of the 10-mile radius.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.--The Committee
appreciates the long-standing partnership between the Fish and
Wildlife Foundation, a congressionally chartered institution,
and several bureaus within the Interior Department,
particularly the Bureau of Land Management. The Committee would
therefore urge the Bureau to continue this partnership and
agrees that, at the Bureau's discretion, up to $2,000,000 from
within available funds may be used for critical conservation
activities, pursuant to 16 U.S.C.3701 et seq., under the same
term and conditions as outlined under this heading in Title I
of Division G of P.L. 115-31, the fiscal year 2017 Interior,
Environment and Related Agencies Act.
Rewilding.--The Committee recognizes the value of horse
rewilding as one of many herd management strategies and
encourages the Bureau to explore collaborations with suitable
organizations and willing landowners to adopt, transport and
locate horses to appropriate habitats at no cost to taxpayers.

CONSTRUCTION

(INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $0
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... -5,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... -5,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. -5,000,000

The Committee recommends a rescission of $5,000,000 for the
Construction appropriation. These funds were originally made
available in fiscal year 2014 and before and are no longer
needed.

LAND ACQUISITION

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $28,316,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... 33,800,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +5,484,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +33,800,000

LAND ACQUISITION

The Committee recommends $33,800,000 for the Land
Acquisition appropriation. This amount is $7,284,000 above the
enacted level and $43,800,000 above the budget request,
including rescissions. Details of the recommendation are
contained below and in the table at the back of this report.
Because the Department has not made detailed, individual
project information available in a timely manner, the Committee
notes that the following list is preliminary in nature and may
be revised later in the fiscal year 2020 budget process as
additional information becomes available. The projects listed
are in priority order, as determined by the Bureau.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Project This Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AZ Aravaipa Canyon Access................. $2,600,000
CA Bodie Hills............................ 900,000
CA Los Gatos Creek Ranch.................. 1,200,000
CO McInnis Canyons National Conservation 600,000
Area..................................
ID Coeur d'Alene Lake Special Recreation 1,300,000
Management Area.......................
MT Blackfoot River Watershed.............. 3,500,000
OR Sandy River............................ 500,000
OR Table Rocks Special Recreational 2,700,000
Management Area.......................
Additional projects to be supplied by 5,000,000
BLM...................................
-----------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Line Item Projects........... 18,300,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

OREGON AND CALIFORNIA GRANT LANDS

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $106,985,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 106,985,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 117,195,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +10,210,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +10,210,000

OREGON AND CALIFORNIA GRANT LANDS

The Committee recommends $117,195,000 for the Oregon and
California Grant Lands appropriation. This amount is
$10,210,000 above both the enacted level and the budget
request. The recommendation includes $210,000 in fixed costs
and $10,000,000 in programmatic increases, of which $9,000,000
is in the resources management activity for additional work on
forest management, and $1,000,000 is in the transportation and
facilities maintenance activity. The recommendation does not
adopt the proposed budget restructuring.
Timber targets.--The Committee continues to be troubled by
the disparity in timber targets compared with timber awarded
and harvested on some districts. The Bureau is once again
directed to prioritize response to administrative protests on
timber sales in a timely manner and to report timber sale
accomplishments in volume of timber sold and awarded, rather
than merely the volume offered for sale, and shall report to
the Committee on its progress.

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 $26,000,000 for Service Charges, Deposits, and
Forfeitures, as requested. The appropriation is fully offset
through collections.

MISCELLANEOUS TRUST FUNDS

The Committee recommends an indefinite appropriation
estimated to be $26,000,000, as requested.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

The Committee recommends inclusion of the Administrative
Provisions proposed in the budget request and notes that they
are long-standing items that facilitate more efficient
operations.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Originating in 1871, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is
the oldest federal conservation agency, and the only agency in
the federal government, whose primary responsibility is
management of fish and wildlife for the American public.
Through protecting the environment, all Americans can be
afforded the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and to connect
with and learn from nature. Maintaining and protecting the
Nation's natural resources for present and future generations
should be a top priority for the Service. This involves strict
enforcement of important and foundational environmental laws
such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Migratory Bird Treaty
Act (MBTA), Marine Mammal Protection Act, Lacey Act, and
international treaties like the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
The Service is responsible for the National Wildlife Refuge
System that consists of more than 560 National Wildlife Refuges
operating as a national network of lands and waters for the
conservation, management, and restoration of fish, wildlife,
and plant resources and habitats. The Service also operates one
historic National Fish Hatchery and 70 National Fish Hatcheries
that work with states and tribes to propagate fish to bolster
or re-establish self-sustaining populations in the wild and
mitigate impacts associated with Federal water projects.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $1,292,078,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 1,257,161,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 1,364,760,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +72,682,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +107,599,000

The Committee recommends $1,364,760,000 for Resource
Management, an increase of $72,682,000 above the enacted level
and $107,599,000 above the budget request. The recommendation
includes a $4,000,000 rescission from unobligated balances made
available in fiscal year 2019 in General Operations for the
Department-wide reorganization. The Committee approves the
proposed budget restructuring for the new Joint Administrative
Operations which consolidates administrative functions into a
single organization but does not support any other
reorganization, including the Department-wide reorganization,
or consolidation in fiscal year 2020. Fixed cost increases as
requested in the budget are provided, but 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
$288,983,000 in Ecological Services for Endangered Species Act
(ESA) and related activities, $37,158,000 above the enacted
level and $48,961,000 above the budget request. This program
has been underfunded and the Committee is striving to rectify
that deficiency by providing additional resources for
endangered species conservation and recovery and habitat
protection, and to enhance efforts in important ecosystems such
as the Chesapeake Bay and the California Bay-Delta.
Listing.--The recommendation includes $23,442,000 for ESA
listings and related activities, an increase of $5,124,000
above the enacted level, and $12,377,000 above the budget
request. Through the listing process, the best scientific and
commercial information on a species is analyzed so a
determination can be made on whether the survival of a species
requires the protections afforded by the ESA. The Committee is
providing additional resources to help the Service work closely
with States and Tribes as they evaluate the over 350 species
that are potentially in need of protection under the ESA,
develop a National Listing workplan, undertake 90-day and 12-
month petition findings and develop listing, 4(d), and critical
habitat rules as required by law. Bill language is continued as
requested to protect the rest of the Resource Management
account from listing-related judicial mandates.
Planning and Consultation.--The recommendation includes
$113,018,000 for timely evaluations and permitting of
development projects to ensure species are protected while
allowing for development that contributes to economic growth
and job creation. This recommendation is an increase of
$6,939,000 above the enacted level and $5,502,000 above the
budget request. This recommendation does not accept the
reductions proposed in the budget request and provides
$2,500,000 for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
streamlining. The additional funding is for staffing to build
field capacity for technical assistance to Federal agencies and
project proponents and to work with States, counties and
private landowners to create Habitat Conservation Plans; to
enhance the Integrated Planning and Conservation (IPaC) system;
and to plan the development of a system for compliance
monitoring and enforcement to ensure adequate implementation of
the ESA.
The Service is encouraged to issue guidance to field
offices for streamlining Endangered Species Act section 7(a)(2)
consultations on federal actions that authorize, fund, or carry
out a covered activity in an approved Habitat Conservation Plan
(HCP) permitted under section 10(a)(1)(B) and that affect
listed species that are covered species in the approved HCP.
Conservation and Restoration.--The recommendation includes
$34,650,000 for Conservation and Restoration, $2,254,000 above
the enacted level, and $8,209,000 above the budget request. The
recommendation does not include any of the proposed reductions
and provides an additional $2,000,000 for Candidate
Conservation. This increase will help the Service work with
partners to conserve species by identifying and alleviating
threats so they do not require listing. The Committee is
disappointed to learn the Service is no longer actively engaged
in many of the decisions made by the Bureau of Land Management
on energy leasing and directs the Department of the Interior to
involve the Service in any decision where leasing will impact
species.
Recovery.--The recommendation includes $117,873,000 for
Endangered Species Act recovery activities, $22,841,000 above
the enacted level, and $22,873,000 above the request. The
recommendation does not accept the proposed budget reductions
for de-listing and down-listing, State of the Birds, White Nose
Syndrome, Prescott Grant Program and Wolf Livestock
Demonstration Program, and includes a total of $8,000,000 for
Recovery Challenge grants.
The Committee has long championed the need for listing
decisions to be based on science, not politics. In the current
political climate, the Committee remains concerned that if
iconic species are removed from the endangered species list,
they will not receive adequate protections to ensure their
survivability. The gray wolf is an example of a species of
concern. The Committee directs that if the Service is going to
delist a species based on the best available science, the
Service must first carefully analyze state management plans to
ensure adequate protections will be in place and then establish
a stringent monitoring system that guarantees there is rigorous
enforcement of those plans.
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
$3,500,000 and partner contributions should be not less than
their current amounts. The remaining funds should be dedicated
to other 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 continue to work
with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to administer a
portion of the program in full consultation with the Service
and subject to Service approval of all grants and cooperative
agreements. This approach allows Service funds to be leveraged
and expands recovery actions. The Service is also expected to
administer a portion of the program itself in support of
partnerships to implement recovery actions benefiting species
for which the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is not
engaged in conservation efforts. None of the funds may be used
for indirect costs. The Service is to provide a report on this
collaboration to the Committee 60 days after enactment of this
Act.
The Committee has provided an increase of $4,480,000 above
the increase in the budget request for recovery activities. The
Service is encouraged to use this increase to develop and
support dedicated extinction prevention programs for critically
endangered species at the brink of extinction, including, but
not limited to, species such as listed Hawaiian plants and
forest birds, freshwater mussels, and butterflies, and to
report back to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of
this Act on the establishment of these programs.
The Committee recommendation maintains funding at the
enacted level for the Service's work on the Upper Colorado
River Endangered Fish Recovery Program and the San Juan River
Basin Recovery Implementation Program.
Marbled Murrelet.--The Committee continues to support
language included in House Report 116-9 concerning the
development of the Long-Term Conservation Strategy.
Habitat Conservation.--The recommendation includes
$66,697,000 for voluntary, non-regulatory habitat conservation
partnerships with public and private landowners, of which
$52,954,000 is to implement the Partners for Fish and Wildlife
Act and $13,743,000 is for the Coastal Program. This
recommendation is an increase of $1,689,000 above the enacted
level, and a reduction of $1,095,000 from the request. The
recommendation does not include the reductions proposed in the
budget request for Partners for Fish and Wildlife and the
Coastal Program. For the Partners for Fish and Wildlife
program, the recommendation does not provide the total program
change increase requested in the budget but instead provides an
increase of $1,000,000 over the enacted level for partner
activities that can include additional work on invasive species
and landscape habitat protection.
National Wildlife Refuge System.--The recommendation
includes $514,164,000 for the National Wildlife Refuge System,
an increase of $25,913,000 above the enacted level, and
$4,635,000 above the budget request.
The recommendation continues support for the directive in
the House Report 114-632 instituting signage on any individual
refuge where trapping occurs and for adherence to the guidance
that is now included in the refuge manual. The Service is
directed to update the information posted on the website and
physical premises of any refuge to note if body-gripping traps
are on the premises. No later than 180 days after enactment of
this Act, the Service shall report to the Committee on any
refuge that uses body-gripping traps and why non-lethal control
methods are not utilized instead for refuge management
purposes, the types of body-gripping traps used; trap check
time requirements; and the number and type of species captured,
both target and non-target. This report is to be updated
annually.
Wildlife and Habitat Management.--The recommendation
includes $239,437,000, an increase of $4,970,000 above the
enacted level and equal to the budget request. The Committee
supports the funding increase included in the budget request
for Invasive Species Strike Teams and the reduction proposed
for Inventory and Monitoring. The Committee understands the use
of native plant materials increases resilience, reduces
invasive species, and creates a more effective deterrent to
fire. The Service is directed to brief the Committee on the use
of native plants in refuge restoration within 180 days of
enactment of this Act.
Regional refuges such as the Silvio O. Conte National Fish
and Wildlife Refuge effectively work with local communities and
landowners to achieve collaborative conservation. The Committee
encourages the continuation of this effort. The Service is also
encouraged to sufficiently staff the Chesapeake Marshlands
National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
Refuge Visitor Services.--The recommendation includes
$80,855,000, an increase of $7,536,000 above the enacted level,
and equal to the budget request. The recommendation restores
the reduction proposed in the budget request for Youth and
Careers in Nature, which includes tribal youth, provides an
additional $1,000,000 over the budget request for the Urban
Wildlife Conservation Program, and provides $5,106,000 of the
requested program increase for refuge visitor services.
Engaging Americans of all ages with nature must be a priority.
Refuge Law Enforcement.--Federal Wildlife Officers are the
face of the Refuge System. Current refuge law enforcement
staffing is at 22 percent of the staffing level recommended by
the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The
recommendation includes $45,307,000, an increase of $7,253,000
above the enacted level and $2,112,000 above the budget
request. This funding level provides an additional 40 FTE that
are to be dispersed nationwide to ensure every refuge has law
enforcement coverage by a Federal Wildlife Officer.
Conservation Planning.--The recommendation provides
$2,523,000, equal to the enacted level, and an increase of
$2,523,000 above the budget request.
Refuge Maintenance.--The recommendation includes
$146,042,000, an increase of $6,154,000 above the enacted
level, and equal to the budget request. The Service is
encouraged to prioritize maintenance and restoration of units
within the refuge system that were damaged by Hurricanes Sandy
and Irene.
Migratory Bird Management.--The recommendation includes
$49,498,000 for Migratory Bird Management, an increase of
$3,077,000 above the enacted level and $13,000 above the budget
request. The recommendation provides $29,095,000 for
Conservation and Monitoring which reflects the transfer of the
$3,237,000 requested for Aviation Management to General
Operations to correspond to Committee action in the fiscal year
2019 enacted bill. The Committee provides an additional
$250,000 to support the Service's efforts to work with
landowners to reduce black vulture predation on livestock and
to address the implementation of next steps identified in the
December 17, 2018 summary report on the management of double
crested cormorants. The recommendation provides $16,140,000 for
North American Waterfowl Management Plan/Joint Ventures, an
increase of $3,000,000 above the budget request. This program
is essential for addressing the conservation needs of migratory
birds by leveraging matching contributions from partners.
The Committee remains concerned about the December 22, 2017
legal opinion on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), M-37050,
that is contrary to the long-standing interpretation of this
Act by no longer prohibiting incidental take. Statistics on the
Service website make it clear that migratory birds and their
habitats remain at risk and that incidental take remains a
threat. The Service is directed to report quarterly on the
number of enforcement actions on the MBTA and its work with
industry on voluntary actions to mitigate the impacts from
development or activities that could result in incidental
capture or mortality of migratory birds. This information
should be compared to statistics from five years prior to M-
37050. This report should also include the costs associated
with enforcement and a comparison of what was expended in the
five years prior to M-37050.
Law Enforcement.--The recommendation includes $81,217,000
for law enforcement, $2,164,000 above the enacted level, and
$4,000,000 above the budget request. The recommendation does
not include the proposed reduction for the Indian Arts and
Crafts Board but does accept the general program reduction. An
additional $2,000,000 above the budget request is provided for
wildlife trafficking. As in prior years, this increase may be
used as necessary to supplement inspections.
International Affairs.--The recommendation includes
$18,023,000 for international affairs, $2,207,000 above the
enacted level and $1,400,000 above the budget request.
Increases above the budget request for Wildlife Trafficking
include $1,200,000 in International Conservation and $200,000
in International Wildlife Trade. The Committee supports the
Service's efforts to modernize the international trade
permitting system. The recommendation accepts the proposed
reduction for the Arctic Council resulting from the ending of
the U.S. chairmanship.
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 2020. The Committee
directs the Service to submit a report within 60 days of the
enactment of this Act on these efforts.
The Committee also acknowledges and commends the enactment
of the Defending Economic Livelihoods and Threatened Animals
(DELTA) Act in 2018 and urges the Service, especially its
International Affairs and Office of Law Enforcement programs,
to work with Angola, Namibia, and Botswana in combating
poaching and wildlife trafficking and strengthening protected
area management, including through trans-boundary conservation
programs in the region, with an initial focus on Angola.
Fish and Aquatic Conservation.--The recommendation includes
$178,424,000 for Fish and Aquatic Conservation, an increase of
$11,197,000 above the enacted level and $22,797,000 above the
budget request. The Service is expected to continue to work
with partners and the public to manage fish and other aquatic
resources for the benefit of the American people.
National Fish Hatchery System Operations.--The
recommendation provides $59,875,000, an increase of $53,000
above the enacted level and $3,485,000 above the budget
request. This funding level 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 recommendation
provides $1,610,000 for Klamath Restoration. The budget request
supports operation of national fish hatcheries at the enacted
level.
The Service may not terminate operations or 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.
The Committee encourages the Service to carry out sampling
of re-introduced lake sturgeon and monitor the survival of
juvenile lake sturgeon after they are stocked to determine
whether the stocking rates should be increased to meet the
target stock level.
Maintenance and Equipment.--The recommendation provides
$25,846,000, an increase of $2,926,000 above the enacted level
and equal to the budget request, which includes $13,249,000 to
reduce the deferred maintenance backlog. The Service should
continue to allocate this funding 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.
Aquatic Habitat and Species Conservation.--The
recommendation includes $92,703,000 for Aquatic Habitat and
Species Conservation, an increase of $8,218,000 above the
enacted level and $19,312,000 above the budget request. A
discussion of the program components follows.
Habitat Assessment and Restoration.--The recommendation
includes $36,161,000, of which: $268,000 is for the Chehalis
Fisheries Restoration Program; $10,000,000 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 directed to
be transparent with its partners regarding Federal costs for
program coordination and administration of the National Fish
Habitat Action Plan. The Service is encouraged to continue its
collaborative work with partners on the Warren Glen Dam removal
project and to report back to the Committee on the status of
the project 180 days after enactment of this Act.
Population Assessment and Cooperative Management.--The
recommendation provides $30,241,000, of which $558,000 is to
implement the Great Lakes Consent Decree, and $458,000 is to
implement the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act.
The recommendation does not accept the proposed reduction for
the Lake Champlain sea lamprey program and funds it at the
enacted level. Within available funds, $250,000 is provided for
Service biologists to research and develop a plan to eradicate
northern snakehead in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Aquatic Invasive Species.--The recommendation includes
$26,301,000, of which: $2,000,000 is to help States implement
plans required by the National Invasive Species Act (NISA);
$1,566,000 is for NISA coordination; $4,088,000 is to implement
subsection 5(d)(2) of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act;
$11,600,000 is for controlling Asian carp as outlined in House
Report 116-9; $1,011,000 is for Sea Lamprey administration
costs; and $3,000,000 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 and to report its findings to the
Committee within 180 days of enactment of this Act.
The Service is encouraged to pursue technologies to aid in
the elimination, mitigation, or control of aquatic nuisance
species and invasive species that do not result in the addition
of chemical agents to the ecosystem that can lead to harmful
by-products such as algal blooms.
Cooperative Landscape Conservation.--The 22 Landscape
Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) play an important role in
bringing diverse partners together to focus on shared
conservation goals and provide a forum and resources to address
climate change. The Committee recommendation rejects the
Administration's proposal to eliminate this program and
includes $12,500,000 for these 22 LCCs, equal to the enacted
level. If any LCC is not currently operating, the Service is
directed to reestablish it.
The recommendation restores funding for the program because
there is inherent value in working with partners and
stakeholders to address and understand the continual assaults
on cultural and natural resources from climate change and
address shared conservation goals.
The reprogramming guidelines are explicit that any
deviation from the budget justification must be transparent and
officially presented to the Appropriations Committees of the
House of Representatives and the Senate. If the Service would
like to make any changes to this program, it must prepare a
report to accompany an official reprogramming request to the
Committees. The report must include the following information
for each of the 22 LCCs from fiscal year 2016 to the present:
funding allocations; the number of staff, their assigned
roles--such as LCC coordinator, science coordinator, and
whether their work or job description has changed; meetings and
forums with stakeholders; climate change research with a
corresponding timeline for initiation and completion of work;
and an analysis on why the program change is beneficial. The
report must also document the outreach the Service has made, or
will make, to every State and partner associated with each of
the 22 LCCs to solicit their input on the proposed change and a
summary of the response. The Service is reliant on partners to
accomplish its mission and must clearly demonstrate to Congress
that the process used to devise any programmatic change has
been transparent and inclusive.
Science Support.--The recommendation does not approve the
proposed elimination of the program and includes $17,267,000
for the Science Support program, equal to the enacted level.
This funding level includes $3,500,000 for research related to
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 also expected to partner with Cooperative Research
Units whenever possible.
General Operations.--The recommendation includes
$137,987,000 for General Operations programs, a reduction of
$10,723,000 below the enacted level and $2,879,000 below the
budget request. This funding level provides $20,804,000 for
Central Office Operations, a reduction of $1,000,000 below the
budget request for the Office of the Director; $49,166,000 for
Management and Administration, a reduction of $5,700,000 below
the budget request as no funding is provided for the
Department-wide reorganization; $35,332,000 for Servicewide
Bill Paying, a reduction of $438,000 below the budget request
for the Assistant Secretary Fish, Wildlife and Parks;
$22,426,000 for the National Conservation Training Center, an
increase of $1,000,000 above the budget request to provide
funding for Youth and Careers in Nature, which includes tribal
youth; and a rescission of $4,000,000 from fiscal year 2019
funding provided for the Department-wide reorganization from
Central Office Operations as noted in the joint explanatory
statement accompanying the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2019 and outlined on pages GO-3 and GO-4 of the fiscal year
2019 Budget Justification. The Committee directs the Service to
use the balance of the fiscal year 2019 funding appropriated
for the Department-wide reorganization to develop an electronic
permitting system that will make the permitting process more
efficient and can be used to combat the illegal trafficking of
products and wildlife.
The recommendation also includes $7,022,000 for the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), and $3,237,000
for Aviation Management. Aviation management is funded under
General Operations to accurately reflect the program's
responsibilities across the Service.
Everglades.--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 continues
its support for collaborative efforts to protect, restore, and
conserve habitats for one of the greatest ecological treasures
of the United States. The recommendation provides a minimum of
$15,238,000 across multiple programs for Everglades
restoration, including $2,718,000 to implement the
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), and
$3,700,000 for land acquisition.

CONSTRUCTION

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $55,613,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 15,693,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 15,693,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... -39,920,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. 0

The Committee recommends $15,693,000 for Construction, the
budget request. The detailed allocation of funding by activity
is included in the table at the end of this report.
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 natural events.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refuge, Hatchery, or Committee
State Other Unit Budget Request Recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CA Don Edwards San $5,875,000 $5,875,000
Francisco Bay
National Wildlife
Refuge.............
MI Jordan River 500,000 500,000
National Fish
Hatchery...........
VA Harrison Lake 558,000 558,000
National Fish
Hatchery...........
* Branch of Dam Safety 250,000 250,000
* Branch of Dam Safety 200,000 200,000
* Information 250,000 250,000
Resources &
Technology
Management.........
GA Chattahoochee Forest 816,000 816,000
National Fish
Hatchery...........
WY Saratoga National 644,000 644,000
Fish Hatchery......
------------------------------------------------------------------------

LAND ACQUISITION

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $65,189,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 9,864,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 67,750,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +2,561,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +57,886,000

The Committee recommends $67,750,000 for the Land
Acquisition appropriation. This amount is $2,561,000 above the
enacted level and $57,886,000 above the budget request, not
including the proposed rescission. The recommendation does not
accept the proposed rescission. Details of the recommendation
are contained below and in the table at the back of this
report.
Because the Department has not made detailed, individual
project information available in a timely manner, the Committee
notes that the following list is preliminary in nature and may
be revised later in the fiscal year 2020 budget process as
additional information becomes available. The projects listed
are in priority order, as determined by the Service.
As the Service contemplates acquisitions, it should
consider that sites, while not physically connected, often
contain important ecological and cultural value when connected
as part of a regional wildlife footprint. Future land
acquisitions should also be prioritized to serve the various
migratory flyways through an integrated migratory and
ecological footprint across the Service.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Project This Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
IA/MN Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR......... $1,000,000
TX Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR............ 2,000,000
SD/ND Dakota Grassland Conservation Area..... 4,250,000
FL Everglades Headwaters NWR and 3,700,000
Conservation Area.....................
WA Steigerwald Lake NWR................... 1,900,000
IA Neal Smith NWR......................... 500,000
LA Bayou Sauvage NWR...................... 2,000,000
TX Laguna Atascosa NWR.................... 2,000,000
FL St. Marks NWR.......................... 1,500,000
WA Willapa NWR............................ 1,500,000
IA/IL/MN/WI Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and 1,000,000
Fish Refuge...........................
MT Montana National Wildlife Refuges and 2,000,000
Conservation Areas....................
CA North Central Valley Wildlife 500,000
Management Area.......................
KS Flint Hills Legacy Conservation Area... 3,000,000
NC Alligator River NWR.................... 1,000,000
CT/Great Thicket NWR...................... 500,000
NY/RI
CA Humboldt Bay NWR....................... 1,100,000
AR Cache River NWR........................ 1,800,000
-----------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Line Item Projects........... 31,250,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, 2019........................... $53,495,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... 63,702,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +10,207,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +63,702,000

The Committee recommends $63,702,000 for the Cooperative
Endangered Species Conservation Fund, an increase of
$10,207,000 above the enacted level, and $63,702,000 above the
budget request. A detailed table of funding recommendations
below the account level is provided at the end of this report.
The additional funding will increase the grant funding
available to States and Territories for species and habitat
conservation actions on non-Federal lands. The recommendation
only accepts $10,000,000 of the proposed rescission, to be
derived from unobligated balances of appropriations made prior
to fiscal year 2014.

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, 2019........................... $13,228,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... 13,228,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +13,228,000

The Committee recommends $13,228,000, equal to the enacted
level and an increase of $13,228,000 above the budget request,
for the National Wildlife Refuge Fund.

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 in Public Law 109-322
expired in fiscal year 2012.

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $42,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 40,000,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 50,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +8,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +10,000,000

The Committee recommends $50,000,000 for the North American
Wetlands Conservation Fund, an increase of $8,000,000 above the
enacted level and an increase of $10,000,000 above the budget
request.

NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION

The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act program
provides matching grants to partners throughout the Western
Hemisphere to promote the conservation of neotropical migratory
birds in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the
Caribbean, with not less than 75 percent of the amounts
available to be expended on projects outside the United States.

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $3,910,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 3,900,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 4,910,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +1,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +1,010,000

The Committee recommends $4,910,000 for neotropical
migratory bird conservation, an increase of $1,000,000 above
the enacted level, and $1,010,000 above the budget request.

MULTINATIONAL SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND

The Multinational Species Conservation Fund provides
technical and financial assistance to local communities,
wildlife authorities, and non-governmental organizations in
developing countries for on-the ground conservation work to
protect African and Asian elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers,
great apes, and marine turtles, and their habitats. Matching
grants are provided to countries to strengthen anti-poaching
activities; build community support for conservation near these
species' habitats; survey and monitor; and provide
infrastructure and field equipment necessary to conserve
habitats. Authorizations of appropriations for the programs
within this Fund have all expired.

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $11,561,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 6,000,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 15,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +3,439,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +9,000,000

The Committee recommends $15,000,000 for the Multinational
Species Conservation Fund to protect these priority species, an
increase of $3,439,000 above the enacted level and $9,000,000
above the budget request. 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,
Commonwealths, and Territories to conserve fish and wildlife
and their habitats, including species that are not hunted or
fished.

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $64,571,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 31,286,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 70,571,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +6,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +39,285,000

The Committee recommends $70,571,000 for State and Tribal
Wildlife Grants, an increase of $6,000,000 above the enacted
level, and $39,285,000 above the budget request. The
recommendation includes increased funding to acknowledge the
important role States, Commonwealths, Territories, the District
of Columbia, and Tribes play in managing and conserving species
before they decline to levels that require listing.
A detailed table of funding recommendations below the
account level is provided at the end of this report. The
Committee does not support the budget request of directing
competitive grants solely toward funding big game research and
conservation in the 11 western State-identified priority
corridors. State Wildlife competitive grants must be available
nationwide.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

The recommendation continues various administrative
provisions from fiscal year 2019.

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 419 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, 2019........................... $2,502,711,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 2,425,517,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 2,646,979,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +144,268,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +221,462,000

