[House Report 107-564]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
107th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 107-564
======================================================================
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL,
2003
_______
July 11, 2002.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Skeen, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
together with
MINORITY VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 5093]
The Committee on Appropriations submits the following
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making
appropriations for the Department of the Interior and Related
Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003. The
bill provides regular annual appropriations for the Department
of the Interior (except the Bureau of Reclamation) and for
other related agencies, including the Forest Service, the
Department of Energy, the Indian Health Service, the
Smithsonian Institution, and the National Foundation on the
Arts and the Humanities.
CONTENTS
_______________________________________________________________________
Page number
Bill Report
Department of the Interior:
Bureau of Land Management.......................... 2
10
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service..................... 12
25
National Park Service.............................. 23
40
U.S. Geological Survey............................. 32
59
Minerals Management Service........................ 34
66
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement.................................... 37
68
Bureau of Indian Affairs........................... 39
73
Departmental Offices............................... 47
81
General Provisions................................. 54
92
Related Agencies:
Forest Service, USDA............................... 75
94
Department of Energy............................... 92
119
Fossil Energy...................................... 92
119
Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves............. 94
125
Energy Conservation................................ 95
128
Economic Regulation................................ 95
134
Strategic Petroleum Reserve........................ 96
135
Energy Information Administration.................. 96
136
Indian Health Service, DHHS................................ 99
137
Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation................ 107
143
Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and
Arts Development....................................... 108
144
Smithsonian Institution.................................... 108
144
National Gallery of Art.................................... 111
148
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts............. 113
151
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars........... 113
152
National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities......... 114
152
Commission of Fine Arts.................................... 116
157
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.................. 117
158
National Capital Planning Commission....................... 117
158
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.................... 117
159
Presidio Trust............................................. 118
159
Title III-- General Provisions............................. 118
160
Comparison With Budget Resolution
Section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), as
amended, requires that the report accompanying a bill providing
new budget authority contain a Statement detailing how the
authority compares with the reports submitted under section 302
of the Act for the most recently agreed to concurrent
resolution on the budget for the fiscal year. This information
follows:
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec. 302(b) This bill--
---------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary Mandatory Discretionary Mandatory
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget authority................................ $19,730 63 $19,730 63
Outlays......................................... 18,969 64 19,260 64
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The allocation for fiscal year 2003 includes $1,440,000,000
in discretionary budget authority for conservation spending
pursuant to Section 251(c) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, and $1,052,000,000 in
outlays. There is also $400,000,000 in outlays attributable to
additional 2002 emergency firefighting funds included in the
outlay total.
Summary of the Bill
The Committee has conducted hearings on the programs and
projects provided for in the Interior and Related Agencies
Appropriations bill for 2003. The hearings are contained in 9
published volumes totaling nearly 10,000 pages.
During the course of the hearings, testimony was taken at
14 hearings on 11 days, not only from agencies which come under
the jurisdiction of the Interior Subcommittee, but also from
Members of Congress, and, in written form, from State and local
government officials, and private citizens.
The bill that is recommended for fiscal year 2003 has been
developed after careful consideration of all the facts and
details available to the Committee.
BUDGET AUTHORITY RECOMMENDED IN BILL BY TITLE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee bill
Activity Budget estimates, Committee bill, compared with
fiscal year 2003 fiscal year 2003 budget estimates
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I, Department of the Interior: New Budget $9,450,753,000 $9,969,175,000 +$518,422,000
(obligational) authority..............................
Title II, related agencies: New Budget (obligational) 9,488,163,000 10,444,950,000 +956,787,000
authority.............................................
--------------------------------------------------------
Grand total, New Budget (obligational) authority. 18,938,916,000 20,414,125,000 +1,475,209,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Appropriations for the Department of the Interior and Related
Agencies
In addition to the amounts in the accompanying bill, which
are reflected in the table above, permanent legislation
authorizes the continuation of certain government activities
without consideration by the Congress during the annual
appropriations process.
Details of these activities are listed in tables at the end
of this report. In fiscal year 2001, these activities are
estimated to total $3,384,125,000. The estimate for fiscal year
2002 is $3,584,842,000.
The following table reflects the total budget
(obligational) authority contained both in this bill and in
permanent appropriations for fiscal years 2002 and 2003.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES TOTAL BUDGET AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEARS 2002-2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Fiscal year 2002 Fiscal year 2003 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interior and related agencies appropriations bill...... $19,167,770,000 $20,414,125,000 +$1,246,355,000
Permanent appropriations, Federal funds................ 2,588,751,000 2,548,278,000 -40,473,000
Permanent appropriations, trust funds.................. 624,897,000 595,918,000 -28,979,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total budget authority........................... 22,381,418,000 23,558,321,000 +1,176,903,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue Generated by Agencies in Bill
The following tabulation indicates total new obligational
authority to date for fiscal years 2001 and 2002, and the
amount recommended in the bill for fiscal year 2003. It
compares receipts generated by activities in this bill on an
actual basis for fiscal year 2001 and on an estimated basis for
fiscal years 2002 and 2003. The programs in this bill are
estimated to generate $6.1 billion in revenues for the Federal
Government in fiscal year 2003. Therefore, the expenditures in
this bill will contribute to economic stability rather than
inflation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year--
Item --------------------------------------------------------
2001 2002 2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New obligational authority............................. $18,892,320,000 $19,167,770,000 $20,414,125,000
Receipts:
Department of the Interior......................... 10,865,661,000 6,609,623,000 5,719,689,000
Forest Service..................................... 424,019,000 420,972,000 422,036,000
Naval Petroleum Reserves........................... 7,836,000 7,187,000 7,233,000
--------------------------------------------------------
Total receipts................................... 11,297,516,000 7,037,782,000 6,148,958,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application of General Reductions
The level at which sequestration reductions shall be taken
pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control
Act of 1985, if such reductions are required in fiscal year
2003, is defined by the Committee as follows:
As provided for by section 256(l)(2) of Public Law 99-177,
as amended, and for the purpose of a Presidential Order issued
pursuant to section 254 of said Act, the term ``program,
project, and activity'' for items under the jurisdiction of the
Appropriations Subcommittees on the Department of the Interior
and Related Agencies of the House of Representatives and the
Senate is defined as (1) any item specifically identified in
tables or written material set forth in the Interior and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, or accompanying committee
reports or the conference report and accompanying joint
explanatory Statement of the managers of the committee of
conference; (2) any Government-owned or Government-operated
facility; and (3) management units, such as National parks,
National forests, fish hatcheries, wildlife refuges, research
units, regional, State and other administrative units and the
like, for which funds are provided in fiscal year 2003.
The Committee emphasizes that any item for which a specific
dollar amount is mentioned in any accompanying report,
including all increases over the budget estimate approved by
the Committee, shall be subject to a percentage reduction no
greater or less than the percentage reduction applied to all
domestic discretionary accounts.
Federal Funding of Indian Programs
The Committee recommends appropriations of new budget
authority aggregating $5.2 billion for Indian programs in
fiscal year 2003. This is an increase of $99 million above the
budget request and an increase of $230 million above the amount
appropriated for fiscal year 2002. Spending for Indian services
by the Federal Government in total is included in the following
table.
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Budget Authority Fiscal year Fiscal year 2003, budget
2001 actual 2002, enacted estimate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Agriculture....................................... $611,737 $671,438 $711,397
Department of Commerce.......................................... 41,884 17,534 12,534
Department of Defense........................................... 18,000 18,000 0
Department of Justice........................................... 202,960 237,122 201,264
Department of Education......................................... 1,852,991 1,974,208 2,064,089
Department of HHS............................................... 3,125,858 3,341,815 3,421,043
Department of HUD............................................... 731,557 731,557 729,500
Department of Veterans Affairs.................................. 538 551 565
Department of the Interior...................................... 2,617,113 2,664,262 2,770,316
Department of Labor............................................. 71,919 73,919 70,014
Department of Transportation.................................... 265,481 281,411 202,029
Environmental Protection Agency................................. 216,109 228,698 232,276
Small Business Administration................................... 1,250 0 1,000
Smithsonian Institution......................................... 37,305 67,896 53,517
Army Corps of Engineers......................................... 23,777 26,007 23,631
Department of the Treasury...................................... 5,000 5,000 5,000
Other Independent Agencies...................................... 76,785 80,059 78,846
-----------------------------------------------
Total..................................................... 9,900,264 10,419,477 10,577,021
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Constitutional Authority
Clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives
states that:
Each report of a committee on a bill or joint resolution of
a public character, shall include a statement citing the
specific powers granted to the Congress in the Constitution to
enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution.
The Committee on Appropriations bases its authority to
report this legislation from Clause 7 of Section 9 of Article I
of the Constitution of the United States of America which
states: ``No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in
consequence of Appropriations made by law. * * *''
Appropriations contained in this Act are made pursuant to
this specific power granted by the Constitution.
Accrual Funding of Retirement Costs and Post-Retirement Health Benefits
The President's Budget included a legislative proposal
under the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Government
Reform to charge to individual agencies, starting in fiscal
year 2003, the fully accrued costs related to retirement
benefits of Civil Service Retirement System employees and
retiree health benefits for all civilian employees. The Budget
also requested an additional dollar amount in each affected
discretionary account to cover these accrued costs.
Without passing judgment on the merits of this legislative
proposal, the Committee has reduced the dollar amounts of the
President's request shown in the ``Comparative Statement of New
Budget Authority'' and other tables in this report to exclude
the accrual funding proposal. The disposition by Congress of
the legislative proposal is unclear at this time. Should the
proposal be passed by Congress and enacted, the Committee will
make appropriate adjustments to the President's request to
include accrual amounts.
