Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
- Sponsor
- Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2]
- Committees
- Appropriations Committee
- Last action
- Jul 24, 2025
Bottom line
The bill funds critical government operations for natural resources and environmental protection while imposing numerous policy restrictions on federal agencies, particularly concerning energy development and environmental regulations.
What it actually does
This bill appropriates funds for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and various related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. It allocates billions of dollars across numerous federal programs for land management, environmental protection, Indian affairs, and cultural institutions. Additionally, the bill includes a significant number of policy riders that restrict federal agencies from implementing specific environmental regulations, mandate certain energy leasing activities, and modify existing laws related to public lands and resource management.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that the bill provides essential funding for the responsible management of federal lands, protection of natural resources, and support for tribal communities. They contend that the policy riders are necessary to reduce regulatory burdens, promote energy independence, and ensure that federal actions align with state and local interests, preventing overreach by federal agencies and promoting economic development in resource-dependent areas.
Opponents contend
Opponents contend that while the appropriations are necessary, the bill is heavily laden with controversial policy riders that undermine environmental protections, hinder climate action, and interfere with scientific decision-making. They argue that these riders are inappropriate for an appropriations bill and represent an attempt to bypass regular legislative processes for significant policy changes, potentially leading to adverse environmental and public health outcomes.
Given its length and the density of both appropriations and policy riders, the bill requires substantial time for review, likely exceeding the time typically afforded to the public and even many lawmakers for comprehensive analysis before a vote.
Title I, Bureau of Land Management, Management of Lands and Resources
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Operations Funding
This provision appropriates $1,193,908,000 for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the management of lands and resources, including protection, use, improvement, and development. It specifies funds for annual and deferred maintenance programs, and $144,000,000 for the wild horse and burro program. It also authorizes the use of fees for oil and gas permit processing and allows up to $1,000,000 for specific purposes under 43 U.S.C. 1748c(e)(1)(A).
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this funding is crucial for the BLM to fulfill its multiple-use mandate, ensuring public lands are managed effectively for recreation, conservation, and resource development. The wild horse and burro program funding is seen as necessary for population control and herd health.
Critics contend
Critics may argue that the allocation for the wild horse and burro program is insufficient or misdirected, or that overall BLM funding priorities do not adequately balance conservation with resource extraction.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the need for general land management with specific allocations for potentially contentious programs like wild horse and burro management, and the use of fees for oil and gas permit processing, which can be seen as prioritizing industry over environmental review.
Title I, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Resource Management
Fish and Wildlife Service Resource Management Funding
This provision allocates $1,374,576,000 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for resource management, scientific studies, general administration, and other authorized functions. It includes a specific limitation of $7,375,000 for implementing certain subsections of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), explicitly excluding funds for processing petitions or issuing regulations related to listing decisions.
Title I, National Park Service, Operation of the National Park System
National Park System Operations Funding
This provision appropriates $2,718,124,000 for the National Park Service (NPS) to manage, operate, and maintain areas and facilities within the National Park System. It includes specific allocations for Everglades restoration planning and uses authorized by 54 U.S.C. 101122, as well as $3,300,000 for the 400 Years of African-American History Commission Act, extending its authorization until July 1, 2027.
Title I, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Operation of Indian Programs
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Operations Funding
This provision appropriates $2,260,254,000 for the operation of Indian programs by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Funds are available until September 30, 2027, with specific allocations for welfare assistance payments, housing improvement, road maintenance, and land acquisition. It also allows for the transfer of forestry funds to tribal trust accounts and permits the BIA to accept transfers from Customs and Border Protection for road repair.
Title II, Environmental Protection Agency, State and Tribal Assistance Grants
State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) for Environmental Programs
This provision appropriates $3,701,902,000 for environmental programs and infrastructure assistance, including capitalization grants for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs). It specifies significant amounts for water infrastructure construction, grants for U.S.-Mexico border facilities, Alaska Native Villages, brownfields cleanup, lead service line replacement, and various other water quality and pollution control programs for states and tribes. A notable condition is that 10% of Clean Water SRF and 14% of Drinking Water SRF funds must be used for additional subsidy (forgiveness, negative interest, or grants) to eligible recipients, with specific conditions for debt incurred.
Title III, Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Wildland Fire Management
Forest Service Wildland Fire Management Funding
This provision appropriates $2,426,209,000 for the Forest Service's wildland fire management, including presuppression, emergency suppression, and rehabilitation of burned-over lands. It designates $1,011,000,000 for wildfire suppression operations, meeting the terms of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. It also includes provisions for reimbursing states, supporting federal emergency response, and allowing cooperative agreements for fuels management activities.
Title III, Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service, Indian Health Services
Indian Health Services (IHS) Operations Funding
This provision appropriates $458,435,000 for Indian Health Services (IHS) for the current fiscal year, with an additional $5,181,173,000 becoming available on October 1, 2026, and remaining available through September 30, 2028. It includes specific allocations for the Electronic Health Record System, Indian Health Care Improvement Fund, Purchased/Referred Care, Indian Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund, and the loan repayment program. It also allows funds to be used for accreditation emergencies and prohibits funds for implementing a new IT infrastructure system without prior congressional consultation.
Sec. 116, Title I, General Provisions, Department of the Interior
Prohibition on Listing Greater Sage-Grouse
This section prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from using any funds to write, issue, implement, administer, or enforce a proposed or final rule regarding the listing of the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) or any distinct population segment of the species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Sec. 141, Title I, General Provisions, Department of the Interior
Mandatory Offshore Oil and Gas Lease Sales
This section mandates that the Secretary of the Interior annually conduct a minimum of two region-wide oil and gas lease sales in the Central and Western Gulf of America Planning Areas, and a minimum of one region-wide sale in the Alaska region of the Outer Continental Shelf, beginning in fiscal year 2026. These sales must include all unleased areas not subject to existing moratoria.