The Committee recommends $2,646,979,000 for Operation of
the National Park System (ONPS), $144,268,000 above the enacted
level and $221,462,000 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.
The Committee is acutely aware of the strain on the
National Park System caused by its $11 billion maintenance
backlog and insufficient staffing levels, which have declined
by 2,500 positions since 2010. For the last several years, this
Committee has focused on addressing the maintenance backlog
issues across the National Park System. In this bill, the
Committee not only continues those efforts, but also takes a
major step to invest in the capacity of our national parks. The
Committee recommends a $50,000,000 increase for the Service to
begin rebuilding its workforce so that it can conserve and
manage our natural and cultural resources to ensure an
enriching national park experience for the public. These
increases support the restoration of 500 positions in the parks
and are distributed across Resource Stewardship, Visitor
Services, Park Protection, and Park Support within the ONPS
account.
In its budget, the Service requests funding for facility
operations and facilities maintenance as separate budget
activities. The Committee then recommends funding levels in
accordance with this structure and expects that the Service
uses funding for the purposes Congress specifies. The Committee
is, therefore, frustrated that the Service has continued its
practice of allowing individual parks to use the operations and
maintenance funds interchangeably.
This means that increases Congress specified for certain
activities are effectively absorbed into a general base. This
practice makes it impossible for the Committee to fully
exercise its oversight role and is, therefore, unacceptable. It
is critical that the Service be able to account for the funds
separately and the Service must educate park officials about
the need to account for each activity separately and begin to
integrate these principles into formal resource planning
process at individual parks in the beginning of each fiscal
year.
The committee has reviewed the budget realignment proposed
in the budget request for the ONPS account and believes this
presentation is insufficient to meet the Committee's oversight
needs. The Service is directed to provide alternatives to
restructure the ONPS appropriation as expeditiously as possible
and not later than 90 days following enactment of this Act.
Additionally, until such time as a new structure is determined,
the Service shall brief the Committee on the prior fiscal
year's spending realignment within 60 days of the end of the
fiscal year.
Funding recommendations have been adjusted to align with
the Service's fiscal year 2019 operating plan. The Committee
expects the Service to execute its spending at the levels
provided. The Service may not redistribute the recommendations
in a fiscal year 2020 operating plan.
Additional funding guidance is provided below.
Resource Stewardship.--The Committee recommends
$374,367,000 for resource stewardship, $39,930,000 above the
enacted level and $52,805,000 above the budget request.
Natural Resource Stewardship.--The Committee recommends
$231,165,000 for Natural Resource Stewardship. The
recommendation rejects the program changes proposed in the
budget request, provides fixed costs, and includes a $1,093,000
increase for the Partnership Wild & Scenic Rivers program. The
recommendation provides $7,500,000 to begin rebuilding seasonal
and permanent staffing capacity that parks have lost in recent
years. This capacity is critical to fulfilling their core
mission to preserve resources, provide for visitor enjoyment
and protection, operate and maintain facilities, and manage and
administer the national parks.
Quagga and Zebra Mussel Programs are funded at $3,000,000,
equal to the enacted level and a $1,000,000 increase above the
budget request. The recommendation includes $800,000 for Cave
and Karst Ecosystem Research, which is equal to the enacted
level and a $1,000,000 increase above the budget request.
Cultural Resource Stewardship.--The Committee recommends
$132,920,000 for Cultural Resource Stewardship, an increase of
$10,824,000 above the enacted level and $17,759,000 above the
budget request. The recommendation rejects the program changes
proposed in the budget request, provides fixed costs, and
includes a program increase of $582,000 for the National Trails
System. Additionally, the recommendation provides $1,000,000
for the national networks, which include the National
Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, the African American
Civil Rights Network, the Reconstruction Era National Historic
Network, and the World War II Heritage Cities Network. The
recommendation also provides a $200,000 program increase above
enacted for New Responsibilities at New and Existing Parks, for
a total funding level of $425,000. The recommendation provides
$7,500,000 to begin rebuilding seasonal and permanent staffing
capacity that parks have lost in recent years. This capacity is
critical to fulfilling their core mission to preserve
resources, provide for visitor enjoyment and protection,
operate and maintain facilities, and manage and administer the
national parks.
Everglades Restoration.--The Committee recommends
$10,282,000 for the Everglades Restoration Program, an increase
of $250,000 above the enacted level and $582,000 above the
budget request. The Committee notes the substantial progress
made toward restoration of the Everglades ecosystem and
continues to support this multi-year effort to preserve one of
the great ecological treasures of the United States.
Visitor Services.--The Committee recommends $261,583,000
for Visitor Services, $5,900,000 above the enacted level and
$24,496,000 above the budget request. The Committee once again
notes that the recommendation has been adjusted to align with
the Service's fiscal year 2019 operating plan, and the
recommendation rejects the program changes proposed in the
budget request. The recommendation provides a $375,000 program
increase for New Responsibilities at New and Existing Parks,
for a total funding level of $737,000, equal to the request.
Fixed costs are also provided. The recommendation provides
$7,500,000 to begin rebuilding seasonal and permanent staffing
capacity that parks have lost in recent years. This capacity is
critical to fulfilling their core mission to preserve
resources, provide for visitor enjoyment and protection,
operate and maintain facilities, and manage and administer the
national parks.
Park Protection.--The Committee recommends $381,487,000 for
Park Protection, an increase of $24,261,000 above the enacted
level and $19,517,000 above the budget request. The
recommendation rejects proposed reductions, provides fixed
costs and includes the requested transfer. The recommendation
provides $10,000,000 to begin rebuilding seasonal and permanent
staffing capacity that parks have lost in recent years. This
capacity is critical to fulfilling their core mission to
preserve resources, provide for visitor enjoyment and
protection, operate and maintain facilities, and manage and
administer the national parks.
Facility Operations and Maintenance.--The Committee
recommends $892,448,000 for Facilities Operations and
Maintenance, $70,910,000 above the enacted level and
$95,658,000 above the budget request. The recommendation
provides fixed costs and includes the requested program
increases for New Responsibilities at New and Existing Park
Area and DC Water and Sewer. The recommendation rejects all
other proposed program changes. Additionally, the
recommendation shifts $40,000,000 from unspecified funding in
the construction account into this account, providing an
additional $15,000,000 for Repair and Rehabilitation Projects,
$15,000,000 for Cyclic Maintenance Projects, and $10,000,000
for Maintenance Project Planning. This funding will allow the
Service to address deferred maintenance on deteriorating
facilities and to conduct large recurring or renewal projects.
The recommendation provides $10,000,000 to begin rebuilding
seasonal and permanent staffing capacity that parks have lost
in recent years. This capacity is critical to fulfilling their
core mission to preserve resources, provide for visitor
enjoyment and protection, operate and maintain facilities, and
manage and administer the national parks.
Park Support.--The Committee recommends $543,507,000 for
Park Support, $5,395,000 below the enacted level and
$28,986,000 above the budget request. The recommendation
provides fixed costs but does not include the $5,700,000
requested for the Department Wide Reorganization or other
proposed program changes, unless otherwise specified below. The
recommendation provides $7,500,000 to begin rebuilding seasonal
and permanent staffing capacity that parks have lost in recent
years. This capacity is critical to fulfilling their core
mission to preserve resources, provide for visitor enjoyment
and protection, operate and maintain facilities, and manage and
administer the national parks.
Commissions.--The recommendation includes $500,000 for the
400 Years of African-American History Commission to be spent in
accordance with the 400 Years of African-American History
Commission Act and $500,000 for the Semiquincentennial
Commission to be spent in accordance with the
Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016.
Global Positioning System Modernization.--The
recommendation provides $4,000,000 for the replacement of
Global Positioning System (GPS) data collection devices used by
the Service for facilities planning, lands administration,
visitor safety, and infrastructure protection. The Committee is
aware that approximately 25 percent of the Service's field data
collection devices use an operating system that are no longer
supported by the manufacturer and, therefore, the devices are
not able to comply with the Department's Information Technology
security requirements. The funds provided will allow the
Service to bring field data collection devices into compliance.
National Park Foundation.--The recommendation accepts the
proposal to move funding for the National Park Foundation from
the Centennial Challenge account into the Operation of the
National Park System account, a total of $5,000,000.
Accompanying bill language is included, as requested.
New Responsibilities at New and Existing Park Areas.--The
recommendation provides $369,000 for New Responsibilities at
New and Existing Park Areas, as requested.
Additional Guidance.--The following additional direction
and guidance is provided with respect to funding provided
within this account:
America's First Frontier.--The Committee urges the Service
to advance interpretive efforts at existing Service sites and
in collaboration with other Federal, State, and local agencies,
including other bureaus within the Department of the Interior,
to detail the start of westward expansion through the Northwest
Territory as Americas First Frontier.
Autonomous Parks.--The Committee encourages the Service to
develop guidance and procedures that can be used at individual
parks to determine appropriate uses of autonomous vehicles for
visitor transportation within parks. The guidance should
include vehicle features that provide for the best usage within
the parks, including but not limited to, rigorous safety
certification, soundless operation, and fully electric or
emissions free operation.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.--The
Committee looks favorably on the Cooperative Management
Agreement approach currently being used for designing,
constructing, and establishing the Service's occupancy at the
new headquarters for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National
Historical Park. The Service is encouraged to explore the use
of this model, where viable and appropriate, as an alternative
to the GSA leasing process for relocating or developing new
permanent headquarters, such as the headquarters for the
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.
Commercial Use Authorization Requirements/Fee changes.--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 acknowledges the Service's efforts to address these
concerns, however, additional engagement with commercial tour
operators is necessary. This engagement should include
discussions about whether or not further changes to the plan
are warranted. The Service should also conduct outreach to
field staff, commercial tour operators and the public. The
Committee directs the Service to establish a communication plan
to ensure commercial tour operators have consistent and
transparent information available to them. The Service should
provide the plan to the Committee within 60 days of enactment
of this Act.
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 directs 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. The
Committee directs the Service to submit a report to Congress on
its efforts no later than 120 days after enactment of this Act.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial.--The Committee acknowledges that
visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial can be a powerful
healing experience for surviving servicemembers and families of
the fallen. The Committee is aware the number of Vietnam
veterans and surviving relatives diminishes every month due to
their advanced age. The Committee directs the Service to
provide technical assistance to the Department of Defense's
Office of Commemorations to provide nationwide access to the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial through a traveling exhibit and
education center. The Committee urges the Service to work with
an established non-profit Vietnam veterans organization already
implementing this mobile, community-based commemorative and
educational programming to further expand public access,
promote healing, and teach the lessons of the Vietnam War to
future generations of Americans.
Visually Impaired.--The Committee recommends the National
Park Service investigate the feasibility of deploying access
technologies for the visually impaired that enable access to
visual information, enhance independent navigation and provide
descriptions of visual elements in real time at National Park
Service administered parks and monuments.
Water Filling Stations.--The Committee supports the use of
free water filling stations to improve the visitor experience,
reduce waste management costs, and demonstrate ``leave no
trace'' leadership. In some Park Units where water refilling
stations already exist, water refilling stations have become
natural displays for educational, interpretative, safety, or
other useful visitor information. Future stations should
implement this best practice to further improve the visitor
experience.
WWII Memorial.--The Committee recognizes that the World War
II Memorial is one of the most visited Memorials in our
nation's Capital, with an estimated five million visitors each
year. The Committee is concerned that the proposed operations
plan does not address a hairline fracture in the Atlantic side
of the memorial. This fracture requires immediate attention
before further damage leads to increased repair costs. Within
90 days of enactment of this Act, the Service shall report to
the Committee on its plans to address this hairline fracture.
The 75th anniversary of the American victory in World War II
will be celebrated this year and the memorial symbolizes this
defining event.

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, 2019........................... $64,138,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 32,337,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 73,508,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +9,370,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +41,171,000

The Committee recommends $73,508,000 for national
recreation and preservation, $9,370,000 above the enacted level
and $41,171,000 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.
Natural Programs.--The Committee recommends $17,976,000 for
the Natural Programs activity, an increase of $3,806,000 above
the enacted level and $6,781,000 above the budget request. The
recommendation rejects the reductions proposed in the budget
request. The proposed transfer is accepted and the requested
increases for fixed costs are provided.
Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance.--The Committee
recommends $13,478,000 for the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation
program, $3,445,000 above the enacted level and $4,420,000
above the budget request. The recommendation includes a program
increase of $3,500,000 to provide technical assistance and work
with partners, including local leaders and nonprofit
organizations, to enhance on-water education and recreation
programming for youth.
Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Trails.--The Committee
recommends $2,270,000 for Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Trails,
an increase of $250,000 above the enacted level and $2,270,000
above the budget request.
Cultural Programs.--The Committee recommends $31,196,000
for the Cultural Programs activity, an increase of $5,634,000
above the enacted level and $11,792,000 above the budget
request. The recommendation rejects the reductions proposed in
the budget request, provides the requested increases for fixed
costs, and a program increase of $300,000.
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation
Grants.--The Committee recommends $1,907,000 for Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation Grants, an increase
of $250,000 above the enacted level and $1,907,000 above the
budget request.
Japanese Confinement Site Grants.--The Committee recommends
$3,155,000 for Japanese Confinement Site Grants, an increase of
$250,000 above the enacted level and $3,155,000 above the
budget request.
American Indian and Native Hawaiian Art and Culture
Grants.--The Committee recommends $1,250,000 for American
Indian and Native Hawaiian Art and Culture Grants, an increase
of $250,000 above the enacted level and $1,250,000 above the
budget request.
9/11 Memorial Act Grants.--The Committee recommends
$2,000,000 for the competitive grant program, as authorized by
the 9/11 Memorial Act (Public Law 115-413).
Grants Administration.--The Committee accepts the proposed
transfer of the funding in the grants administration budget
activity into Cultural Programs and provides $2,815,000, an
increase of $2,815,000 above the enacted level and $832,000
above the budget request. This amount represents a $2,004,000
transfer, a program increase of $800,000, and fixed costs, as
requested.
International Park Affairs.--The Committee recommends
$1,903,000 for International Park Affairs, an increase of
$255,000 above the enacted level and $928,000 above the budget
request. The recommendation rejects the proposed transfer and
provides requested fixed costs, and a program increase of
$250,000.
Heritage Partnership Programs.--The Committee recommends
$21,998,000 for Heritage Partnership Programs, an increase of
$1,677,000 above the enacted level and $21,624,000 above the
budget request.
Commissions and Grants.--The Committee notes that the
recent enactment of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation,
Management, and Recreation Act (Public Law 116-9) created six
new National Heritage Areas (NHAs). The recommendation,
therefore, provides $20,812,000 for Commissions and Grants,
which is sufficient to provide stable funding sources for both
the new and existing NHAs. This is an increase of $1,473,000
above the enacted level and $20,812,000 above the budget
request. The Committee continues the directive contained in the
explanatory statement that accompanied Public Law 116-6 with
regards to funding distribution.
The bill includes within Title I General Provisions bill
language extending the authorization for the National Aviation
Heritage Area and the Oil Region National Heritage Area. The
bill also includes language addressing the Last Green Valley
National Heritage Corridor, the South Carolina National
Heritage Corridor, and the Erie Canalway National Heritage
Corridor.
Administrative Support.--The recommendation provides
$1,186,000 for administrative support, an increase of $204,000
above the enacted level and $812,000 above the budget request.
Within this amount, fixed costs are provided, and a program
increase of $200,000 is included to build additional
administrative capacity to support the new NHAs.
Additional Guidance.--The following additional direction
and guidance is provided with respect to funding provided
within this account:
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 work being done at
the state and local level to establish a multi-state trail
commemorating his accomplishments and urges the Secretary of
the Interior to assist in these efforts.
Crossroads of the West Historic District.--Congress
designated the Crossroads of the West Historic District in
Public Law 106-577, section 302, to preserve and enhance the
historic character of the properties around Union Station in
Ogden, Utah. Congress authorized $5 million for this purpose.
To date, $1.5 million has been appropriated. The funding
recommended in this bill will allow National Heritage Areas,
such as Crossroads of the West Historic District to continue to
develop as Congress intended. The Park Service is a member of
the Management Committee for the Historic District.
National Natural Landmarks.--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, 2019........................... $102,660,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 32,672,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 121,660,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +19,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +88,988,000

The Committee recommends $121,660,000 for historic
preservation, $19,000,000 above the enacted level and
$88,988,000 above the budget request.
State Historic Preservation Offices.--The bill provides
$53,675,000 for State Historic Preservation Offices, an
increase of $4,000,000 above the enacted level and $26,741,000
above the budget request.
Tribal Historic Preservation Offices.--The bill provides
$13,735,000 for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices,
$2,000,000 above the enacted level and $7,997,000 above the
budget request.
Competitive Grants.--The Committee rejects the proposed
elimination of the competitive grants program and recommends
$23,250,000, an increase of $8,000,000 above the enacted level.
Competitive grants to document, interpret, and preserve
historical sites associated with the African American Civil
Rights Movement are funded at $17,500,000, an increase of
$3,000,000 above the enacted level. Building on the success of
this program, the Committee provides $5,000,000 to establish a
new civil rights grant program that would preserve and
highlight the sites and stories associated with securing civil
rights for All Americans, including women, American Latino,
Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and LGBTQ
Americans. The recommendation also includes $750,000 for grants
to under-represented communities.
Save America's Treasures Grants.--The Committee rejects the
proposed elimination of the Save America's Treasures Grant
program and recommends $16,000,000, an increase of $3,000,000
above the enacted level. The Save America's Treasures
competitive grant program preserves our nation's most
significant historic and cultural resources. The demand for
this program eclipses the funds available. In fiscal year 2017,
the Service received applications requesting more than six
times the available funding.
Grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.--
The Committee rejects the proposed elimination of the
Historically Black Colleges and Universities grant program and
provides $10,000,000, an increase of $2,000,000 above the
enacted level. The Committee notes that the John D. Dingell,
Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Public Law
116-9) reauthorized the Historically Black Colleges and
Universities Historic Preservation Fund Program through fiscal
year 2025. The recommendation funds the program at the fully
authorized amount.
Additional Guidance.--The following guidance is provided
with respect to funding provided within this account:
Chisholm and Great Western Trail.--The Committee is
concerned with the Service's lack of progress in completing a
final study on the feasibility of designating the Chisholm and
Great Western Trail cattle trails as national historic routes,
as directed by Section 5303 of the Omnibus Public Land
Management Act of 2009. The Committee encourages the Service to
work expeditiously to complete the study in a timely fashion
and report back to the Committee on any impediments to
completion.
Hispanic Heritage Sites.--The Committee is concerned that
across the United States, many sites that are historically
connected to Hispanic contributions to American society and
culture have not been given proper recognition, which affects
how Americans see Hispanics in U.S. history. While the Service
has taken steps to improve Hispanic representation in heritage
sites, the Committee believes there is more work to be done and
directs the Service to study Hispanic heritage representation
in the National Park System and submit a report to the
Committee no later than 180 days after enactment of this Act.
Proposed Rulemaking.--The Committee is concerned with the
Service's proposal to modify long-standing procedures to
nominate properties to the National Register. It remains
unclear to the Committee what problems the Service is trying to
solve by its proposal. The Committee does not believe that the
proposed changes are required by the minor amendments that
Congress made to the National Historic Preservation Act in
2016. Further, the Committee is troubled that the Service
failed to consult with other federal land management agencies,
state and tribal historic preservation officers, and other key
stakeholders during the proposal's development or conduct
required consultation. The Committee urges the Service to
withdraw the proposed rule and consult with key stakeholders on
the underlying issues the Service is trying to resolve. Such
stakeholders should include other federal land management
agencies, including the Department of Defense, state and tribal
historic preservation officers, and the National Trust for
Historic Preservation. The Committee also expects the United
States to enter into meaningful government-to-government
consultation with affected tribes prior to finalizing any
changes to the regulation.
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic
District.--The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic
District has proven to be a unique public-private partnership
that models protection and preservation of this nationally
significant site. The Service is encouraged to consider
reclassifying it as a National Battlefield Site.

CONSTRUCTION

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $364,704,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 246,333,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 319,704,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... -45,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +73,371,000

The Committee recommends $319,704,000 for Construction,
$45,000,000 below the enacted level and $73,371,000 above the
budget request. The recommendation provides fixed costs as
requested. The fiscal year 2019 bill provided a general program
increase for Construction. The Committee recommendation does
not continue this unspecified funding, but rather directs it to
priority areas. To that end, the recommendation provides
increases in other parts of the Service's accounts that
include: $15,000,000 for repair and rehabilitation projects,
$15,000,000 for cyclic maintenance projects, $10,000,000 for
maintenance project planning, $65,320,000 for line item
construction projects. Other increases within the Construction
account are shown in the table at the end of this report.
Line-Item Construction.--The bill provides $212,331,000 for
line-item construction, an increase of $65,320,000 above the
enacted level and $51,639,000 above the budget request.
No funds are provided for the project entitle
``Rehabilitate Barracks'' at the Fort Vancouver National
Historic Site. The Committee is aware that the proposed project
was intended as part of a future plan to relocate the Service's
Pacific West Regional Office from its current location in
California. With the extension of the lease through August
2023, the Service should not proceed on construction in fiscal
year 2020 and instead utilize this time to work with
stakeholders and Congress on the plan for the future of the
regional office.
The Committee notes that the majority of projects listed in
the current, fiscal year 2020 budget justification were funded
in the fiscal year 2019 enacted bill, thus making the proposed
list largely redundant. Therefore, the Committee requested that
the Service provide an updated list of proposed projects along
with the corresponding project data sheets. Because the
Department has not made project data sheets available in a
timely manner, the Committee notes that the following list is
preliminary in nature and may be revised later in the fiscal
year 2020 budget process as additional information becomes
available. The projects listed are in priority order, as
determined by the Service.
Given the size of the Service's maintenance and
construction portfolio, the Committee is confident there is no
shortage of project proposals that could be put forward and
finds the reluctance to do so unacceptable. Therefore, the
Committee directs that, within 30 days of the submission of the
fiscal year 2021 budget or by March 1, 2020, whichever comes
first, the Service shall submit to the Committee a prioritized
list of projects and the corresponding project data sheets
totaling 125% of the amount appropriated in the prior enacted
fiscal year, with no less than one-third of the projects
allocated to deferred maintenance.
The following table details the line item construction
activity for specific projects requested or provided by the
administration.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CONSTRUCTION

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
State Project Budget Request recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NY Statue of Liberty $7,852,000 $7,852,000
National Monument &
Ellis Island,
rehabilitate stone
walls..............
NJ Statue of Liberty 5,501,000 5,501,000
National Monument &
Ellis Island,
rehabilitate main
immigration
building...........
PA Independence 3,587,000 3,587,000
National Historical
Park, replace
critical chiller
components.........
PA Independence 3,669,000 3,669,000
National Historical
Park, replace
Second Bank roof...
PA Independence 3,127,000 3,127,000
National Historical
Park, preserve
Second Bank walls..
AL Tuskegee Institute 3,533,000 3,533,000
National Historic
Site, preserve
Carver Museum......
MA Boston National 9,117,000 9,117,000
Historical Park,
perform critical
repairs............
TN Chickamauga & 3,810,000 3,810,000
Chattanooga
National Military
Park, Stabilize
Moccasin Bend
riverbank..........
OR Crater Lake National 10,613,000 10,613,000
Park, correct
structural
deficiencies and
stabilize..........
SC Fort Sumter National 4,566,000 4,566,000
Monument,
rehabilitate Fort
Sumter breakwater..
AZ Grand Canyon 16,700,000 16,700,000
National Park,
improve potable
water supply.......
MA Boston National 5,445,000 5,445,000
Historical Park,
rehabilitate and
replace heat and
distribution system
CO Curecanti National 7,080,000 7,080,000
Recreation Area,
rehabilitate Elk
Creek visitor
center.............
CA Golden Gate National 6,311,000 6,311,000
Recreation Area,
repair park
headquarters.......
MO Ozark National 21,697,000 21,697,000
Scenic River,
rehabilitate
historic district
cabins and lodge...
MA Cape Cod National 3,245,000 3,245,000
Seashore, rebuild
Nauset Light beach
bathhouse..........
WA Fort Vancouver 15,368,000 0
National Historic
Site, rehabilitate
barracks...........
AK Western Arctic 3,068,000 3,068,000
National Parklands,
replace obsolete
housing............
AZ Pipe Spring National 3,860,000 3,860,000
Monument, replace
obsolete housing...
AK Klondike Gold Rush 4,295,000 4,295,000
National Historical
Park, replace
obsolete housing...
WY Yellowstone National 3,630,000 3,630,000
Park, replace
obsolete trailers..
WY Devil's Tower 4,118,000 4,118,000
National Monument,
replace obsolete
housing............
WA Olympic National 2,500,000 2,500,000
Park, settlement
for restoration....
-------------------------------------
...... Subtotal, Projects 152,692,000 137,324,000
included in budget
request............

Additional
Projects:
OH Perry's Victory & 0 29,671,000
International Peace
Memorial, restore
North and South
seawalls...........
NC Cape Hatteras 0 18,727,000
National Seashore,
repair Cape
Hatteras lighthouse
MD Catoctin Mountain 0 21,811,000
Park, replace
parkwide utility
infrastructure.....
SC Congaree National 0 4,798,000
Park, replace
wilderness
boardwalk sections.
-------------------------------------
...... Total............... 152,692,000 212,331,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pavement Standards.--The Service is encouraged to review
and update if necessary the pavement design and composition
standards for highways under its jurisdiction.
Rehabilitation of Carter Barron Amphitheatre.--The Service
is commended for its efforts to ensure that the national parks
and related facilities are safe, well-maintained, and available
for public enjoyment. The Committee was pleased to see the
Service requested funds in fiscal year 2019 for the
rehabilitation of Carter Barron Amphitheatre in Rock Creek
Park, a facility which has been closed since 2017. Given Carter
Barron Amphitheatre's national historical significance and the
vital role it plays as a venue for world-class entertainment
and affordable programming in the nation's capital, the
Committee encourages the Service to ensure that the
rehabilitation of this facility is completed as expeditiously
as possible.
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 and to submit a report to
the Committees on Appropriations within 60 days of enactment of
this Act on its efforts.

LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND

RESCISSION

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... 0
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... -$28,140,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... -28,140,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. -28,140,000

The bill includes the rescission of the annual contract
authority provided by 16 U.S.C. 460l-10a in fiscal year 2020.

LAND ACQUISITION AND STATE ASSISTANCE

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $168,444,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 14,828,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 208,400,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +39,956,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +193,572,000

LAND ACQUISITION

The Committee recommends $208,400,000 for the Land
Acquisition appropriation. This amount is $39,956,000 above the
enacted level and $193,572,000 above the budget request, not
including the proposed rescission. Details of the
recommendation are contained below and in the table at the back
of this report.
Because the Department has not made detailed, individual
project information available in a timely manner, the Committee
notes that the following list is preliminary in nature and may
be revised later in the fiscal year 2020 budget process as
additional information becomes available. The projects listed
are in priority order, as determined by the Service.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Project This Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WA/OR Lewis and Clark National Historical $2,555,000
Park..................................
GA Cumberland Island National Seashore.... 1,100,000
TX Palo Alto Battlefield National 3,500,000
Historical Park.......................
NM El Malpais National Monument........... 5,182,189
VA Petersburg National Battlefield........ 2,417,811
KY/TN Big South Fork National River & 850,000
Recreation Area.......................
NC Guilford Courthouse National Military 400,000
Park..................................
Multiple Battlefield Parks...................... 2,000,000
HI Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail.... 6,000,000
NE/SD Missouri National Recreation River..... 2,100,000
ND Theodore Roosevelt National Park....... 900,000
MD/VA George Washington Memorial Parkway..... 1,395,000
-----------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Line Item Projects........... 28,400,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget Request This Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acquisition Management............ $8,828,000 $11,000,000
Recreational Access............... 1,000,000 5,000,000
Emergencies, Hardships, 0 4,000,000
Relocations, and Deficiencies....
Inholdings, Donations, and 0 5,000,000
Exchanges........................
American Battlefield Protection 5,000,000 15,000,000
Program..........................
Rescission of Funds............... -10,000,000 0
-------------------------------------
Total, NPS Land Acquisition... 4,828,000 68,400,000
Assistance to States:
State conservation grants 0 110,000,000
(formula)....................
State conservation grants 0 25,000,000
(competitive)................
Administrative expenses....... 0 5,000,000
-------------------------------------
Total, Assistance to 0 140,000,000
States...................
-------------------------------------
Total, NPS Land 4,828,000 208,400,000
Acquisition and State
Assistance...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------

American Battlefield Protection Program Assistance
Grants.--The Committee supports the American Battlefield
Protection Program and provides $15,000,000, an increase of
$5,000,000 above the enacted level and $10,000,000 above the
budget request. 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 encourages the
Department to work with the authorizing committees of
jurisdiction to review the authorities provided in the enabling
legislation for battlefields that are designated as National
Historic Districts and determine whether they should be
reclassified as a National Battlefield.
Arlington National Cemetery.--The Service is encouraged to
continue to work expeditiously and collaboratively with the
U.S. Army and Arlington National Cemetery regarding a potential
land exchange along Memorial Avenue.

CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $20,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... 20,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +20,000,000

The Committee recommends $20,000,000 for the Centennial
Challenge matching grant program, equal to the enacted level
and $20,000,000 above the budget request. The recommendation
accepts the budget proposal to move funding for the National
Park Foundation out of the Centennial Challenge account to the
ONPS account.

United States Geological Survey

Originating in 1879, the United States Geological Survey
(USGS or Survey) is the sole science agency for the Department
of the Interior. It serves the Nation by providing reliable
scientific information to describe and understand the Earth;
monitor and protect public safety, health and American economic
prosperity and improve resilience to natural hazards; inform
stewardship of energy and mineral resources; help sustain
healthy fish and wildlife populations; improve water resource
decision making; investigate wildlife diseases; and provide
accurate, high-resolution geospatial data. The Survey
coordinates and collaborates within Interior and across the
government as well as with States, Tribal nations, and
academia. The diversity of Survey scientific expertise enables
the bureau to provide scientific information to resource
managers and planners, emergency response officials, and the
public.

SURVEYS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND RESEARCH

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $1,160,596,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 983,467,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 1,236,398,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +75,802,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +252,931,000

The Committee recommends $1,236,398,000 for Surveys,
Investigations, and Research, $75,802,000 above the enacted
level and $252,931,000 above the budget request. The Committee
does not approve the budget restructure proposed in the budget
request because it reduces program and funding transparency.
All fixed costs outlined in the budget request are provided,
but 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.
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 2019 funding levels,
unless otherwise directed.
Ecosystems.--The Committee recommends $168,023,000 for
Ecosystems programs as depicted in the fiscal year 2019 budget
structure, an increase of $11,141,000 above the enacted level.
The recommendation provides $16,456,000 for Status and Trends
which includes a general reduction of $1,917,000; $45,469,000
for Wildlife; and $38,570,000 for Environments which includes
an increase of $2,000,000 for Chesapeake Bay research.
The recommendation includes $22,136,000 for Fisheries, an
increase of $3,000,000 above the enacted level. The Committee
continues to be concerned about the significant data gaps that
still exist in understanding and enhancing the Great Lakes
ecosystem and is anticipating the briefing directed in House
Report 116-9 to determine the funding level needed for
scientific information used by resource managers such as
provided by the Great Lakes Science Center. The $3,000,000
increase provided in the recommendation is to be used for new
biological assessment tools and technology to support fishery
management and ecosystem-based decisions for the Great Lakes
ecosystem.
The Committee continues to be concerned about the economic,
ecologic, and health threats posed by invasive species and has
provided $21,392,000 for the Invasive Species program, an
increase of $2,062,000 above the enacted level. The
recommendation includes $8,620,000 for Asian carp control, of
which $3,000,000 is for research on grass carp to contain or
eradicate them. The recommendation also includes an increase of
$1,000,000 for research on chronic wasting disease (CWD) in
wild and captive populations of cervids. The Survey should
provide no less than $1,720,000 for CWD research and should
continue to collaborate with partners to develop early
detection tools and compounds to disrupt transmission of the
disease.
The Committee recognizes the value of the Cooperative
Research Units (CRUs) program and rejects the proposed
elimination of the program. The recommendation includes a total
of $24,000,000, an increase of $5,629,000 above the enacted
level, to support these research institutions and maintain the
educational pipeline, including improving and increasing youth
involvement in science and resource management. The increase
should be used to fill critical vacancies as quickly as
practicable, with priority given to vacancies to build
quantitative fisheries capacity in inland waters of the Upper
Mississippi Basin. 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 $171,570,000 for
Land Resources as depicted in the fiscal year 2019 budget
structure, an increase of $13,271,000 above the enacted level.
The recommendation includes $5,800,000 for the continued
development of a ground system for satellite operations and
provides the $10,905,000 needed for the maintenance, hardware,
and software refresh of satellite operations. The total funding
provided for satellite operations is $84,337,000, equal to the
enacted level. 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. The recommendation includes $34,202,000 for Land Change
Science, the enacted level plus fixed costs.
National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers.--
The Committee does not accept the funding reduction or
realignment proposed in the budget request and provides
$38,377,000, an increase of $13,042,000 above the enacted
level. Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) provide
actionable science and research that directly address many of
the climate-related challenges unique to different regions of
the country. The Committee believes the Administration's
attempt to reduce and curtail the activities of these centers
is shortsighted and counterproductive at a time when our
natural and cultural resources, our communities, and our health
are being assaulted by climate change. This increase ensures
that all eight regional centers remain open, operational, and
fully functional and is a step toward funding them at the
authorized level. The Northeast Climate Adaptation Science
Center currently encompasses 21 states with divergent climates
and adaptation needs. The recommendation includes $4,000,000 to
establish a Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center to focus
on and address the threats to natural and human communities in
Midwest states and develop a more tailored strategic science
agenda.
Energy, Minerals, and Environmental Health.--The Committee
recommends $111,113,000 for Energy, Minerals and Environmental
Health, a reduction of $623,000 below the enacted level and an
increase of $25,041,000 above the budget request.
The recommendation includes $58,839,000 for the Mineral
Resources Program, including $10,598,000, the budget request,
for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, Earth MRI, to
develop a plan to improve the topographic, geological, and
geophysical mapping of the United States and make the data
available electronically to support management of private-
sector mineral exploration of critical minerals and for land-
use planning. This effort will be done in collaboration with
other Federal agencies, States, universities, outside partners,
and stakeholders. The requested increase of $1,726,000 for
completion of the magnetotelluric survey is not funded in
Minerals Resources but included in the funding recommended for
the Geomagnetism Program in the Natural Hazards Mission Area,
the appropriate account in which to fund this program. The
recommendation includes the reductions proposed in the budget
request for the domestic mineral base assessment and minerals
information, but not the reduction for research.
The recommendation includes $26,379,000 for the Energy
Resources Program. The Committee adopts the budget request but
restores $500,000 of the proposed reduction for coal and
uranium research to continue uranium research.
The Committee does not accept the proposed elimination of
the Environmental Health program. The recommendation funds
Containment Biology at $10,897,000, an increase of $700,000
above the enacted level which is to be used for research on the
impacts of unconventional oil and gas. The recommendation also
includes $14,998,000 for Toxic substances hydrology an increase
of $2,400,000 above the enacted level which is to be used for
research on unconventional oil and gas (UOG) to enhance the
scope of ongoing efforts to distinguish actual from perceived
contaminant hazards associated with production, management, and
reuse of wastewaters and other waters produced during UOG
activities. The Survey is directed to use $500,000 from within
available funding, in conjunction with $500,000 provided by the
Bureau of Land Management, to commission a report from the
National Academy of Sciences on the impacts on ecosystem
services of the Superior National Forest and the Boundary
Waters Canoe Area Wilderness resulting from a Twin Metals
sulfide-ore copper mine located in the watershed of the
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Committee supports
the continuation of Survey 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 associated health impacts,
and directs no less than $1,750,000 to these efforts. The
Survey 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 $171,823,000 for
natural hazards programs, an increase of $5,565,000 above the
enacted level, and an increase of $26,798,000 above the budget
request.
The recommendation provides $85,375,000 for Earthquake
hazards. The Committee strongly supports the Earthquake Hazards
program and recommends $19,000,000 for continued development
and expansion of the ShakeAlert West Coast earthquake early
warning (EEW) system and $6,700,000 in infrastructure funding
for capital costs associated with the buildout of the
ShakeAlert EEW. The Committee is encouraged by the partnerships
already in place with the Survey and California, Oregon and
Washington to put ShakeAlert EEW into place. Additionally, the
recommendation includes $5,000,000 in infrastructure funding
for Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) deferred
maintenance and modernization and includes the continuation of
$800,000 for the Central and Eastern U.S. Seismic Network
(CEUSN) and $1,400,000 for Earthscope USArray. The
recommendation does not accept the proposed increase in the
budget request for National Seismic Hazard Model Improvement
and accepts the proposed reduction for ANSS staffing.
The Committee is concerned about the lack of knowledge and
offshore real-time instrumentation available for the Cascadia
subduction zone. Scientific understanding of earthquakes and
the ocean environment will benefit from the wealth of offshore
data collected. The Survey is to continue its development of an
early earthquake warning system and its expansion into
locations that will benefit from early detection and
characterization of earthquakes and tsunamis.
The Committee recommends $30,363,000 for the Volcano
Hazards program. The recommendation maintains the enacted level
for operations at high-threat volcanoes, next generation lahar
detection operations, and next generation lahar detection
system infrastructure on very high-threat volcanoes. This
funding level will help the Survey ensure there is a system and
equipment in place to monitor, detect, and warn the public of
volcano and seismic hazards, including lahars, and earthquakes
on high-threat volcanoes.
The Committee recommends $4,154,000 for the Landslides
Hazards program to prevent human and economic loss through the
development of methods and models for landslide hazard
assessment, monitoring, and tools for landslide early warning
and situational awareness.
The Committee recommends $7,161,000, for the Global
Seismographic Network (GSN) which will continue the multiyear
effort to address the deferred maintenance needs of the GSN,
replace failing and obsolete equipment, and provide for the
installation in 2020 of 15 to 20 Very Broad Band seismic
sensors.
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 (NASA), 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 $4,114,000 to ensure that all
observatories remain open and operating and to avoid any
disruption to this work. Included in this funding level is
$1,726,000 for the completion of the Magnetotelluric Survey of
the U.S. that was requested in the Mineral Resources Mission
Area but is more appropriately funded in the Natural Hazards
Mission Area.
The Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources program
supports the 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 $40,656,000 and rejects the proposed
reduction in research.
Water Resources.--The Committee does not accept the
proposed budget restructure and provides $239,917,000 for Water
Resources. The recommendation includes $42,861,000 for Water
Availability and Use Science and rejects the proposed
reductions in the budget request except for the Mississippi
Alluvial Plain Aquifer Assessment. The Water Resources Mission
Area allows the Survey to provide information and tools to
first responders, the public, water managers and planners,
policy makers and other decision makers. The Committee urges
the Survey to continue to engage with universities and other
partners to utilize the best available technology to develop
advanced modeling tools, state-of-the-art forecasts, and
decision support systems for water emergencies and daily water
operations.
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 $63,529,000, an increase of $1,783,000
above the enacted level. The recommendation rejects the
proposal to eliminate Tribal Water and funds it at the enacted
level.
Streamgages are crucial to early warning and flood damage
reduction efforts across the United States. The Committee
recommends $93,284,000 for the National Groundwater and
Streamflow Information Program, an increase of $10,611,000
above the enacted level. The recommendation provides an
increase of $4,770,000 for infrastructure investments in the
streamgage network which will provide an additional 95 flood-
hardened gages to the Federal Priority Streamgage (FPS) network
and will allow the Survey and partners to support approximately
3,555 streamgages, which accelerates attainment of the long-
term goal of 4,760 sites. In addition, an increase of
$7,000,000 is provided so the Survey can proceed with the next
phase of the Next Generation Water Observing System. The
Committee does not accept any of the proposed program
reductions and provides a general reduction of $1,500,000. The
Survey is not to reduce any program outlined in the
recommendation and must inform the Committee about what
activities would be reduced.
The Committee recommends $93,772,000 for the National Water
Quality program, an increase of $2,124,000 above the enacted
level. This recommendation rejects the proposed reductions and
includes an additional $283,000 for the Urban Waters Federal
Partnership for a total funding level of $1,000,000. To
understand the health effects of harmful algal blooms, monitor,
characterize, prevent, and control them, the recommendation
includes an increase of $1,500,000 over the enacted level for a
total of $4,971,000. As part of this research, the Committee
supports the Survey's examination of the pathways through which
sediment and nutrients move through watersheds and into bodies
of water and how that relates to the formation of harmful algal
blooms. The Survey is also urged to coordinate with EPA to
monitor the nations water systems and publish available data on
the amount of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
chemicals detected in our water systems.
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
recommendation includes $10,000,000 for this program, an
increase of $3,500,000 above the enacted level. This increase
includes $1,000,000 for research on aquatic invasive species in
the Upper Mississippi River region to address a critical need
for multi-state research.
Core Science Systems.--The Committee does not accept the
budget restructure and recommends $143,224,000 for Core Science
Systems, an increase of $25,322,000 above the budget request.
The recommendation includes $24,125,000, for Science,
Synthesis, Analysis and Research, the enacted level plus fixed
costs.
The recommendation includes $34,468,000 for the National
Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, an increase of
$10,071,000 above the enacted level. This increase provides an
additional $10,000,000 to support launch of Phase Three of the
National Geologic Map Database that will bring together
detailed national and continental-resolution 2D and 3D
information produced throughout the Survey and by federal and
state partners. This information is an essential underpinning
of the USGS Earth Map and Earth MRI initiatives and will
enhance drinking water protection, hazards resilience,
infrastructure design, natural resource management, and support
a wide range of fundamental research applications.
The recommendation includes $84,631,000 for the National
Geospatial Program, an increase of $15,177,000 above the
enacted level, which includes the following increases:
$5,000,000 for 3DEP National Enhancement to accelerate
achievement of 100% coverage of the Great Lakes region;
$5,000,000 to work with State Geologic Surveys to develop a 3D
Geologic Map GIS Database and migrate current and prior
geologic mapping into a unified common GIS data standard;
$2,000,000 for the US Topo program to procure product-on-demand
updates; and $3,000,000 to produce digital surface models using
unclassified satellite optical data for the U.S. and
territories not mapped with LiDAR by 2021 in collaboration with
appropriate U.S. agencies including the National Geospatial-
Intelligence Agency, NASA, and the National Science Foundation.
The Committee supports the continued collaboration with
partners to leverage the resources provided for 3DEP to achieve
the goal of national coverage by 2026.
The Committee notes the importance of this mission area to
conduct detailed surveys and distribute the resulting high-
quality and highly-accurate topographic, geologic,
hydrographic, and biogeographic maps and remotely-sensed data
to the public. The Committee urges the Survey to continue to
engage with universities and other partners to utilize the best
available technology to develop scalable, automated systems
that can rapidly identify emerging hazard threats and provide
real-time risk, damage and vulnerability assessments, and
planning capabilities onto a website to provide enough
precision to aid emergency responders and decision makers. The
Committee also acknowledges the National Geospatial Program's
interest in any technology, systems, or partners that can
accelerate or meet 3DEP requirements, regardless of the source
(i.e. industry, academia, etc.)
Science Support.--The Committee recommends $97,243,000 for
science support, a reduction of $5,585,000 below the enacted
level and $5,667,000 below the budget request. The
recommendation does not provide the $6,200,000 requested for
the Department-wide reorganization. The Committee believes the
Survey has not presented strong foundational analysis or a
compelling argument to support establishing a headquarters
presence in the West. A relocation of the magnitude proposed in
the budget request would dramatically change the organization,
have significant financial costs, and impact the Survey's
effectiveness and strategic national-level partnerships with
Federal agencies, States, scientific organizations, and
stakeholders. The Survey should not commit federal funds or
personnel time to this relocation but instead focus its efforts
on ensuring Survey operations are open and transparent, the
quality and objectivity of Survey science is maintained, and
investments are leveraged. The Committee 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 $133,485,000, an
increase of $13,102,000 above the enacted level, and
$12,189,000 above the budget request. The recommendation
accepts the proposed $500,000 reduction from base funding for
the Department-wide reorganization, restores the proposed
reduction for deferred maintenance, and provides an increase of
$5,000,000 for the National Wildlife Health Center to renovate
the Biosafety level 3 Diagnostic Laboratories and convert to a
new solid waste disposal system, a better use of the fiscal
year 2020 funding requested by the Administration for the
Department-wide reorganization. This investment ensures the
investigation of outbreaks of wildlife disease can be done
safely. The recommendation continues funding for the relocation
of Menlo Park to Moffett Field.