The Committee further notes that administration proposals
requiring legislative action by the authorizing committees of
Congress are customarily submitted in the budget as separate
schedules apart from the regular appropriations requests.
Should such a proposal be enacted, a budget amendment formally
modifying the President's appropriation request for
discretionary funding is then transmitted to the Congress.
The Committee is concerned that this practice, which has
always worked effectively for both Congress and past
administrations, was not followed for the accrual funding
proposal. In this case, the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) decided to include accrual amounts in the original
discretionary appropriations language request. These amounts
are based on legislation that has yet to be considered and
approved by the appropriate committees of Congress. This led to
numerous misunderstandings both inside and outside of Congress
of what was the ``true'' President's budget request. The
Committee believes that, in the future, OMB should follow long-
established procedures with respect to discretionary spending
proposals that require legislative action.
Allocating Congressional Funding Priorities
The Committee continues to be concerned that the agencies
funded by this Act are not following a standard methodology for
allocating appropriated funds to the field where Congressional
funding priorities are concerned. When Congressional
instructions are provided, the Committee expects these
instructions to be closely monitored and followed. The
Committee directs that earmarks for Congressional funding
priorities be first allocated to the receiving units, and then
all remaining funds should be allocated to the field based on
established procedures. Field units or programs should not have
their allocations reduced because of earmarks for Congressional
priorities without direction from or advance approval of the
Committee.
Conservation Initiative
The Committee has continued the conservation initiative
started in title VIII of the fiscal year 2001 Interior and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The table below includes
funding information for that initiative. Continuing its
commitment to this important initiative, the Committee has
recommended a total of $1,440,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
This amount is equal to the maximum amount available for
appropriation through the Interior and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2003. The funding under the
conservation initiative is summarized in the table below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 committee
Subcategory/appropriation account 2002 Enacted 2003 Request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Land Acquisition:
BLM Federal Land Acquisition............................. 49,920 \3\ 44,686 49,286
FWS Federal Land Acquisition............................. 99,135 \3\ 70,384 82,250
NPS Federal Land Acquisition............................. 130,117 \3\ 86,057 99,099
Dept. Mgmt, BIA water settlement......................... ............... \3\ 3,000 0
FS Federal Land Acquisition.............................. 149,742 \3\ 130,510 146,336
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Federal Land Acquisition..................... 428,914 \3\ 334,637 376,971
NPS Stateside LWCF Grants (and Administration)........... 144,000 \3/4\ 200,000 154,000
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Federal and State LWCF....................... 572,914 \3\ 534,637 530,971
==================================================
State and Other Conservation Programs:
State Wildlife Grants.................................... \1\ 60,000 \2/3\ 60,000 \5\ 100,000
FWS Incentive Grant Programs............................. 40,000 \3\ 50,000 \5\ 40,000
FWS Stewardship Grants Program........................... 10,000 \3\ 10,000 \5\ 10,000
FWS Coop. Endangered Species Conserv. Fund............... 96,235 \3\ 91,000 \5\ 121,400
FWS North American Wetlands Conserv. Fund................ 43,500 \3\ 43,560 43,560
FWS Migratory Bird Fund.................................. (3,000) (1,000) 5,000
FWS Multinational Species Fund........................... (4,000) (4,000) 4,800
USGS State Planning Partnerships......................... 25,000 13,578 25,000
Cooperative Conservation Initiative (BLM, FWS, NPS)...... ............... 50,000 26,000
FS, Forest Legacy........................................ 65,000 \3\ 69,797 \5\ 60,000
FS, Forest Stewardship................................... (33,171) \3\ 49,526 36,898
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, State & other conservation programs.......... 339,735 437,461 472,658
==================================================
Urban and Historic Preservation Programs:
NPS Historic Preservation Fund........................... 74,500 67,000 76,500
NPS Urban Parks & Recreation Recovery Grants............. 30,000 300 30,000
FS Urban and Community Forestry.......................... 36,000 36,235 36,235
Youth Conservation Corps (BLM, FWS, NPS, FS)............. 7,000 7,000 7,000
Subtotal, Urban & Historic............................. 147,500 110,535 149,735
--------------------------------------------------
Payments in Lieu of Taxes--BLM............................... 50,000 15,000 \7\ 70,000
National Wildlife Refuge Fund sharing--FWS................... ............... ............... \8\ 5,000
==================================================
Federal Infrastructure Improvement Programs.................. 184,851 220,102 211,636
==================================================
Total, Conservation Spending Category.................. 1,295,000 1,317,735 1,440,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) There was a $25m rescission of these funds in FY 02, amount shown is after rescission; (2) $5,000,000 for
tribal grants included in State Wildlife grants category; (3) requested from LWCF in 2003; (4) includes $50
million for Coop. Conservation Initiative; (5) includes funding from Land and Water Conservation Fund; (6)
includes $30,000,000 for Saving America's Treasures; (7) an additional $160 million for PILT is not in CSC;
(8) an additional $14,414,000 for refuge fund is not in CSC.
Conservation Partnerships
The Committee has not agreed to start a new cooperative
conservation initiative, as proposed by the Department of the
Interior, but wholeheartedly supports the concept of
cooperative efforts to address critical habitat restoration and
protection needs. The Committee believes that the goal of
conservation through partnerships should be accomplished using
existing cooperative programs. The current challenge cost share
programs in each of the land management agencies are excellent
examples of partnership efforts that leverage Federal funds.
The Committee strongly believes agencies should view
partnerships as an approach to doing business rather than an
opportunity to create new programs or new administrative
entities to accomplish cooperative conservation. The total
amount added to the budget request to address cooperative
partnerships through existing programs at the Department of the
Interior is $41,000,000 as detailed below. In addition, the
Committee recommends continuing the landowner incentive program
and the private stewardship grant program, which were started
in fiscal year 2002 under the Fish and Wildlife Service. The
$50,000,000 for those two new programs is continued for fiscal
year 2003.
The Committee has recommended increases in the challenge
cost share programs in the Department of the Interior. In the
Bureau of Land Management, an increase of $10,000,000 is
recommended, which more than doubles the funding to a total of
$19,000,000. Under the Committee's recommendation for fiscal
year 2003, funding for the National Park Service challenge cost
share program will be increased by $7,000,000, an increase of
100 percent, for a total availability of $14,000,000. The
amount not set-aside for Lewis and Clark projects will actually
increase by 350 percent--from $2,000,000 to $9,000,000. In the
Fish and Wildlife Service about $3,500,000 in refuge operations
is currently used for the challenge cost share program and the
Committee has recommended adding $3,000,000 for that program.
In the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Committee has
recommended adding funding to several existing programs that
have a demonstrated ability to leverage Federal funds. The
Committee has also placed an emphasis on addressing invasive
species control through cost-shared projects. In addition to
the increase for the refuge challenge cost share program, the
Committee has recommended increases of $2,000,000 for on-refuge
invasive species control projects using friends groups and
volunteers, $1,000,000 for invasive species control projects
under the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program, $1,000,000
for spartina control in Willapa Bay, Washington with the
expectation that the State and other partners will provide
additional funds to address this problem, $1,000,000 for
coastal programs, $1,000,000 for joint venture programs in
migratory bird management, $2,000,000 for fish passage
projects, and $1,000,000 for aquatic nuisance control. The
Committee has also recommended an increase of $12,000,000 for
habitat conservation plan land acquisition under the
cooperative endangered species conservation fund.
The Committee also notes that the North American Wetlands
Conservation program in the Fish and Wildlife Service is an
excellent example of the power of conservation partnerships.
Likewise, the Committee continues to support funding for the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in the Bureau of Land
Management, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park
Service, and the Forest Service. The Committee suggests that
the Natural Resource Damage Assessment program should be
examined for enhanced restoration partnership potential.
The Committee notes that the Forest Service had an active
challenge cost share program using available funds; as recently
as fiscal year 2000 the Forest Service set aside $35,057,000
and anticipated $56,517,000 in cooperator contributions. This
funding produced tremendous on-the ground accomplishments
providing substantial conservation, leverage of non-Federal
funds, and successful cooperation with many local groups. The
Committee has additional instructions for the Forest Service
challenge cost share program under the National forest system
heading. The Committee expects the Forest Service to
reestablish this program.
The Committee strongly encourages the Department of the
Interior and the Forest Service to use proven, existing
programs, and use the existing criteria for those programs, to
meet the goals of cooperative conservation. In the fiscal year
2004 budget, the Committee encourages the Department of the
Interior and the Forest Service to expand programs with proven
track records for leveraging Federal funds to deliver on the
ground habitat restoration and protection. The fiscal year 2004
budget justification should include a crosscut table of
partnership programs for each land management agency, including
information on Federal funding and cost sharing by program. The
Department of the Interior and the Forest Service should also
report to the Committee no later than December 31, 2002, on the
current status of their conservation partnership programs.
Energy Research--Responding to the National Energy Policy
Last year the Committee wholeheartedly welcomed the
Administration's National Energy Policy. The Committee was
disappointed that the budget request for fiscal year 2003 for
energy programs did not more fully embrace research in many
critical areas. The Committee agrees that the Department of
Energy must do a better job of measuring potential program
success and of refocusing or discontinuing programs that are
not yielding results. However, the Committee also believes that
new programs must continue to be explored and promising
research need to be expanded if we are to achieve the goals of
energy independence, dramatically lower energy consumption, and
significantly reduced emissions of harmful pollutants from
energy production and use.
The Committee's recommendations are responsive to those
goals and to the underlying National Energy Policy. The
recommendations include $1.9 billion for energy programs in the
Interior bill, an increase of $126 million above last year and
$175 million above the budget request. The recommendations
reflect a balanced approach to handling both the supply and
demand sides of the energy issue. Likewise, there is a balance
between research on technologies for traditional and
alternative fuels. We need both traditional fuels and
alternative fuels and we need to find ways to use all fuels and
technologies more efficiently and more cleanly.