Sec. 143, Title I, General Provisions, Department of the Interior
Mandatory Onshore Oil and Gas Lease Sales
This section mandates that the Secretary of the Interior immediately resume quarterly onshore oil and gas lease sales in compliance with the Mineral Leasing Act. It further requires a minimum of four sales annually in specific states (Wyoming, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Nevada, Alaska, and any other state with available land), offering all nominated and eligible parcels. It also requires replacement sales if initial sales are canceled, delayed, or have low bid rates.
Sec. 443, Title IV, General Provisions
Use of Mining Claims for Ancillary Activities and Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund
This section amends the Revised Statutes to allow proprietors of lode or placer claims to locate and include multiple 'mill site' claims within a plan of operations, as reasonably necessary for mineral development, even on non-mineral land. These mill sites do not convey mineral rights and are not eligible for patenting. It also establishes an 'Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund' in the Treasury, into which claim maintenance fees from these new mill sites will be deposited. Funds from this account are to be used, without further appropriations, to carry out abandoned hardrock mine reclamation activities under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Sec. 446, Title IV, General Provisions
Prohibition on Using Social Cost of Carbon in Agency Actions
This section prohibits the use of funds to consider or incorporate the 'social cost of carbon' (and methane, nitrous oxide) in any cost-benefit analysis, rulemaking, guidance, or other agency action. It specifically references Executive Orders 13990 and 14094, and related technical support documents, effectively preventing federal agencies from using this metric in their decision-making processes.
Sec. 469, Title IV, General Provisions
Florida Clean Water Act Section 404 Assumption Approval
This section states that the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) approval of Florida's request to carry out a permit program for the discharge of dredged or fill material under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, published on December 22, 2020, shall have the force and effect of law. This effectively codifies the state's authority to manage its own wetlands permitting program.
This section establishes a detailed schedule of nonrefundable inspection fees for offshore oil and gas facilities and drilling rigs, to be collected by the Secretary of the Interior and deposited into the 'Offshore Safety and Environmental Enforcement' account. Fees vary based on facility type, number of wells, and water depth, and are assessed annually or per inspection.
Sec. 106, Title I, General Provisions, Department of the Interior
Why it matters:This level of detail for fee structures is standard legislative practice in appropriations bills, ensuring specific revenue generation and allocation for agency operations.
Case for: Proponents argue these fees ensure that the oil and gas industry contributes directly to the costs of safety and environmental oversight, promoting accountability and funding critical regulatory functions without relying solely on taxpayer dollars.
Case against: Opponents might argue that these fees could be passed on to consumers, or that the specific fee structure may not adequately cover the full costs of oversight, or that it could disproportionately impact smaller operators.
Estimated impact: The fees are designed to reduce the total appropriation for Offshore Safety and Environmental Enforcement by an estimated $36,000,000, directly funding personnel and mission-related costs for expanding capacity and expediting development of the Outer Continental Shelf.
This subsection amends 30 U.S.C. 42 to redefine 'mill site' and allow for the location of 'as many mill site claims... as are reasonably necessary for its operations' in connection with a lode or placer claim within a proposed plan of operations. Crucially, it allows these mill sites to be located on 'public land' including 'nonmineral land' and 'land where the mineral character has not been determined,' and explicitly states they do not convey mineral rights and are not eligible for patenting.
Sec. 443(a), Title IV, General Provisions
Why it matters:While statutory amendments are common in general provisions, the specific expansion of mill site applicability to non-mineral lands and the allowance for multiple sites represent a substantive policy change that might typically receive more standalone debate. Its inclusion here could be seen as a tactical maneuver to attach it to a must-pass bill.
Case for: Proponents argue that this clarifies and modernizes the use of mill sites, which are essential for supporting mining operations (e.g., for waste disposal, processing facilities). Allowing them on non-mineral land and in greater numbers reflects the practical needs of modern mining and reduces legal ambiguities, facilitating domestic mineral production.
Case against: Opponents argue that expanding mill site claims to non-mineral lands could lead to increased industrialization of public lands, potentially impacting conservation, recreation, and other land uses. They contend it grants broad new rights to mining companies without sufficient environmental safeguards or public benefit.
Estimated impact: Potentially significant expansion of land available for mining support infrastructure on public lands, including areas not previously considered mineral-in-character, impacting land use planning and environmental considerations for future mining projects.
This subsection establishes an 'Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund' in the Treasury. It mandates that claim maintenance fees collected from mill sites located under the new provisions of 30 U.S.C. 42(c) (as amended by this Act) shall be deposited into this Fund. The funds are then made available, without further appropriations, to carry out abandoned hardrock mine reclamation activities under section 40704 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Sec. 443(b), Title IV, General Provisions
Why it matters:Establishing dedicated, self-sustaining funds for specific purposes is a common legislative technique. Linking it directly to the new mill site fees creates a direct connection between industry activity and environmental remediation, which can be politically advantageous.
Case for: Proponents argue this creates a sustainable, industry-contributed funding source for critical abandoned hardrock mine reclamation, addressing a massive environmental liability across the country. It ensures that expanded mining-related land use (via new mill sites) is directly linked to funding for historical cleanup.
Case against: Opponents might argue that the revenue generated from these fees may be insufficient to address the scale of abandoned mine problems, or that the mechanism shifts responsibility away from broader industry contributions. They may also criticize the linkage to expanded mill site use as a quid pro quo that benefits industry more than the environment.
Estimated impact: Provides an ongoing, dedicated funding stream for abandoned hardrock mine reclamation, potentially in the tens of millions annually, depending on the number of new mill sites claimed and associated fees, leading to accelerated cleanup of hazardous sites.