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $179,266,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 193,426,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 182,781,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +3,515,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. -10,645,000

OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT

The Committee recommends $182,781,000 for the Ocean Energy
Management appropriation, $3,515,000 above the enacted level,
including $1,015,000 for requested fixed costs, and $10,645,000
below the budget request. The overall appropriation is
partially offset through the collection of rental receipts and
cost recovery fees totaling $60,000,000, resulting in a net
appropriation of $122,781,000. Details of the recommendation
are explained in the narrative below and through the table at
the back of this report.
Renewable Energy.--The Committee recommends $23,325,000 for
Renewable Energy, $2,605,000 above the enacted level and
$2,000,000 above the budget request. The recommendation
includes $105,000 for fixed costs, and programmatic increases
of $500,000, as requested, for additional leasing capacity, and
a general increase of $2,000,000 for additional permitting and
environmental staff.
Conventional Energy.--The Committee recommends $59,565,000
for Conventional Energy, $2,234,000 below the enacted level and
$4,558,000 below the budget request. The recommendation
includes $494,000 for fixed costs and the transfer of
$2,728,000, as requested, to the new Marine Minerals activity
noted below. The recommendation does not include the proposed
increase for the national plan. Given the legal uncertainty
surrounding the Bureau's efforts, the Committee believes
providing this funding is not a responsible use of resources.
Environmental Programs.--The Committee recommends
$77,965,000 for Environmental Programs, $1,809,000 below the
enacted level and $7,145,000 below the budget request. The
recommendation includes $250,000 for fixed costs and the
transfer of $2,059,000, as requested, to the new Marine
Minerals activity. The recommendation does not include the
proposed increase for the national plan given the concerns
noted above, nor does it include the proposed reduction to
other environmental studies as an offset for costs associated
with the national plan. The Committee would urge the Bureau to
offer greater detail when proposing substantial reductions to
an ongoing program.
Marine Minerals.--The Committee recommends $4,787,000 for
Marine Minerals, $4,787,000 above the enacted level and
$942,000 below the budget request. The Committee concurs with
the Bureau's proposal to create this new activity within the
Ocean Energy Management appropriation and has agreed to the
transfer of funds from both the Conventional Energy and
Environmental Programs activities as noted above. The
recommendation does not include the proposed new programmatic
funding, and the Committee directs that the Bureau continue to
focus its marine minerals efforts on current projects.
Executive Direction.--The Committee recommends $17,139,000
for Executive Direction, $166,000 above the enacted level and
equal to the request. The increase is fully attributable to
fixed costs.
General Provision.--Within the General Provisions section
of this title, the Committee has included a provision which
limits funding for the Bureau's pre-leasing and leasing
activities concerning Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) lease sales
to only those sales contained in the current and officially
approved 2017-2022 OCS plan, which is the only operative
offshore energy development plan that has complied with all
procedural requirements set out in the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act. Despite numerous assertions that no final decision
on where OCS leasing would take place under the proposed new
2019-2024 plan, the Bureau states in its budget justification
that it is preparing ``four new environmental impact statements
for the lease sales that are planned in 2020 or early 2021''.
The Committee notes the significance of the Bureau's position
that the lease sales are ``planned'' as opposed to merely
``proposed'' and understands why many coastal communities
believe their voices are not being heard. The Committee also
believes that long-standing procedural requirements, many set
in statutes such as the OCS Lands Act, serve an effective and
useful purpose and moving forward with programmatic activities
prior to the completion of the process is ill-advised, at best.
Wind Energy.--The Committee is aware that the United States
wind energy sector is rapidly expanding both on and offshore.
As new projects arise and existing projects progress through
the approval process the Committee urges the thorough
consideration and accommodation of all affected interests
including national defense, security, environmental, maritime
safety, fisheries, and particularly locally affected community
concerns.

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). The Bureau's safety and
environmental compliance activities include facility
inspections; safety and oil spill research; field operations;
environmental compliance and enforcement; review of operator
oil spill response plans; and operation of a national training
center for inspectors and engineers.

OFFSHORE SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $187,240,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 192,812,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 192,812,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +5,572,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. 0

OFFSHORE SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT

The Committee recommends $192,812,000 for the Offshore
Safety and Environmental Enforcement appropriation, an increase
of $5,572,000 above the enacted level and equal to the budget
request. The recommendation includes $943,000 for fixed costs
and the requested increase of $4,629,000 for the expansion of
the Risk-Based Inspection Program initially established in
2015. The overall appropriation is partially offset through the
collection of rental receipts and inspection fees, totaling in
aggregate $73,308,000 and producing a net appropriation of
$119,504,000. As explained below, inspection fee receipts are
$3,800,000 above the request and allow for an equivalent
reduction in appropriated funds in the Operations, Safety and
Regulation activity, yet result in a final funding level in
that activity equal to the request. Further details of the
recommendation by activity and the corresponding offsetting
collections are displayed in the table at the back of the
report that accompanies this Act.
General Provisions.--Within the General Provisions section
of this title, the Committee has recommended two provisions
affecting the Bureau.
Inspection fees.--Since fiscal year 2012, the Secretary of
the Interior has been authorized to collect a nonrefundable
inspection fee to offset the cost of inspecting oil and gas
rigs operating within the Outer Continental Shelf.
Unfortunately, despite increased costs to the Bureau these fees
have not changed over the intervening seven fiscal years,
resulting in a program which only recovers approximately two-
thirds of its actual cost. The Committee has therefore included
a modest increase in fees of $3,800,000, which is the amount
those fees would have increased had they been tied to
inflation. In addition, the Committee has finally adopted the
Bureau's request for a new, non-rig inspection fee totaling
$2,800,000. As the Bureau notes, non-rig inspections have risen
from 184 in fiscal year 2014 to 470 in fiscal year 2018, and
``pose an increased risk in comparison to the activities
conducted by a `drilling rig'.'' Given the fact that the Bureau
is required to inspect these facilities, many in water depths
exceeding 500 feet, the Committee concurs with the Bureau's
request that rig operators defray the cost of inspecting this
equipment, which this fee does. Lastly, the Committee has
adopted the Bureau's request to allow for quarterly billing off
all inspection fees.
Disclosure of Waivers.--In support of the Bureau's
strategic goal of promoting transparency, the Committee has
included language authorizing the Bureau of Safety and
Environmental Enforcement and the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management to post on a publicly available website a copy of
any waiver from any regulation or rule enforced by the bureaus,
subject to redaction of confidential business information The
Committee believes that keeping the public fully informed with
respect to the operation and enforcement of safety regulations
is a good management practice that will engender confidence in
Bureau operations.

OIL SPILL RESEARCH

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $14,899,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 12,700,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 14,899,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +2,199,000

OIL SPILL RESEARCH

The Committee recommends $14,899,000 for the Oil Spill
Research appropriation, equal to the enacted level and an
increase of $2,199,000 above the request. The Committee does
not agree to the proposed reduction given the lack of
supporting documentation. The Committee also notes that such a
reduction seems at odds with the Bureau's acknowledgement that
an additional $7,000,000 is required for maintenance of the
Ohmsett Oil Spill Research Facility; $4,000,000 for tank
maintenance in the summer of 2020 and $3,000,000 for
replacement of the main bridge. The Committee urges the Bureau
to request these funds in subsequent budget submissions.

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, 2019........................... $115,804,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 96,960,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 121,647,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +5,843,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +24,687,000

REGULATION AND TECHNOLOGY

The Committee recommends $121,647,000 for the Regulation
and Technology appropriation, $5,843,000 above the enacted
level and $24,687,000 above the budget request. The Committee
does not agree to the proposed reduction of $24,687,000 in
State and tribal grants and maintains the regulatory grant line
at the enacted level of $68,590,000. Additional details
regarding the recommendation are contained in the table at the
back of this report.

ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $139,672,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 24,713,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 139,713,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +41,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +115,000,000

ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND

The Committee recommends $139,713,000 for the Abandoned
Mine Reclamation Fund appropriation, $41,000 above the enacted
level and $115,000,000 above the budget request. Of the funds
provided, $24,713,000 are derived from the Abandoned Mine
Reclamation Fund and $115,000,000 are derived from the general
treasury. The recommendation includes all changes proposed in
the budget request except for the $115,000,000 reduction in the
economic development grants line in the environmental
restoration activity, which the Committee continues under the
same terms and conditions as contained in the fiscal year 2019
enacted bill. Additional details regarding the recommendation
are contained in the table at the back of this report.

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Bureau of Indian Affairs 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 (BIA) 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.
In preparation for the fiscal year 2020 appropriation bill,
the Subcommittee held two days of hearings and received
testimony from over 60 witnesses on a variety of topics
pertaining to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN)
programs. The Federal government has a legal and moral
obligation to provide quality services to AI/AN. 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, 2019........................... $2,414,577,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 1,462,310,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 1,650,504,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... -764,073,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +188,194,000

REORGANIZATION

The Committee accepts the budget proposal to establish the
Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) as an independent bureau with
a separate budget structure, including a separate construction
budget, from the BIA. The separation is reflected below.
The Committee recommends $1,650,504,000 for Operation of
Indian Programs, $764,073,000 below the enacted level and
$188,194,000 above the budget request. All subactivities and
program elements presented in the budget estimate submitted to
the Congress are continued at the enacted levels and adjusted
for requested fixed costs and internal transfers unless
specifically addressed below. 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.
The Committee notes that due to internal transfers
requested by Indian tribes, some increases and decreases in the
budget lines are anomalies. The Committee encourages Indian
Affairs to consult with Indian tribes about the need to include
tribally requested internal transfers on the budget line if
there is no impact on the ability of compacting and contracting
Indian tribes to transfer funds among accounts. This will
provide Congress and Indian Country with more transparency in
future years about the amount of funds being appropriated for
various activities.
Tribal Priority Allocations.--The recommendation includes
$767,417,000 for Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Priority
Allocation (TPA) programs, $33,252,000 above the enacted level
and $108,603,000 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.
Tiwahe.--The Committee directs Indian Affairs to continue
funding for the Tiwahe (family) initiative across all Indian
Affairs accounts at the same amounts at the enacted level.
Additionally, the Committee directs Indian Affairs to conduct a
new round of five-year Tiwahe grants to continue to assist
tribal nations with critical needs. The new round of grants
should apply the lessons learned and recommendations from
tribal leaders who participated in the initial Tiwahe
initiative, which concluded in fiscal year 2019, and
incorporate the recommendations from the Office of the
Inspector General to improve the accuracy and efficacy of the
funding distributions.
Tribal Government.--The recommendation includes
$337,632,000 for Tribal government programs, $16,659,000 above
the enacted level and $11,619,000 above the budget request. The
recommendation includes $1,281,000 for new Tribes, as
requested, and accepts all proposed internal transfers and
estimated fixed costs, as requested. The Committee rejects the
proposed elimination of funding for small and needy Tribes and
the proposed reduction to Tribal government program oversight.
Road Maintenance.--The recommendation includes $40,063,000
for road maintenance, $4,240,000 above the enacted level and
$5,170,000 above the budget request. The Committee continues
the $2,000,000 provided in fiscal year 2019 to improve the
condition of unpaved roads and bridges used by school buses
transporting students and directs Indian Affairs to use
$2,000,000 of the increase for this purpose, for a total of
$4,000,000 for these efforts.
Human Services.--As part of the Tribal/Interior Budget
Council, Indian Country identified Social Services, Indian
Child Welfare Act, and the Housing Program as part of its top
eleven priorities. The recommendation includes $169,251,000 for
human services programs, $7,835,000 above the enacted level and
$26,301,000 above the request. The Committee includes all
proposed internal transfers and estimated fixed costs, as
requested. The Committee rejects the proposed elimination of
the Housing Program and instead provides $15,948,000 for the
Housing Program. Additionally, the Committee recommends
$55,800,000 for Social Services and $77,734,000 for Welfare
Assistance.
Within the $16,431,000 provided for the Indian Child
Welfare Act, the Committee expects Indian Affairs to use
$1,000,000 for off-reservation programs authorized by section
202 of the Indian Child Welfare Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1932).
Trust--Natural Resources.--The recommendation includes
$235,486,000 for natural resources programs, $28,616,000 above
the enacted level, and $51,397,000 above the budget request.
The Committee includes estimated fixed costs, as requested, and
accepts the proposed internal transfers. The Committee rejects
the proposed elimination of the Tribal Climate Resilience/
Cooperative Landscape program and instead includes $14,956,000
for the program. The recommendation rejects all proposed
program cuts.
Elwha River Ecosystem.--The Committee expects Indian
Affairs to use $2,000,000 of the $9,241,000 provided for
Natural Resources (TPA) for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe to
fulfill the remaining authorization in section 7 of the Elwha
River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act (P.L. 102-495).
Additionally, the Committee directs the Secretary of the
Interior to work with the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe to identify
appropriate land for acquisition to satisfy the requirements of
the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act.
Within the $15,691,000 provided for Tribal Management/
Development Program, the Committee directs Indian Affairs to
provide $830,000 for the Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Inventory
and Assessment Program and $2,500,000 for the Inter Tribal
Buffalo Council. The Committee encourages Indian Affairs to
examine the historical funding provided for buffalo
preservation and management in comparison to other native food
activities, such as the preservation and management of fish.
The Committee directs Indian Affairs to provide the comparison
of historical funding provided to native food preservation and
management activities and a plan to ensure parity among native
food activities to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of
this Act.
The Committee supports Indian Affairs' efforts to address
the resiliency needs of tribal communities by working to
address threats to public safety, natural resources, and sacred
sites. The Committee is particularly concerned about coastal
tribal communities, Alaska Native Villages, and Alaska Native
Corporations that face severe challenges to their long-term
resilience due to the impacts of climate change. Consistent
with the Federal Government's treaty and trust obligations, the
Committee directs Indian Affairs to work with at-risk tribes
and Alaska Native Villages to identify and expedite the
necessary resources to support mitigation and relocation
efforts. The Committee also directs Indian Affairs to develop a
report outlining the unmet infrastructure needs of tribal
communities and Alaska Native Villages in the process of
relocating to higher ground as a direct result of the impacts
of climate change on their existing lands and to transmit this
report to the Committee within 180 days of enactment of this
Act.
The Committee has heard concerns expressed by Indian
Country that Indian Affairs directs program increases towards
project accounts rather than the tribal priority allocation
accounts. Therefore, within the $35,314,000 provided for the
Agriculture and Range Program, the Committee recommends
$26,541,000 for the Agriculture Program (TPA), $2,063,000 above
the enacted level and $6,903,000 above the budget request; and
$8,773,000 for the Invasive Species program, $2,000,000 above
the enacted level and $3,310,000 above the budget request.
The Committee is also aware of the recent momentum in
achieving Everglades restoration with the funding provided for
Endangered Species and Invasive Species through the BIA. The
Committee expects Indian Affairs to continue the Everglades
restoration funding at no less than the fiscal year 2019
enacted level and strongly encourages Indian Affairs to
continue prioritizing funding for Everglades restoration
activities.
Within the $55,473,000 provided for Forestry, the Committee
recommends $28,524,000 for Forestry Program (TPA), $142,000
below the enacted level and $684,000 above the budget request,
and $26,949,000 for Forestry Projects, $24,000 above the
enacted level and $30,000 above the budget request.
Within the $15,625,000 provided for Water Resources,
$7,100,000 is for Water Resources Program (TPA), $3,005,000
above the enacted level and $3,019 above the budget request;
and $8,525,000 is for Water Management, Planning and Pre-
Development, $2,006,000 above the enacted level and $2,014,000
above the budget request.
Within the $20,012,000 provided for Fish, Wildlife, and
Parks, the recommendation includes $8,071,000 for Wildlife and
Parks (TPA), $2,722,000 above the enacted level and $3,544,000
above the budget request; and $11,941,000 for Fish, Wildlife,
and Parks Projects, $2,003,000 above the enacted level and
$2,005,000 above the budget request.
Trust--Real Estate Services.--The recommendation includes
$172,347,000 for Trust--Real Estate Services, $41,667,000 above
the enacted level and $50,382,000 above the budget request. The
recommendation includes the estimated fixed costs, as
requested, and accepts the proposed internal transfers. The
Committee rejects the proposed elimination of Litigation
Support/Attorney Fees and Other Indian Rights Protection within
the Rights Protection program and rejects all proposed budget
cuts.
Within the amounts provided, the Committee recommends
$13,446,000 for Trust Services (TPA), $4,920,000 above the
enacted level and $5,040,000 above the budget request;
$1,201,000 for Navajo-Hopi Settlement Program, $7,000 above the
enacted level and $9,000 above the budget request; $12,802,000
for Probate (TPA), $78,000 above the enacted level and $126,000
above the budget request; $14,935,000 for Land Titles and
Records offices, $29,000 above the enacted level and $132,000
above the budget request; $38,096,000 for Real Estate Services,
$37,000 above the enacted level and $343,000 above the budget
request; $6,952,000 for Land Records Improvement, $3,000 above
the enacted level and $4,000 above the budget request;
$22,595,000 for Environmental Quality, $3,528,000 above the
enacted level and $9,155,000 above the budget request;
$1,471,000 for Alaska Native Programs, $1,000 above the enacted
level and $770,000 above the budget request; $46,478,000 for
Rights Protection, $33,017,000 above the enacted level and
$34,699,000 above the budget request; and $14,371,000 for
Trust--Real Estate Services Oversight, $47,000 above the
enacted level and $104,000 above the budget request.
Within the amounts provided for Environmental Quality, the
Committee recommends $4,852,000 for Environmental Quality
Program (TPA), $2,010,000 above the enacted level and
$2,020,000 above the budget request; and $17,743,000 for
Environmental Quality Projects, $1,518,000 above the enacted
level and $7,135,000 above the budget request.
Within the amounts provided for Rights Protection, the
Committee recommends $22,078,000 for Rights Protection (TPA),
$20,010,000 above the enacted level and $20,018,000 above the
budget request; $14,727,000 for Water Rights Negotiations/
Litigation, $5,007,000 above the enacted level and $5,008,000
above the budget request; $9,000,000 for Litigation Support/
Attorney Fees, $7,500,000 above the enacted level and
$9,000,000 above the budget request; and $673,000 for Other
Indian Rights Protection, $500,000 above the enacted level and
$673,000 above the budget request.
United States v. Michigan Consent Decree.-- The Committee
supports the protection of treaty-based fishing rights by the
United States established through the litigation United States
v. Michigan, No. 2:73 CV 26 (W.D. Mich.). In a 1979 decision,
the Court reaffirmed the Tribes' reserved right to fish the
waters of Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Huron, as
codified in the Treaty of 1836. On August 8, 2000, the parties
in that litigation (the United States, the five Michigan
Tribes, and the State of Michigan) entered a consent decree,
which governs the allocation, regulation, protection, and
management of fisheries in the 1836 Treaty waters. That 2000
Consent Decree will expire by its own terms on August 8, 2020.
The parties to the case must agree on a new consent decree to
succeed the expiring one. In prior negotiations over these
federally enforced fishing rights, the United States provided
substantial litigation support funding to the Tribes. The
Committee urges the Department of Interior to continue to
fulfil its obligations as trustee and respect the Tribes'
autonomy and right to self-governance by providing the
litigation support funds requested by the Tribes. The Committee
further encourages the Department to continue protecting the
treaty fishing right by defending the Great Lakes habitat and
supporting Great Lakes restoration efforts and to coordinate
such protection efforts with the Department of Justice.
Tule River Tribe.--In 2007, the Tule River Tribe, located
east of Porterville, California, entered into an agreement with
local area water users to address tribal water rights claims.
Based on this agreement, the Tribe has sought to negotiate a
water rights settlement with the Federal government rather than
initiating litigation. Although the Committee is concerned that
after more than 10 years the Secretary and the Attorney General
have not resolved the Tribe's water rights claims, the
Committee recognizes recent efforts made by this Administration
to work with the Tribe. The Committee directs the Secretary, in
consultation with the Attorney General, to expeditiously find a
resolution to the Tribe's claims. Furthermore, the Committee
directs the Secretary to report on the status of settlement
negotiations, and provide a timeline to the Committee on when
Congress can expect to receive a proposed settlement for review
and consideration by no later than July 1, 2019 and every three
months thereafter until a settlement proposal is transmitted to
Congress.
Gila River Indian Community.--The Committee alerts Indian
Affairs to passage of the Gila River Indian Community Federal
Rights-of-Way, Easements and Boundary Clarification Act (P.L.
115-350) and expects Indian Affairs to use $3,000,000 of the
Trust Services (TPA) increase to fulfill its responsibilities
under the Act.
Public Safety and Justice.--The recommendation includes
$452,410,000 for Public Safety and Justice, $40,893,000 above
the enacted level and $43,251,000 above the budget request. The
Committee includes estimated fixed costs, as requested, and
accepts the proposed internal transfers. The Committee rejects
the proposed reduction to Indian Police Academy.
Within the amounts provided, the Committee provides
$400,312,000 for Law Enforcement, $22,629,000 above the enacted
level and $23,618,000 above the budget request; $50,507,000 for
Tribal Courts (TPA), $18,263,000 above the enacted level and
$19,626,000 above the budget request; and $1,591,000 for Fire
Protection (TPA), $1,000 above the enacted level and $7,000
above the budget request.
Within the $14,388,000 provided for Law Enforcement Special
Initiatives, the Committee includes $2,546,000, as requested,
to support the budget proposal to hire ten additional patrol
officers in areas hit hardest by the opioid epidemic.
Additionally, the Committee is concerned about the high
rate of recidivism in Indian Country. The Committee directs
Indian Affairs to provide mental health and substance abuse
services when needed by juvenile and adult detainees and
convicted prisoners. Within the amounts provided for Law
Enforcement Special Initiatives, the Committee provides
$1,400,000 for behavioral health services in tribal detention/
correction facilities to address the high rate of recidivism.
The Committee directs Indian Affairs to report to the
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate within 90
days of enactment of this Act on how the funds will be
distributed across Indian Country.
Several tribes have expressed concern about Indian Affairs
not adequately funding detention facilities in Indian Country
in favor of regional detention facilities located outside
Indian Country. Within the $111,338,000 provided for Detention/
Corrections, the Committee includes an additional $8,356,000
and expects Indian Affairs to allocate this increase to
tribally-operated detention facilities and Indian Affairs-
operated facilities located within Indian Country without
decreasing fiscal year 2019 funding levels.
The Committee includes $15,724,000 for Facilities
Operations and Maintenance, $2,023,000 above the enacted level
and $2,044,000 above the budget request. The Committee expects
Indian Affairs to distribute the increase to facilities in
Indian Country without decreasing fiscal year 2019 funding
levels.
The Committee is concerned about the high rate of violence
perpetrated against Native women. Within the amounts provided
for Tribal Justice Support, the Committee includes $7,000,000
to implement the Violence Against Women Act in Indian Country,
$5,000,000 above the enacted level.
Additionally, the Tribal/Interior Budget Council identified
funding for Criminal Investigations and Police Services as one
of the to priorities for fiscal year 2020. The Committee
recommends $216,543,000 for this activity.
Community and Economic Development.--The recommendation
includes $51,529,000 for Community and Economic Development,
$3,950,000 above the enacted level and $7,132,000 above the
budget request. This includes the estimated fixed costs, as
requested, and the proposed internal transfers. The Committee
rejects all proposed program reductions. Within the amounts
provided, the Committee includes $14,525,000 for Job Placement
and Training (TPA), $1,948,000 above the enacted level and
$2,028,000 above the budget request; and $3,791,000 for
Economic Development (TPA), $1,953,000 above the enacted level
and $2,012,000 above the budget request.
The Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development
(Office) should provide assistance to Tribes to enhance
economic development and improve access to private financing of
development projects. The Office should assist with feasibility
studies and provide technical assistance to Tribes to establish
commercial codes, courts and other business structures. Further
the Office should undertake efforts to build Tribal capacity to
lease Tribal lands and manage economic and energy resource
development. Finally, the Office should explore opportunities
to foster incubators of Tribally-owned and other Native
American-owned businesses. The Office is expected to track
accomplishments for each of these purposes and to report them
annually in its budget justification.
The recommendation continues the $1,000,000 in Minerals and
Mining Projects provided in fiscal year 2019 for modernizing
oil and gas records management in BIA Agency Offices.
The recommendation continues the $3,400,000 for
implementation of the Native American Tourism Improvement and
Visitor Experience Act of 2016 (NATIVE Act), including via
cooperative agreements with Tribes or Tribal organizations.
Executive Direction and Administrative Services.--The
recommendation includes $231,849,000 for Executive Direction
and Administrative Services, $1,882,000 below the budget
request and $864,000 above the enacted level. This includes the
estimated fixed costs and proposed program increases, as
requested, and accepts the proposed internal transfers.
The following programs are funded as follows: $10,200,000
for Assistant Secretary Support; $20,425,000 for Executive
Direction; $48,030,000 for Administrative Services; $3,024,000
for Safety & Risk Management; $42,438,000 for Information
Resources Technology (includes proposed reduction, as
requested); $24,363,000 for Human Capital Management;
$18,233,000 for Facilities Management; $22,982,000 for Intra-
Governmental Payments; and $42,154,000 for Rentals.

CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $247,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 271,000,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 271,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +24,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. 0

The Committee recommends an indefinite appropriation
estimated to be $271,000,000 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.

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS CONSTRUCTION

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $358,719,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 58,482,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 146,014,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... -212,705,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +87,532,000

The Committee accepts the budget proposal to establish the
BIE as an independent bureau with a separate budget structure,
including a separate construction budget, from the BIA. The
separation is reflected below.
The Committee recommends $146,014,000 for BIA Construction,
$212,705,000 below the enacted level and $87,532,000 above the
budget request. All subactivities and program elements
presented in the budget estimate submitted to the Congress are
continued at enacted levels and adjusted for requested fixed
costs. 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.
Public Safety and Justice Construction.--The recommendation
provides $48,811,000 for Public Safety and Justice
Construction, $13,501,000 above the enacted level and
$38,389,000 above the budget request, and includes the
following: $28,000,000 for facilities replacement and new
construction, $10,000,000 above the enacted level and
$28,000,000 above the budget request; $5,994,000 for employee
housing, $1,500,000 above the enacted level and $2,902,000
above the budget request; $11,372,000 for facilities
improvement and repair, $2,000,000 above the enacted level and
$7,314,000 above the budget request; $171,000 for fire safety
coordination, $1,000 above the enacted level and $4,000 above
the budget request; and $3,274,000 for fire protection, equal
to the enacted level and $169,000 above the budget request. The
recommendation includes all estimated fixed costs, as
requested, and rejects all proposed program decreases.
Green Infrastructure.--Within the amounts for Public Safety
and Justice Construction, the Committee includes $3,000,000 to
incorporate planning, design, and operations of buildings to
reduce costs, minimize environmental impacts, use renewable
energy and incorporate green infrastructure and the most
current energy efficiency codes and standards to the maximum
extent practicable. The Committee directs Indian Affairs to
submit a report to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of
this Act explaining how it proposes to use the funds provided
for green infrastructure and renewable energy.
Eligible Facilities.--The Committee has heard from tribes
that Indian Affairs considers funding made available for
facility replacement/new construction for public safety and
justice facilities as only available for detention facilities.
The Committee directs Indian Affairs to consider all public
safety and justice facilities as eligible for funding under
this program and to include such facilities in the master plan
that the Committee has directed Indian Affairs to maintain. The
Committee directs Indian Affairs to provide the master plan to
the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this Act.
Resources Management Construction.--The recommendation
provides $83,258,000 for Resources Management Construction,
$12,027,000 above the enacted level and $47,205,000 above the
budget request. Within the amounts provided, the Committee
includes the following: $30,698,000 for Irrigation Project
Construction, of which $10,000,000 is continued from fiscal
year 2019 for projects authorized by the Water Infrastructure
Improvements for the Nation Act; $2,613,000 for Engineering and
Supervision; $1,016,000 for Survey and Design; $651,000 for
Federal Power Compliance; and $48,280,000 for Dam Projects,
$10,015,000 above the enacted level and $28,536,000 above the
budget request. The Committee rejects all proposed program
decreases and includes all estimated fixed costs.
Within the funds recommended for Dam Projects, the
Committee recommends $44,548,000 for Safety of Dam projects and
$3,732,000 for dam maintenance.
Other Program Construction.--The recommendation includes
$13,945,000 for Other Program Construction, $17,000 above the
enacted level and $1,938,000 above the budget request. Within
the funds provided, the Committee includes $1,419,000 for
Telecommunications Improvement and Repair, equal to the enacted
level and $302,000 above the budget request; $3,919,000 for
Facilities/Quarters Improvement and Repair, equal to the
enacted level and $1,002,000 above the budget request; and
$8,607,000 for Construction Program Management, $17,000 above
the enacted level and $634,000 above the budget request. The
Committee provides $3,210,000 for the Fort Peck Water System.
The Committee rejects all proposed program decreases and
includes all estimated fixed costs.