The Committee continues to support the President's clean
coal power initiative and has recommended large increases in
funding for the weatherization assistance program and for State
energy grants. The Committee also has recommended restoring
most of the reductions proposed in the budget request for
energy conservation research and for research to improve fossil
energy technologies. We need to do all these things if we are
to have a balanced and rational national energy strategy.
The Committee agrees with the Administration that some
programs have not been as productive as anticipated. In the
past the Committee has recommended the elimination of dozens of
such programs in the energy area and will continue to do so in
the future. The nature of research is such that failures must
be acknowledged and not perpetuated in order to make room for
new ideas and unanticipated breakthroughs in technologies.
Much of the funding in the Interior bill is intended to
provide seed money for new ideas. Once those ideas result in
new technology and are adopted by industry, the Federal role is
completed. Too often in the past, the government has not
terminated programs that have not yielded results or has
continued to participate in programs once they were market
ready. Those mistakes should not be repeated. Most energy
innovations come about through the actions of industry and
small entrepreneurs and without Federal assistance. It is not
the job of the Federal government to pick ``winners and
losers'' in the energy area. The marketplace and the consumer
are the ultimate decision makers. The Federal role is an
important one but it should not extend beyond basic and applied
research. The Committee, in its recommendations, has attempted
to maintain diversity of energy research and not cross the line
into marketing.
Recreation on the Public Lands
Public participation in recreation programs funded in this
bill is an important and growing aspect of the land management
agencies under the jurisdiction of this Committee. These
agencies are responsible for the National Parks managed by the
National Park Service, the National Wildlife Refuge System
managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the
Nation's public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management,
and our National Forests and Grasslands managed by the Forest
Service. The Forest Service manages 192 million acres, has over
220 million visits per year, and attracts 84 thousand
volunteers. By contrast the National Park Service manages 84
million acres, has about 286 million visitors, and attracts 120
thousand volunteers. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages
95 million acres, has 41 million visitors annually and attracts
35 thousand volunteers. The Bureau of Land Management has the
largest land base of the land management agencies with 262
million acres. BLM has about 52 million visitors annually and
attracts 17 thousand volunteers. The Committee continues to
place a high priority on maintaining these recreation programs,
ensuring that the American public has safe and uplifting
experiences on the Nation's public lands. The Committee is
grateful to all the volunteers who are helping to make the
public lands better places for the visiting public and for
generations to come.
Law Enforcement in Southern Arizona
The Committee is concerned with the limited amount of
Department of the Interior and Forest Service law enforcement
resources in southern Arizona. More illegal immigration is
occurring in this region than any other area of the country.
These illegal immigrants and drug smuggling activities damage
the natural and cultural resources, reduce visitor safety, and
erode public confidence and enjoyment of these lands. Further,
warming and cooking fires built and abandoned by illegal
immigrants have caused wildfires that have destroyed over
40,000 acres of valuable wildlife habitat and are extremely
dangerous to the surrounding communities. Increased law
enforcement resources are needed in southern Arizona, and the
Committee directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Chief
of the Forest Service to assign additional federal law
enforcement officers to southern Arizona.
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for the
multiple use management, protection, and development of a full
range of natural resources, including minerals, timber,
rangeland, fish and wildlife habitat, and wilderness on about
262 million acres of the Nation's public lands and for
management of 700 million additional acres of Federally-owned
subsurface mineral rights. The Bureau is the second largest
supplier of public outdoor recreation in the Western United
States.
Under the multiple-use and ecosystem management concept the
Bureau administers the grazing of approximately 4.3 million
head of livestock on some 161 million acres of public land
ranges, and manages over 48,000 wild horses and burros, some
262 million acres of wildlife habitat, and over 117,000 miles
of fisheries habitat. Grazing receipts are estimated to be
about $14 million in fiscal year 2003, compared to an estimated
$14 million in fiscal year 2002 and actual receipts of $14
million in fiscal year 2001. The Bureau also administers about
49 million acres of commercial forestlands through the
``Management of Lands and Resources'' and ``Oregon and
California grant lands'' appropriations. Timber receipts
(including salvage) are estimated to be $26.7 million in fiscal
year 2003 compared to estimated receipts of $18.0 million in
fiscal year 2002 and actual receipts of $12.5 million in fiscal
year 2001. The Bureau has an active program of soil and
watershed management on 175 million acres in the lower 48
States and 92 million acres in Alaska. Practices such as
revegetation, protective fencing, and water development are
designed to conserve, enhance, and develop public land, soil,
and watershed resources. The Bureau is also responsible for
fire protection on the public lands and on all Department of
the Interior managed lands in Alaska, and for the suppression
of wildfires on the public lands in Alaska and the western
States.
MANAGEMENT OF LANDS AND RESOURCES
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $775,632,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 812,990,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 826,932,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +51,300,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +13,942,000
The Committee recommends $826,932,000 for management of
lands and resources an increase of $13,942,000 above the budget
request and $51,300,000 above the fiscal year 2002 enacted
level.
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
Land resources.--The Committee recommends $182,207,000 for
land resources, $4,650,000 above the budget request and
$2,760,000 above the 2002 level including increases above the
2002 level $2,060,000 for fixed costs, $2,150,000 for NLCS
reallocation, $1,000,000 for the Bureau's new science
initiative, $1,500,000 for range monitoring, and $600,000 for
NLCS, and decreases of $794,000 for travel reductions, $500,000
for the Idaho Department of Agriculture weed program,
$1,000,000 for the National Center of Weed Management at
Montana State University, $400,000 for the Headwater Reserve,
and $1,856,000 for challenge cost share reallocation. In
addition, the San Pedro Partnership is maintained at the 2002
level of $1,000,000.
The Committee is concerned that the Bureau's range
conservationist staff levels have decreased dramatically,
reducing capability to provide rangeland health monitoring and
service to grazing permit holders. The Committee recommends
that the $1,500,000 be used to increase the Bureau's capability
to place more personnel in the field to address more
effectively rangeland health issues and increase service to
grazing permittees.
Last year the Committee required the Secretary of
Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to charter an
interagency group to address rangeland assessment and
monitoring issues at both the local and national levels. Also,
they are to develop a coordinated plan and budget to carry out
standardized soil surveys and ecological classification on all
the Nation's rangelands. The Committee expects the Secretaries
to provide a detailed progress report by February 1, 2003, on
how they have responded to that direction, and include in the
fiscal year 2004 budget justifications projected budget and
personnel needs to initiate coordinated inventory, assessment
and monitoring of the Nation's rangelands on a continuing
basis.
Wildlife and fisheries.--The Committee recommends
$34,514,000 for wildlife and fisheries, $760,000 above the
budget request and $2,913,000 below the 2002 enacted level
including increases above the 2002 level of $395,000 for fixed
costs and $260,000 for NLCS reallocation, $500,000 under the
fisheries subactivity for biological support of use
authorizations, and decreases of $3,917,000 for challenge cost
share reallocation, and $152,000 for travel.
Threatened and endangered species.--The Committee
recommends $21,760,000 for threatened and endangered species,
$472,000 above the budget request and $142,000 above the 2002
enacted level including increases above the 2002 level of
$257,000 for fixed costs, $385,000 for NLCS reallocation and
$1,000,000 for planning, and a decrease of $1,500,000 for
challenge cost share reallocation.
Recreation management.--The Committee recommends
$59,383,000 for recreation management, $3,313,000 below the
budget request and $4,906,000 below the 2002 enacted level
included increases above the 2002 level of $792,000 for fixed
costs, $900,000 NLCS, $302,000 under recreation management for
monitoring, $500,000 recreation access, and decreases of
$4,115,000 NLCS reallocation, $285,000 for travel, $300,000 for
Utah mapping, $1,700,000 for challenge cost share reallocation,
and $1,000,000 for undaunted stewardship.
Recreation on public lands continues to rapidly increase
with approximately 220 million visitors to National Forests and
Grasslands and 65 million visitors to lands managed by the
Bureau of Land Management. The Committee is concerned that the
public have adequate access to these lands. Over a decade ago,
a General Accounting Office (GAO) report found that over 50.4
million acres of public lands administered by the Forest
Service and Bureau of Land Management had inadequate access.
The Committee is unaware of whether access to Federal public
lands has improved or declined since the 1992 GAO report.
Therefore, the Committee directs that, by January 31, 2003, the
Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management submit a report(s)
that include the number of acres by State under their
jurisdiction that currently have inadequate public access, by
State what steps have been taken or are currently underway to
improve access, what actions are needed to improve access, and
the extent to which a central repository of information exists
for those lands with access problems.
The Committee recommends $802,000 to improve management of
motorized and non-motorized recreation access to public lands.
This additional funding is provided to increase the Bureau's
capability to better meet the growing public demand for
recreational opportunities on public lands in balance with the
need to monitor and protect public safety and resource values.
Energy and minerals.--The Committee recommends $109,069,000
for energy and minerals including Alaska minerals, $2,000,000
above the budget request and $9,536,000 above the 2002 enacted
level including increase above the 2002 level of $1,456,000 for
fixed costs, $1,000,000 for the National Petroleum Reserve
Alaska, $3,000,000 for re-permitting the Trans-Alaska pipeline,
$1,500,000 for inspection and enforcement, $1,000,000 for
Energy Policy Act assessments, $1,496,000 for applications to
drill, principally in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and
Montana, $900,000 for Indian trust, $700,000 for geothermal
activities, $500,000 for coal leasing, $450,000 mineral
materials, and decreases of $341,000 for travel, $350,000 for
geothermal reallocation, and $1,775,000 for the Alaska mineral
assessment. Within the funds provided for oil and gas up to
$500,000 is available to finish the Powder River Basin EISs. No
funds have been included by the Committee in the fiscal year
2003 bill for activity related to potential energy development
within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Realty and ownership management.--The Committee recommends
$85,350,000 for realty and ownership management, $100,000 above
the budget request and $653,000 above the 2002 enacted level
including increases above the 2002 level of $1,169,000 for
fixed costs, $100,000 for NLCS reallocation, $1,600,000 for
rights-of-way and $400,000 for renewable energy, and decreases
of $1,500,000 for the Alaska lands database, $300,000 for the
Utah survey, $350,000 for the Montana survey, and $466,000 for
travel.
Resource protection and maintenance.--The Committee
recommends $78,777,000 for resource protection and maintenance,
$2,550,000 above the budget request and $17,086,000 above the
2002 enacted level including increases above the 2002 of
$704,000 for fixed costs, $14,000,000 for land management
plans, $250,000 for the west Mojave plan, $500,000 for NLCS,
$400,000 for California desert rangers, $500,000 for Imperial
Sand Dunes law enforcement, and $1,000,000 for mitigation of
environmental degradation caused by illegal immigrants in
southeastern Arizona, and a decrease of $268,000 for travel.
The Committee previously acknowledged the concern that has
been raised over the condition of the Bureau's land use plans,
and is providing an additional $14,000,000 as requested for
this planning effort in 2003.
The Committee is aware that the BLM is completing the
regional plan amendments to the California Desert Conservation
Plan required by a lawsuit settlement involving the Endangered
Species Act. These plans, to be completed in fiscal year 2003,
will require increased funding to implement and to avoid
further litigation risk. Therefore, the Committee strongly
advises the Department and the Bureau to fund this plan in the
2004 budget.
Transportation and facilities maintenance.--The Committee
recommends $84,278,000 for transportation and facilities
maintenance, $6,320,000 above the budget request and $6,411,000
above the 2002 enacted level including increases above the 2002
level of $502,000 for fixed costs, $1,220,000 for NLCS
reallocation, $100,000 for the Pacific Crest Trail, $1,000,000
for California desert communications, and $4,000,000 under
infrastructure improvement for fish passage improvements
(culverts) on Bureau lands, and a decrease of $411,000 for
travel.
The Committee recognizes the significance of the national
scenic and historic trails administered by the Bureau, and has
provided an additional $100,000 for maintenance of sections of
the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail in California and
Oregon.
Land and resource information systems.--The Committee
recommends $19,744,000 for land resource information systems,
$403,000 above the budget request and $12,000 below the 2002
enacted level including an increase above the 2002 level of
$121,000 for fixed costs and a decrease of $133,000 for travel.
Mining law administration.--The Committee recommends
$32,696,000 for mining law administration. This activity is
supported by offsetting fees equal to the amount made
available.
Workforce and organizational support.--The Committee
recommends $132,876,000 for workforce and organizational
support the same as the budget request and $3,570,000 above the
2002 enacted level including increases above the 2002 level of
$3,483,000 for fixed costs, and $501,000 for administrative
support, and a decrease of $414,000 for travel.
The Committee recognizes the extraordinary cost savings and
positive environmental benefits achieved by the military
through the implementation of pulse technology as a major
component of its battery management programs. The Committee
believes that the Bureau would also benefit significantly and
directly from the use of this technology to extend the life of
vehicle batteries. These benefits include savings in battery
replacement costs, reduction in overall maintenance costs for
vehicles and ancillary equipment, and a resultant increase in
safety for personnel. The Committee urges the Bureau to
incorporate this technology in its ongoing purchase and
maintenance programs for vehicles. The Bureau should report to
the Committee by December 31, 2002, on its plans to comply with
this direction. Beginning with the fiscal year 2004 budget
request, the budget submission should include an accounting of
the extent to which battery pulse technology is being employed
and the savings expected and realized as a result of the use of
this technology.
Challenge cost share.--The Committee recommends $18,973,000
for Challenge Cost share the same as the budget request. The
$10,000,000 increase for this high-priority activity is
included under the conservation spending category.
WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $678,421,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 653,754,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 655,332,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -23,089,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +1,578,000
The Committee recommends $655,332,000 for wildland fire
management $1,578,000 above the budget request and $23,089,000
below the 2002 enacted level.
The appropriation includes $278,639,000 for preparedness
and fire use, of which $12,374,000 has been provided for
deferred maintenance and capital improvement, and $8,000,000
has been provided for the joint fire science program;
$160,351,000 is for fire suppression operations; and
$216,342,000 is for other operations of which $10,000,000 is
for the rural fire assistance program, $74,935,000 is for
hazardous fuels reduction, $111,407,000 is for the wildland
urban interface, and $20,000,000 is for restoration and
rehabilitation of burned over areas. Within the funds provided
for wildland fire the Committee has included $152,000 to
reimburse Trinity County, CA for expenses incurred in the 1999
Lowden Fire. The Committee directs that the native plant
restoration program and funding should be maintained at the
fiscal year 2002 level.
Bill Language.--Language is included under Title I General
Provisions allowing for wildland fire activities on non-Federal
lands. Language is included under the wildland fire management
account allowing the fire agencies to enter into fire facility
leases with local communities. Language is also included under
Title III--General Provisions allowing the Secretary of the
Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into
reciprocal agreements with foreign nations.
The Committee is concerned about rising suppression costs
and the lack of incentives to consider costs during a large-
fire incident. The Committee believes that cost containment
should become more prominent among the priorities for
suppressing wildland fires. Therefore, the Committee directs
the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to take
the following steps designed to increase cost consciousness
during such incidents: (1) directly monitor, evaluate, and
report publicly on the costs of each large-fire incident
following its conclusion; (2) evaluate and report on the cost
effectiveness of all Type I and Type II incident management
teams at the end of each fire season; (3) at the end of each
year, evaluate and report on the fire costs of each Forest
Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Fish and Wildlife land unit
experiencing large wildfires that year; and (4) establish a
uniform, automated cost-reporting system to support these
requirements efficiently and effectively.
The Committee is well aware that making progress in
containing suppression costs will require a dedicated effort by
many Federal and non-Federal cooperators pursuing a wide range
of coordinated and vital activities on their own lands to
manage hazardous fuels appropriately, mitigate wildland-urban
interface hazards, and improve the effectiveness and efficiency
of wildland fire suppression. Clearly, the resources required
to meet these cross-boundary needs will be more than the
Federal government alone can supply. Therefore, the Committee
directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior
to jointly develop equitable and effective collaborative
mechanisms for prioritizing needed activities and sharing their
costs among the various Federal, State, local, tribal, and
private landowners involved, including those in wildland-urban
interface communities.
To support development of such collaborative mechanisms,
the Committee directs the Forest Service and the Department of
the Interior to contract for a thorough, independent study of
how potential mechanisms, such as a matching grant program,
could work. This study shall consider how best to take
advantage of relevant existing Federal programs for disaster
mitigation, biomass utilization, and community and private fire
protection programs. The Departments should equally share the
cost of this study; a preliminary report should be available to
the Committee by May 31, 2003, and the final report should be
completed by September 30, 2003.
The Committee is aware that the Forest Service and the four
Interior bureaus participating in Wildland Fire Management
activities use different systems and procedures for determining
their readiness for control of wildfires. We have been informed
that the Departments have been engaged in efforts to design and
develop tools for fire program managers that would be used by
the Forest Service and all of the Interior bureaus. The
Committee is encouraged that the Departments have been working
together to develop common systems to plan their activities;
however, we are concerned that a complex system may require
significant funding and take many years to develop.
The Committee therefore directs the Departments to design
and develop a focused automated system for preparedness
resource planning to replace the systems currently in use by
the fire management agencies. The Committee believes that a
limited system can be designed and implemented by the end of
fiscal year 2004. The development and design of the information
technology system for fire preparedness will be conducted
according to standard Federal regulations for planning,
budgeting, acquisition and management of capital assets. The
Committee further directs that the agencies deliver quarterly
progress reports that describe project status and provide
updated cost information.
The Committee has been repeatedly disappointed with the
inability of the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture to
produce accurate and timely cost information regarding specific
fire suppression projects. Agency officials have told us that
this is the result of the use of different accounting and
finance systems by the wildland fire management agencies. The
Committee urges the Departments to consider the potential for
unified accounting for the wildland fire management
appropriation accounts in the future. The Committee recognizes
that this would be a long-term effort. In the meantime, the
Committee directs the agencies to establish standard coding
practices and procedures for fire suppression activities
beginning in fiscal year 2003. The Committee expects the
agencies to develop a protocol that would work in each
financial system and be followed by each agency. The protocol
should provide clear, standard instructions for assigning cost
codes to be used for each fire event. The protocol should be
well understood and uniformly used by fire management and
finance officers in each agency. The agencies will be expected
to produce reports promptly when requested by the Committee. If
there are any technical impediments to complying with this
directive, agency finance officials must brief the Committee on
those impediments and be prepared to offer alternative
solutions to the project cost reporting problem.
The Committee has recommended an additional appropriation
of $200 million to cover unanticipated fiscal year 2002
wildland fire costs for the Bureau of Land Management. The 2002
fire season is shaping up to be one of the most catastrophic in
recent memory. At the beginning of July the amount of forest
and grasslands burned exceeded 3.1 million acres, a figure
nearly triple the 10 year average for this time of year and a
figure almost 50 percent higher than the disastrous 2000 fire
season. Officials at the National Interagency Fire Center have
indicated publicly that they believe the peak of the western
fire season has yet to come and the Bureau of Land Management
has informed the Committee that its fire suppression budget
model indicates that $200 million above the appropriations
currently available to the agency would be required for the
direct cost of fighting fires during 2002. The Committee
believes that it is essential to provide these amounts in order
to avoid undue disruptions either in the firefighting program
or in other Departmental programs from which funds might have
to be diverted if appropriations are inadequate.