INDIAN LAND AND WATER CLAIM SETTLEMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS PAYMENTS TO
INDIANS

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $50,057,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 45,644,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 45,644,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... -4,413,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. 0

The Committee recommends $45,644,000 for Indian Land and
Water Claim Settlements and Miscellaneous Payments to Indians.
The recommended level enables Indian Affairs to make a final
payment to the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians if
needed to complete the Federal obligation and includes amounts
to make a payment, in an amount to be determined by the
Secretary, to the Blackfeet Settlement Trust Fund. 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, 2019........................... $10,779,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 909,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 12,784,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +2,005,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +11,875,000

The Committee recommends $12,784,000 for the Indian
Guaranteed Loan Program Account, $2,005,000 above the enacted
level and $11,875,000 above the budget request. The amount
provided includes estimated fixed costs, as requested.

BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION

The BIE 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 provides operating
grants for 29 tribally controlled colleges and universities and
two tribal technical colleges.

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $0
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 867,416,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 1,000,233,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +1,000,233,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +132,817,000

REORGANIZATION

The Committee accepts the budget proposal to establish the
BIE as an independent bureau with a separate budget structure,
including a separate construction budget, from the BIA. The
separation is reflected below.
Bureau of Indian Education.--The recommendation includes
$1,000,233,000 for BIE, $1,000,233,000 above the enacted level
and $132,817,000 above the budget request. The Committee
approves all fixed costs, as requested, approves the proposed
internal transfers, and rejects all proposed reductions or
eliminations. Additional details and instructions are included
below and in the table at the end of this report. All
subactivities and program elements presented in the budget
request submitted to Congress are continued at enacted levels
and adjusted for requested fixed costs. 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
$83,854,000 for BIE Tribal Priority Allocation (TPA) programs,
$83,854,000 above the enacted level and $67,799,000 above the
budget request. TPA programs give Tribes the opportunity to
further Indian self-determination by establishing their own
priorities and reallocating Federal funds among the budget
accounts.
Elementary and Secondary Programs (forward funded).--The
Committee recommends $599,994,000 for Elementary and Secondary
Programs (forward funded), $599,994,000 above the enacted level
and $14,939,000 above the budget request. The recommendation
includes estimated fixed costs, as requested.
Early childhood pilot.--While the Committee supports BIE's
attempt to try to provide more services to pre-school children,
the Committee is concerned that BIE has not provided any
details about the proposal. Before proceeding with the pilot
program, the Committee directs the BIE to consult with Indian
tribes on how to best reach more children, how funds will be
distributed, and performance measures to be used to measure
success and report to the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations within 90 days after tribal consultation ends on
the results of the consultation.
Native languages.--The Committee recommends $14,303,000 for
Education Program Enhancements, which includes $2,000,000, as
requested, for Native language immersion grants at BIE and
tribally operated schools. The Committee continues the
$2,000,000 provided in fiscal year 2019 for Native language
immersion for a total of $4,000,000 for this purpose.
Elementary and Secondary Programs.--The Committee
recommends $184,043,000 for Elementary and Secondary Programs,
$184,043,000 above the enacted level and $42,314,000 above the
budget request. The Committee approves the requested internal
transfers and estimated fixed costs, as requested.
Alternative Financing.--The Committee includes $6,000,000
within the $78,234,000 recommended for Facilities Operations
for the alternative financing pilot developed by the Department
to fund replacement school construction. The Secretary is
encouraged to develop an estimate of possible future costs
associated with this pilot program and provide this estimate to
the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this Act.
Johnson O'Malley.--The Committee recommends $44,403,000 for
Johnson O'Malley, $44,403,000 above the enacted level. The
Committee supports the recent enactment of the Johnson O'Malley
Supplemental Education Modernization Act (P.L. 115-404). Within
the funds provided for Johnson O'Malley, the Committee expects
BIE to allocate $2,500,000 in one-time funding for capacity
building activities, such as performing planning activities and
providing technical assistance and training based on the new
law. With the remaining increased funds, the Committee directs
BIE to provide funding to more tribes in order to assist more
students.
Post-Secondary Programs (forward funded).--The Committee
recommends $121,696,000 for Post-Secondary Programs (forward
funded), $121,696,000 above the enacted level and $24,886,000
above the budget request. The recommendation accepts the
proposed internal transfers and includes estimated fixed costs,
as requested.
Tribal Colleges and Universities.--Within the $86,696,000
provided for Tribal Colleges and Universities, the Committee
recommends $63,886,000 for Title I activities, $17,000,000 for
Title II activities, $109,000 for Title III activities,
$701,000 for technical assistance, and $5,000,000 for tribal
college and universities infrastructure improvements as
authorized by 25 U.S.C. 1813.
Post-Secondary Programs.--The Committee recommends
$51,893,000 for Post-Secondary Programs, $51,893,000 above the
enacted level and $50,673,000 above the budget request. The
Committee rejects the proposed elimination of the scholarship
programs and approves the proposed internal transfer, as
requested.
The Committee directs BIE to complete annual health and
safety inspections of all BIE system facilities and to publish
quarterly updates on the status of such inspections.
Education Management.--The recommendation includes
$42,607,000 for Education Management, $42,607,000 above the
enacted level and $5,000 above the budget request. The
Committee includes the estimated fixed costs, as requested.
Within the amounts provided, the Committee includes:
$32,300,000 for education program management activities,
$32,300,000 above the enacted level and equal to the budget
request, and $10,307,000 for education information technology,
$10,307,000 above the enacted level and $5,000 above the budget
request.

Bureau of Indian Education Construction

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $0
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 68,858,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 387,252,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +387,252,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +318,394,000

The Committee accepts the budget proposal to establish BIE
as an independent bureau with a separate budget structure,
including a separate construction budget, from the BIA. The
separation is reflected below.
The Committee recommends $387,252,000 for BIE Construction,
$387,252,000 above the enacted level and $318,394,000 above the
budget request. The Committee rejects the proposed program
eliminations and includes requested fixed costs. All
subactivities and program elements presented in the budget
estimate submitted to the Congress are continued at 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.
Within the recommendation, the Committee includes
$205,504,000 for campus-wide replacement, $205,504,000 above
the enacted level and the budget request; $53,935,000 for
component facilities replacement, $53,935,000 above the enacted
level and the budget request; $1,000,000 for replacement/new
employee housing, $1,000,000 above the enacted level and equal
to the budget request; $15,576,000 for employee housing repair,
$15,576,000 above the enacted level and $10,514,000 above the
budget request; and $111,237,000 for facilities improvement and
repair, $111,237,000 above the enacted level and $48,441,000
above the budget request.
Employee Housing.--The Committee accepts the proposed
separate budget line item for replacement/new employee housing
and includes $1,000,000 to be used for this purpose. The
Committee directs BIE to provide an assessment of need for
replacement/new employee housing and to provide a spend plan to
the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this Act.
Green Infrastructure.--The Committee includes $10,000,000
in the replacement school construction program and $5,000,000
in the replacement facility program to incorporate planning,
design, and operations of buildings to reduce costs, minimize
environmental impacts, use renewable energy and incorporate
green infrastructure and the most current energy efficiency
codes and standards to the maximum extent practicable. The
Committee directs BIE to submit a report to the Committee
within 90 days of enactment of this Act explaining how it
proposes to use the funds provided for green infrastructure and
renewable energy.
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 2021 budget request.
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\1\https://www.bia.gov/as-is/ofpsm.
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The Committee directs BIE to prepare a five-year spend plan
for replacement schools and replacement facilities based on the
last fiscal year enacted levels or the current year budget
request, whichever is highest, and submit the spend plans to
the Committee at the same time the budget is submitted to
Congress. The Committee directs BIE to begin preparing the next
projects for when the current list is completed.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

The bill continues language limiting the expansion of
grades and schools in the BIE system which allows 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

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Office of the Secretary

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

Departmental Operations Appropriation enacted, 2019... $124,673,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 129,422,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 131,232,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +6,559,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +1,810,000

The Committee recommends $131,232,000 for the Office of the
Secretary, Departmental Operations appropriation, $6,559,000
above the enacted level and $1,810,000 above the budget
request. The recommendation includes $834,000 in fixed costs
and programmatic increases of $1,810,000. Within Management
Services, $810,000 of the recommended increase restores the
proposed reduction in the Appraisal and Valuation Services
Office, for a total recommendation of $20,061,000; $9,000,000
for Federal lands and $11,061,000 for Indian country. Within
Leadership and Administration, $1,000,000 of the recommended
increase is to be used to hire no less than 10 additional staff
to assist with the Department's compliance responsibilities
under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). The
Committee is aware that the Department has seen a substantial
increase in the number of informational requests over the past
two years. It is also aware that the Department's litigation
costs have risen because it is not responding to those requests
in a timely manner. The Committee believes that an investment
in additional staff, thus allowing the Department to respond
more rapidly, will be paid for through reduced litigation.
Department-wide Reorganization.--The recommendation does
not provide funds requested within the Department's bureaus for
the Department Wide Reorganization. The explanatory statement
that accompanied the fiscal year 2019 enacted bill stated that
the Department must develop a concrete plan for how it will
reshape its essential functions, taking into account its
relationships with the Tribes, State and local governments,
private and nonprofit partners, the public, and the
Department's workforce. Further, the Department was directed to
provide a report to the Committee 30 days prior to obligating
the funds provided for the reorganization.
To date, the Department has not provided any of this
information. On numerous occasions the Committee has sought
background information to substantiate the costs of the
reorganization but has not received even the most rudimentary
data explaining how such costs eventually pay for themselves or
translate into better service for the American public. There
are only four months remaining in fiscal year 2019 and, as the
Committee understands, all of the enacted funds remain
unobligated. For these reasons, it is inappropriate to provide
any additional funding.
Grant Review.--The Committee is concerned that a
Departmental review of all funding agreements above $50,000 is
causing excessive delays in awarding funds and undue burden on
recipients. The Department should have streamlined processes in
place for making awards for Congressionally directed funding,
such as the Heritage Partnership Program, and for programs for
which there are longstanding cooperative agreements. To better
understand the impact of the Departmental review, the Committee
directs the Department to provide a report on all financial
assistance documents reviewed during the last year to the
Committee within thirty days of enactment of this Act and then
update the report on a quarterly basis. The report should
include for each of the Assistant Secretaries, the name of each
financial assistance document reviewed, the dollar amount, the
date it was received by the Assistant Secretary, the date it
was approved or denied, the total number of days it sat for
review, and the bureau from which it was submitted. The same
information should be provided for the review conducted by the
Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Policy,
Management, and Budget.

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. OIA has administrative responsibility for coordinating
Federal policy in the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the
U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands (CNMI), and oversight of Federal programs and
funds in the freely associated states of the Federated States
of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands
(RMI), and the Republic of Palau. The permanent and trust fund
payments to the territories and the compact nations provide
substantial financial resources to these governments. During
fiscal year 2004, financial arrangements for the Compacts of
Free Association with the FSM and the RMI were implemented.
These also included mandatory payments for certain activities
previously provided in discretionary appropriations as well as
Compact impact payments of $30,000,000 per year split among
Guam, CNMI, AS, and Hawaii.

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $100,688,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 80,967,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 108,631,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +7,943,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +27,664,000

The Committee recommends $108,631,000 for Assistance to
Territories, $7,943,000 above the enacted level and $27,664,000
above the budget request. Fixed costs are provided at the
requested level, but the Committee rejects the requested
program changes unless specifically addressed below.
Recommended program changes, instructions, and details follow
below and in the table at the end of this report.
Office of Insular Affairs.--The recommendation includes
$9,491,000 for the Office of Insular Affairs, $43,000 above the
enacted level and $61,000 above the budget request. The
recommendation includes $43,000 for fixed costs as requested.
Maintenance Assistance Fund.--The recommendation includes
$4,500,000 for Maintenance Assistance, $500,000 above the
enacted level and $3,477,000 above the budget request. The
recommendation includes a $500,000 increase for grants that
focus on institutionalizing better maintenance practices.
Energizing Insular Communities.--The recommendation
includes $12,000,000 for Energizing Insular Communities (EIC),
$7,000,000 above the enacted level and $9,189,000 above the
budget request.
The Committee expects funds to be used in accordance with
48 U.S.C. 1492a to update and implement the energy action plans
of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands with the goals of
reducing reliance and expenditures on imported fuels,
developing and utilizing domestic energy sources, and improving
the performance of energy infrastructure and overall energy
efficiency in each of these insular areas. The Committee
directs the Department to establish reporting requirements in
EIC grants necessary to meet the reporting requirements of 48
U.S.C. 1492a.
The Department is directed to submit a report on the status
of updating and implementing existing energy action plans
within 90 days of the enactment of this act. The report should
(1) include detailed information on the progress made to-date
addressing the recommendations identified in existing energy
action plans, including a brief summary of each grant awarded
since the energy action plans were published; and (2) provide a
timeline for updating and implementing the previously published
plans, and identify any barriers to implementation.
American Samoa Operations Grants.--The Committee recommends
$24,120,000 for American Samoa Operations, $400,000 above the
enacted level and $2,591,00 above the budget request. The
Committee continues to be concerned about the impact of Cyclone
Gita on American Samoa, and rejects the reduction proposed in
the budget request. The recommendation includes a $400,000
increase for general operations.
Biosecurity Report.--The Department is directed to include
in its annual budget submission a report describing the
activities of the Department during the preceding fiscal year
to implement the Regional Biosecurity Plan for Micronesia and
Hawaii, as developed jointly by the Department and other
Federal and non-Federal entities to prevent and control the
introduction of invasive species in the United States Pacific
Region. The report shall also include next steps and planned
activities of the Department for further implementation of the
plan, including estimates of additional funding to be used or
needed for such next steps and planned activities.
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 Department 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, 2019........................... $3,413,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 3,109,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 3,236,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... -177,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +127,000

The Committee recommends $3,236,000 for Compact of Free
Association, $177,000 below the enacted level and $127,000
above the budget request. The Committee rejects the requested
program changes unless specifically addressed below.
Recommended program changes, instructions, and details follow
below and in the table at the end of this report.
In addition to the funding provided under this heading, the
Committee recommendation includes $5,000,000 in the Title I
General Provisions as the initial payment towards the
$20,000,000 requested by the Republic of the Marshall Islands
in September 2009, as authorized in section 111(d) of the
Compact of Free Association Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-239; 99 Stat.
1799; 48 U.S.C. 1911) and section 108(b) of the Compact of Free
Association Amendments Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-188; 117 Stat.
2755; 48 U.S.C. 1921g).
Compact of Free Association--Federal Services.--The
Committee recommends $2,636,000 for Federal Services, $177,000
below the enacted level and equal to the budget request. The
Committee accepts the reduction proposed in the budget request
with the understanding that the level of service will not be
reduced.

Office of the Solicitor

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $65,674,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 66,816,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 66,816,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +1,142,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. 0

The Committee recommends $66,816,000 for the Salaries and
Expenses appropriation, $1,142,000 above the enacted level and
equal to the budget request. The recommendation includes
$628,000 for fixed costs.

Office of Inspector General

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $52,486,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 52,486,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 55,986,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +3,500,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +3,500,000

The Committee recommends $55,986,000 for salaries and
expenses of the Office of Inspector General, an increase of
$3,500,000 over the enacted level and the budget request.
The Committee includes additional funds for fixed costs and
to hire auditors, investigators, and mission support staff to
meet increased workload requirements. The Committee also
concurs with the budget proposal for two-year funding
availability to ensure there is no disruption in oversight
activities.

Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians

FEDERAL TRUST PROGRAMS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER AND RESCISSION 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 (OST) 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, 2019........................... $111,540,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 105,143,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 97,613,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... -13,927,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. -7,530,000

The Committee recommends $97,613,000 for Federal trust
programs in OST, $13,927,0000 below the enacted level and
$7,530,000 below the budget request. Within the amounts
provided, the Committee includes: $1,400,000 for Executive
Direction, $297,000 below the enacted level and $1,047,000
below the budget request; and $96,213,000 for Program
Operations and Support, $13,630,000 below the enacted level and
$6,483,000 below the budget request. The Committee
recommendation includes fixed costs, as requested. A detailed
table of funding recommendations below the account level is
provided at the end of this report.
The bill provides that of the amounts provided to OST,
$10,000,000 shall not be available for obligation until the
report required by section 304(a)(3) of the Indian Trust Asset
Reform Act (P.L. 114-178), which requires a transition plan and
timetable for the termination of the Office of the Special
Trustee, not just the termination of the position of Special
Trustee, is provided to the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriation.
The bill includes language rescinding $3,000,000 from OST.
The Committee is aware that OST has significant unobligated
balances and directs OST to use these funds first. Further, the
Committee is not rescinding any funds appropriated for
historical accounting activities.

Department-Wide Programs

Wildland Fire

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

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.

WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $941,211,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 919,908,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 952,338,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +11,127,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +32,430,000

The Committee recommends $952,338,000 for Wildland Fire
Management at the Department of the Interior. In addition, the
bill provides $300,000,000 in fire cap adjustment funds for
suppression operations for a total programmatic increase of
$311,127,000 over the enacted level and $32,430,000 over the
budget request. The detailed allocation of funding by activity
is included in the table at the end of this report.
Wildland Fire Management.--The Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-141) included a budget cap adjustment for
wildfire suppression costs and this additional funding is
included for the first time in fiscal year 2020. Of the
additional $2,250,000,000 available for fire suppression
operations, $300,000,000 is provided to the Department of the
Interior and the remaining $1,950,000,000 is available through
a transfer from the Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).
The bill also permits a transfer of $50,000,000 in base
discretionary fire suppression funds between the Departments.
The Committee provides these additional funds and authorities
to ensure that sufficient funds are available to protect
American homes, lands, and wildlife from catastrophic fires
without requiring a transfer of funds from the very activities
that advance forest health and prevent wildland fires. The
Committee expects the Department to use suppression funds
judiciously and continue to work closely with the Office of
Management and Budget and the Forest Service to accurately
account for expenditures and recover costs.
Wildland Fire Preparedness.--The Committee recommends
$332,784,000 for Wildland Fire Preparedness, $10,605,000 above
the enacted level and equal to the budget request. The
Department should immediately notify the Committees on
Appropriations if it appears that funding shortfalls may limit
needed firefighting capacity.
Wildland Fire Suppression.--The Committee recommends
$383,657,000, for Wildland Fire Suppression, $4,478,000 below
the enacted level and equal to the budget request. The
recommended amount is the fiscal year 2015 10-year average cost
for wildland fire suppression which is required for the
Committee to provide an additional $300,000,000 in fire cap
funding.
Fuels Management.--The Committee recommends $194,000,000
for the Fuels Management program, $5,000,000 above the enacted
level and equal to the budget request.
Burned Area Rehabilitation.--The Committee recommends
$20,470,000 for the Burned Area Rehabilitation program, equal
to the 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 $18,427,000 for
Fire Facilities, equal to the enacted level and $18,427,000
above the request. The Committee rejects 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.

CENTRAL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FUND

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $10,010,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 2,000,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 13,010,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +3,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +11,010,000

CENTRAL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FUND

The Committee recommends $13,010,000 for the Central
Hazardous Materials Fund appropriation, $3,000,000 above the
enacted level and $11,010,000 above the budget request. While
the Committee appreciates and fully supports the Department's
effort to recover more clean-up funding from potentially
responsible parties, the Committee believes that the number of
funding requests coming into the Fund demonstrates that such
cuts are unwarranted and therefore does not concur with the
proposed reduction of $8,000,000 in the base account.
The Committee has also included an additional increase of
$3,000,000 for the remediation of radium contamination at any
land-grant university facility previously used by the
Department or its respective current or former bureaus
resulting from federal activities. The funds shall be used to
analyze and initiate such facility's decontamination and
disposal of contaminated materials.

Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration

NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FUND

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $7,767,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 4,600,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 7,767,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +3,167,000

The Committee recommends $7,767,000 for the Natural
Resource Damage Assessment Fund appropriation, equal to the
enacted level and $3,167,000 above the budget request. Details
of the recommendation by activity are contained in the table at
the back of this report.

Working Capital Fund

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $55,735,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 69,284,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 69,284,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +13,549,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. 0

WORKING CAPITAL FUND

The Committee recommends $69,284,000 for the Working
Capital Fund appropriation, $13,549,000 above the enacted level
and equal to the budget request. Changes to the request include
an increase of $1,996,000 to restore the Service First and
scientific collection activities and a corresponding reduction
of $1,996,000 in the NewPay activity. The Committee looks
forward to working with the Department to learn more about the
NewPay initiative, including the specifics of the various
budget components, and anticipates a favorable outcome with
respect to this proposal. Within available funds the Committee
directs that $1,2000,000 be available for the Invasive Species
Council.

Office of Natural Resources Revenue

NATURAL RESOURCES REVENUE

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $137,505,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 147,330,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 147,330,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +9,825,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. 0

OFFICE OF NATURAL RESOURCES REVENUE

The Committee recommends $147,330,000 for the Office of
Natural Resources Revenue appropriation, $9,825,000 above the
enacted level and equal to the budget request. Increases
include $961,000 for audit and compliance activities and
$8,864,000 to initiate the program to replace the Office's
current Minerals Revenue Management Support System, which has
become outdated and inefficient. While the Committee supports
this effort, the Office is directed to brief the Committee on
no less than a quarterly basis as to the status of the upgrade.
Distribution of GOMESA revenues.--The Committee directs the
Office to distribute revenues from Gulf of Mexico operations in
a manner consistent with current law, including the Gulf of
Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-432), as amended.

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 and includes a notification requirement.
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 modifies a provision allowing Outer Continental
Shelf inspection fees to be collected by the Secretary of the
Interior.
Section 108 directs the public disclosure of waivers from
safety regulations for operators within the Outer Continental
Shelf.
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 continues a provision allowing the Bureau of
Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education to more
efficiently and effectively perform reimbursable work.
Section 112 permits the humane transfer of excess wild
horses and burros for work purposes.
Section 113 continues bill language establishing a
Department of the Interior Experienced Services Program.
Section 114 provides funding for the Payments in Lieu of
Taxes (PILT) program.
Section 115 provides payment to the Republic of the
Marshall Islands as authorized by the Compact of Free
Association Act of 1985.
Section 116 requires funds to be available for obligation
and expenditure not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment.
Section 117 limits the use of funds for certain Outer
Continental Shelf activities to lease sales that are contained
in the currently approved 2017-2022 plan.
Section 118 restricts the use of funds for certain Bureau
of Land Management oil and gas lease sales to ensure minimum
bonus bid amounts.
Section 119 addresses National Heritage Areas.
Section 120 authorizes the Secretary to transfer funds in
conformity with the reprogramming requirements between the
Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Education in
order to separate the accounts.

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 health science, 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 in many cases are delegated authority for much of
program implementation. Under existing statutory authority, the
Agency contributes to specific homeland security efforts and
participates 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 2020, the Committee recommends
$9,526,691,000 for the Environmental Protection Agency,
$677,203,000 above the combined appropriations (provided in
Title II and Title IV) in the enacted bill, and $3,304,201,000
above the budget request. Comparisons to the budget request and
enacted levels in Title II are shown by account in the table at
the end of this report.
The Committee notes that the fiscal year 2019 appropriation
provided funding for the Environmental Protection Agency in two
separate Titles. Title II provided appropriations totaling
$8,058,488,000, and Title IV provided $791,000,000 in
additional appropriations for the Hazardous Substance
Superfund, State and Tribal Assistance Grants, and Water
Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Program, for a combined
agency appropriations of $8,849,488,000.
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, itemized by headquarter and each
regional office, 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.
Workforce and Staffing Plans.--The Committee expects the
Agency to submit as part of its operating plan, staffing
targets by National Program Management area, with separate
staffing targets for headquarters and each regional office
within each Program, in line with the Agency's enacted
appropriation. The Committee expects the Agency to develop
workforce and staffing plans to achieve the staffing targets
included with the operating plan, and directs the Agency to
submit these workforce and staffing plans to the Committee not
more than 30 days after the submission of the Agency's
operating plan. Further, the Committee expects quarterly
reports on the Agency's progress in achieving these staffing
targets.
Study on Grants to Communities in Need.--The Committee
supports targeted investments in impoverished areas,
particularly in persistent poverty counties and in high-poverty
census tracts. To better understand how Agency grant programs
are serving these particular areas, the Committee directs the
Agency to submit a report to the Committee on the percentage of
funds allocated by all competitive grant programs for fiscal
years 2017, 2018, and 2019 to recipients in: (1) persistent
poverty counties, defined as a county that has had 20 percent
or more of its population living in poverty over the past 30
years, as measured by the 1990 and 2000 decennial censuses and
the most recent Small Area Income and Poverty estimates; and
(2) high-poverty areas, defined as any census tract with a
poverty rate of at least 20 percent as measured by the 2013-
2017 5-year data series available from the American Community
Survey of the Census Bureau. The Agency is directed to report
this information to the Committee within 90 days of such data
being available, and provide a briefing to the Committee not
later than 180 days after enactment on the Agency's progress in
carrying out this directive.

Science and Technology

The Science and Technology (S&T) account funds all
Environmental Protection Agency research (including Superfund
research activities paid with funds transferred 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, 2019........................... $717,723,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 463,060,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 727,633,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +9,910,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +264,573,000

The fiscal year 2019 appropriation provided $717,723,000
for programs across S&T, to be partially offset by a rescission
of $11,250,000, for a net appropriation of $706,473,000. The
appropriation included directives on the manner in which the
rescissions were to be applied. The Agency was directed to
submit, as part of its fiscal year 2019 operating plan, details
on the application of the rescissions at the program project
level.
For fiscal year 2020, the Committee recommends $727,633,000
for Science and Technology, $21,160,000 above the net fiscal
year 2019 enacted level and $264,573,000 above the budget
request. The Committee recommends that $30,496,000 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:
Clean Air.--The Committee recommends $117,241,000, a
$700,000 increase above the enacted level and $29,900,000 above
the request. The Committee directs the $700,000 increase to be
used for increased fixed costs in the Federal Vehicles and Fuel
Standards Certification program project. The Agency is directed
to maintain other program project funding at the levels
specified in the 2019 operating plan prior to the application
of the rescission.
Enforcement.--The Committee recommends $14,669,000, a
$1,000,000 increase above the enacted level and $3,786,000
above the request. The Committee directs that of the increase,
$400,000 be used for fixed costs increases for base workforce,
and the remainder be used for essential operations and
maintenance costs at the National Enforcement Investigations
Center's laboratory.
Homeland Security.--The Committee recommends $34,418,000, a
$1,296,000 increase above the enacted level and $1,614,000
above the request. The Committee notes that $1,744,000 was
rescinded in 2019. The Committee is aware that the recently
enacted America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-
270) (AWIA) included requirements that public water systems
update prior vulnerability assessments and expand the scope to
include risks to natural disaster hazards and opportunities to
incorporate resilience. The Committee takes its responsibility
to ensure the safety and security of the American people
seriously, and the Committee strongly supports efforts to
harden critical water infrastructure against threats by both
malevolent actors and natural hazards. The Committee directs
that $9,071,000 be used for Critical Infrastructure Protection.
This level of funding is sufficient to meet the Agency's
projected needs with respect to implementing the requirements
under section 2013 of AWIA. Further, the resources provided
should be sufficient for the Agency to maintain its emergency
response efforts without the streamlining proposed in the
request. The Committee supports the requested funding levels
for the other program projects in this area.
Indoor Air and Radiation.--The Committee recommends
$5,997,000, equal to the enacted level and $1,214,000 above the
request. The Committee notes that $848,000 was rescinded in
fiscal year 2019. The Committee directs the Agency to maintain
program project funding at the levels specified in the 2019
operating plan prior to the application of the rescission.
Operations and Administration.--The Committee recommends
$67,274,000, a decrease of $1,065,000 below the enacted level
and $5,994,000 below the request. The bill provides funding for
Facilities Infrastructure and Operations as requested. No funds
are provided for Workforce Reshaping activities requested in
the budget.
Research: Air and Energy.--The Committee recommends
$95,406,000, a $500,000 increase above the enacted level and
$63,699,000 above the request. The Committee notes that
$1,910,000 was rescinded in 2019. The Committee directs the
Agency to apply the $2,410,000 increase above the 2019 post-
rescission level to support the Agency's ongoing research
efforts as part of the Global Change Research Program, which
delivers actionable science that informs local, state, and
national decisions in responding to the expected impacts from
climate change.
The Agency is directed to continue supporting year 3 of 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 periodic review and tracking of existing exposure and
health studies already underway, and continuation of research
initiated under this section. The Agency is encouraged to
submit a report updating the Committees on the implementation
of this partnership within 90 days of enactment of this Act.
The Committee is concerned by the Agency's decision in
October 2018 to eliminate the Particulate Matter Review Panel
(PMRP). In past reviews of particulate matter (PM), the Clean
Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) has relied on the
PRMP's reviews of the CASAC's integrated science assessments to
provide additional expertise and experience beyond that of the
members of CASAC. To ensure that the CASAC has access to the
highest quality information, the Committee directs the Agency
to enter into a contract with the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS) within 30 days of
enactment to conduct an independent scientific review of EPA's
Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter,
External Review Draft. The Agency should ensure that the NAS
review examines the ISA's review, synthesis, and evaluation of
the science relevant to evaluating the health effects of
exposure to PM and as a scientific foundation for evaluating
the adequacy of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for
PM for protecting public health. The review should also
consider the ISA's evaluation of evidence for drawing
scientific conclusions and making causal judgments. The NAS
should provide the report to the Agency and to the Committee
within one year from the time the contract is initiated. The
Committee is aware the CASAC has recommended in its April 11,
2019 letter to the Administrator that EPA produce a new draft
of the ISA and that this new draft be resubmitted for CASAC
review. The Committee expects the NAS review to include a
review of the ISA draft of October 2018 and any subsequent ISA
review produced by EPA in response to the CASAC review.
Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability.--The
Committee recommends $126,930,000, equal to the enacted level
and $40,364,000 above the request. The Committee directs the
Agency to fund the computational toxicology and endocrine
disruptor programs at the levels specified in the 2019
operating plan prior to the application of the rescission.
Maintaining IRIS Program Integrity.--The Committee is
deeply concerned that the Agency has been inappropriately
assigning resources provided for the Integrated Risk
Information System (IRIS) in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 to
support work in the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics.
As in the previous two fiscal years, the Agency is directed to
continue funding for the IRIS program at the fiscal year 2017
level, and to continue the program within the Office of
Research and Development. Workforce costs for IRIS staff who
have been detailed to other programs or to other agencies
should not be included in this total. Within 10 days of
enactment, the Agency is directed to provide to the Committee
data on the amount of IRIS staff time utilized to support the
TSCA program during fiscal years 2018 and 2019, including the
number of individuals assigned to TSCA efforts and hours
worked, by month. The Agency is further directed to provide
ongoing quarterly reports in fiscal year 2020 of the same
information.
Research: National Priorities.--The bill provides
$6,000,000, a $1,000,000 increase above the enacted level and
$6,000,000 above the request. The Committee directs that these
funds 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 $113,257,000, a $7,000,000 increase above
enacted and $43,294,000 above the request. The Committee notes
that $1,367,000 was rescinded in 2019. Of the increase above
pre-rescission levels, the Committee directs that $3,000,000 be
used to support ongoing work to establish Maximum Contaminant
Levels for PFAS chemicals, and that $4,000,000 be used to award
grants under Section 2007 of AWIA (P.L. 115-270). The Committee
rejects the budget request's proposals to streamline and
refocus research, and directs the Agency to continue those
activities with the resources provided.
Additional Guidance.--The Committee includes the following
additional guidance with respect to funding provided under this
account:
Improving Risk Assessments for Susceptible
Subpopulations.--The Committee is aware that the Agency has
developed its Strategic Plan for the reduction of testing in
vertebrates for chemicals which references the use of new
methodologies for assessing risk to potentially exposed or
susceptible subpopulations. The Committee understands that in-
vitro and in-silico methods have the potential to identify
risks to potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations more
efficiently and accurately than traditional animal models, and
urges the Agency to include in its Strategic Plan a section
concerning the development and implementation of alternative
test methods that are directly applicable to identifying the
risks faced by susceptible subpopulations, while reducing
reliance on testing in vertebrates.
STAR Grants.--The Committee provides funds to continue the
Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program at the enacted levels
and urges the Agency to continue its support for the Children's
Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Centers.
Harmful Algal Blooms.--The Committee recognizes the
increasing challenges many communities face from harmful algal
blooms (HABs) in freshwater and coastal ecosystems. The
Committee encourages the Agency conduct and support research
that help promote scientific progress towards preventing and
controlling HABs, including research to: (1) determine the
effectiveness of existing nutrient treatment technologies; (2)
evaluate the scale-up of emerging nutrient treatment
technologies and develop new technologies; and (3) develop best
management practices to help both rural and urban communities
control nutrients in their watersheds. Additionally, $6,000,000
is made available to investigate health effects from exposure
to HABs and cyanobacteria toxins and to develop methods to
monitor, characterize, and predict blooms for early action.
Water Distribution Systems.--The Agency is encouraged to
continue utilizing infrastructure solutions such as
distribution network leak detection, pressure monitoring, and
sanitary and combined sewer monitoring technologies during
upgrades to water and wastewater systems to optimize water
delivery performance, reduce energy usage, limit water waste in
distribution systems, and enhance modeling of sewer collection
networks. The Committee anticipates that these solutions will
help improve operations, 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 2020 and
future budget requests, the Committee encourages EPA to include
adequate funding for advancing full scale applied research and
testing capabilities to address threats to drinking water and
drinking water infrastructure.
Environmental Impact of Sunscreens.--The Committee
recognizes the important health benefits that come from
reducing exposure to ultraviolet radiation, including by the
use of sunscreens. To better assess any potential environmental
impacts of sunscreens on the environment, the Agency is
directed to contract with the NAS to conduct a review of the
current scientific literature of potential risks to the marine
environment, including risks to freshwater ecosystems, coral
reefs, aquatic and marine life, and wetland ecosystems, from
oxybenzone and octinoxate. The contract should also include NAS
recommendations for additional research needed to conduct
freshwater and marine environmental risk assessments.
Strengthening Use of Science.--The Committee is aware that
the Agency has proposed a rule ``Strengthening Transparency in
Regulatory Science'' (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OA-2018-0259), and
understands that the Administrator has recently stated that the
Agency intends to finalize the rule in the near future. The
Committee is also aware that shortly after the rule was
proposed, the SAB wrote to the Administrator in June 2018
requesting the opportunity to comment on the rule. The
Administrator responded in April 2019 and noted that the Agency
would benefit from consultation with SAB on the proposal.
The Agency is directed to engage in formal consultation on
the proposed rule with the SAB. Further, given the centrality
of scientific studies in Agency decision-making and the unique
experience and expertise of the SAB on such matters, the
Committee urges the Agency to seek feedback on the full list of
issues on which SAB indicated the Agency would benefit. The
Committee expects the Agency to take no final action on the
rule until the Agency has concluded such consultations.
Additionally, within 30 days after enactment or 30 days
after this rule is finalized, whichever is later, the Committee
directs the Agency to enter into a contract with the NAS to
review this rule. The review should assess the manner in which
the rule alters the ability of the Agency to use publicly
available peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies in its
regulatory decision-making, including what the NAS considers to
be the best available scientific information, and be completed
within 270 days.
Extending Student Services Contracting Authority.--The
Committee notes that the Office of Research and Development
contracts for the temporary hiring of pre-baccalaureate and
post-baccalaureate students in science and engineering fields.
The Committee understands that other Program Offices, including
the Office of Water and Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention, may benefit from the use of similar contracting
authority. The Committee invites the Agency to submit a
proposal outlining such a request.
Estimating Air Emissions from Animal Operations.--The
Committee is aware that the Agency is working on the
development of emission estimating methodologies for Animal
Feeding Operations (AFOs), and has announced that it intends to
release draft models for different types of livestock operators
over the course of the next year. The Committee supports the
Agency's efforts to develop accurate, robust, and accessible
models for estimating these emissions, and urges the Agency to
prioritize these efforts so that these methodologies can be
finalized as quickly as possible.
Enhanced Aquifer Recharge and Storage.--The Committee
supports the Agency's ongoing work on Aquifer Recharge (AR) and
Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) as tools that can support
sustainability and resiliency of drinking water resources
across the nation. The Committee understands that in
coordination with federal, state, and other partners, the
Agency is leading the development of a Water Reuse Action Plan,
which will be drafted later this year. The Committee supports
continued efforts by the Agency to assist states and other
stakeholders to creatively enhance water supplies through AR
and ASR, including in sole source aquifers, and supports the
continued regulation of AR and ASR under the Underground
Injection Control program. The Committee encourages the Agency
to consider partnerships with universities, tribes, and water
related institutions for planning, research, monitoring,
outreach, and implementation as it develops its Water Reuse
Action Plan. Further, the Committee directs the Agency to brief
the Committee on its Water Reuse Action Plan within 60 days
after it is publicly available.