CENTRAL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS FUND
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $9,978,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 9,978,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 9,978,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Central Hazardous Materials Fund was established to
include funding for remedial investigations/feasibility studies
and cleanup of hazardous waste sites for which the Department
of the Interior is liable pursuant to the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and
includes sums recovered from or paid by a party as
reimbursement for remedial action or response activities.
The Committee recommends $9,978,000 for the central
hazardous materials fund.
CONSTRUCTION
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $13,076,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 10,976,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 10,976,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -2,100,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $10,976,000 for construction the
same as the budget request and $2,100,000 below the 2002
enacted level.
PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $210,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 165,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 230,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +20,000,000
Budget estimate, 2001............................. +65,000,000
Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) provides for payments to
local units of government containing certain federally owned
lands. These payments are designed to supplement other Federal
land receipt sharing payments that local governments may be
receiving. Payments received may be used by the recipients for
any governmental purpose.
The Committee recommends $230,000,000 for PILT, of which
$70,000,000 is derived from the conservation spending category.
LAND ACQUISITION
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $49,920,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 44,686,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 49,286,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -634,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +4,600,000
The Committee recommends $49,286,000 for land acquisition,
an increase of $4,600,000 above the request and $634,000 below
the enacted level. This amount includes $43,286,000 for line
item projects, $1,500,000 for emergencies and hardships,
$500,000 for land exchanges and $4,000,000 for acquisition
management.
The Committee recommends the following distribution of
funds:
Committee
Area and State Recommendation
Beaver Creek Nat'l Wild & Scenic River/White Mountains
NRA (AK)............................................ $750,000
Black Forest Lake (CA).................................. 650,000
Carrizo Plain National Monument (CA).................... 4,350,000
Cerbat Foothills Recreation Area (AZ)................... 500,000
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (WY)........... 536,000
Cosumnes River Watershed (CA)........................... 2,500,000
El Dorado Preserve (CA)................................. 3,600,000
Golden Bair Ranch (easement*) (CO)...................... 1,500,000
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (UT)........ 2,000,000
King Range National Conservation Area (CA).............. 2,000,000
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (ID)............ 1,000,000
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (MT)............ 1,000,000
Lower Salmon River Area of Critical Environmental
Concern (ID)........................................ 1,000,000
Moses Coulee (WA)....................................... 1,000,000
National Historic Trails of Wyoming (WY)................ 200,000
Otay Mountains (CA)..................................... 500,000
Patterson Bend (CA)..................................... 1,000,000
Potrero Creek (CA)...................................... 3,000,000
Rio Grande National Wild and Scenic River (NM).......... 4,500,000
Sandy River (OR)........................................ 2,500,000
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
(CA)................................................ 1,000,000
Scab Creek Special Recreation Management Area (WY)...... 1,400,000
Sears Pt Area of Critical Environmental concern/Juan
Bautista De Anza NHT (AZ)........................... 800,000
Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
(ID)................................................ 2,000,000
Upper Crab Creek/Rock Creek (WA)........................ 1,000,000
Upper Snake/South Fork Snake River (ID)................. 2,000,000
West Eugene Wetlands (OR)............................... 1,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Subtotal: Federal Acquisition projects............ 43,286,000
Acquisition Management.................................. 4,000,000
Emergency/Inholdings/Relocation......................... 1,500,000
Land Exchange Equalization Payment...................... 500,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. 49,286,000
*Note.--Easements are subject to public access.
Funds for the Golden Bair Ranch is conditioned on BLM
providing public access to this property. The money for
Consumnes River Watershed is restricted to conservation
easements. The $1,000,000 for West Eugene Wetlands completes
the federal share of this project.
The land acquisition program is funded under the
conservation spending category.
OREGON AND CALIFORNIA GRANT LANDS
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $105,165,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 105,633,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 105,633,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +468,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $105,633,000 for the Oregon and
California grant lands the same as the budget request and
$468,000 above the 2002 enacted level including an increase
from the 2002 level of $1,068,000 for fixed costs and a
decrease of $600,000 for travel. These funds are provided for
construction and acquisition, operation and maintenance, and
management activities on the revested lands in the 18 Oregon
and California land grant counties of western Oregon.
RANGE IMPROVEMENTS
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $10,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 10,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 10,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
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.
Receipts are used for construction, purchase, and maintenance
of range improvements, such as seeding, fence construction,
weed control, water development, fish and wildlife habitat
improvement, and planning and design of these projects.
SERVICE CHARGES, DEPOSITS, AND FORFEITURES
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $8,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 7,900,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 7,900,000
Offsetting fees....................................... -7,900,000
The Committee recommends an indefinite appropriation
estimated to be $7,900,000, the budget request, for service
charges, deposits, and forfeitures. This appropriation is
offset with fees collected under specified sections of the
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and other Acts
to pay for reasonable administrative and other costs in
connection with rights-of-way applications from the private
sector, miscellaneous cost-recoverable realty cases, timber
contract expenses, repair of damaged lands, the adopt-a-horse
program, and the provision of copies of official public land
documents.
MISCELLANEOUS TRUST FUNDS
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $12,405,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 12,405,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 12,405,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends an indefinite appropriation
estimated to be $12,405,000, the budget request, for
miscellaneous trust funds. The Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 provides for the receipt and expenditure
of moneys received as donations or gifts (section 307). Funds
in this trust fund are derived from the administrative and
survey costs paid by applicants for conveyance of omitted lands
(lands fraudulently or erroneously omitted from original
cadastral surveys), from advances for other types of surveys
requested by individuals, and from contributions made by users
of Federal rangelands. Amounts received from the sale of Alaska
town lots are also available for expenses of sale and
maintenance of town sites. Revenue from unsurveyed lands, and
surveys of omitted lands, administrative costs of conveyance,
and gifts and donations must be appropriated before it can be
used.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to
conserve, protect and enhance fish and wildlife and their
habitats for the continuing benefit of people. The Service has
responsibility for migratory birds, threatened and endangered
species, certain marine mammals, and land under Service
control.
The Service manages nearly 95 million acres across the
United States, encompassing a 538-unit National Wildlife Refuge
System, additional wildlife and wetlands areas, and 70 National
Fish Hatcheries. A network of law enforcement agents and port
inspectors enforce Federal laws for the protection of fish and
wildlife. In fiscal year 2003, the Service will celebrate the
100th anniversary of the establishment of the National Wildlife
Refuge System.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $850,597,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 903,604,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 918,359,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +67,762,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +14,755,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $918,359,000 for resource
management, an increase of $14,755,000 above the budget request
and $67,762,000 above the fiscal year 2002 level. Within this
account, $60,006,000 for infrastructure improvement and
$2,000,000 for the youth conservation corps is funded under the
conservation spending category. Changes to the budget request
are detailed below.
Ecological services.--The Committee recommends $225,252,000
for ecological services, an increase of $14,105,000 above the
budget request.
Within the ecological services activity, increases
recommended for endangered species recovery programs include
$3,000,000 for Washington State salmon grants to be
administered through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation,
$500,000 for manatee protection, and $1,000,000 to address the
backlog of recovery actions.
Changes recommended for habitat conservation programs
include increases of $7,430,000 for the Partners for Fish and
Wildlife program and $1,675,000 for coastal programs. The
increase for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program
includes $1,000,000 to continue the nutria eradication program
at Blackwater NWR, MD, $500,000 to continue the Columbia River
estuary research project, $1,100,000 for bull trout
conservation in Washington State, $1,400,000 for the Washington
State ecosystems project, $500,000 for Georgia stream bank
restoration, $750,000 for Walla Walla Basin habitat
conservation planning, $1,000,000 for invasive species control,
$1,000,000 for Spartina control in Willapa Bay, WA, and
$180,000 in project planning to continue support for the New
Jersey Meadowlands study. The increase for coastal programs
includes $200,000 for the Long Live the Kings program, $175,000
for the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, $300,000 is for
the programs in Tampa Bay and the Florida panhandle, and
$1,000,000 for new cost shared projects with an emphasis on
invasive species control. The increase for invasive species
control (including Spartina control) are derived from the
conservation spending category.
An increase of $500,000 is recommended for the
environmental contaminants program to address the program
backlog.
Refuges and wildlife.--The Committee recommends
$458,717,000 for refuges and wildlife, an increase of
$2,000,000 above the budget request.
Changes recommended for refuge operations and maintenance
include an increase of $10,000,000 for refuge operations, of
which $5,000,000 is to continue ``minimum staffing''
implementation, $3,000,000 is for the challenge cost share
program for new cost shared projects with an emphasis on
invasive species control, and $2,000,000 is for on refuge
invasive species control using friends groups and volunteers.
There are also decreases of $5,000,000 for the cooperative
conservation initiative and $5,000,000 for refuge maintenance.
The increases for challenge cost share and invasive species
programs are derived from the conservation spending category.
The Committee is aware that non-native invasive species are
a serious problem for the National Wildlife Refuge System. It
has been cited as the System's top threat in a recent survey of
refuge managers. Invasive plants degrade the valuable habitat
for which the refuges were created. Over the past few years,
the number of friends groups or support organizations for
refuges has grown to more than 200. These groups provide a
great potential for many volunteers to assist refuge staff in
addressing the growing threat of non-native invasive species.
The Committee recommends that the refuge system offer its
fullest cooperation and encouragement for these volunteer
forces by setting priority areas for cleanup, conducting
appropriate training, and making available the proper
supervision, tools, and equipment necessary for friends groups
and volunteers to be effective in fighting invasive species on
National Wildlife Refuges.