Environmental Programs and Management

The Environmental Programs and Management (EPM) 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.
For many environmental programs, States and Tribes are directly
responsible for actual operation of the various environmental
programs, and the Agency's activities include, providing
support and assistance and conducting oversight.
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, grants and 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, 2019........................... $2,658,200,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 2,149,268,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 2,707,704,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +49,504,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +558,436,000

The fiscal year 2019 appropriation provided $2,658,200,000
for programs across EPM, to be partially offset by a rescission
of $60,201,000, for a net appropriation of $2,597,999,000. The
appropriation included guidance on the manner in which the
rescissions were to be applied to program. The Agency was
directed to submit, as part of its fiscal year 2019 operating
plan, details on the application of the rescissions at the
program project level.
For fiscal year 2020, the Committee recommends
$2,707,704,000 for EPM, $109,705,000 above the net enacted
level and $558,436,000 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 $274,276,000, a
$1,168,000 increase above the enacted level and $118,462,000
above the request. The recommendation includes $97,249,000 for
Atmospheric Protection program project, and the Committee
directs the Agency to apply the increase above the enacted
level evenly to the greenhouse gas reporting program and the
preparation of the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
and Sinks, in fulfillment of U.S. treaty obligations under the
1992 Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Committee
continues to support the EnergySTAR program and rejects the
proposed shift to a fee-based funding mechanism, and provides
$42,000,000 for its continued operation. Further, the Committee
rejects the proposed termination of voluntary programs such as
Natural GasSTAR, AgSTAR, and other partnership programs where
the Agency works collaboratively with non-governmental entities
to identify beneficial methods to reduce emissions, pollution,
and increase efficiency. The Committee increases funding for
Federal Support for Air Quality Management by $2,704,000 above
the enacted level prior to the application of the rescission,
and directs that the increase be applied to providing technical
assistance and support to state, tribal, and local air
programs. The proposed increases for Administration priorities
listed in the request are rejected. The Committee provides
funding for Federal Stationary Source Regulation at the
requested level. Finally, the Committee directs that funding
for the remaining program projects be maintained at the levels
specified in the fiscal year 2019 operating plan prior to the
application of the rescission, including $8,736,000 to assist
with the international phase-out of ozone depleting substances
under the Montreal Protocol.
Compliance.--The Committee recommends $103,665,000 for
compliance activities, an increase of $2,000,000 above the 2019
enacted level and $14,021,000 above the request. The Committee
notes that funds in this program were rescinded at a
significantly higher percentage compared to other programs
within EPM. The Committee is extremely concerned by the
precipitous decrease in compliance and enforcement activities
by the Agency over the past three fiscal years. The Committee
considers a robust inspection and monitoring program to be an
essential element of any effective Compliance Assurance regime,
and urges the Agency to use the additional resources to meet
and exceed the inspection and monitoring targets proposed in
the budget. The Agency is directed to provide to the Committee,
within 30 days of enactment, separate target and actuals data
for onsite inspections and offsite compliance monitoring
activities since fiscal year 2013, and in future budget
requests to present separate targets for onsite inspections and
offsite monitoring.
The Committee urges the Agency, in coordination with state
and local public health departments and other federal partners,
to continue ambient air monitoring for ethylene oxide,
particularly in communities identified by the 2014 National Air
Toxics Assessment with high health hazard quotients for
ethylene oxide exposure.
Enforcement.--The Committee recommends $255,504,000 for
enforcement activities, an increase of $14,867,000 above the
2019 enacted level and $43,938,000 above the request. The
Committee notes that $11,634,000 was rescinded in 2019, which
is twice the average percentage of rescissions in other
programs. Within the amounts provided, the Committee directs
that in fiscal year 2020, not more than the post-rescission
amount specified in the fiscal year 2019 operating plan be for
NEPA implementation.
Further, the Committee directs that $9,554,000 be used for
Environmental Justice program projects. The Committee directs
that, of the increase, $750,000 be used to award additional
environmental justice grants, and the remaining funds be used
to increase the capacity within the Agency and among State and
local partners to incorporate environmental justice
considerations in policy making, with a particular emphasis on
assessing and minimizing cumulative impacts of pollution.
Environmental Protection: National Priorities.--The bill
provides $17,700,000, a $2,700,000 increase above the enacted
level and $17,700,000 above the request. The Committee directs
that funds be used for a competitive grant program for
qualified non-profit organizations, 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 $15,000,000 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 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 $475,958,000, a
$19,000,000 increase above the enacted level and $438,658,000
above the request. The Committee believes that protecting these
important water bodies is a national priority, and provides
funding for programs that support their restoration and
protection. From within the amount provided, the Committee
directs the following:
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.--The Committee
recommends $320,000,000 for the Great Lakes Restoration
Initiative (GLRI), an increase of $20,000,000 above the enacted
level and $20,000,000 above the budget request. The Committee
directs the Agency and the other Federal partners to continue
to prioritize action oriented projects in lieu of additional
studies, monitoring and evaluations. In addition, as the Agency
distributes funds across the five focus areas, tribal related
activities should be maintained at not less than $15,000,000.
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.
The Committee notes that the recently enacted Vessel
Incidental Discharge Act (P.L. 115-282) places the Great Lakes
and Lake Champlain Invasive species program in the Great Lakes
National Program Office. The Committee urges the Agency to
prioritize efforts to reduce the risk of introduction of
invasive species in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, using
funds from the appropriate Geographic Program.
Chesapeake Bay.--The Committee recommends $85,000,000 for
the Chesapeake Bay program, an increase of $12,000,000 above
the enacted level and $77,700,000 above the budget request.
From within the amount provided, $9,000,000 is for nutrient and
sediment removal grants and $9,000,000 is for small watershed
grants to control polluted runoff from urban, suburban and
agricultural lands, and $6,000,000 is for state-based
implementation in the most effective basins.
Puget Sound.--The Committee recommends $33,000,000 for
Puget Sound, $5,000,000 above the enacted level and $33,000,000
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.
Long Island Sound.--The Committee recommends $21,000,000
for Long Island Sound, an increase of $7,000,000 above the
enacted level and $21,000,000 above the budget request. The
Agency shall operate the program as specified in section 119 of
the Clean Water Act.
San Francisco Bay.--The Committee recommends $5,019,000, a
$200,000 increase above the enacted level and $5,019,000 above
the request. The Committee directs the Agency to apply the
increase towards high priority activities within the Bay Delta
Action Plan.
South Florida.--The Committee recommends $3,504,000, a
$300,000 increase above the enacted level and $3,504,000 above
the request. The Agency is directed to apply the increase
evenly to continue ongoing work monitoring coral health,
enhancing water quality in the Caloosahatchee Estuary and
Indian River Lagoon, and enhancing water quality in Florida Bay
and Biscayne Bay.
Southern New England Estuaries.--The Committee recommends
$5,400,000, a $400,000 increase above the enacted level and
$5,400,000 above the request. The Committee directs the Agency
to use the increase to continue to spur investments in
regionally significant and landscape-scale restoration projects
through technical assistance, grants, and contracts.
Columbia River Basin.--The Committee recommends $1,100,000,
a $100,000 increase above the enacted level and $1,100,000
above the request. The Committee directs the Agency to continue
to operate the program as specified under section 123 of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
Indoor Air and Radiation.--The Committee recommends
$27,637,000, equal to the enacted level and $23,111,000 above
the request. The Committee notes that $2,686,000 was rescinded
in fiscal year 2019. The Agency is directed to continue to
operate the Radon program as in fiscal year 2019. Additionally,
the Committee notes the need to continue to maintain the U.S.
source standard for radon gas for use by states and industry as
the national benchmark for radon measurement devices, and
encourages the Agency to collect available radon test data to
update the national U.S. EPA Radon Map and develop locality-
specific classifications of radon risks. The Committee directs
that funding for the other program projects be allocated in the
manner specified in the 2019 operating plan prior to the
application of the rescission.
Information Exchange/Outreach.--The Committee recommends
$121,491,000, a $5,047,000 decrease below the enacted level and
$31,594,000 above the request. The Committee provides
$41,771,000 for Executive Management, as requested. The Agency
is directed to allocate the funds in the remaining program
project lines in the manner specified in the fiscal year 2019
operating plan prior to the application of the rescission.
International Programs.--The Committee recommends
$15,400,000, equal to the enacted level and $10,061,000 above
the request. The Committee notes that $789,000 was rescinded in
2019. The Committee expects the Agency to allocate funds as
specified in the 2019 operating plan prior to the application
of the rescission.
Legal/Science/Regulatory/Economic Review.--The Committee
recommends $109,023,000, a $2,391,000 decrease below the
enacted level and $1,181,000 above the request. The Committee
provides $14,271,000, an increase of $900,000 above the pre-
rescission enacted level, for Integrated Environmental
Strategies, and directs that the increase be used to support
Community-Driven Environmental Protection and the Office of
Community Revitalization. The Committee increases support for
the SAB by $1,000,000 above the level specified in the fiscal
year 2019 operating plan prior to the application of the
rescission. Funding for the Legal Advice: Support Program, and
Regulatory Analysis program is provided at the fiscal year 2019
post-rescission level, and the Legal Advice: Environmental
Program project is funded at $45,000,000, a decrease of
$2,100,000 below the post-rescission level. The remaining
program projects are funded at the levels specified in the
fiscal year 2019 operating plan prior to the application of the
rescission.
Operations and Administration.--The Committee recommends
$473,109,000, a $7,642,000 decrease below the enacted level and
$21,198,000 below the request. No funds are provided for the
Agency's proposed workforce reshaping. Additionally, the
Committee directs that funding be allocated to Human Resources
Management and Financial Assistance Grants as specified in the
fiscal year 2019 operating plan prior to the application of the
rescission. The Committee accepts the other project allocations
in the budget request.
Pesticides Licensing.--The Committee recommends $96,135,000
for licensing and registration activities, a decrease of
$13,228,000 below the enacted level, and $10,456,000 above the
request. In March 2019, Congress enacted the Pesticide
Registration Improvement Act of 2018 (P.L. 116-8) which made
previously collected fees available for use without further
appropriation. The Committee expects that increased fee
utilization will result in the need for decreased
appropriations in fiscal year 2020 and in the future.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).--The
Committee recommends $118,377,000, $6,000,000 above the enacted
level and $38,362,000 above the budget request. Of the funds
provided under this section, $6,000,000 is provided for
implementation of a federal permit program for coal combustion
residuals. 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, and directs the Agency to
operate these projects at the levels specified in the fiscal
year 2019 operating plan prior to the application of the
rescission.
Toxics Risk Review and Prevention.--The Committee
recommends $89,217,000, a decrease of $3,304,000 below the
enacted level, and $22,799,000 above the request. The Committee
notes that $1,806,000 was rescinded in fiscal year 2019. As
projected in the budget request, the Committee assumes an
additional $11,500,000 in resources will be available in fiscal
year 2020 from fees collected to conduct chemical reviews. For
Chemical Risk Review, the committee provides $58,624,000. The
Committee approves the requested increases for fixed costs and
staff to support implementation of TSCA. Of the requested
increase in non-pay resources, the Committee provides
$4,500,000.
The Committee directs that the Endocrine Disruptors and
Lead Risk Reduction projects be allocated funds as specified in
the fiscal year 2019 operating plan prior to the application of
the rescission.
Water: Ecosystems.--The Committee recommends $52,788,000, a
$5,000,000 increase above the enacted level, and a $31,210,000
increase above the request. From within the amount provided,
the Committee directs that $21,000,000 be used to provide
$750,000 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
$4,000,000 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: Human Health Protection.--The Committee recommends
$108,234,000, a $9,727,000 increase above the enacted level,
and a $18,426,000 increase above the request. The Committee
directs the Agency to maintain the Beach program at the level
specified in the fiscal year 2019 operating plan prior to the
application of the rescission. For the Drinking Water Program,
the Committee provides the requested increases for fixed costs,
priority work associated with PFAS in drinking water, and
provides $4,142,000 for implementation and administration of
new drinking water requirements in AWIA (P.L. 115-270). The
Committee directs the Agency to maintain its other drinking
water protection activities with the resources provided.
The Agency is encouraged to continue coordinating with the
Food and Drug Administration in light of the directive included
in Section 773 of Division B of the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2019 (P.L. 116-6).
Water Quality Protection.--The Committee recommends
$211,217,000, a $300,000 increase above the enacted level and
$22,984,000 above the request. The Committee notes that
$4,728,000 was rescinded in fiscal year 2019. The Committee
supports the WaterSENSE and Urban Waters programs, and directs
the Agency to continue funding for these activities at the 2019
enacted levels prior to the application of the rescission. 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. The Committee has
provided an increase above the enacted level to assist with the
implementation and administration of new programmatic
requirements in AWIA.
The recently enacted Water Infrastructure Improvement Act
(P.L. 115-436) (WIIA) established a Municipal Ombudsman within
the Office of the Administrator to facilitate coordination and
communication between municipalities, regional offices, and the
Administrator, and to provide municipalities with technical
assistance as they develop permits that incorporate integrated
plans. The Agency is directed to brief the Committee on the
implementation of WIIA.
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.--The Agency is directed to submit
a report within 90 days of enactment of this Act that
identifies how any fiscal year 2019 funding was used, by
account, program area, and program project. Each activity
funded should include a justification for the effort and any
anticipated results.
Adequate and Accessible Training for Lead Paint
Abatement.--The Committee fully supports activities by EPA,
States, contractors and homeowners that result in the safe and
proper abatement of lead paint in homes. The Committee believes
it is incumbent upon contractors to be fully trained, certified
and knowledgeable about the risks related to lead exposure
especially for children and at-risk populations. It is
imperative that EPA and the States continue to make those
training opportunities readily available and easily accessible
along with improved outreach to build awareness for homeowners
during renovations. As such, the Committee recommends that the
EPA continue to make the necessary training available for all
contractors to quickly and efficiently identify whether lead
paint was present during a renovation and to remove the lead as
quickly as possible readily available with more flexible dates
and locations.
National Recycling Strategy.--The Committee is concerned
that the current system of recycling waste materials in the
U.S. is unsustainable. The Agency can help ensure the long-term
economic and environmental viability of local recycling
programs by exercising national leadership and facilitating the
harmonization of standards. The Committee believes that this
will strengthen markets, reduce contamination, and prevent
recyclable materials from needlessly polluting the environment,
being incinerated, or sent to landfills. The Committee directs
the Agency to develop, in collaboration with for-profit, non-
profit, state and local governments, and other stakeholders, a
national recycling strategy to strengthen and sustain the
current system with recommendations for voluntary action to be
reported to the Committees on Appropriations within 270 days of
enactment. The strategy should analyze the expected benefits of
each element of the strategy, including the value of
implementing a national system of standardized recycling
labeling, the importance of public education to increase
residential and institutional compliance, and other
opportunities to significantly reduce cross-contamination and
comingling of materials entering the recycling stream, as part
of efforts to increase the economic viability of processing
recyclable materials, including paper, cardboard, plastics,
metals, electronic waste, and compostable materials.
Restrictions on Certain Communications.--The Committee
reminds EPA that funding may not be used in a manner contrary
to Section 401 of this bill.
Designating Chitosan as Minimum Risk.--The Committee is
aware that the Agency has received a petition to add chitosan
to the Minimum Risk Pesticide List. The Committee encourages
the Agency to review this petition in a timely matter, and to
notify the Committee when the review has been completed.
Lead-free Plumbing Fixtures.--The Committee urges the
Agency to finalize regulations implementing P.L. 111-380 to
require that plumbing components meet the definition of lead
free in Section 1417(d) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. 300g-6(d)) by the end of 2019.
Protecting School Children from Lead.--The Committee
considers protecting children from lead exposure to be a top
priority. The Committee urges the Agency to expand efforts by
the Agency to reduce childhood exposure to lead in drinking
water at schools and childcare facilities. The Committee
directs the Agency to study the merits of issuing separate
requirements for public water systems to conduct lead
monitoring in schools and child care facilities that they
serve. The study should consider the frequency at which water
systems conduct monitoring at schools and how water systems
should share results with schools and communities. The
Committee directs the Administrator to publish a report
following completion of the study with findings and conclusions
related towards the feasibility of the monitoring requirement.

HAZARDOUS WASTE ELECTRONIC MANIFEST SYSTEM FUND

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

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $0
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... 0
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2020............................. 0

The Committee provides $8,000,000 for the Hazardous Waste
Electronic Manifest System Fund, which is to be offset by
$8,000,000 in collections from e-Manifest user fees, resulting
in $0 new net budget authority.

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, 2019........................... $41,489,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 38,893,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 48,514,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019............................... +7,025,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................. +9,621,000

The Committee recommends $48,514,000, which is $7,025,000
above the enacted level and $9,621,000 above the budget
request. In addition, the Committee recommends $9,586,000 as a
payment to this account from the Hazardous Substance Superfund
account. The Committee notes the OIG letter dated February 8
2019, to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick
Mulvaney, which was submitted to Congress by the Agency as part
of its fiscal year 2020 request. The combined funding to the
OIG recommended in the bill is sufficient to meet the IG's
initial request of $58,100,000. The Committee understands that
this level of funding should be sufficient to meet OIG's
increased workload.
The IG 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, 2019........................... $34,467,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 39,553,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 39,553,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +5,086,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... 0

The bill provides $39,553,000, which is $5,086,000 above
the enacted level, and equal to the request. EPA should
prioritize projects based on anticipated cost savings,
including energy and other utility cost savings, and allocate
funds accordingly. The Agency is reminded of the Committee's
long-standing reprogramming requirements with respect to
closures, consolidations, and relocations of offices,
facilities, and laboratories.

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. These enforcement actions are an essential element to
the success of the program. 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. At sites where no viable
responsible party can be identified, EPA may use monies from
the Trust Fund to remediate contaminated site. Funds are paid
from this account to the Office of Inspector General and
Science and Technology accounts for Superfund related
activities.

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $1,091,947,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 1,045,351,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 1,214,648,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +122,701,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +169,297,000

The fiscal year 2019 appropriation to the Hazardous
Substance Superfund account included an appropriation of
$1,091,947,000 in Title II and an appropriation of $68,000,000
in Title IV. For fiscal year 2020, the bill provides
$1,214,648,000 for the Hazardous Substance Superfund program,
which is $54,701,000 above the combined fiscal year 2019 level
and $169,297,000 above the budget request. The Committee
recommends that $9,586,000 be transferred to the Office of
Inspector General, and $30,496,000 be transferred to the
Science and Technology account.
Enforcement.--The Committee recommends $171,968,000, a
$5,593,000 increase above the enacted level and $611,000 above
the request. The Committee rejects the proposed reductions in
Forensics Support and Environmental Justice, and directs the
agency to maintain these projects at the fiscal year 2019
level.
Operations and Administration.--The Committee recommends
$124,241,000, a $3,864,000 decrease below the enacted level and
$279,000 below the request. and directs the agency to maintain
funding for Human Resources Management at not less than the
fiscal year 2019 level.
Research: Chemical Safety and Sustainability.--The
Committee recommends $12,824,000, a $10,000,000 increase above
the enacted level and $7,486,000 above the request. The
Committee notes that as part of its PFAS action plan, which was
released in February 2019, the Agency identified significant
research needs with respect to the human health and ecological
impacts of PFAS exposure, and methods for treatment and
remediation. The Committee recommends a $10,000,000 increase to
address research needs in support of designating PFAS chemicals
as hazardous substances under Section 102 of CERCLA. The Agency
is directed to include these funds as part of the transfer to
the Science and Technology account.
Research: Sustainable and Healthy Communities.--The
Committee recommends $16,463,000, a $5,000,000 increase above
the enacted level and $5,486,000 above the request. The
Committee recommends a $5,000,000 increase to address research
needs in support of designating PFAS chemicals as hazardous
substances under Section 102 of CERCLA. The Agency is directed
to include these funds as part of the transfer to the Science
and Technology account.
Superfund Cleanup.--The Committee recommends $822,073,000,
an increase of $32,333,000 above the combined funding levels
provided in Title II and Title IV in fiscal year 2019, and
$153,790,000 above the request. The Committee urges the Agency
to prioritize work at sites where activities will result in
reduced human exposure to toxic substances. 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:
Operation of Aircraft.--The Committee is aware of the value
of using aircraft in emergency situations, and has provided
authority within this account for the Agency to use aircraft to
effectively and efficiently assist in carrying out its response
mission and better detect and monitor the release and spread of
hazardous substances.
New and Emerging Technologies.--To increase the rate of
cleanups of Superfund sites around the country, the Agency is
encouraged to collaborate with the private sector to utilize
the best available technologies and in situ remediation
products to restore these sites as expeditiously as possible to
return them to productive use.

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, 2019........................... $91,941,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 47,801,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 94,410,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +2,469,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +46,609,000

The Committee recommends $94,410,000 for the Leaking
Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Trust Fund Program, an increase
of $2,469,000 above the enacted level and $46,609,000 above the
budget request. The Committee has provided additional resources
for enforcement activities to oversee cleanups by responsible
parties, and for fixed costs associated with research
activities. The Committee rejects the proposed decrease in
research to characterize and remediate contaminated sites.
Regular inspections of Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) are
a key part of an overall strategy to prevent and minimize
impacts of releases of fuels or other hazardous substances from
USTs. The Committee provides $25,369,000 to support state
inspection programs. The Committee directs the increase in
cooperative agreement funding be fully allocated to states, and
that not less than $500,000 of the increase to the LUST/UST
program project be used for cleanups in Indian Country.
The Committee supports the Agency's ongoing efforts to
study and mitigate corrosion issues at USTs as the nation
employs increasing quantities of emerging fuels.

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, 2019........................... $18,209,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 15,962,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 23,237,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +5,028,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +7,275,000

The Committee recommends $23,237,000 for the Inland Oil
Spill program, an increase of $5,028,000 above the enacted
level and $7,275,000 above the budget request.
The Committee notes that there is an acute need to prevent,
and when necessary, to respond to oil spills. This includes
ensuring that the agency and state and local first responders
have adequate personnel, training, and equipment, to respond to
emergencies. The Committee recommends a $4,700,000 increase to
the Oil program, and directs that of the increase, not less
than $1,250,000 be used to support emergency responder
trainings, including for responding to shale oil emergencies,
and that not less than $2,750,000 be used for oil accident
prevention and preparedness activities, including support for
inspections at high risk facilities.
Preventing Oil Spills.--The Committee is aware of the high
non-compliance rate among facilities that are required to
submit Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plans or
Facility Response Plans. The Committee directs the agency to
utilize the additional resources provided for compliance and
enforcement to develop and implement strategies to reduce the
rate of non-compliance. The agency is directed to brief the
Committee on its strategy within 90 days of enactment.
Research on Dispersants.--The Committee expects the agency
to continue its work studying the performance and behavior of
oil dispersants in deep water and arctic spills, as well as
developing protocols for testing oil spill control agents.
Operation of Aircraft.--The Committee is aware of the value
of using aircraft in emergency situations, and has provided
authority within this account for the Agency to use aircraft to
effectively and efficiently assist in carrying out its response
mission and better detect and monitor the release and spread of
petroleum and other related substances.

State and Tribal Assistance Grants

The State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) account
provides grant funds for programs operated primarily by State,
Tribal, local, and other governmental partners. The account
includes two broad types of funds: (1) Infrastructure
Assistance, which is used primarily by state, local, and tribal
partners for projects that directly improve air quality, water
quality, or clean up contaminated sites; supporting
environmental protection; and (2) Categorical Grants, which
assist State and Tribal governments and other environmental
partners with the operation of environmental programs.
In the STAG account, the agency 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.
Additionally, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the
Nation Act (P.L. 114-322) (WIIN Act) and Americas Water
Infrastructure Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-270) (AWIA) authorized a
number of clean water and drinking water grant programs
designed to address specific water-related health and
environmental concerns in communities.
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 Federal environmental statutes include provisions
allowing delegation of day-to-day management of environmental
programs to approved State and Tribal environmental programs.
The Federal statutes were designed to recognize the States and
Tribes as partners and co-regulators, allowing States and
Tribes to assist with the execution and implementation of
environmental safeguards. For delegated environmental programs,
State and Tribal governments issue and enforce permits, carry
out inspections and monitoring, and collect data. To assist
States and Tribes in this task, the statutes also authorized
the agency to provide funding to 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 103 and 105 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, 2019........................... $3,605,041,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 2,774,602,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 4,620,992,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +1,015,951,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +1,846,390,000

The fiscal year 2019 appropriation to the STAG account
included an appropriation of $3,605,041,000 in Title II, an
appropriation of $665,000,000 in Title IV, and a rescission of
$139,078,000 in the Administrative Provision which was applied
on an equal percentage basis across all STAG program projects,
for a net appropriation in fiscal year 2019 of $4,130,963,000.
For fiscal year 2020, the Committee recommends
$4,620,992,000 for the State and Tribal Assistance Grants
account, net increase of $490,029,000 above the total net
fiscal year 2019 enacted level and $1,846,390,000 above the
budget request. The Committee provides the following additional
detail by program area:
Infrastructure Assistance.--The Committee recommends
$3,506,000,000 in funds for infrastructure assistance.
Clean Water State Revolving Fund.--The Committee recommends
$1,784,000,000 for the Clean Water SRF, requires at least 10
percent of funds to be used for green infrastructure or energy
efficiency projects, reserves $2,000,000 for technical
assistance and training grants, and requires that 10 percent of
grant funds be used for additional subsidization.
The Committee notes that wastewater treatment facilities
are some of the largest industrial users of electricity in the
nation, and has provided Green Project Reserve (GPR) funds as
part of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to encourage
states to improve energy and water efficiency at treatment
facilities. In order to better track the ways in which states
are utilizing GPR funds, the Committee directs the Agency to
develop a uniform reporting framework which states may use to
report their GPR spending, and urges the Agency to include
tools and metrics that allow states toquantify estimated energy
and water savings benefits of these investments. The Agency is
directed to brief the Committee on its progress in developing
this guidance within 180 days of enactment.
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.--The Committee
recommends $1,300,000,000, allows funds to be used to finance
green infrastructure or energy efficiency projects, and
requires that 14 percent be used for additional subsidization.
AWIA reauthorized the Drinking Water SRF program, amended
the list of eligible uses for Drinking Water SRF funding, and
gave states new authorities and requirements for administering
the program. For FY 2020, AWIA authorized $1,300,000,000 in
funding for capitalization grants to states, tribes, and
territories, which is the amount provided in the bill. AWIA
also changed requirements that a portion of capitalization
grants to be used for additional subsidization in the range
between 6 percent and 35 percent, and a requirement that
projects accessing Drinking Water SRF funds through fiscal year
2023 use American iron and steel. The Committee's direction to
provide additional subsidization equal to 14 percent is in
addition to that required by AWIA, and is equal to the minimum
amount that has been required in previous years.
US-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Grant Program.--The
Committee recommends $30,000,000 for drinking water and
wastewater infrastructure projects along the US-Mexico border
that benefit U.S. citizens by reducing the flow of
transnational pollution into the U.S.
Alaska Native Villages.--The Committee recommends
$20,000,000 in drinking water and waste water infrastructure
projects for Alaska Native Villages and other rural communities
that face significant health challenges due to lack of adequate
sanitation.
Brownfields Program.--The Committee recommends $105,000,000
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. The Committee notes
that the agency is soliciting grant applications for FY 2020
for Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training
Grants, and supports expanded investments in this program.
Diesel Emissions Reductions Grants (DERA).--The Committee
recommends $55,000,000 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
2020, 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 Committee recommends
$30,000,000 for targeted airshed grants to reduce particulate
matter 2.5 and ozone air pollution in non-attainment areas.
Water Quality Monitoring Grants.--The Committee recommends
$4,000,000 for water monitoring authorized under section 5004
of the WIIN Act (P.L. 114-322).
Small and Disadvantaged Communities Grants.--The Committee
recommends $25,000,000 in funding for grants to assist small
and disadvantaged communities meet Safe Drinking Water Act
requirements, as authorized in section 2104 of the WIIN Act and
section 2005 of AWIA.
Lead Testing in Schools Grants.--The Committee recommends
$25,000,000 for voluntary testing of drinking water for lead
contamination at schools and child care facilities, as
authorized in section 2107 of the WIIN Act and section 2006 of
AWIA.
Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Grants.--The Committee
recommends $20,000,000 for grants to reduce the concentration
of lead in drinking water, as authorized in section 2105 of the
WIIN Act.
Drinking Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability
Program Grants.--The Committee recommends $4,000,000 for grants
to increase resilience of drinking water infrastructure to
natural hazards, as authorized in section 2005 of AWIA.
Technical Assistance for Treatment Works Grants.--The
Committee recommends $13,000,000 for grants to provide
technical assistance to small, rural, and disadvantaged
communities for the planning, design, financing, operation, and
maintenance of water treatment infrastructure, as authorized by
section 4103 as AWIA.
Sewer Overflow Control Grants.--The Committee recommends
$90,000,000 for grants to control and treat sewer overflows, as
authorized in section 4106 of AWIA. The Committee directs the
Agency to award no less than 30 percent of grants to green
infrastructure projects.
Water Infrastructure Workforce Development.--The Committee
recommends $1,000,000 for grants to support workforce
development for drinking water and waste water system workers,
as authorized by section 4304 of AWIA.
Categorical Grants.--For categorical grants to States and
other environmental partners for the implementation of
delegated programs, the bill provides $1,114,992,000, an
increase of $37,951,000 above the enacted level and
$534,645,000 above the request. After accounting for the
effects of the across-the-board 3.3 percent rescission in the
Administrative Provisions in fiscal year 2019, the recommended
level for fiscal year 2020 is an increase of $73,031,000 above
the fiscal year 2019 enacted level. Funding levels for each
grant program within the Categorical Grants program are
specified in the table at the end of this report.
Radon.--The Committee continues to support state radon
program efforts that raise awareness about the associated risks
of radon exposure. The Committee recommends $8,051,000, equal
to the enacted level, and the Agency shall prioritize radon
grants to states that have adopted or are seeking to adopt
statewide radon building codes, conduct awareness and education
programs for homebuyers and renters, and that have in place
adequate certification or credentialing requirements for radon
measurement and mitigation workers.