The Committee encourages the Service to use other programs
to support control of invasive species in and around refuges,
including coastal wetlands restoration grants and the partners
for fish and wildlife program. The Committee also encourages
the continued use of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
to leverage Federal funds.
A total of $998,000, the budget request, is recommended to
continue the Salton Sea recovery program, contingent on
matching funds from the State of California. The Committee does
not object to including this program in the regular operations
account in fiscal year 2004 and beyond.
An increase of $2,000,000 is recommended for migratory bird
management, of which $1,000,000 is to address goose depredation
and $1,000,000 is to continue to advance the joint venture
programs toward the fiscal year 2004 target funding levels
outlined in the fiscal year 2001 statement of the managers that
accompanied the conference report for that year. The Committee
appreciates the Service's requested increase for the joint
ventures program in the budget request but notes that it is
insufficient to make reasonable progress towards meeting the
2004 target funding levels. The Committee agrees to the
following distribution of funds for joint ventures:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year Fiscal year Fiscal year
Joint venture 2002 2003 2004 target
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Coast.................................................. 506,000 626,000 800,000
Lower Mississippi............................................... 576,000 647,000 750,000
Upper Mississippi............................................... 363,000 481,000 650,000
Prairie Pothole................................................. 1,248,000 1,310,000 1,400,000
Gulf Coast...................................................... 448,000 551,000 700,000
Playa Lakes..................................................... 369,000 505,000 700,000
Rainwater Basin................................................. 278,000 328,000 400,000
Intermountain West.............................................. 469,000 687,000 1,000,000
Central Valley.................................................. 417,000 471,000 550,000
Pacific Coast................................................... 378,000 510,000 700,000
San Francisco Bay............................................... 269,000 310,000 370,000
Sonoran......................................................... 278,000 328,000 400,000
Arctic Goose.................................................... 210,000 276,000 370,000
Black Duck...................................................... 188,000 263,000 370,000
Sea Duck........................................................ 340,000 426,000 550,000
Administration.................................................. 662,000 698,000 750,000
Total..................................................... 6,999,000 8,417,000 10,460,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fisheries.--The Committee recommends $104,663,000 for
fisheries, an increase of $9,900,000 above the budget request,
including increases of $5,000,000 for hatchery operations and
maintenance, of which $4,000,000 is for the Washington State
hatchery improvement project and $1,000,000 is to restore the
fiscal year 2002 level for the hatchery program, and $4,900,000
for fish and wildlife management, of which $500,000 is to
complete reproductive biology/salmon research at Washington
State University, $500,000 is to restore funding for the Great
Lakes fish and wildlife restoration program (these funds should
remain in the base budget in future years), $2,000,000 is for
cooperative fish passage projects, $900,000 is for
administrative costs associated with the Sea lamprey program,
and $1,000,000 is for aquatic nuisance control, which is
derived from the conservation spending category. The Committee
notes that the increase for fish passage projects is part of a
$20,000,000 bill-wide effort to address this critical problem.
There is also $4,000,000 recommended in the Bureau of Land
Management and $14,000,000 recommended in the Forest Service.
Funding for the fish passage initiative is included under the
infrastructure improvement subcategories of the conservation
spending category.
General Administration.--The Committee recommends
$129,727,000 for general administration, a decrease of
$11,250,000 below the budget request, including increases of
$750,000 to restore Servicewide support and $1,000,000 for a
National Academy of Sciences review of the Service's criteria
for State Wildlife Grants plans and of State plans and a
decrease of $13,000,000 for the cooperative conservation
initiative.
The Committee has not agreed to start a new cooperative
conservation initiative but wholeheartedly supports the concept
of cooperative efforts to address critical habitat restoration
and protection needs. For the Fish and Wildlife Service, the
Committee has recommended adding funding to existing programs
that have a proven track record in this regard. The Committee
has also placed an emphasis on addressing invasive species
control through cost-shared projects. Recommended increases
include $3,000,000 for the refuge challenge cost share program,
$2,000,000 for on refuge invasive species control projects
using friends groups and volunteers, $1,000,000 for invasive
species control projects under the Partners for Fish and
Wildlife program, $1,000,000 for Spartina control in Willapa
Bay, Washington with the expectation that the State and other
partners will provide additional funds to address this problem,
$1,000,000 for the coastal programs, $1,000,000 for joint
venture programs under migratory bird management, $2,000,000
for fish passage, and $1,000,000 for aquatic nuisance control.
The Committee strongly encourages the Service to follow this
model of using proven, existing programs to meet the goals of
cooperative conservation.
The Committee agrees to the following:
1. The amount paid for the cost allocation methodology in
the Resource Management account may only exceed that paid in
fiscal year 2002 where such costs are clearly the direct result
of increased space and increased staffing. The Service should
consider contracting for an independent outside review of its
cost allocation methodology by the National Academy of Public
Administration.
2. The Peregrine Fund should be funded at $400,000 in
fiscal year 2003.
3. The planning function for land acquisition has been
transferred from the land acquisition account to the resource
management account as proposed by the Service. The Service
needs to establish strict criteria to evaluate new and expanded
refuge proposals.
4. The Service should continue to assist the Corps of
Engineers in their comprehensive review of alternative
approaches to preserving the Meadowlands wetlands area in
northern New Jersey and the Committee has provided $180,000 for
this purpose. The Service should include the necessary funds
for this effort in future budget submissions.
5. The Service should continue its support and increase
funding for joint venture programs in order to achieve the
target funding level by fiscal year 2004. This program
continues to be one of the greatest successes of the Service;
with funding leveraged to a greater extent than all other
Service programs combined.
6. The Committee continues to be concerned about the
Service's inability to complete its strategic plan for
fisheries. In answer to a hearing question for the record, the
Service responded by reporting on the status of a plan for
hatcheries. The continuing emphasis on hatcheries rather than
on habitat protection and restoration has been a continuing
problem with the fisheries program.
7. The Committee strongly supports the Service's efforts to
obtain reimbursement from the Bureau of Reclamation for
mitigation production at the Jones Hole NFH and the Hotchkiss
NFH. Those funds should be used to address the most critical
hatchery maintenance needs.
8. The proposed program reduction for hatcheries is
rejected without prejudice. Such proposals in the future must
be in the context of the strategic plan for fisheries and must
be fully explained and justified in the budget request before
the Committee will consider them.
9. The Committee supports the consolidation of the
Service's Diversity and Civil Rights Division. This is the type
of specific management reform that should be pursued by the
Service and the Department rather than assessing arbitrary
funding reductions against all programs. The Committee also
supports the limited use of funds by the Service to contract
for employment-related legal services.
10. Support costs managed at the regional office and
headquarters levels must be budgeted under the regional office
operations and headquarters operations line items. No
assessments or ``cross-charges'' should be imposed on program
accounts to cover these costs or costs associated with regional
or headquarters initiatives.
11. The Service should continue to support the Forest
Service's Carhart Center at the same level as in fiscal year
2002.
12. The ongoing drought in the Southwest continues to place
certain species recovery programs in jeopardy. The Committee
compliments the Service for moving towards increased Silvery
minnow captive breeding efforts rather than relying solely on
river habitat as in the past. The Service should expand these
options to other streams throughout the Southwest.
13. Last year the Congress directed an independent review
of the science committee review on the progress of the Mexican
gray wolf reintroduction program in New Mexico and Arizona. The
Service has not complied with that direction. Questions of
potential conflicts of interest and other controversies
surrounding the program could further damage the recovery
effort if an independent review is not undertaken. The
Committee recognizes that there has been some improvement in
the program's relationships with local governments and
citizens, but previous program decisions have resulted in
significant distrust of the Service's management of the
program. The Service should continue to work closely with
impacted local communities and their elected officials. The
Committee is concerned that the Service appears to approach the
wolf reintroduction program as a public relations exercise and
overstates the success of the program rather than resolving
problems and issues. The Service should consult with the
Committee on how it will fund additional USDA Wildlife Services
personnel in the future and on any plans to deviate from the
original wolf reintroduction plan. The Committee also expects
the Service to oppose strongly third party lawsuits aimed at
adding additional costly requirements for reintroduction
program operations on local ranchers.
14. The Committee recognizes the extraordinary cost savings
and positive environmental benefits achieved by the military
through the implementation of pulse technology as a major
component of its battery management programs. The Committee
believes that the Fish and Wildlife Service would also benefit
significantly and directly from the use of this technology to
extend the life of vehicle batteries. These benefits include
savings in battery replacement costs, reduction in overall
maintenance costs for vehicles and ancillary equipment, and a
resultant increase in safety for personnel. The Committee urges
the Service to incorporate this technology in its ongoing
purchase and maintenance programs for vehicles. The Service
should report to the Committee by December 31, 2002, on its
plans to comply with this direction. Beginning with the fiscal
year 2004 budget request, the budget submission should include
an accounting of the extent to which battery pulse technology
is being employed and the savings expected and realized as a
result of the use of this technology.
15. The Committee encourages the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service to support the Caddo Lake Ramsar Wetlands
Science project within the increases provided by the Committee
for resource management. The Caddo Lake wetlands are classified
as Resource Category 1 wetlands by the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service and provide habitat for a number of endangered
species. Further, this project will develop model programs for
community-based and locally-designed wetlands conservation.
Bill language.--The Committee recommends bill language
permitting the limited use of funds for incidental expenses
related to promoting and celebrating the Refuge Centennial. The
Committee understands that these expenses will be cost-shared
by friends groups and other private contributions.