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE AND INNOVATION PROGRAM

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $10,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 25,000,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 50,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +40,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +25,000,000

The Committee recommends a total of $50,000,000 for the
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA)
Program, a decrease of $18,000,000 below the combined funding
levels provided in Titles II and IV of the fiscal year 2019
enacted appropriations, and an increase of $25,000,000 above
the budget request. From the funds provided, the Agency may use
up to $5,000,000 to assist with the administrative expenses of
the program. The remaining $45,000,000 in WIFIA funds are
provided for direct loan subsidization, which may be used to
support a maximum loan capacity of up to $5,410,000,000 to
eligible entities for water infrastructure projects.
The WIFIA program is one of many tools that the Committee
is employing to assist states and local communities in ensuring
a clean and safe water supply. The Committee notes that greater
investments through a variety of funding mechanisms are needed
to repair, replace, and upgrade critical water infrastructure.
These investments will improve and protect clean water sources,
enhance the resiliency of communities in the aftermath of
natural disasters, and improve the health of important
ecosystems across the country. Credit subsidy programs can play
a part in such investments, but may not be the optimal form of
assistance for smaller, rural, or disadvantaged communities.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS 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 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 directs the availability of not less than
$4,000,000 of funds for the National Estuary program as
competitive grants.
The bill extends the authority for the Agency to hire
scientists under 42 U.S.C. Section 209 until 2025.

TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES

Department of Agriculture

OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $875,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 875,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 875,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. 0
Budget estimate, 2020............................... 0

The Committee recommends $875,000 for the Office of the
Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, equal to
the enacted level and the budget request.
Forest Service Accounting, Budgeting, and Management.--The
Committee supports Forest Service efforts to improve
accounting, budgeting, and management practices and appreciates
the efforts of the Forest Service, Office of Budget and Program
Analysis, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and
Environment, and Secretary of Agriculture to make improvements.
Public Law 107-63 directed the Forest Service to fund indirect
expenses from any funds available to the Forest Service. As
directed, the Forest Service established cost pools for
activities not directly related to specific programs and
charged these costs to budget lines. Annual budget
justifications have included estimates of these indirect
expenditures. As part of continuing efforts to improve
transparency and collaboration in budgeting, Public Law 115-141
directed the Forest Service to provide to Congress a plan to
end cost pools. The fiscal year 2020 budget request includes
such a plan and proposes to consolidate certain budget line
items. This bill establishes the ``Forest Service Operations''
account to fund activities previously supported through cost
pools but does not accept the proposal to consolidate budget
lines. Bill language is included that prohibits the Forest
Service from charging the other discretionary accounts for cost
pool activities. This report includes comparisons of fiscal
year 2019 enacted levels for budget lines with cost pool
estimates removed so that programmatic changes are clear. The
Committee directs that future budget submissions reflect this
new budget structure.
Wildland Fire Management.--The Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2018 (P.L 115-141) provided a budget cap adjustment for
wildfire suppression costs and this additional funding is
included for the first time in fiscal year 2020. After
adjusting for the movement of cost pools to the Forest Service
Operations account and including additional budget cap adjusted
fire suppression funding, the Forest Service will have an
additional $1,295,634,000 for Wildland Fire Management in
fiscal year 2020. In addition, $300,000,000 of cap adjusted
fire suppression funds and $50,000,000 in base discretionary
fire suppression funds are available through a transfer from
the Department of the Interior. The Committee provides these
additional funds and authorities to ensure that sufficient
funds are available to protect American homes, lands, and
wildlife from catastrophic fires without requiring a transfer
of funds from the very activities that advance forest health
and prevent wildland fires. The Committee expects the Forest
Service to use suppression funds judiciously and continue to
work closely with the Office of Management and Budget and the
Department of the Interior to accurately account for
expenditures and recover costs.
External Assistance and Partners.--The Committee urges the
Forest Service to expand the authorized use of donations,
cooperative and cost-sharing agreements, and assistance from
external groups and partners to provide a quality experience
for all National Forest visitors.
Forest Service Research.--The Committee has not received
the report on Forest Service research directed by Public Law
116-9 and due at the end of the second quarter of fiscal year
2019. The Committee looks forward to reviewing this report and
Forest Service plans to establish a rigorous review cycle;
ensure that research reflects the needs of the National Forest
System; improve coordination with the other Federal research
agencies; and respond to industry, stakeholder, and partner
input.
Capital Improvement Plan.--The Committee has not received a
comprehensive capital improvement plan as directed by Public
Law 115-141 and due by December 30, 2018. The Committee
recommendation has provided limited capital improvement
increases in this bill pending review of this plan. The
Committee reminds the Forest Service of Congress's expectations
of this plan as delineated in Public Law 115-141.
Insect and Disease Threats.--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 and
bark beetle are examples of these threats. As such, the
Committee recommends a programmatic increase of $10,000,000 for
research and development programs, $19,000,000 for Federal and
Cooperative Land forest health management, $26,802,000 for
Hazardous Fuels, and $12,395,000 for Urban and Community
Forestry to prevent and address such outbreaks, improve forest
sustainability, combat climate change, and assist with
reforestation efforts. The Committee expects the Forest Service
to consider the important role of urban forests and work in
concert with Federal agencies, States, and other entities to
prioritize the allocation of these funds.
Indian Trust Lands.--The Forest 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 Post-Hurricane Reforestation Initiative.--The
Committee believes the reforestation of native and endemic
species is a critical component of Puerto Rico's recovery in
the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The Committee supports
Forest Service efforts to build and strengthen collaborative
partnerships with non-profit organizations committed to the
reforestation of Puerto Rico, including its urban and rural
forests.

FOREST SERVICE

The U.S. Forest Service manages 193 million acres of
National Forests, Grasslands, and a Tallgrass Prairie,
including lands in 44 States and the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, and cooperates with States, other Federal agencies,
Tribes and private landowners to sustain the Nation's forests
and grasslands. The National Forest System (NFS) includes 154
national forests, 22 national grasslands, 20 national
recreation areas, a national Tallgrass prairie, 13 national
monuments, and seven land utilization projects. The Forest
Service administers a wide variety of programs and activities
that sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of forests
and grasslands to include forest and rangeland research, State
and private forestry assistance, cooperative forest health
management, international operations, NFS management, and
wildland fire management.

FOREST SERVICE OPERATIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $0
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... 921,849,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +921,849,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +921,849,000

The Committee recommends $921,849,000 for Forest Service
Operations. The Committee is recommending the creation of this
account as its preferred method to accomplish elimination of
the cost pools, which is consistent with the budget reforms
proposed by the Forest Service. The Committee includes this new
account to replace the practice of using cost pools. The Forest
Service estimates $921,849,000 for fiscal year 2019 and
$835,161,000 for fiscal year 2020 for cost pools that fund the
employee salaries and related costs for line officers, union
officials, civil rights positions, safety officers, and public
affairs and legislative liaison positions; employee salaries
and related costs for cross-cutting projects such as Tribal
Relations and Freedom of Information Act activities; and
employee salaries and related costs for business operations to
include budget, finance, acquisition, human resource
management, procurement, grant management, and information
systems management; and leases, utilities, office equipment,
supplies, and radios. The fiscal year 2020 cost pool estimates
reflect a budget request that substantially reduced Forest
Service activities. The Committee believes the fiscal year 2019
estimated level for operations is required for fiscal year 2020
to support the increase in activities that is provided
throughout the rest of the Forest Service accounts. The table
below reflects the amounts provided from accounts for cost pool
activities in fiscal year 2019 which are instead appropriated
to the Forest Service Operations account for fiscal year 2020.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account (in thousands) FY19 Cost Pool
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forest and Rangeland Research........................ $38,845
State and Private Forestry........................... 20,843
National Forest System............................... 440,350
Capital Improvement and Maintenance.................. 78,841
Land Acquisition Management.......................... 1,895
Wildland Fire Management............................. 341,075
------------------
Total............................................ 921,849
------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $300,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 254,500,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 277,155,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. -22,845,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +22,655,000

The Committee recommends $277,155,000 for Forest and
Rangeland Research. The table below summarizes the cost pool
adjustments. After the elimination of cost pools, the
recommendation is a programmatic increase of $16,000,000 over
the enacted level and $59,930,000 over the budget request. The
Committee notes that the budget request proposed to shift all
research cost pool expenses to the research and development
business line. The elimination of cost pools makes this
proposed shift unnecessary.

Forest Inventory and Analysis.--The recommendation includes
$73,174,000 for forest inventory and analysis which is a
programmatic increase of $6,000,000 above the enacted level.
The Committee commends the Forest Service for including urban
forests in Forest Inventory Analysis data collection and
includes this increase to expand data collection in both urban
and non-urban settings.
Research and Development.--The recommendation includes
$203,981,000, a programmatic increase of $10,000,000 for
research and development activities. The Forest Service is
directed to provide $3,000,000 to the Joint Fire Science
program for fiscal year 2020.
The Committee notes the interest of Members of Congress,
States, and stakeholders in funding specific research
laboratories, programs, and projects, including those noted
below. This report emphasizes some of the research activities
of importance to the Committee and expects the Forest Service
to develop a research program that reflects these priorities
and the other activities and programs most critical to forest
health, particularly with respect to climate change adaption,
preventing the spread of disease and invasive species, and
watershed improvement.
Fire Plan Research and Development.--The Committee supports
continued research that significantly contributes to the
understanding of wildfire regimes, and the development of new
firefighting technologies and decision support tools.
Wood Products Research.--The Committee supports continued
research to improve the environmental performance, resiliency,
and affordability of mass timber and other wood products. The
Committee also supports research on advanced wood products that
incorporate carbon fiber, on wood use in building materials,
and that would extend the usability period of fallen wood, such
as timber that has been flattened by hurricanes.
Nanomaterials research.--The Committee commends the Forest
Service for their work on Forest Based materials and cellulose
nanomaterials in particular.
Bighorn Sheep Research.--To prevent disease transmission
between domestic sheep and bighorn sheep, the Committee directs
the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to work with
Indian Tribes, the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies and the Agricultural Research Service to complete a
risk of contact analysis. Together, the agencies are encouraged
to convene a meeting of interested stakeholders to share the
findings of this analysis and collaborate on strategies to
address the risk of disease transmission. The agencies are
further directed to report to the Committee, within 180 days of
enactment of this Act, on the progress made to complete the
analysis and engage with stakeholders.
Forest Carbon Research.--The Committee encourages the
Forest Service to continue work with other U.S. Department of
Agriculture agencies and offices to enhance and refine methods
and tools needed to quantify forest emission reductions for
forest carbon offset markets.

STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $336,990,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 182,296,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 382,894,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +45,904,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +200,598,000

The Committee recommends $382,894,000 for State and Private
Forestry. The table below summarizes the cost pool adjustments.
After the elimination of cost pools, the recommendation is a
programmatic increase of $66,747,000 over the enacted level and
$216,088,000 over the budget request.

[In thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost FY19 Cost FY20
FY19 Pool adjusted FY20 PB Pool adjusted Rec
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Landscape Scale.................... $14,000 $0 $14,000 $0 $0 $0 $20,000
Forest Health Federal lands........ 56,000 (10,422) 45,578 51,495 (9,527) 41,968 54,578
Cooperative lands forest health.... 42,000 (2,842) 39,158 34,376 (2,527) 31,849 49,158
State Fire Assistance.............. 81,000 (1,895) 79,105 65,930 (1,818) 64,112 83,105
Volunteer Fire..................... 17,000 ......... 17,000 11,020 ......... 11,020 19,000
Forest Stewardship................. 20,500 (1,895) 18,605 19,475 (1,618) 17,857 25,000
Forest Legacy...................... 63,990 (947) 63,043 0 ......... 0 75,000
Community Forest and Open Space.... 4,000 ......... 4,000 0 ......... 0 5,000
Urban and Community Forest......... 29,500 (1,895) 27,605 0 ......... 0 40,000
International...................... 9,000 (947) 8,053 0 ......... 0 12,053
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.......................... 336,990 (20,843) 316,147 182,296 (15,490) 166,806 382,894
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Landscape Scale Restoration.--The Committee rejects the
budget request proposal to eliminate this program and instead
provides $20,000,000 for Landscape Scale Restoration,
$6,000,000 above the enacted level.
Forest Health Management.--The Committee recommends
$103,736,000 for Forest Health Management, which is a
programmatic increase of $19,000,000 above the enacted level
and $29,919,000 above the budget request. The Committee
encourages the Forest Service to address high priority invasive
species, pests, and diseases, including the Emerald Ash Borer
and bark beetle infestations.
Cooperative Fire Assistance.--The Committee recognizes
Forest Service efforts to create fire-resilient communities
through active fuel reduction treatments and collaboration with
State and local fire agencies. The Committee recommends
$83,105,000 for State Fire Assistance, a programmatic increase
of $4,000,000 above the enacted level and $19,000,000 for
Volunteer Fire Assistance, an increase of $2,000,000 above the
enacted level.
FireWise Program.--The Committee commends the Forest
Service for the work done through the FireWise program to
educate communities and homeowners on the importance of taking
practical steps to lessen wildfire hazards and prevent
catastrophic fire.
Lake Tahoe Basin.--The Committee is encouraged by the work
conducted in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit and urges the
Forest Service to support the implementation of P.L. 106-506.
Forest Stewardship Program.--The Committee recommends
$25,000,000 for the Forest Stewardship Program, which is a
programmatic increase of $6,395,000 above the enacted level and
$7,143,000 above the budget request.
Great Lakes Forests.--The Forest Service is encouraged to
work with partners to educate natural resource professionals
and private woodland owners on effective land stewardship
practices of the native forests of the lower Great Lakes such
as woodlot management and agroforestry.
Forest Legacy.--The Committee rejects the budget request
proposal to eliminate this program and instead includes
$75,000,000 for Forest Legacy, a programmatic increase of
$11,957,000 above the enacted level.
Community Forest and Open Space Conservation.--The
Committee rejects the budget request proposal to eliminate this
program and instead provides $5,000,000 for Community Forest
and Open Space Conservation, an increase of $1,000,000 above
the enacted level.
Urban and Community Forestry.--The Committee rejects the
budget request proposal to eliminate this program and instead
recommends $40,000,000 for Urban and Community Forestry, which
is a programmatic increase of $12,395,000 above the enacted
level.
Urban Reforestation.--The Committee acknowledges the
important role of urban forests to improve health outcomes and
decrease contaminants in the air, soil, and water and urges the
Forest Service to expand efforts to promote urban
reforestation, particularly in urban areas with critically
insufficient tree canopy.
Urban Connections Program.--The Committee strongly supports
the US Forest Service Urban Connections program in Region 9 as
a model program in building strong relationships with youth,
interested citizens, urban leaders, interagency partners, non-
profit organizations, and non-government organizations. The
Committee encourages the Forest Service to build on and expand
this program to other regions, with a focus on youth engagement
and outdoor learning in and on urban waterways via partnerships
with non-profits to provide recreational and outdoor education
programs, like Wilderness Inquiry's Canoemobile.
International Forestry.--The Committee rejects the budget
request proposal to eliminate this program and instead
recommends $12,053,000 for International Forestry, which is a
programmatic increase of $4,000,000 above the enacted level.
This increase will be used to expand wood origin and illegal
wood detection, promote grassroots monitoring, and establish a
network of wood identification and screening centers to combat
illegal logging; expand private sector collaborations, sentinel
planting programs, and pest management research to protect
against invasive species; and conserve the habitats of U.S.
migratory species to include the Rufous hummingbird and the
monarch butterfly.
International Reforestation.--The Committee recognizes the
important work of U.S. based, non-profit organizations engaged
in reforestation efforts around the world.
DELTA Act.--The Committee recognizes and commends the
enactment of the Defending Economic Livelihoods and Threatened
Animals (DELTA) Act in 2018 and urges the U.S. Forest Service's
Office of International Programs to work with Angola, Namibia,
and Botswana in promoting sustainable economic growth, natural
resource and water management, protected area and habitat
conservation, and law enforcement through trans-boundary
programs in the region, with an initial focus on Angola.
Northeastern States Research Cooperative.--The Committee
applauds the Forest Service partnership with the Northeastern
States Research Cooperative and encourages continuation of this
work to sustain the health of the northern forest ecosystem.

NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $1,938,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 1,912,750,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 1,599,308,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. -338,692,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... -313,442,000

The Committee recommends $1,599,308,000 for the National
Forest System. The table below summarizes the cost pool
adjustments. After the elimination of cost pools, the
recommendation is a programmatic increase of $101,658,000 over
the enacted level and $91,467,000 over the budget request.

[In thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost FY19 Cost FY20
FY19 Pool adjusted FY20 PB Pool adjusted Rec
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land Management.................... $180,000 $(37,897) $142,103 $179,263 $(31,507) $147,756 $147,103
Recreation, Heritage, and 260,000 (80,532) 179,468 257,848 (77,278) 180,570 194,468
Wilderness........................
Grazing Management................. 57,000 (16,106) 40,894 56,856 (14,456) 42,400 40,750
Hazardous Fuels.................... 435,000 (71,633) 363,367 450,000 (68,739) 381,261 390,169
Forest Products.................... 368,000 (98,397) 269,603 375,000 (94,421) 280,579 276,603
Vegetation and Watershed........... 180,000 (39,407) 140,593 180,000 (37,815) 142,185 165,593
Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat..... 137,000 (33,847) 103,153 136,430 (32,780) 103,650 121,153
Collaborative forest landscape..... 40,000 (9,474) 30,526 0 ......... 0 35,526
Mineral and Geology................ 75,000 (17,054) 57,946 74,200 (15,365) 58,835 57,946
Landownership...................... 75,000 (18,949) 56,051 74,000 (16,183) 57,817 56,051
Law Enforcement.................... 131,000 (17,054) 113,946 129,153 (16,365) 112,788 113,946
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.......................... 1,938,000 (440,350) 1,497,650 1,912,750 (404,909) 1,507,841 1,599,308
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Land Management.--The Committee recommends $147,103,000 for
Land Management, Planning, Assessment, and Monitoring, which is
a programmatic increase of $5,000,000 above the enacted level
and $653,000 below the budget request. Funds are increased to
address the backlog of management plans. The Committee directs
the Forest Service to provide a report to the Committees on
Appropriations, not later than March 1, 2020 on actions taken
to improve the timely completion of forest management plans.
Recreation, Heritage and Wilderness.--The Committee
recommends $194,468,000 for Recreation, Heritage and
Wilderness, which is a programmatic increase of $15,000,000
above the enacted level and $13,898,000 above the budget
request. Funding is increased to improve the recreational
experience on National Forest System lands. Within the funds
provided for Recreation, $750,000 is provided for maintenance
of rural airstrips.
Feral Hogs.--The Committee recognizes the damage and danger
caused by feral hogs in the Mark Twain National Forest and
encourages the Forest Service to continue to work with
stakeholders to utilize all practical methods for eradication.
Off-Highway Vehicle Report.--The Committee looks forward to
receiving the report on off-highway vehicle (OHV) mixed-use
analysis that was directed in House Report 115-238. The
Committee reminds the Forest Service of the importance of
making the national forests as accessible as possible to the
American people and requests that the Forest Service work with
States, local officials, communities, and partners as it
implements the travel analysis process.
Costs of OHV access.--The Forest Service is directed to
brief the Committee on the OHV mixed-use analysis report within
60 days of report completion. The Forest Service is further
directed to include in this briefing a discussion of the costs
associated with OHV access and expansion.
Wilderness Area Management.--The Forest Service Handbooks
and Manual are the principle sources of specialized guidance
and instruction for ensuring the protection of Wilderness
Areas. The Committee expects Forest Service personnel to adhere
to such direction in making determinations with respect to
inconsistent uses.
Grazing Management.--The Committee recommends $40,750,000
for Grazing Management, which is a programmatic decrease of
$144,000 below the enacted level and $1,650,000 below 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 encourages the Forest Service to
improve the transparency and reporting of how monitoring
resources are used on the ground.
Hazardous Fuels.--The Committee recommends $390,169,000 for
hazardous fuels, which is a programmatic increase of
$26,802,000 above the enacted level and $8,908,000 above the
budget request.
The Committee directs the Forest Service to engage with
stakeholders and use the best science available on historical
fire data, landscape characteristics, and forest composition;
the effects of past and current human influences, such as
development and land-use patterns; and climatic conditions to
identify ecologically-based forest health projects that reduce
risks of catastrophic wildland fires. The Committee expects the
Forest Service to engage with the highest priority areas for
hazardous fuel reduction and forest health and management
treatments.
Wood Innovation Grant Program.--The Committee directs the
Forest Service to support the Wood Innovation Grant Program at
not less than the fiscal year 2019 enacted level. The program
works to expand wood products and wood energy markets that
support forest management and deliver economic and
environmental benefits to communities.
Lake Tahoe Basin.--The Committee is encouraged by the
hazardous fuels work conducted by the Lake Tahoe Basin
Management Unit and directs the Forest Service to support the
implementation of P.L. 106-506 at not less than fiscal year
2019 enacted levels.
Southwest Ecological Restoration Institutes.--The Committee
directs the Forest Service to continue support to the Southwest
Ecological Restoration Institutes at not less than the fiscal
year 2019 enacted level.
Forest Products.--The Committee recommends $276,603,000 for
Forest Products, which is a programmatic increase of $7,000,000
above the enacted level and $3,976,000 below the budget
request. The increase is provided to mitigate the risk of
wildland fire through the expeditious extraction of damaged but
marketable wood.
Vegetation and Watershed Management.--The Committee
recommends $165,593,000 for Vegetation and Watershed
Management, which is a programmatic increase of $25,000,000
above the enacted level and $23,408,000 above the budget
request. Additional funding is provided to implement treatments
to increase the percentage of watersheds in properly
functioning condition and capable of providing clean water.
Lake Tahoe Basin.--The EPA has identified Lake Tahoe as a
priority watershed. The Committee urges the Forest Service to
support the implementation of P.L. 106-506.
Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat Management.--The Committee
recommends $121,153,000 for Wildlife and Fisheries Habitat
Management, which is a programmatic increase of $18,000,000
above the enacted level and $17,503,000 above the budget
request.
Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Fund.--The
Committee rejects the budget request proposal to eliminate this
program and instead provides $35,526,000 for the Collaborative
Forest Landscape Restoration Fund, which is a programmatic
increase of $5,000,000 above the enacted level. The Committee
recognizes the success of forest collaboratives. Funding is
increased to expand this program to additional projects.
The Committee recognizes the need to ensure forest
resiliency and support multiple uses on national forest lands.
The Committee urges the Forest Service to incorporate a variety
of landscapes, including wet forests, as it develops future
projects for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration
Program.
Minerals and Geology Management.--The Committee recommends
$57,946,000 for Minerals and Geology Management, which is
programmatically equal to the enacted level and $889,000 below
the budget request.
Landownership Management.--The Committee recommends
$56,051,000 for Landownership Management, which is
programmatically equal to the enacted level and $1,766,000
below the budget request.
Law Enforcement Operations.--The Committee recommends
$113,946,000 for Law Enforcement Operations, which is
programmatically equal to the enacted level and $1,158,000
above the budget request.
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 416, allowing the Forest Service to
renew grazing permits; Section 418, extending the Forest
Service Facility Realignment Enhancement Act for one year;
Section 422, extending the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement
Act for one year; and Section 423 providing procedures for
reprogrammings and the disclosure of administrative expenses
and operating plans.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $446,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 434,000,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 419,103,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. -26,897,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... -14,897,000

The Committee recommends $419,103,000 for Capital
Improvement and Maintenance. The table below summarizes the
cost pool adjustments. After the elimination of cost pools, the
recommendation is a programmatic increase of $51,944,000 over
the enacted level and $4,896,000 above the budget request.

Facilities Maintenance and Construction.--The Committee
recommends $148,841,000 for Facilities Maintenance and
Construction, which is a programmatic increase of $16,000,000
above the enacted level. Within this amount, the Forest Service
is directed to spend $6,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2019
enacted level for Air Tanker Base repairs.
Smokejumper Base.--The Committee is aware the North
Cascades Smokejumper Base in Winthrop, Washington, is in need
of facility upgrades, improvements, and renovations to meet
Federal Aviation Administration compliance standards and
requirements, and understands the Forest Service has completed
a Preliminary Project Analysis that recommends maintaining the
base. The Committee urges the Forest Service to devote the
necessary resources to ensure the base can maintain operational
excellence.
Southern California Fire Cache.--The Forest Service is
strongly encouraged to expeditiously determine a new location
for the Southern California Fire Cache and to consider a
transfer of any excess land near the March Air Reserve Base in
Riverside County, California.
Road Maintenance and Construction.--The Committee
recommends $205,000,000 for Road Maintenance and Construction,
which is a programmatic increase of $27,944,000 above the
enacted level and $1,939,000 above the budget request. The
Committee directs the Forest Service to use the increase to
improve public safety, watersheds, aquatic habitats, and
recreational access.
Uwharrie National Forest.--The Committee directs the Forest
Service to consider upgrading residential access roads within
the Uwharrie National Forest, working with the State and
surrounding communities to identify priority projects, and to
report back to the Committee within 120 days of the enactment
of this Act.
Trail Maintenance and Construction.--The Committee
recommends $65,262,000 for Trail Maintenance and Construction,
which is a programmatic increase of $8,000,000 above the
enacted level and $2,783,000 above the budget request.
National Scenic and Historic Trails.--The Committee directs
the Forest Service to continue to provide specific trail
operation, maintenance, and construction funding and
accomplishment data for the national scenic and historic trails
in future budget justifications. The Committee notes that the
fiscal year 2020 justification does not propose acquisition
funding and directs the Forest Service to provide the
Committees an updated estimate of trails and land acquisition
not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act.
Legacy Roads and Trail Remediation.--The Committee
continues to recognize the need to remediate legacy roads and
trails and directs the Forest 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.

LAND ACQUISITION

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $72,564,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... 90,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +17,436,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +90,000,000

The Committee recommends $90,000,000 for the Land
Acquisition appropriation. This amount is a programmatic
increase of $19,331,000 above the enacted level and $90,000,000
above the budget request. Details of the recommendation are
contained below and in the table at the back of this report.
Because the Service has not made detailed, individual
project information available in a timely manner, the Committee
notes that the following list is preliminary in nature and may
be revised later in the fiscal year 2020 budget process as
additional information becomes available. The projects listed
are in priority order, as determined by the Service.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Project Forest Unit This Bill
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MT Clearwater Blackfoot.. Lolo................. $8,000,000
ID Teton Timbers......... Caribou-Targhee...... 2,750,000
MT Lolo Trails Landmark.. Lolo................. 4,400,000
OR Wasson Creek.......... Siuslaw.............. 4,268,000
MN School Trust.......... Superior............. 4,500,000
CA Sanhedrin............. Mendocino............ 6,400,000
SC Promise of the Francis Marion & 1,600,000
Piedmont. Sumter.
CA Wild & Scenic Kern Sequoia.............. 1,505,000
River Acess.
MI West Branch of the Ottawa............... 2,000,000
Ontonagon.
TN Tennessee Mountain Cherokee............. 4,000,000
Trails & Waters.
NC North Carolina's Nantahala/Pisgah/ 4,500,000
Threatened Treasures. Uwharrie.
ID SF Wilderness Ranch... Payette.............. 1,500,000
NM Mimbres River Parcels. Gila................. 2,906,000
WV Hooke Brothers........ Monongahela.......... 750,000
KY Daniel Boone NF....... Daniel Boone......... 350,000
VT Green Mountain NF Green Mountain....... 600,000
(inholdings).
VA/WV George Washington and George Washington and 920,000
Jefferson NF. Jefferson.
AL Alabama's Wild Wonders Bankhead/Talladega/ 500,000
Conecuh.
OR Three Rivers.......... Siuslaw.............. 720,000
AK Kadashan.............. Tongass.............. 500,000
GA Chattahoochee-Oconee Chattahoochee-Oconee. 620,000
NF.
WA Washington Cascades... Okanogan-Wenatchee... 1,800,000
VT Lincoln Park.......... Green Mountain....... 350,000
CA Trinity Alps Shasta-Trinity....... 1,200,000
Wilderness
(inholdings).
MT Falls Creek Access.... Lewis & Clark........ 1,000,000
Additional projects to ..................... 14,111,000
be supplied.
------------
Subtotal, FS Land ..................... 71,750,000
Acquisitions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, 2019........................... $700,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... 700,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. 0
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +700,000

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

ACQUISITION OF LANDS TO COMPLETE LAND EXCHANGES

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $150,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... 150,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. 0
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +150,000

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 enacted level and $150,000 more
than the budget request.

RANGE BETTERMENT FUND

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $1,700,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... 2,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +300,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +2,000,000

The Committee recommends $2,000,000 for the Range
Betterment Fund, $300,000 more than the enacted level and
$2,000,000 above 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, 2019........................... $45,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... 45,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. 0
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +45,000

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

MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL FOREST LANDS FOR SUBSISTENCE USES

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $2,500,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 1,832,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 2,500,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. 0
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +668,000

The Committee recommends $2,500,000 for the Management of
National Forest Lands for Subsistence Uses in Alaska, equal to
the enacted level and $668,000 above the request.

Wildland Fire

WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $3,004,986,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 2,350,620,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 2,009,545,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. -995,441,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... -341,075,000

The Committee recommends $2,009,545,000 for Wildland Fire
Management. The table below summarizes the cost pool
adjustments and includes funds provided as fire cap adjustment
funds. After the elimination of cost pools and the inclusion of
above cap fire suppression funding, the recommendation is a
programmatic increase of $1,295,634,000 over the enacted level
and $16,619,000 above the budget request.

[In thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY19 FY20
FY19 Cost Pool adjusted FY20 PB Cost Pool adjusted Rec
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire Preparedness........... $1,339,620 $(341,075) $998,545 $1,339,620 $(261,324) $1,078,296 $998,545
Fire Suppression............ 1,165,366 0 1,165,366 1,011,000 (96,370) 914,630 1,011,000
Additional Suppression...... 500,000 0 500,000 0 0 0 0
Fire Cap Adjustment......... .......... .......... .......... 1,950,000 0 1,950,000 1,950,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 3,004,986 (341,075) 2,663,911 4,300,620 (357,694) 3,942,926 3,959,545
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wildland Fire Preparedness.--The Committee recommends
$998,545,000 for Wildland Fire Preparedness, which is
programmatically equal to the enacted level and $79,751,000
below the budget request.
Wildland Fire Suppression Operations.--The Committee
recommends $1,011,000,000 for Wildland Fire Suppression
Operations, which is a programmatic decrease of $154,366,000
below the enacted level and $96,370,000 above the budget
request. The recommended amount is the fiscal year 2015 10-year
average cost for wildland fire suppression which is required
for the Committee to provide an additional $1,950,000,000 in
fire cap funding.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS, FOREST SERVICE

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

The Committee has included administrative provisions that
provide further direction on the use and transfer of
appropriated funds provided to the Forest Service.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service

The provision of Federal health services to Indians is
based on a treaty and trust 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 25 hospitals, 50 health centers, two school
health centers, and 26 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, 2019........................... $4,103,190,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 4,286,541,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 4,556,870,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +453,680,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +270,329,000

The Committee recommends $4,556,870,000 for Indian health
services, $453,680,000 above the enacted level and $270,329,000
above the request. All proposed cuts and program eliminations
are restored and IHS is expected to continue all programs at
fiscal year 2019 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.
Advance Appropriations.--In 2018, the Government Accounting
Office (GAO) identified considerations for Congress when
considering whether to advance appropriate funds to IHS,
including whether IHS has the processes in place to develop and
manage an advance appropriation. The Committee directs IHS to
examine its existing processes and determine what changes are
needed to develop and manage an advance appropriation and
report to the Committee within 180 days of enactment of this
Act on the processes needed and whether additional
Congressional authority is required in order to develop the
processes.
Current Services.--The recommendation includes an increase
of $81,333,000 for fixed cost increases, $20,830,000 above the
budget request. The Committee directs IHS to submit the full
estimated costs for current services based on the prior enacted
level to the Committee each year at the same time IHS submits
its annual budget justification.
Staffing for New Facilities.--The recommendation includes a
total of $90,400,000 for staffing newly opened health
facilities, as requested. This amount represents the full
amount required 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 2019 or will open in
fiscal year 2020. None of these funds may be allocated to a
facility until such facility has achieved beneficial occupancy
status.
Hospitals and Health Clinics.--The recommendation includes
$2,420,578,000 for Hospitals and Health Clinics, $273,235,000
above the enacted level and an increase of $57,300,000 above
the budget request. Within this amount, the recommendation
includes: $11,463,000 for new Tribes, as requested, and an
increase of $9,494,000 above the enacted level; $2,000,000 for
Quality and Oversight, as requested; $20,000,000 for the
Community Health Aide Program (CHAP), as requested; $71,762,000
for Staffing for New Facilities, as requested; and $56,497,000
for current services. No funding has been provided through
Hospitals and Health Clinics to recruit and retain health
professionals as requested since an increase of $8,000,000 has
been included in the Indian Health Professionals program.
Domestic Violence Prevention Program.--The recommendation
includes $12,967,000, as requested, for Domestic Violence
Prevention, $4,000,000 above the enacted level.
Tribal Epidemiology Centers.--The recommendation includes
$6,433,000 for Tribal Epidemiology Centers, $2,000,000 above
the enacted level and the budget request, in order to further
data collection, evaluation and research to improve the health
of Native Americans.
105(l) Leases.--The recommendation includes $53,000,000 for
section 105(l) lease costs, $17,000,000 above the enacted level
and $42,000,000 above the budget request. These funds are to
supplement existing funds available for operational costs at
Village Built Clinics and tribal clinics operated under an
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act compact
or contract where health care is delivered in space acquired
through a full-service lease. The Committee directs IHS to
consider whether costs associated with these leases should be a
separate line item in the budget and funded in the same manner
as contract support costs and report its determination to the
Committee within 90 days of enactment of this Act.
Additionally, the Committee directs IHS to submit the estimated
amounts for the current fiscal year and the next fiscal year
estimate at the same time the budget request is submitted.
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 while under operation by the IHS. 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. Until all facilities have obtained CMS
certification, the Committee rejects the proposal to allow
these funds to be used for other purposes.
The Committee is concerned about financial losses from loss
of CMS accreditation or of the requirement to divert patients
at Service-operated facilities. The Committee considers the
loss or imminent loss of accreditation to be an emergency.
Funds allocated to a facility may 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) and shall be used by such Tribes to cover the
following: replacement of third-party revenues lost as a result
of decertification, replacement of third-party carryover funds
expended to respond to decertification, and reasonable costs of
achieving recertification, including recruitment costs
necessary to stabilize staffing.
Additionally, the Committee urges IHS to develop new
strategies to improve how IHS programs, including those
operated by Tribes under the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act of 1975 (P.L. 93-638), can be
supported to avoid these challenges and to refocus on both the
quality of health care delivery and the improvement in health
outcomes for, and health status of, Indian health program
beneficiaries. This requires full Tribal consultation and the
participation of the Department of Health and Human Services,
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services, and State Medicaid and S-CHIP
programs.
Hepatitis C & HIV/AIDS initiative.--The recommendation
includes $25,000,000, as requested, for the Administration's
new Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America and Eliminating
Hepatitis C in Indian Country initiative. The Committee
encourages IHS to confer with Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs)
to determine how UIOs may participate in this Initiative.
Electronic Health Records.--The recommendation includes
$25,000,000, as requested, to improve the current IT
infrastructure system in order to support the deployment of a
new or modernized Electronic Health Records solution. The bill
includes language prohibiting IHS from obligating or expending
funds to select or implement a new IT infrastructure system
unless IHS notifies the Committee at least 90 days before such
funds are obligated or expended. The Committee expects IHS to
include in the notification: (1) the criteria being used to
select a new IT infrastructure system; (2) whether and how the
new system will be interoperable with the Department of
Veterans Affairs' (VA) new electronic health record system; and
(3) the total projected cost for the modernization and the
number of years required to implement the new system.
Additionally, the Committee urges IHS to review the VA's
new electronic health record system and determine whether that
system, in whole or in part, may be feasible for IHS and
tribally operated facilities. IHS should also compare the cost
of adopting the VA system, in whole or in part, to an entirely
new system and report to the Committee within 90 days of
enactment of this Act on any additional costs required to
modify the VA system to IHS and tribal needs, as well as any
cost savings that may occur by adopting the new VA system, in
whole or in part. Finally, the Committee encourages IHS to work
with other Federal agencies to find funding to upgrade network
bandwidth at hospitals, health centers, and health stations.
Memorandum of Understanding.--The Committee is aware of the
recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the VA and IHS. The
Committee urges IHS to ensure performance measures related to
the MOU are consistent with the key attributes of successful
performance measures, including having measurable targets, as
recommended by GAO.
Dental Health.--The recommendation includes $227,562,000
for Dental Health, $22,890,000 above the enacted level and
$15,193,000 above the budget request. Of the increase,
$5,572,000 is for current services and $4,841,000 is for
Staffing for New Facilities, as requested.
Dental Support Centers.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of Dental Support Centers (DSCs) in providing
technical support, training, and assistance in clinical and
preventive efforts of the dental program. Many IHS dentists
practice in isolated areas without immediate access to
specialty services. DSCs are there to provide them with the
necessary expertise and experience they need to address
challenging oral health demands. Since being established in
1999, IHS has only been able to fund DSCs in 8 of the 12
service areas. Their funding has been frozen at $250,000
throughout that time. Within the amounts provided, the
Committee includes $2,500,000 above the enacted level to enable
the Service to reach all 12 areas at an adequate funding level
of $375,000, with the flexibility to regionalize the DSC
operations as needed to provide their services efficiently.
Electronic Dental Records.--The Committee applauds the
Service for successfully installing an electronic dental record
(EDR) system. The Committee understands that 240 dental centers
have been brought into the system. With sufficient continued
funding for maintenance and computer enhancements, the EDR
could allow dentists and pharmacists to communicate directly
about opioid prescriptions for oral pain. This will be a vital
addition for addressing the opioid crisis in Indian Country.
Within the amounts requested, the Committee includes $2,500,000
to enable the Service to complete the implementation process
for 10 dental centers and manage the current electronic dental
record system. The Committee also understands that the Service
is currently evaluating the electronic health records system to
examine the needs of the program. The Committee directs the
Service to include EDR in its assessment and incorporate EDR in
overall efforts to enhance the electronic health records
system.
Mental Health.--The recommendation includes $125,332,000
for mental health, $20,051,000 above the enacted level and
$15,507,000 above the budget request. The Committee includes
$2,708,000 for current services and $2,754,000 for Staffing for
New Facilities, as requested. The Committee urges IHS to
coordinate with the Bureau of Indian Affairs on how to help
address the high recidivism rate in Indian Country detention/
correction facilities.
Alcohol and Substance Abuse.--The recommendation includes
$280,051,000 for Alcohol and Substance Abuse, $34,485,000 above
the enacted level and $34,017,000 above the budget request.
Within the amounts provided, $7,800,000 is for current services
and $7,612,000 is for Staffing for New Facilities, as
requested. The proposed transfer of the former National
Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Programs funding of
$1,369,000 from Alcohol and Substance abuse to Urban Indian
Health programs is accepted and has been reflected in the
amount provided.
Purchased/Referred Care.--The recommendation includes
$969,479,000 for Purchased/Referred Care, $4,660,000 above the
enacted level and $1,302,000 above the budget request. Within
the increase of $4,660,000, up to $1,660,000 is to be
distributed for medical inflation and $3,000,000 is to be
distributed using the program formula. The Committee recommends
$53,000,000 for the Indian Catastrophic Health Fund, equal to
the enacted level.
Indian Health Care Improvement Fund.--The recommendation
includes $72,280,000 for the Indian Health Care Improvement
Fund in order to continue to reduce health care disparities
across the IHS system.
Public Health Nursing.--The recommendation includes
$95,307,000, for Public Health Nursing, $6,148,000 above the
enacted level and $3,223,000 above the budget request. Within
the amounts provided, the Committee includes $1,534,000 for
current services, $3,431,000 for Staffing for New Facilities,
as requested, and $1,183,000 for direct patient care services/
program adjustments, as requested.
Health Education.--The Committee rejects the proposed
elimination of funding for Health Education and instead, the
recommendation includes $20,669,000 for Health Education,
$101,000 above the enacted level and $20,669,000 above the
budget request. The recommendation includes $101,000 for
current services.
Community Health Representatives.--The Committee rejects
the proposed cut to the Community Health Representatives
program and instead, the recommendation includes $62,913,000
for Community Health Representatives, $25,000 above the enacted
level and $38,913,000 above the budget request. The
recommendation includes $25,000 for current services.
Immunization (Alaska).--The recommendation includes
$2,173,000 for Immunization (Alaska), $46,000 above the enacted
level and equal to the budget request. The Committee includes
$39,000 for current services, as requested, and $7,000 for
program adjustments, as requested.
Urban Indian Health.--The recommendation includes
$81,000,000 for Urban Indian Health, $29,685,000 above the
enacted level and $32,229,000 above the budget request. Within
this amount, the Committee provides $1,429,000 for current
services and $26,887,000 for direct patient care services/
program adjustments. The recommendation also reflects the
proposed transfer of $1,369,000 from the former National
Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Programs funding from
the Alcohol and Substance Abuse account to this account. The
Service is expected to continue including current services
estimates for Urban Indian Health in annual budget requests.
The Committee recognizes nonprofit organizations such as
the Siouxland Human Investment Partnership that help American
Indians in urban areas outside of the Urban Indian Health
Program, and encourages the Service to offer technical
assistance to such organizations whenever possible and within
Service authority.
Indian Health Professions.--The Committee rejects the
proposed program decrease and instead, the recommendation
includes $90,656,000 for Indian Health Professions, $33,293,000
above the enacted level and $47,044,000 above the budget
request. Within the amounts provided, the Committee recommends
$1,293,000 for current services. The bill language provides
$50,000,000 for the loan repayment program.
Tribal Management Grant Program.--The Committee rejects the
proposed elimination of the Tribal Management Grant Program and
instead, the recommendation includes $2,521,000 for the
program, $56,000 above the enacted level. Within the amounts
provided, the Committee recommends $56,000 for current
services.
Direct Operations.--The recommendation includes $75,385,000
for Direct Operations, $3,847,000 above the enacted level and
$1,254,000 above the budget request. Within the amounts
provided, the Committee includes $2,461,000 for current
services and $1,386,000 for program adjustments, as requested.
Self-Governance.--The Committee rejects the proposed
reduction to Self-Governance and instead, the recommendation
includes $5,964,000 for Self-Governance, $158,000 above the
enacted level and $1,157,000 above the budget request. Within
the amounts provided, the Committee recommends $158,000 for
current services.
Indian Health Care Improvement Act.--It has been over nine
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 requests that the Service provide, no later than 90
days after enactment, a detailed plan with specific dollars
identified to fully fund and implement the IHCIA.
Maternal and Child Health.--The Committee encourages IHS to
establish a pilot program to determine the most effective ways
to: (1) educate IHS health care providers on how to evaluate
risk factors that could interfere with successfully meeting
breastfeeding goals; (2) provide necessary support to AI/AN
mothers to prevent or address delayed initiation of milk
production during the critical period immediately following
birth; and (3) provide support to AI/AN mothers to help them
understand the benefits of long-term breastfeeding and improve
clinically recommended rates, particularly when they return to
work. The Committee also directs IHS, where possible and within
scope of agency authority, to encourage breastfeeding support
recommendations within the workplace which encourage job
retention.

CONTRACT SUPPORT COSTS

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $822,227,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 820,000,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 820,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. -2,227,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... 0

The Committee recommends an indefinite appropriation
estimated to be $820,000,000 for contract support costs
incurred by the agency as required by law. The bill includes
language making 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, 2019........................... $878,806,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 803,026,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 964,121,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +85,315,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +161,095,000

The Committee recommends $964,121,000 for Indian Health
Facilities, $85,315,000 above the enacted level and
$161,095,000 above the budget request. All proposed cuts are
rejected and IHS is expected to continue all programs at fiscal
year 2019 enacted levels, except as otherwise discussed below
and summarized in the table at the end of this report.
Current Services.--The recommendation includes an overall
total of $11,858,000 for fixed cost increases, $3,515,000 above
the budget request.
Staffing for New Facilities.--The recommendation includes
$7,073,000 for staffing newly opened health facilities, as
requested. Funding for Staffing for New Facilities represents
the full amount required 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 2019 or will open in
fiscal year 2020. None of these funds may be allocated to a
facility until such facility has achieved beneficial occupancy
status.
Maintenance and Improvement.--The recommendation includes
$174,336,000 for Maintenance and Improvement, $6,809,000 above
the enacted level and $5,768,000 above the budget request. The
Committee includes $1,425,000 for current services.
Sanitation Facilities Construction.--The recommendation
includes $193,577,000 for Sanitation Facilities Construction,
which is $1,544,000 above the enacted level and $325,000 above
the budget request. Within the amounts provided, the Committee
includes $1,544,000 for current services.
Health Care Facilities Construction.--The recommendation
includes $304,290,000 for Health Care Facilities Construction,
$60,810,000 above the enacted level and $138,480,000 above the
budget request. The Committee includes $810,000 for current
services, $20,000,000 for staff quarters, $20,000,000 for small
health clinics, $10,000,000 for general health care facilities
construction, and $10,000,000 to incorporate green
infrastructure.
Green Infrastructure.--The Committee includes $10,000,000
to incorporate planning, design, and operations of buildings to
reduce costs, minimize environmental impacts, use renewable
energy and incorporate green infrastructure and the most
current energy efficiency codes and standards to the maximum
extent practicable. The Committee directs IHS to submit a
report to the Committee within 90 days of enactment of this Act
explaining how it proposes to use the funds provided for green
infrastructure and renewable energy.
Facilities and Environmental Health Support.--The
recommendation includes $266,831,000 for Facilities and
Environmental Health Support, $14,771,000 above the enacted
level and $15,418,000 above the budget request. The Committee
recommends $7,698,000 for current services and $7,073,000 for
Staffing for New Facilities, as requested.
Equipment.--The recommendation includes $25,087,000 for
Equipment, $1,381,000 above the enacted level and $1,104,000
above the budget request. Of the increase, $381,000 is for
current services, $1,000,000 is for the maintenance, upgrade,
replacement and purchase of new medical equipment. The bill
continues language allowing up to $500,000 to be used to
purchase TRANSAM equipment from the Department of Defense.
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.
Joint Venture Construction Program.--The Committee urges
the Service to consult with Tribes to determine and establish
open competitions on a regular cycle of between three and five
years. Consistent with existing IHS policy, non-selected
applications in any cycle should not be grandfathered in a
queue but instead should be eligible to reapply in the next
cycle. Special consideration should be given to applications
from within States with few or no existing IHS or Tribal
facilities.''

National Institutes of Health

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
(NIEHS), 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, 2019........................... $79,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 66,581,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 80,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +1,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +13,419,000

The Committee recommends $80,000,000 for the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, $1,000,000 above
the enacted level and $13,419,000 above the request. NIEHS is
encouraged to allocate these additional resources to its Worker
Training Program in a manner that best supports communities'
capacity to respond to and recover from natural disasters.
PFAS Research.--The Committee remains concerned about the
significant knowledge gaps needed to respond to this class of
emerging contaminants. The Committee encourages continued
funding for research with academic institutions that will help
identify and quantify exposure risks and pathways; develop and
utilize environmental forensic techniques; and create
predictive computer model simulations and pilot-scale field
projects to expedite future remediation efforts.

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, 2019........................... $74,691,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 62,000,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 79,691,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +5,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +17,691,000

The Committee recommends $79,691,000 for the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, $5,000,000 above the
fiscal year 2019 enacted level and $17,691,000 above the budget
request.
The Committee supports the Agency's ongoing work assessing
health threats from environmental hazards, including emerging
contaminants such as PFAS chemicals. The Committee directs the
Agency to increase its statistical and data analytical capacity
to support the Agency's health mission. Additionally, the
Committee urges the Agency to undertake additional health
studies on PFAS chemicals, including studies evaluating cancer
risks and reproductive effects associated with exposure to PFAS
chemicals.

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. CEQ has statutory responsibility for overseeing Federal
agency implementation of the requirements of NEPA, also assists
in coordinating environmental programs among the Federal
agencies in the Executive Branch.

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $2,994,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 2,750,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 2,994,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. 0
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +244,000

The Committee recommends $2,994,000 for the Council on
Environmental Quality and Office of Environmental Quality,
equal to the enacted level and $244,000 above the request.
The Committee recognizes that 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, the Department of the
Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and other agencies
as appropriate, to support ongoing efforts to determine the
potential environmental impacts of military aviation noise on
national parks. In instances where it is determined that there
are negative impacts due to aviation noise, the Committee
encourages CEQ to coordinate with other agencies on implement
strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of aviation noise,
including, where practicable, reducing the levels of noise.

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. CSB does not issue fines or citations,
but does make recommendations.

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $12,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 10,200,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 12,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. 0
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +1,800,000

The Committee recommends $12,000,000 for the Salaries and
Expenses appropriation, equal to the enacted level and
$1,800,000 above the budget request. Changes to the request
include an increase of $1,800,000 to restore proposed
programmatic reductions.

Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation (ONHIR) 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, 2019........................... $8,750,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 7,500,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 7,500,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. -1,250,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... 0

The Committee recommends $7,500,000 for ONHIR to complete
its mission and bring about the closure of ONHIR in accordance
with its authorizing statutes. Of the amounts provided,
$3,450,000 is for Operation of the Office, $1,000,000 is for
Relocation Operations, and $3,050,000 are Discretionary Funds
to assist with housing infrastructure and close-out of ONHIR,
as requested. ONHIR is directed to continue to work closely
with the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, the Department of the
Interior, the Assistant Secretary--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, 2019........................... $9,960,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 10,210,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 10,850,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +890,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +640,000

The Committee recommends $10,850,000 for the Institute of
American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development,
$890,000 above the enacted level and $640,000 above the budget
request. Within the amounts provided, $974,000 is for Finance
and Administration to cover fixed cost increases, an increase
of $84,000 above the enacted level and $59,000 above the budget
request, and $3,472,000 is for Academic Division and Library,
an increase of $806,000 above the enacted level and $581,000
above the budget request. Within the amounts provided for the
Academic Division and Library, the Committee includes $225,000,
as requested, for the Summer Bridge program.

Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum
and research complex, with 19 museums and galleries, nine
research centers, 21 libraries, the National Zoological Park,
and 214 Affiliates in 45 states, Puerto Rico, and Panama.
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 173 years in the
``increase and diffusion of knowledge.'' Last year, the
Smithsonian attracted almost 29 million visits to its museums,
galleries, and zoological park and another 4.5 million people
visited Smithsonian traveling exhibitions. As custodian of the
National Collections, the Smithsonian is responsible for more
than 155 million objects, including scientific specimens, works
of art, library volumes, archival materials, musical
instruments, and live animals. 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, 2019........................... $739,994,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 759,345,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 852,345,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +112,351,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +93,000,000

The Committee recommends $852,345,000 for Salaries and
Expenses of the Smithsonian Institution, $112,351,000 above the
enacted level and $93,000,000 above the budget request. The
recommendation includes the proposed budget increases, fixed
costs, and the fiscal year 2020 pay increase. Additional
information is provided in the detail table at the end of the
report.
The Committee does not include bill language proposed in
the budget request to allow the Smithsonian Institution to
expend Federal funds appropriated for lease or rent payments as
payments to the Smithsonian Institution general trust funds
(non-federal funding account) that can be used for expenses
associated with the purchase of a building by the non-federal
Smithsonian Institution Trust. The Committee is deeply
concerned that the Smithsonian issued a Request for Proposal
for a consolidated administrative headquarters facility in
August 2018 without first speaking to Congress. An undertaking
of this magnitude should be done transparently and include
discussions of the business case for consolidation and building
acquisition with appropriators and authorizers before the
initiation of any actions.
Additional Guidance.--The following additional direction
and guidance is provided with respect to funding provided
within this account:
National Museum of African American History and Culture.--
The Committee maintains its longstanding support of the
National Museum of African American History and Culture, and
has provided funds, as requested.
Latino Programs, Exhibitions, Collections and Public
Outreach.--The Committee encourages the Smithsonian to continue
to explore the creation of an American Latino Museum, and in
the meantime supports the Smithsonian Latino Center and its
goal of promoting the inclusion of Latino contributions in
Smithsonian Institution programs, exhibitions, collections, and
public outreach. In accordance with the recommendations
provided to Congress and the President of the United States in
the May 2011 report by the National Museum of the American
Latino Commission (created by P.L. 110-229), the Committee
urges collaboration among interested parties to advance these
goals more fully by utilizing existing Smithsonian Institution
locations on the National Mall for the long-term expansion of
the Smithsonian Latino Center's programming, exhibition and
collection space. The recommendation includes a total of
$5,000,000 for the Latino Center to continue expanding exhibit
activities and cultivate new Latino curators in anticipation of
the gallery's opening. To this end, the Committee encourages
collaboration among interested parties including Hispanic
Serving Institutions. The Committee requests an update on the
opening of the Molina Family Latino Gallery and related
exhibits and collections within 60 days of enactment of this
Act.
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.
American Women's Initiatives and Outreach.--The Committee
provides funds as requested for the Smithsonian's American
Women's Initiative and continues to support the development and
expansion of this multi-year, pan-institutional celebration of
the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in America.
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 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 can learn
and experience the magnificent history which millions find
every year exhibited in Washington, D.C. The Committee also
supports discussions with outside partners about utilizing
technology to make the Smithsonian's artifacts and collections
more accessible for teachers and students, so these resources
can enhance school curriculums.
Facilities Maintenance.--The Smithsonian-wide facility
replacement value is currently $8.45 billion. The National
Research Council recommends an annual maintenance budget in the
range of two to four percent of a physical plant's current
replacement value to avoid adding a deferred maintenance
backlog. Therefore, the recommendation provides a program
increase of $75,000,000 to the budget request for a total of
$161,258,000. At this funding level, the Smithsonian will be
able to fulfill its mission, sustain facility capital and
maintenance investment and security needs, and reduce the
deferred maintenance backlog.
STEAM engagement and diversity.--The Committee commends the
Smithsonian's efforts to provide authentic and inspiring STEAM
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 notes the achievement gap persists for
many low-income students and students of color and encourages
the Smithsonian to ensure priorities are given to disadvantaged
and dual language students. Supporting STEAM initiatives is
crucial in preparing young Americans, especially those from
low-income disadvantaged backgrounds, for the 21st century
economy and beyond. The Committee encourages the Smithsonian to
continue its involvement and leadership in the Federal CoSTEAM
initiative which coordinates the efforts of STEAM engagement
across mission agencies, and other non-profit collaborators.
The Committee supports the Smithsonian's goal to transport our
nation's aeronautical and space treasures and stories through
digital technology, and cultivate the next generation of
science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics and history
learners by sharing high quality education content aligned with
national education priorities.

FACILITIES CAPITAL

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $303,503,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 219,000,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 219,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. -84,503,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... 0

The Committee recommends $219,000,000 for the Facilities
Capital account, $84,503,000 below the enacted level, and equal
to the budget request. The recommendation includes funding, as
requested, for the continued renovation of the National Air and
Space Museum as well as revitalization efforts at the Udvar-
Hazy Center, the National Zoological Park, and other priority
areas including the Smithsonian Castle and Smithsonian Tropical
Research Institute in Panama. Planning and design funding of
$29,600,000, including $16,000,000 for the Smithsonian Castle
and Arts and Industries Buildings, is provided as requested.
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 facade and internal building
systems, and accepts the budget request. With this
recommendation the Committee has provided 86 percent of the
total funding needed and the amount that can be utilized in
fiscal year 2020.
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 Act, 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, 2019........................... $144,202,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 139,000,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 147,022,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +2,820,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +8,022,000

The Committee recommends $147,022,000 for Salaries and
Expenses of the National Gallery of Art, an increase of
$2,820,000 above the enacted level and $8,022,000 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, 2019........................... $24,203,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 15,114,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 34,603,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +10,400,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +19,489,000

The Committee recommends $34,603,000 for Repair,
Restoration and Renovation of buildings at the National Gallery
of Art, $10,400,000 above the enacted level and $19,489,000
above the budget request. Additional funds have been included
to address urgent repairs and renovations as identified in the
Master Facilities Plan. The recommendation also includes bill
language and $1,000,000 for design of an off-site art storage
facility in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution.
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, 2019........................... $24,490,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 25,690,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 25,690,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +1,200,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... 0

The Committee recommends $25,690,000 for Operations and
Maintenance, $1,200,000 above the enacted level and equal to
the budget request.

CAPITAL REPAIR AND RESTORATION

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $16,800,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 14,000,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 17,800,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +1,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +3,800,000

The Committee recommends $17,800,000 for Capital Repair and
Restoration, $1,000,000 above the enacted level and $3,800,000
above the budget request.

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

The Woodrow Wilson Memorial Act of 1968, P.L. 90-637,
established the Woodrow Wilson International Center for
Scholars to symbolize and strengthen the fruitful relation
between learning and public affairs. This institution serves
the public through non-partisan, policy-relevant research and
dialogue, to increase understanding and enhance the
capabilities and knowledge of leaders, citizens, and
institutions worldwide. The Center hosts 150 world-class
scholars per year to do their own advanced study, research and
writing which facilitates debate and discussions on relevant,
major long-term issues facing this Nation and the world.

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $12,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 8,139,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 14,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +2,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +5,861,000

The Committee recommends $14,000,000 for Salaries and
Expenses of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for
Scholars, an increase of $2,000,000 above the enacted level and
$5,861,000 above the budget request. The Committee does not
support the budget request to eliminate annual direct federal
appropriations and instead provides additional funding to cover
fixed costs, staffing vacancies, and equipment replacement.

National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities

National Endowment for the Arts

GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $155,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 29,333,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 167,500,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +12,500,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +138,167,000

The Committee recommends $167,500,000 for the National
Endowment for the Arts (NEA), $12,500,000 above the enacted
level and $138,167,000 above the budget request.
The Committee recognizes the broad bipartisan support for
the NEA and its work to promote access to the arts in every
community across America. Each year, every district receives
NEA funding to support art programs that can enhance economic
development, create jobs, and expand arts learning.
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 that extend the arts to
underserved populations in both urban and rural communities
across the United States. Through the innovative program,
``Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network,'' the
NEA, in partnership with the Departments of Defense and
Veterans Affairs, provides creative arts therapies and arts
engagement strategies that promote healing and support the
reintegration of service members and veterans recovering from
traumatic brain injuries and psychological health issues.
The Committee strongly supports arts education and 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 give students the opportunity to
explore creative new ways to solve problems, display data, and
apply critical thinking techniques that foster innovation and
prepare young Americans for the 21st century and beyond.
The bill includes funding to continue the longstanding
collaborative relationship between the NEA and the States.
State art agencies match NEA grant funds to support programs
that respond to local needs in arts education, community
development, cultural preservation, and arts access. More than
4,000 communities benefit annually from these programs.
Bill Language.--As in previous years, sections 413 and 414
of this bill provide grant program direction to the NEA. 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.

National Endowment for the Humanities

GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $155,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 37,891,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 167,500,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +12,500,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +129,609,000

The Committee recommends $167,500,000 for the National
Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), $12,500,000 above the
enacted level and $129,609,000 above the budget request. The
Committee expects the NEH to obligate and expend funds as
directed in the table that is included at the end of this
report.
The Committee recognizes the broad bipartisan support for
the NEH mission to serve and strengthen our nation by making
the humanities available to all Americans. NEH programs support
cultural infrastructure projects, education programs, and
initiatives; advance scholarly research; and provide for
exhibitions, documentaries, and the preservation of historic
collections.
The Committee acknowledges the importance of NEH dialogue
programs in advancing a civil discourse on challenging issues.
The NEH supports dialogue programs in every state that help
individuals and communities engage thoughtfully on regional and
national issues of local importance.
The Committee encourages the NEH to provide opportunities
for documentaries that promote the importance of and educate
the public on the historic preservation process.
The Committee includes funding to advance cross-cutting NEH
initiatives. The Committee understands that this funding will
be used to support three programmatic areas: the celebration of
the U.S. Semiquincentennial, the advancement of civic
education, and NEH's ``Standing Together'' initiative which
promotes a deeper understanding of the military experience and
supports returning veterans and their families.
The Committee commends the NEH for its support of grant
programs to benefit wounded warriors and to ensure educational
opportunities for veterans and service members transitioning to
civilian life. In partnership with NEH, State humanities
councils have developed and delivered local programs that
support veterans, their families and caregivers. 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 bill includes funding to continue the longstanding
collaborative relationship between the NEH and State humanities
councils. The Committee commends the NEH for its ongoing,
successful collaboration with State humanities councils in each
of the 50 states as well as Washington, D.C., the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. State
humanities councils support public humanities programming in
more than 6,000 rural and urban communities and nearly every
congressional district. These programs increase public
awareness of national issues such as the opioid epidemic, help
veterans reintegrate into their communities, promote family
literacy, and record and preserve the stories, language, and
histories of our native cultures. 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 questions of art and architecture and
preserve the symbolic significance of the nation's capital. 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 also administers the National Capital Arts and
Cultural Affairs program.

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $2,771,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 3,050,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 3,282,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +511,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +232,000

The Committee recommends $3,282,000 for Salaries and
Expenses of the Commission of Fine Arts, $511,000 above the
enacted level and $232,000 above the budget request. Within the
increase, funding has been included to provide an additional
FTE for IT and cybersecurity support.

NATIONAL CAPITAL ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $2,750,000
Budget Estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... 5,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +2,250,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +5,000,000

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 $5,000,000, which is $2,250,000 more than
the enacted level and $5,000,000 more than the budget request.

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, 2019........................... $6,890,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 7,000,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 7,388,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +498,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +388,000

The Committee recommends $7,388,000 for Salaries and
Expenses of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
(ACHP), $498,000 above the enacted level and $388,000 above 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 the federal elements of the National Capital
Comprehensive Plan; prepare the Federal Capital Improvement
Program; and review plans and proposals submitted to the
Commission.

Appropriation enacted, 2019........................... $8,099,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 7,948,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 8,124,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +25,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +176,000

The Committee recommends $8,124,000 for Salaries and
Expenses of the National Capital Planning Commission, $25,000
above the enacted level and $176,000 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, 2019........................... $59,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 59,000,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 61,388,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. +2,388,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... +2,388,000

The Committee recommends $61,388,000 for the Holocaust
Memorial Museum, $2,388,000 above the enacted level and the
budget request.
Salaries and Expenses.--The recommendation includes
$56,409,000 for salaries and expenses, including $388,000 for
fixed cost increases. The recommendation includes the requested
$4,000,000 increase to salaries and expenses for one-time
expenditures in the areas of information technology, financial
management, and National Institute of Holocaust Documentation.
Repair and Rehabilitation.--The recommendation includes
$3,000,000 for Repair and Rehabilitation, $1,000,000 below
enacted and $2,000,000 above the budget request. The
recommendation fully funds the projects identified in the
budget request and includes an additional $2,000,000 for repair
and rehabilitation projects in the Ross Administrative
building.
Outreach Initiatives.--The recommendation includes
$1,264,000 for Outreach Initiatives, equal to the enacted level
and equal to the budget request.
Equipment Replacement.--The recommendation includes
$715,000 for Equipment Replacement, $1,000,000 below the
enacted level and equal to the budget request.
The Committee recognizes that learning how and why the
Holocaust happened continues to be an important component of
civic education in the United States. The Committee is aware
that Holocaust memory and education must adapt to the impending
absence of the eyewitnesses whose testimony has been integral
to Holocaust education. This challenges Holocaust educators to
create thought provoking experiences in both digital and
physical spaces that elevate the voices, memories and personal
stories of victims and survivors. Ensuring the future of
Holocaust memory will require the preservation of evidence and
free access to digital primary resources for researchers,
educators, students, and public audiences. The Committee notes
efforts of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and
others to support the growth and vitality of Holocaust
education and scholarship.

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, 2019........................... $1,800,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 1,800,000
Recommended, 2020..................................... 1,800,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. 0
Budget estimate, 2020............................... 0

The bill includes $1,800,000 for the Salaries and Expenses
account, equal to 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 the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, P.L.
115-31. The Commission is tasked with ensuring a suitable
observance of the centennial of the passage and 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, 2019........................... $1,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 0
Recommended, 2020..................................... 0
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. -1,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... 0

The bill does not provide funding in fiscal year 2020 for
the salaries and expenses of the Women's Suffrage Centennial
Commission because Congress has provided a total of $4,000,000
for the Commission to date. This funding allows the 14-member
Commission to move forward with planning commemorative events,
educational exhibitions, traveling exhibits and pop up
displays, and other activities to educate Americans about
women's suffrage and celebrate this historic event. Current
cost projections estimate the Commission's expenses will not
exceed $4,000,000.

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, 2019........................... $7,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020................................. 21,093,058
Recommended, 2020..................................... 6,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2019................................. -1,000,000
Budget estimate, 2020............................... -15,093,058

The Committee recommends $6,000,000 for salaries and
expenses of the World War I Centennial Commission, $1,000,000
below the enacted level and $15,093,058 below the budget
request. The recommendation does not include the $15,093,058
requested for deferred maintenance because the project was
funded by the National Park Service in fiscal year 2019, after
the 2020 budget submission.
The recommendation changes the period of availability for
funds appropriated in this account from no-year to two-year
because the Commission anticipates submitting its final request
for salary and expenses in fiscal year 2021, and a final
request in fiscal year 2022 for funds to shut down the
Commission, making a no-year appropriation unnecessary.