Bill language is also included, under General Provisions,
Department of the Interior, requiring the Service to implement
fully the fish marking program related to efforts to preserve
endangered species of salmon. This action has been taken
because of the significant endangered species benefits derived
from applying a visual mark to hatchery fish, most notably the
ability to monitor easily and manage hatchery stray rates, and
to differentiate hatchery fish from natural fish for broodstock
management and stock assessment purposes. The Committee expects
the Service to be a full participant in this effort by ensuring
that hatchery fish that are suitable/available for selective
fisheries are visually marked to assist in the identification
and recovery of wild salmonid stocks.
CONSTRUCTION
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $55,543,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 35,402,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 51,308,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -4,235,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +15,906,000
The Committee recommends $51,308,000 for construction, a
decrease of $4,235,000 below the fiscal year 2002 level and
$15,906,000 above the budget request.
The Committee agrees to the following distribution of
funds:
[Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget Committee
Project Description request recommendation Difference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bear River NWR, UT......................... Dikes and related facilities 0 1,000 1,000
[cc].
Big Branch Marsh NWR, LA................... Restroom/support facility [c] 0 150 150
Bitter Lake NWR, NM........................ Visitor center/standard 0 1,950 1,950
design [d/c].
Black-Footed Ferret Wildlife Research Ctr, Endangered species facility 3,240 3,240 0
CO. [cc].
Bosque del Apache NWR, NM.................. Equipment for salt cedar 0 400 400
control.
Bozeman Fish Technology Center, MT......... Seismic safety/3 building 150 150 0
rehab [p/d].
Bozeman Fish Technology Center, MT......... Laboratory/administration 500 500 0
building [c].
Bridge Safety Inspections (Servicewide).... ............................. 560 560 0
Clark R. Bavin Forensics Laboratory, OR.... Security upgrades............ 765 765 0
Clark R. Bavin Forensics Laboratory, OR.... Forensics laboratory 6,235 6,235 0
expansion [c].
Craig Brook NFH, ME........................ Wastewater treatment 200 200 0
compliance [p].
Dam Safety Program (Servicewide)........... ............................. 1,365 1,365 0
D. C. Booth NFH, SD........................ Exhibits for visitor center.. 0 550 550
Harris Neck NWR, GA........................ Office renovation............ 0 350 350
Iron River NFH, WI......................... Replace domes at Schacte 2,000 2,000 0
Creek [cc].
Jackson NFH, WY............................ Seismic safety rehabilitation 80 80 0
[d].
Jordon River NFH, MI....................... M/V Togue/Great Lakes 800 800 0
stocking vessel [d].
Klamath Basin NWR complex, CA.............. Water supply and management.. 1,000 1,000 0
Northwest Power Planning Area.............. Fish screens, etc............ 0 4,000 4,000
Orangeburg NFH, SC......................... Orangeburg substation dam 4,144 4,144 0
[cc].
Ottawa NWR, OH............................. Visitor center/standard 1,100 1,950 850
design [d/c].
Quilcene NFH, WA........................... Seismic safety rehab of 45 45 0
hatchery building [d].
Sachuest Point NWR, RI..................... Exhibits for visitor center.. 0 250 250
Savannah NWR, GA........................... Visitor center/standard 1,100 1,950 850
design [d/c].
Security upgrades (Servicewide)............ ............................. 1,700 1,700 0
Shawangunk NWR, NY......................... Demolish runways [p/d]....... 0 300 300
Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR, CA.............. Seismic safety rehab of shop 200 200 0
building [cc].
Visitor Contact Stations................... Several locations/standard 0 2,000 2,000
design.
Wolf Creek NFH, KY......................... Visitor center [cc].......... 0 1,800 1,800
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Line Item Construction..... ............................. 25,184 39,634 14,450
====================================================================
Nationwide Engineering Services:
Cost Allocation Methodology............ ............................. 3,000 3,000 0
Environmental Compliance Management.... ............................. 1,400 1,856 456
Seismic Safety Program................. ............................. 200 200 0
Waste Prevention and Recycling......... ............................. 150 150 0
Other Engineering Services............. ............................. 5,468 6,468 1,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Nationwide Engineering ............................. 10,218 11,674 1,456
Services.
====================================================================
Total................................ ............................. 35,402 51,308 15,906
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee agrees to the following:
1. No administrative or other assessments may be levied
against individual projects. All administrative overhead should
be budgeted in the nationwide engineering services activity or
in the general operations activity under Resource Management.
This instruction also applies to funds available from prior
years.
2. The Committee has recommended restoring funds for the
Service's demolition and environmental compliance needs. These
funds should be continued and increased, as needed, in future
budget requests.
3. The Committee strongly supports the standardized design
approach for visitor centers and visitor contact stations, and
the efforts of Friends Groups and others to provide cost
sharing for these facilities. The Committee recommends
providing the full Federal share of funding for 3 facilities--
Ottawa NWR, Savannah NWR, and Bitter Lake NWR--with the
understanding that each of these projects will be supplemented
with private funds.
4. The Service should use prior year balances from
completed projects to complete the exhibits at the Great Falls
Discovery Center in Turner Falls, MA. This is a cooperative
effort between the Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge,
the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management, and
seven other partners. The Committee understands that no more
than $200,000 will be used to complete these exhibits.
Bill language is recommended to permit the Service to enter
into a contract for the full scope of the Clark R. Bavin
Forensics Laboratory, OR expansion effort.
LAND ACQUISITION
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $99,135,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 70,384,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 82,250,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -16,885,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +11,866,000
The Committee recommends $82,250,000 for land acquisition,
an increase of $11,866,000 above the budget request and
$16,885,000 below the enacted level. This amount includes
$64,750,000 for line item projects, $2,000,000 for inholdings,
$2,000,000 for emergencies and hardships, $1,000,000 for
exchanges, $2,500,000 for cost allocation methodology and
$10,000,000 for acquisition management.
The Committee recommends the following distribution of
funds:
Committee
Area and State Recommendation
Alaska Peninsula NWR (TDX) (AK)......................... $2,500,000
Baca Ranch (CO)......................................... 5,000,000
Back Bay NWR (VA)....................................... 1,000,000
Balconies/Canyonlands NWR (TX).......................... 1,000,000
Buenos Aires NWR (AZ)................................... 500,000
Cahaba River NWR (AL)................................... 3,000,000
Cat Island NWR (LA)..................................... 2,500,000
Dakota Tallgrass Prairie WMA (ND/SD).................... 1,000,000
Detroit River NWR (MI).................................. 3,500,000
Edwin B. Forsythe NWR (NJ).............................. 2,250,000
Great Meadows NWR (MA).................................. 1,600,000
Great Swamp NWR (NJ).................................... 1,000,000
J.N. ``Ding'' Darling NWR (FL).......................... 3,000,000
Lower Suwannee NWR (FL)................................. 1,000,000
Minnesota Valley NWR (MN)............................... 4,000,000
National Key Deer Refuge (FL)........................... 1,000,000
Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR (MN/IA).................. 1,000,000
Ottawa NWR (OH)......................................... 500,000
Pelican Island NWR (FL)................................. 1,750,000
Pond Creek NWR (AR)..................................... 1,000,000
Prime Hook NWR (DE)..................................... 1,350,000
Quinault Indian Reservation (WA)........................ 5,000,000
Rappahannock River Valley NWA (VA)...................... 3,000,000
Red River NWR (LA)...................................... 500,000
San Diego NWR (CA)...................................... 2,000,000
San Joaquin River NWR (CA).............................. 2,500,000
Savannah NWR (GA) Mulberry Grove........................ 4,000,000
Silvio O. Conte NFWR (VT/NH/MA/CT)...................... 1,000,000
St. Marks NWR (FL)...................................... 2,000,000
Stewart B. McKinney NWR (CT)............................ 1,000,000
Trinity River NWR (TX).................................. 500,000
Wallkill River NWR (NJ/NY).............................. 2,300,000
Western Montana Project (MT)............................ 750,000
Willapa NWR (WA)........................................ 750,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Subtotal: Federal Acquisition projects............ $64,750,000
Acquisition Management.................................. 10,000,000
Emergency & Hardship.................................... 2,000,000
Exchanges............................................... 1,000,000
Inholdings.............................................. 2,000,000
Cost Allocation Methodology............................. 2,500,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. $82,250,000
The Committee was disappointed with the Service's fiscal
year 2003 budget submission and continues to encourage the
Service to institute much needed reforms in the acquisition
priority system.
The land acquisition program is funded under the
conservation spending category.
LANDOWNER INCENTIVE PROGRAM
The Landowner Incentive program provides funds to States,
territories and tribes for matching, competitively awarded
grants to establish or supplement landowner incentive programs
that provide technical and financial assistance to private
landowners. The purpose of these incentive programs is to
restore and protect habitat of Federally listed, proposed or
candidate species under the Endangered Species Act, or other at
risk species on private lands. Eligible grantees include the
States, the District of Columbia, Indian Tribes, Puerto Rico,
Guam, the U. S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands,
and American Samoa.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $40,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 50,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 40,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. -10,000,000
The Committee recommends $40,000,000 for the landowner
incentive program, a $10,000,000 decrease from the budget
request and equal to the 2002 level. The Committee has not
agreed to increase funding for this program for two reasons:
(1) the fiscal year 2002 funds have not yet been spent and (2)
many of these projects should qualify for funds under the
recently enacted farm bill. One key purpose of the landowner
incentive program, as reported by the Service, is restoration
of marginal farmlands to wetlands and the Service should work
closely with the Department of Agriculture to ensure projects
funded under the farm bill complement and supplement the
Service's landowner programs to the maximum extent possible.
STEWARDSHIP GRANTS
The private stewardship grants program provides grants and
other assistance to individuals and groups engaged in local,
private, and voluntary conservation efforts that benefit
federally listed, proposed or candidate species, or other at
risk species.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $10,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 10,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 10,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $10,000,000 for the private
stewardship grants program, the same as the budget request and
the fiscal year 2002 level.