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 2020.
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 which prohibits no-bid
contracts and grants except under certain circumstances.
Section 411 continues a provision which requires public
disclosure of certain reports.
Section 412 continues a provision which delineates the
grant guidelines for the National Endowment for the Arts.
Section 413 continues a provision which delineates the
program priorities for programs managed by the National
Endowment for the Arts.
Section 414 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 415 continues a provision through fiscal year 2021
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 416 extends certain authorities through fiscal year
2020 allowing the Forest Service to renew grazing permits.
Section 417 prohibits the use of funds to maintain or
establish a computer network unless such network is designed to
block access to pornography websites.
Section 418 extends the authority of the Forest Service
Facility Realignment and Enhancement Act.
Section 419 sets requirements for the use of American iron
and steel for certain loans and grants.
Section 420 reauthorizes funding for one year for the John
F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Section 421 provides authority for the Secretary of the
Interior to enter into training agreements and to transfer
excess equipment and supplies for wildfires.
Section 422 provides a one-year extension of the current
recreation fee authority.
Section 423 incorporates Reprogramming Guidelines in the
bill.
Section 424 requires the submission of certain project
lists to the Committee by a date certain.

House of Representatives Report Requirements

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

FULL COMMITTEE VOTES

Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(b) of rule XIII of
the Rules of the House of Representatives, the results of each
roll call vote on an amendment or on the motion to report,
together with the names of those voting for and those voting
against, are printed below:

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is a statement of
general performance goals and objectives for which this measure
authorizes funding:
The Committee on Appropriations considers program
performance, including a program's success in developing and
attaining outcome-related goals and objectives, in developing
funding recommendations.

RESCISSION OF FUNDS

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amounts
Department and activity Precommended for
rescission
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau of Land Management: Management of Lands and $14,000,000
Resources............................................
Bureau of Land Management: Construction............... $5,000,000
United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Resource $4,000,000
Management...........................................
United States Fish and Wildlife Service: Cooperative $10,000,000
Endangered Species Conservation Fund.................
Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians.... $3,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSFERS OF FUNDS

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

APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account to which
Account from which transfer is made Amount (000's) transfer is made Amount (000's)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of the Interior, National not specified.......... Department of not specified
Park Service. Transportation,
Federal Highway
Administration.
Department of the Interior, BIA/BIE, not specified.......... Indian forest land not specified
Operation of Indian Programs. assistance accounts.
Department of the Interior, Bureau of not specified.......... Bureau of Reclamation.. not specified
Indian Affairs Construction.
Department of the Interior, Office of not specified.......... Bureau of Indian not specified
the Secretary. Affairs, Bureau of
Indian Education
``Operation of Indian
Programs'', Office of
the Special Trustee
``Federal Trust
Programs''.
Department of the Interior, Office of not specified.......... Secretary of not specified
Insular Affairs. Agriculture.
Department of the Interior, Office of not specified.......... Department of the not specified
the Special Trustee for American Interior, BIA/BIE,
Indians. Operation of Indian
Programs; Office of
the Solicitor,
Salaries and Expenses;
Office of the
Secretary,
Departmental
Operations.
Department of the Interior, Wildland not specified.......... Department of the not specified
Fire Management. Interior, for
repayment of advances
made during
emergencies.
Department of the Interior, Wildland up to $50,000.......... National Forest not specified
Fire Management. Foundation,
Administrative
Provision.
Department of the Interior, Intra- not specified.......... Department of the not specified
Bureau. Interior, Intra-
Bureau, for emergency
purposes as specified.
Department of the Interior, not specified.......... Department of the not specified
Department-Wide. Interior, Department-
Wide, for emergency
purposes as specified.
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau not specified.......... Indian trust management not specified
of Indian Education, and Office of and reform activities.
the Special Trustee.
Environmental Protection Agency, not specified.......... Other Federal Agencies. not specified
Hazardous Substance Superfund.
Environmental Protection Agency, $9,586................. Environmental $9,586
Hazardous Substance Superfund. Protection Agency,
Office of Inspector
General.
Environmental Protection Agency, $30,496................ Environmental $30,496
Hazardous Substance Superfund. Protection Agency,
Science and Technology.
Environmental Protection Agency, up to $320,000......... Any Federal Department up to $320,000
Administrative Provisions. or Agency for Great
Lakes Initiative.
Forest Service, Wildland Fire not specified.......... Forest Service not specified
Management. Operations, permanent
funds or trusts.
Forest Service, Wildland Fire not specified.......... Forest Service, Capital not specified
Management. Improvement and
Maintenance.
Forest Service Operations, cost pools not specified.......... Wildland Fire $300,000
Management.
Forest Service, Wildland Fire up to $50,000.......... Secretary of the up to $50,000
Management, Administrative Provision. Interior.
Forest Service, Wildland Fire 1,950,000..............
Management.
Forest Service, Administrative not specified.......... Department of the not specified
Provisions. Interior, Bureau of
Land Management.
Forest Service, Administrative up to $82,000.......... USDA, Working Capital up to $82,000
Provisions. Fund.
Forest Service, Administrative up to $14,500.......... USDA, Greenbook........ up to $14,500
Provisions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DISCLOSURE OF EARMARKS AND CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING ITEMS

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

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

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

TITLE 31, UNITED STATES CODE

* * * * * * *
SUBTITLE V--GENERAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION

* * * * * * *

CHAPTER 69--PAYMENT FOR ENTITLEMENT LAND

* * * * * * *

Sec. 6906. Funding

For [fiscal year 2019] fiscal year 2020--
(1) each county or other eligible unit of local
government shall be entitled to payment under this
chapter; and
(2) sums shall be made available to the Secretary of
the Interior for obligation or expenditure in
accordance with this chapter.

* * * * * * *

----------

CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005

(Public Law 108-447)

* * * * * * *

DIVISION J--OTHER MATTERS

* * * * * * *

TITLE V--NATIONAL AVIATION HERITAGE AREA

* * * * * * *

SEC. 512. SUNSET PROVISION

The authority of the Secretary to provide assistance under
this title terminates [on the date that is 15 years after the
date that funds are first made available for this title.] after
September 30, 2022.

* * * * * * *

TITLE VI--OIL REGION NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

* * * * * * *

SEC. 608. SUNSET.

The Secretary may not make any grant or provide any
assistance under this title after [the expiration of the 15-
year period beginning on the date that funds are first made
available for this title.] September 30, 2022.

* * * * * * *

----------

SECTION 109 OF PUBLIC LAW 103-449

SEC. 109. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated under
this title not more than $1,000,000 for any fiscal year. Not
more than a total of [$15,000,000] $17,000,000 may be
appropriated for the Corridor under this title after the date
of the enactment of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley
National Heritage Corridor Reauthorization Act of 1999.
(b) Fifty Percent Match.--Federal funding provided under this
title may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of any
assistance or grant provided or authorized under this title.
----------

SECTION 608 OF THE OMNIBUS PARKS AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT ACT OF
1996

(Public Law 104-333)

SEC. 608. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

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

PUBLIC LAW 106-554

* * * * * * *
TITLE VIII--ERIE CANALWAY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR

* * * * * * *

SEC. 810. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) In General.--
(1) Corridor.--There is authorized to be appropriated
for the Corridor not more than $1,000,000 for any
fiscal year, to remain available until expended. Not
more than a total of [$12,000,000] $14,000,000 may be
appropriated for the Corridor under this title.
(2) Matching requirement.--Federal funding provided
under this paragraph may not exceed 50 percent of the
total cost of any activity carried out with such funds.
The non-Federal share of such support may be in the
form of cash, services, or in-kind contributions,
fairly valued.
(b) Other Funding.--In addition to the sums authorized in
subsection (a), there are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of the Interior such sums as are necessary for the
Secretary for planning and technical assistance.

* * * * * * *

----------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006

(Public Law 109-54)

* * * * * * *

TITLE II--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

* * * * * * *

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

For fiscal year 2006, notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 6303(1) and
6305(1), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency, in carrying out the Agency's function to implement
directly Federal environmental programs required or authorized
by law in the absence of an acceptable tribal program, may
award cooperative agreements to federally-recognized Indian
Tribes or Intertribal consortia, if authorized by their member
Tribes, to assist the Administrator in implementing Federal
environmental programs for Indian Tribes required or authorized
by law, except that no such cooperative agreements may be
awarded from funds designated for State financial assistance
agreements.
The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is
authorized to collect and obligate pesticide registration
service fees in accordance with section 33 of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (as added by
subsection (f)(2) of the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act
of 2003), as amended.
Notwithstanding CERCLA 104(k)(4)(B)(i)(IV), appropriated
funds for fiscal year 2006 may be used to award grants or loans
under section 104(k) of CERCLA to eligible entities that
satisfy all of the elements set forth in CERCLA section 101(40)
to qualify as a bona fide prospective purchaser except that the
date of acquisition of the property was prior to the date of
enactment of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfield
Revitalization Act of 2001.
For fiscal years 2006 through [2020] 2025, the Administrator
may, after consultation with the Office of Personnel
Management, employ up to fifty persons at any one time in the
Office of Research and Development under the authority provided
in 42 U.S.C. 209.
Beginning in fiscal year 2006 and thereafter, and
notwithstanding section 306 of the Toxic Substances Control
Act, the Federal share of the cost of radon program activities
implemented with Federal assistance under section 306 shall not
exceed 60 percent in the third and subsequent grant years.

* * * * * * *

----------

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

(Public Law 112-74)

* * * * * * *

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

* * * * * * *

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 2020]
fiscal year 2021, 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.

* * * * * * *

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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, [2019] 2020.
(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), $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), $16,800,000 for fiscal year 2019.]
(a) Maintenance, Repair, and Security.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Board to carry out section
4(a)(1)(H), $25,690,000 for fiscal year 2020.
(b) Capital Projects.--There is authorized to be appropriated
to the Board to carry out subparagraphs (F) and (G) of section
4(a)(1), $17,800,000 for fiscal year 2020.
(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

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.

* * * * * * *

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

Provides funding for Endangered Species Act programs with a
specified limitation.

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 2020 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 2020.
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.

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

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.
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 provided for contract
support costs to any other account.

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.
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.
Providing that there is no impact on the trust
responsibility for Tribes that return appropriations.
Specifying distribution of indirect and administrative
costs for certain Tribes.

Bureau of Indian Education

Providing forward-funding for school operations of Bureau-
funded schools and other education programs.
Limiting funds for education-related administrative cost
grants.
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.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Allowing the use of funds for direct expenditure,
contracts, cooperative agreements, compacts, and grants.
Limiting the use of funds for certain contracts, grants and
cooperative agreements.
Providing that there is no impact on the trust
responsibility for Tribes that return appropriations.
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 ``Operation of Indian Programs'' and
Bureau of Indian Education ``Operation of Indian Education
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.

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 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.
Requires Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to disclose certain waivers.
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.
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.
Extending the authority for the Secretary to accept public
and private contributions for the orderly development and
exploration of Outer Continental Shelf resources.
Extending funding for Payments in Lieu of Taxes.
Providing funds for payment to the Republic of the Marshall
Islands.
Requiring funds to be available for obligation within 60
days of enactment.
Prohibiting use of funds on certain activities before plan
is published.
Authorizing transfer of funds in accordance with
reprogramming guidelines to split the Bureau of Indian
Education and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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.
Allowing application of certain offsetting fees collected
under the Toxic Substances Control Act to be applied against
appropriations provided for that purpose. Allocation of certain
appropriated funds for the Chemical Risk Review and Reduction
program project.
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.
Allowing for the operation of aircraft.
Providing for the transfer of funds within certain agency
accounts.

LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK PROGRAM

Providing for grants to Federally-recognized Indian Tribes.

INLAND OIL SPILL PROGRAM

Allowing for the operation of aircraft.

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 14 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.
Requiring state matching funds for certain grants to Alaska
Native Villages, and specifying certain allocation of funds.
Limiting the portion of grant funding that can be provided
for brownfields planning, and requiring a minimum percentage of
grants to persistent poverty communities.
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.
Extending the authority for hiring scientists under Title
42 special hiring authority.

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 SERVICE OPERATIONS

Providing funds for Forest Service Operations.

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 2020
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 to support emergency response and wildfire suppression.
Allowing the use of wildland fire funds to repay advances
from other accounts.
Allowing reimbursement of States for certain wildfire
emergency activities.
Designating funds for suppression.
Providing for cooperative agreements and grants.

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.
Limiting the transfer of wildland fire management funds
between the Department of the Interior and the Department of
Agriculture.
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.
Prohibiting the use of funds for the destruction of wild
horses and burros.
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 that scholarship funds recovered for breach of
contract shall be deposited into a Fund and remain available
until expended.
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 provided for contract
support costs to any other account.

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.

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.
Allowing housing allowances for civilian medical personnel.
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.
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.

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.

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.

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 no-year funds for special exhibitions.
Providing for restoration and repair of works of art by
contract under certain circumstances.

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.
Providing funds for construction design
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.

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 2020.
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.
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.
Extending authorities for awarding contracts for certain
activities on public lands.
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.
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.
Established reprogramming guidelines 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:

[Dollars in Thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations
Last year of in last year Appropriations
authorization Authorization level of in this bill
authorization
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau of Land Management ............. ......................... .............. ..............
All discretionary programs............ 2002 Such sums................ 1,862,170 1,375,788
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service........ ............. ......................... .............. ..............
Coastal Barrier Resources Act of 1982; 2010 2,000.................... 1,390 1,390
amended by Improvement Act of 2000 &
Reauthorization Act of 2005.
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 1992 41,500................... 42,373 *287,503
et seq.).
Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 1999 14,768................... 2,008 5,470
U.S.C. 1361-1407).
National Aquaculture Development Act 2018 1,000.................... 210 210
(16 U.S.C 2801 et seq).
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 2010 25,000................... 7,537 7,022
Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3701 et
seq.).
National Invasive Species Act (16 2002 6,000.................... 6,000 26,301
U.S.C. 4701 et seq.).
National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer 2014 2,000.................... 1,705 2,092
Improvement Act.
North American Wetlands Conservation 2012 75,000................... 35,554 50,000
Act (16 U.S.C. 4401-4406).
Nutria Eradication and Control Act of 2008 4,000.................... 500 1,725
2003 (P.L. 108-16).
U.S. Geological Survey................ ............. ......................... .............. ..............
Energy Resources Program (50 U.S.C. 2015 1,000.................... 400 400
167n, P.L. 113-40)--Helium
Stewardship Act of 2013.
Science Synthesis, Analysis, and 2010 30,000................... 1,332 24,125
Research (42 U.S.C. 15908 sec 351,
P.L. 109-58).
Water Resources Research Act Program 2011 12,000................... 6,486 10,000
(42 U.S.C. 10301--10303, P.L. 109-
471).
Bureau of Indian Affairs.............. ............. ......................... .............. ..............
Indian Child Protection and Family 1997 30,000................... 26,116 55,800
Violence Prevention Act (25 U.S.C.
3210, 104 Stat. 4531, P.L. 101 630,
Title IV.).
Indian Tribal Justice Act, as amended 2015 58,400................... 28,517 77,781
by TLOA (Tribal Law and Order Act of
2010, P.L. 111-211).
The Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 2013 N/A...................... 52,398 25,000
U.S.C. 1001 et seq P.L. 110-315).
Tribally Controlled Colleges or 2013 N/A...................... 64,947 86,696
University Assistance Act of 1978 (20
U.S.C. 1018 et seq P.L. 110-315).
The Higher Education Act of 1965 (25 2013 N/A...................... 6,434 10,000
USC 1862 (a) and (b)).
Office of Insular Affairs............. ............. ......................... .............. ..............
Brown Tree Snake Control and 2010 No more than 3,000....... 3,500 3,500
Eradication Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-
384).
Environmental Protection Agency....... ............. ......................... .............. ..............
Clean Air Act......................... 1997 Such sums................ 450,000 685,784
Hazardous Substance Superfund......... 1994 5,100.................... 1,480,853 1,214,648
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Dollars in Thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations
Last year of in last year Appropriations
authorization Authorization level of in this bill
authorization
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lake Champlain Basin.................. 2008 11,000................... 3,000 11,000
Lake Pontchartrain Basin.............. 2017 20,000................... 1,000 948
Chesapeake Bay Restoration............ 2005 40,000................... 23,000 85,000
State and Tribal Assistance Grants ............. ......................... .............. ..............
Alaska and Rural Native Villages...... 2010 13,000................... 10,000 20,000
Clean Water SRF....................... 1994 600,000.................. 1,196,000 1,784,000
Diesel Emissions Reduction Grants..... 2016 100,000.................. 50,000 50,000
Lead Containment Control Act of 1988.. 1992 Such sums................ 15,000 15,000
Mexico Border......................... 2011 NA....................... 17,000 30,000
Non-Point Source Management Program... 1991 130,000.................. 51,000 175,915
Pollution Control..................... 1990 75,000................... 73,000 240,806
Pollution Prevention Act.............. 1993 8,000.................... 8,000 4,765
Radon Abatement Act................... 1991 10,000................... 9,000 8,051
Underground Storage Tanks............. 1988 25,000................... 7,000 1,498
State Hazardous Waste Program Grants.. 1988 60,000................... 67,000 99,693
Toxic Substances Control Act.......... 1983 1,500.................... 0 4,919
Tribal General Assistance Program..... 1992 Such sums................ 0 10,506
Underground Injection Control Grants.. 2003 15,000................... 11,000 10,506
Council on Environmental Quality, 1986 480...................... 670 2,994
Office of Environmental Quality.
Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian 2008 30,000................... 9,000 7,500
Relocation.
John F. Kennedy Center................ 2018 36,400................... 40,515 ..............
National Endowment for the Arts....... 1993 Such sums................ 174,460 ..............
National Endowment for the Humanities. 1993 Such sums................ 177,413 ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Appropriations in this bill for Endangered Species Act implementation are an estimate and this amount does not
include Coastal Barrier Resources Act funding.

COMPARISON WITH BUDGET RESOLUTION

Section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget Act
requires the report accompanying a bill providing new budget
authority to contain a statement comparing the levels in the
bill to the suballocations submitted under section 302(b) of
the Act for the most recently agreed to concurrent resolution
on the budget for the applicable fiscal year.

[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
302(b) Allocation This Bill
---------------------------------------------------------------
Budget Budget
Authority Outlays Authority Outlays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with Committee
allocations to its subcommittees. Subcommittee
on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Discretionary............................... 37,277 35,650 39,527\1\ 37,778
Mandatory................................... 64 65 64\1\ 65
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
NOTE--Consistent with the funding recommended in the bill for wildfire suppression operations, in accordance
with section 251(b)(2) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, and after the bill is
reported to the House, the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget will provide a revised section 302(a)
allocation reflecting an additional $2,250,000,000 in discretionary budget authority and outlays That new
allocation will eliminate the technical difference prior to Floor consideration.

FIVE-YEAR OUTLAY PROJECTIONS

In compliance with section 308(a)(1)(B) of the
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control 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.

[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outlays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projection of outlays associated with the
recommendation:
2020........................................ .............. .............. \1\ 25,820
2021........................................ .............. .............. .............. 8,608
2022........................................ .............. .............. .............. 3,310
2023........................................ .............. .............. .............. 1,111
2024 and future years....................... .............. .............. .............. 264
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

In accordance with section 308(a)(1)(C) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended, the Congressional
Budget Office has provided the following estimates of new
budget authority and outlays provided by the accompanying bill
for financial assistance to State and local governments.

[In millions of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget
Authority Outlays
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial assistance to State and local 7,543\1\ 2,272
governments for 2020...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.

PROGRAM DUPLICATION

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, 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.

Committee Hearings

In compliance with Sec. 103(i) of H. Res. 6 (116th
Congress) the following hearings were used to develop the
fiscal year 2020 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Bill:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Title of Hearing Witnesses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feb. 6, 2019.................. Government Julia Matta, Managing
Accountability Associate General
Office, The Counsel, GAO; Sam
Power of the Berger, Vice
Purse: A Review President for
of Agency Democracy and
Spending Government Reform,
Restrictions Center for American
During a Progress; Phil
Shutdown. Francis, Chair,
Coalition to Protect
America's National
Parks
Feb. 26, 2019................. Public Witness Robert L Lynch, Arts
Day hearing President & CEO,
(morning). Americans for the
Arts; Master Gunnery
Sergeant Christopher
Stowe, United States
Marine Corps
(retired); Dr. Ford
W. Bell, DVM,
American Alliance of
Museums; Jessica
Unger, Emergency
Programs
Coordinator,
Foundation for
Advancement in
Conservation; Pam
Breaux, CEO,
National Assembly of
State Arts Agencies;
Flordelino
Lagundino, Artistic
Director, Park
Square Theatre;
Alexander Tittle,
Board Member,
Minnesota Humanities
Center; Kevin
Cromar, American
Thoracic Society;
Dr. Albert Rizzo,
Chief Medical
Officer, American
Lung Association;
Miles Keogh,
Executive Director,
National Association
of Clean Air
Agencies; Peggy
Shepard, Executive
Director, Co-
Founder, WE ACT for
Environmental
Justice; Michele
Roberts, National Co-
Coordinator of EJHA,
Environmental
Justice Health
Alliance for
Chemical Policy
Reform; Howard A.
Learner, Executive
Director,
Environmental Law &
Policy Center; Chad
Lord, Policy
Director, Healing
Our Waters--Great
Lakes Coalition;
Kasey White,
Director of
Geoscience Policy,
The Geological
Society of America;
Dr. Dan Devlin,
President, National
Institutes for Water
Resources; John
Palatiello, Partner,
Miller Wenhold
Capitol Strategies,
John M. Palatiello &
Associates, Inc.;
David Jonas Bardin;
Tom Cassidy, Vice
President for
Government
Relations, National
Trust for Historical
Preservation; Jim
Lighthizer,
President, American
Battlefield Trust;
Sara Capen, Chair,
The Alliance of
National Heritage
Areas
Feb. 26, 2019................. Public Witness Edward W. Shepard,
Day hearing President, Public
(afternoon). Lands Foundation;
Terry T. Baker, CEO,
Society of American
Foresters; Bill
Imbergamo, Executive
Director, Federal
Forest Resource
Coalition; Alexandra
Murdoch, Vice
President of Policy,
American Forests;
Kameran Onley,
Director of
Government
Relations, The
Nature Conservancy;
Jason Dinsmore,
Executive Director,
Minnesota
Conservation
Federation; Richard
Ring, Executive
Council Member,
Coalition to Protect
America's National
Parks; Robert
(Randy) Petzel,
President, Refuge
Friends, Inc.;
Richard G. Micka,
Chair, International
Wildlife Refuge
Alliance; Caroline
Brouwer, Director of
Government Affairs,
National Wildlife
Refuge Association;
Adam Kolton,
Executive Director,
Alaska Wilderness
League; Diane
Hoskins, Campaign
Director, Oceana;
Robin A. Kemper,
President, American
Society of Civil
Engineers; Charlie
Wiplinger,
Recreational
Aviation Foundation;
Lia Biondo,
Washington, D.C.
Liasion, Society for
Range Management;
Michael Mace,
Director of Animal
Collections &
Strategy, San Diego
Zoo Global; Steve
Holmer, Vice
President of Policy
for American Bird
Conservancy,
American Bird
Conservancy; Jocelyn
Ziemian, Senior
Legislative
Specialist, Federal
Affairs, Humane
Society Legislative
Fund; Kate Wall,
Senior Legislative
Manager,
International Fund
for Animal Welfare;
Kelly Aylward,
Washington Office
Director, Bronx Zoo-
based Wildlife
Conservation Society
Mar. 6, 2019.................. American Indian/ Maureen Rosette,
Alaska Native President, National
Public Witnesses Council of Urban
(morning). Indian Health;
Abigail Echo-Hawk,
Director, Urban
Indian Health
Institute; Andrew C.
Joseph, Chairman,
Northwest Portland
Area Indian Health
Board; Esther
Lucero, Chief
Executive Officer,
Seattle Indian
Health Board; Dr.
Mark LeBeau, Chief
Executive Officer,
California Rural
Indian Health Board;
Sonya Tetnowski,
Chief Executive
Officer, Indian
Health Center of
Santa Clara Valley;
Teresa Sanchez,
Board Member,
Riverside San-
Bernardino County
Indian Health Board,
Inc.; Victoria
Kitcheyan, Acting
Chairperson,
National Indian
Health Board; Kevin
R. DuPuis, Chairman,
Fond du Lac Band of
Lake Superior
Chippewa; Dylan
Jennings, Council
Member, Bad River
Band of the Lake
Superior Chippewa;
Robert Miguel,
Chairman, Ak-Chin
Indian Community;
Roberty Flying Hawk,
Chairman, Yankton
Sioux Tribe; Harold
Frazier, Chairman,
Cheyenne River Sioux
Tribe; Dr. Monica
Mayer, Councilwoman,
Mandan Hidatsa and
Arikara Nation;
Melanie Fourkiller,
Senior Policy
Analyst, Choctaw
Nation of Oklahoma;
Dr. Donna Galbreath,
Medical Director of
Quality Assurance,
Southcentral
Foundation; Dr.
Shaquita Bell,
Chair, American
Academy of
Pediatrics Committee
on Native American
Child Health
Mar. 6, 2019.................. American Indian/ Douglas Cox,
Alaska Native Chairman, Menominee
Public Witnesses Indian Tribe; Ray
(afternoon). Peters,
Intergovernmental
Affairs Liaison,
Squaxin Island
Tribe; Edward
Manuel, Chairman,
Tohono O'odham
Nation; W. Ron
Allen, Tribal
Chairman & CEO,
Jamestown S'Klallam
Tribe; Rodney Mike,
Chairman, Duckwater
Shoshone Tribe;
Joseph James,
Chairman, Yurok
Tribal Council;
Rhonda Pitka,
Commissioner,
Council of
Athabascan Tribal
Governments; Michael
J. ``Mic'' Isham,
Executive
Administrator, Great
Lakes Indian Fish
and Wildlife
Commission; Jaime
Pinkham, Executive
Director, Columbia
River Inter-Tribal
Fish Commission;
Edward Johnstone,
Treasurer, Northwest
Indian Fisheries
Commission; Patty
Brown Schwalenberg,
Executive Director,
Chugach Regional
Resources Commission
Mar. 7, 2019.................. American Indian/ Tyson Johnston, Vice-
Alaska Native President, Quinault
Public Witnesses Indian Nation;
(morning). Joseph Wildcat,
President, Lac du
Flambeau Band of
Lake Superior
Chippewa Indians;
Vernon Stearns,
President,
Intertribal Timber
Council; Valerie J.
Grussing, Executive
Director, National
Association of
Tribal Historic
Preservation
Officers; Bryan
Newland, President,
Chippewa Ottawa
Resource Authority;
Ervin Carlson,
President,
InterTribal Buffalo
Council; Timothy
Nuvangyaoma,
Chairman, Hopi;
Terry Rambler,
Chairman, San Carlos
Apache Tribe;
Jonathan Nez,
President, Navajo
Nation; Julian Bear
Runner, President,
Oglala Sioux Tribe;
Rodney Bordeaux,
President, Rosebud
Sioux Tribe; Ella
Robertson,
Chairwoman, Sisseton
Wahpeton; Maulian
Dana, Ambassador,
Penobscot Nation;
Cheryle A. Kennedy,
Chairwoman, The
Confederated Tribes
of Grand Ronde
Community of Oregon;
Rick Peterson,
Chairman, Red Cliff
Band of Lake
Superior Chippewa;
David Z. Bean, Vice
Chairman, Puyallup
Tribe; Jefferson
Keel, President,
National Congress of
American Indians;
Genevieve Jackson,
President, Dine
Biolta School Board
Association; Carrie
L. Billy, President,
American Indian
Higher Education
Consortium;
Angelique Albert,
Executive Director,
American Indian
Graduate Center
Mar. 7, 2019.................. American Indian/ Diana Cournoyer,
Alaska Native Interim Executive
Public Witnesses Director, National
(afternoon). Indian Education
Association (NIEA);
Marlene Watashe,
Dine Grant Schools
Association; Maxine
Coho, Vice
President, Ramah
Navajo School Board,
Inc.; Leander
``Russ''' McDonald,
President, United
Tribes Technical
College; Darrell
Seki, Tribal
Chairman, Red Lake
Band of Chippewa
Indians; Aaron
Payment,
Chairperson, Sault
Ste. Marie Tribe of
Chippewa Indians;
Ira Taken Alive,
Vice Chairman,
Standing Rock Sioux
Tribe; Jason
Schlender, Vice
Chairman, Lac Courte
Oreilles Band of
Lake Superior
Chippewa Indians;
Floyd G. Azure,
Chairman,
Assiniboine and
Sioux Tribes of the
Fort Peck
Reservation; William
Harris, Chief,
Catawba Indian
Nation; Luke Duncan,
Chairman, Ute Indian
Tribe; Casey
Mitchell, Secretary,
Nez Perce Tribe;
Aurene Martin, Board
Member, National
Indian Child Welfare
Association; Robert
Black, Executive
Director, Navajo
Hopi Land Commission
Office.
Mar. 26, 2019................. Department of the Scott J. Cameron,
Interior FY20 Principal Deputy
budget oversight Assistant Secretary
hearing. for Policy,
Management and
Budget, Department
of the Interior
Mar. 27, 2019................. Members of The Honorable Peter
Congress Witness J. Visclosky (IN01),
Day hearing. Member of Congress;
The Honorable Bill
Posey (FL08), Member
of Congress; The
Honorable Mike
Gallagher (WI08),
Member of Congress;
The Honorable James
Comer (KY01), Member
of Congress; The
Honorable Debra A.
Haaland (NM01),
Member of Congress.
Mar. 28, 2019................. Forest Service Vicki Christiansen,
FY20 budget Chief, U.S. Forest
oversight Service.
hearing.
Apr. 2, 2019.................. Environmental Andrew Wheeler,
Protection Administrator,
Agency FY20 Environmental
budget oversight Protection Agency.
hearing.
Apr. 3, 2019.................. National Park Dan Smith, Deputy
Service, Fish & Director, National
Wildlife Park Service;
Service, and Margaret Everson,
U.S. Geological Principal Deputy
Survey FY20 Director, Fish &
budget oversight Wildlife Service;
hearing. Dr. Jim Reilly,
Director, U.S.
Geological Survey.
Apr. 4, 2019.................. Bureau of Land Dr. Brian Steed,
Management, Acting Director,
Bureau of Ocean Bureau of Land
Energy Management; Dr.
Management, and Walter Cruickshank,
Bureau of Safety Acting Director,
and Bureau of Ocean
Environmental Energy Management;
Enforcement FY20 Mr. Scott Angelle,
budget oversight Director, Bureau of
hearing. Safety and
Environmental
Enforcement.
Apr. 9, 2019.................. Indian Health Rear Admiral Michael
Service FY20 D. Weahkee,
budget oversight Principal Deputy
hearing. Director, Indian
Health Service.
Apr. 30, 2019................. Bureau of Indian Tara Katuk Mac Lean
Affairs and Sweeney, Assistant
Bureau of Indian Secretary for Indian
Education FY20 Affairs, U.S.
budget oversight Department of the
hearing. Interior.
May 7, 2019................... Department of David Bernhardt,
Interior FY20 Secretary,
budget oversight Department of the
hearing. Interior.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comparative Statement of New Budget Authority

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

MINORITY VIEWS

We appreciate the efforts of Full Committee Chairwoman
Lowey and Chair McCollum in producing an Interior, Environment,
and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill that addresses
priorities of Members on both sides of the aisle. Chair
McCollum is to be commended for the transparent, reasonable,
and even-handed manner in which she has conducted the business
of the Subcommittee. Although we have genuine policy
differences with the Majority, and a divergence in views over
the level of funding necessary to address the critical needs of
this bill, we hope that as the process moves forward, we can
continue to work together in a bipartisan, collaborative
manner.
We are pleased to see that the bill includes significant
funding for wildfire suppression, which will help prevent the
devastation we have seen in recent years, along with
initiatives to protect the Great Lakes, reduce harmful algal
blooms and eradicate invasive Asian carp. The bill also steps
up efforts to stop the international trafficking of endangered
species.
We are also pleased to see that the bill leverages federal
dollars to finance more than $8 billion in water infrastructure
projects and continues to drive down the maintenance backlog at
our national parks and other public lands and museums. Lastly,
we are pleased with the needed attention this bill provides to
Indian Country. There are many unmet needs within Indian
Country--in education, health care, law enforcement, and other
areas--and this bill does a great deal to address these
priorities.
Unfortunately, despite the many positive initiatives funded
across the bill, we are unable to support it as written due to
concerning policy proposals and funding levels. There are
several bipartisan policy provisions that were included in
prior years that have fallen out of this bill. Adding these
policies back in the bill will be essential to reaching a
bipartisan agreement.
Another area of concern is energy. Although this bill makes
positive strides towards renewable energy, it takes a step
backwards on conventional energy. America needs both right now,
and we need to be producing it at home rather than overseas. A
strong and vibrant economy, and the well-paying jobs that go
along with it, is inextricably linked with reliable and
affordable energy sources.
A final area of concern is the funding level in the absence
of any topline budget agreement that begins to tackle our
national debt. While we have an obligation to be good stewards
of our environment and public lands for future generations, we
also have an obligation to be good stewards of our tax dollars,
which will also have a profound impact on the generations to
come. In that respect, this legislation falls short. This bill
is $1.7 billion above the fiscal year 2019 enacted level at a
time when the national debt is at an all-time high. No doubt
there are must-do programs in this bill that would benefit from
increases, but that sentiment alone does not give the Federal
Government license to continue to borrow and spend without any
overarching plan for fiscal responsibility.
While we have real policy differences and spending concerns
relating to this legislation, it is our hope that between now
and conference negotiations with the Senate later this year, we
can address the most disconcerting issues and seek bipartisan
consensus on a reasonable, sustainable subcommittee allocation.
Our sincere desire is to work with Chair McCollum to fashion a
responsible, balanced conference report worthy of broad,
bipartisan support.

David P. Joyce.
Kay Granger.