COOPERATIVE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND
Eighty percent of the habitat for more than half of the
listed endangered and threatened species is on private land.
The Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund provides
grants to States and territories for endangered species
recovery actions on non-Federal lands and provides funds for
non-Federal land acquisition to facilitate habitat protection.
Individual States and territories provide 25 percent of grant
project costs. Cost sharing is reduced to 10 percent when two
or more States or territories are involved in a project.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $96,235,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 91,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 121,400,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +25,165,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +30,400,000
The Committee recommends $121,400,000 for the cooperative
endangered species conservation fund, an increase of
$30,400,000 above the budget request and $25,165,000 above the
2002 level. Increases include $30,000,000 for habitat
conservation plan land acquisition and $400,000 for
administration. The recommended level is necessary to address
the growing demand for HCP land acquisition. This program is
funded under the conservation spending category.
Bill language is recommended to derive the HCP land
acquisition portion of this account from the Land and Water
Conservation Fund, instead of deriving the entire funding from
the LWCF as proposed in the budget request.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE FUND
Through this program the Service makes payments to counties
in which Service lands are located, based on their fair market
value. Payments to counties are estimated to be $26,528,000 in
fiscal year 2003 with $19,414,000 derived from this
appropriation and $7,114,000 from net refuge receipts estimated
to be collected in fiscal year 2002.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $14,414,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 14,414,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 19,414,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +5,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +5,000,000
The Committee recommends $19,414,000 for the National
wildlife refuge fund, an increase of $5,000,000 above both the
budget request and the fiscal year 2002 funding level. Within
the amount recommended, $5,000,000 is derived from the
conservation spending category.
The Committee continues to be concerned about the
priorities of the Service with respect to meeting its
obligations under the National wildlife refuge fund. The
Committee strongly disagrees with the Service's emphasis on
acquiring more land without commensurate funding increases for
the national wildlife refuge fund. Refuge revenue sharing
payments have dropped from 66 percent of the authorized level
in 1998 to 55 percent in 2002. With the $5,000,000 increase
recommended by the Committee, the payments will be raised to 70
percent of the authorized level.
NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION FUND
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, through the North
American Wetlands Conservation Fund, leverages partner
contributions for wetlands conservation. Projects to date have
been in 48 States, 10 Canadian provinces, 21 Mexican states and
the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to this appropriation, the
Service receives funding from receipts in the Federal Aid in
Wildlife Restoration account from taxes on firearms,
ammunition, archery equipment, pistols and revolvers, and from
the Sport Fish Restoration account from taxes on fishing tackle
and equipment, electric trolling motors and fish finders and
certain marine gasoline taxes. By law, sport fish restoration
receipts are used for coastal wetlands in States bordering the
Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, States bordering the Great Lakes,
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, the freely associated States in the
Pacific, and American Samoa.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $43,500,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 43,560,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 43,560,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +60,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $43,560,000 for the North American
wetlands conservation fund, equal to the budget request and an
increase of $60,000 above the fiscal year 2002 level. This
program is funded under the conservation spending category.
The Committee expects the Service to institute
administrative reforms in the North American wetlands
conservation program. Specifically, the number of site visits
by Council staff should be reduced and only one person should
be sent to a site visit (two are sent now). In addition, the
Service should not pay airfare for Council staff to attend
Council meetings and more Council meetings should be conducted
in the Washington, D.C. area. The savings from these reforms
should be directed toward systematic monitoring of completed
projects; periodic audits of grantees; evaluation of the
biological effectiveness of the NAWCA program; and implementing
an electronic grants process. The Service should report to the
Committee no later than January 31, 2003, on its plans to
implement these reforms and should report annually in the
budget justification on progress in this area.
Bill Language is continued specifying that the increase
above the fiscal year 2001 level is to be devoted to projects
in the United States. The Committee has recommended continuing
this language based upon the large number of high priority
unfunded project applications in the U.S. as compared with
project applications from Canada and Mexico.
NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION
The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 2000
authorizes grants for the conservation of neotropical migratory
birds in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean,
with 75 percent of the amounts available to be expended on
projects outside the U.S. There is a three to one matching
requirement under this program.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $3,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 0
Recommended, 2003..................................... 5,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +2,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +5,000,000
The Committee recommends $5,000,000 for the neotropical
migratory bird conservation program, an increase of $5,000,000
above the budget request and $2,000,000 above the 2002 level.
The Administration proposed $1,000,000 for this program as part
of the multinational species conservation fund. This program is
funded under the conservation spending category.
This program provides critically needed resources for
conservation of neotropical migratory birds. The Committee
expects the Service to continue to administer this grant
program through the Service's division of bird habitat
conservation, following the model of the North American
wetlands conservation program, and in close coordination with
the Service's international program.
MULTINATIONAL SPECIES CONSERVATION FUND
This account combines funding for programs under the former
rewards and operations (African elephant) account, the former
rhinoceros and tiger conservation account, the Asian elephant
conservation program, and the great ape conservation program.
The African Elephant Act of 1988 established a fund for
assisting nations and organizations involved with conservation
of African elephants. The Service provides grants to African
Nations and to qualified organizations and individuals to
protect and manage critical populations of these elephants.
The Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994
authorized programs to enhance compliance with the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and U.S.
or foreign laws prohibiting the taking or trade of rhinoceros,
tigers or their habitat.
The Asian Elephant Conservation Act of 1997 authorized a
grant program, similar to the African elephant program, to
enable cooperators from regional and range country agencies and
organizations to address Asian elephant conservation problems.
The world's surviving populations of wild Asian elephants are
found in 13 south and southeastern Asian countries.
The Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 authorized grants to
foreign government, the CITES secretariat, and non-governmental
organizations for the conservation of great apes.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $4,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 5,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 4,800,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +800,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. -200,000
The Committee recommends $4,800,000 for the multinational
species conservation fund, an increase of $800,000 above the
fiscal year 2002 level and $200,000 below the budget request.
Changes to the budget request include a decrease of $1,000,000
for neotropical migratory birds (which is funded in a separate
account) and an increase of $800,000, which includes $200,000
each for African elephant conservation, rhinoceros and tiger
conservation, Asian elephant conservation, and great ape
conservation. The Committee expects these funds to be matched
by non-Federal funding to leverage private contributions to the
maximum extent possible. This program is funded under the
conservation spending category.
STATE WILDLIFE GRANTS
The State wildlife grant program provides funds for States
to develop and implement wildlife management and habitat
restoration for the most critical wildlife needs in each State.
States are required to develop comprehensive wildlife
conservation plans to be eligible for grants and to provide at
least a 25 percent cost share for planning grants and at least
a 50 percent cost share for implementation grants. This program
is funded under the conservation spending category.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $60,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 60,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 100,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +40,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +40,000,000
The Committee recommends $100,000,000 for State wildlife
grants, an increase of $40,000,000 above both the budget
request and the 2002 level, after adjusting for the $25,000,000
rescission in the 2002 Act. Within the amount provided,
$5,000,000 is for competitively awarded grants to Indian
tribes.
The Committee notes that the State wildlife grants program
has had numerous problems with implementation over the past two
years and reminds the Service that the centerpiece to a strong
program must be solid, scientifically-based State plans. These
plans should address the conservation of each State's or
eligible entity's full array of wildlife and stress on the
ground restoration and protection of habitat for the species of
greatest concern. State plans should not be approved if they do
not meet the standards set by the Service.
The Committee has recommended a $1,000,000 increase in the
Service's resource management appropriation for the Service to
contract with the National Academy of Sciences to ensure that
the criteria established by the Service for State plans under
the State wildlife grants program are appropriate and that
those standards are strictly adhered to in each State plan. The
Service should proceed with the distribution of funds and the
implementation of the program. There should be no disruption or
delay pending the Academy's review.
Each State or eligible entity has two years to enter into
specific grant agreements with the Service using fiscal year
2003 funding. If funds remain unobligated at the end of fiscal
year 2004, the unobligated funds will be reapportioned to all
States and eligible entities, together with any new
appropriations provided in fiscal year 2005.
Not more than 3 percent of the appropriated amount may be
used for Federal administration of the program. Administrative
costs for each grantee should also be held to a minimum so that
the maximum amount of funding is used for on-the-ground
projects.
National Park Service
The mission of the National Park 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. The National Park
Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of
natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor
recreation throughout this country and the world.
The National Park Service, established in 1916, has
stewardship responsibilities for the protection and
preservation of the heritage resources of the National Park
System. The system, consisting of 385 separate and distinct
units, is recognized globally as a leader in park management
and resource preservation. The national park system represents
much of the finest the Nation has to offer in terms of scenery,
historical and archeological relics, and cultural heritage.
Through its varied sites, the National Park Service attempts to
explain America's history, interpret its culture, preserve
examples of its natural ecosystems, and provide recreational
and educational opportunities for U.S. citizens and visitors
from all over the world. In addition, the National Park Service
provides support to tribal, local, and State governments to
preserve culturally significant, ecologically important, and
public recreational lands.
OPERATION OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $1,487,075,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 1,584,565,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 1,605,593,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +118,518,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +21,028,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $1,605,593,000 for the operation
of the National Park System for fiscal year 2003, an increase
of $21,028,000 above the budget request and $118,518,000 above
the enacted level. The Committee has provided an additional
$21,028,000 in new funds and redirected $15,000,000 of the
funds proposed for a new initiative to pay the full amount
needed for uncontrollable expenses, to restore the $4,000,000
for CESI, and to provide a $20,000,000 base increase for the
parks.
While the Committee commends the Administration for
providing substantial increases in the repair/rehabilitation
and cyclic accounts to prevent new backlog maintenance needs
and to maintain recently refurbished projects, there is still
concern that the parks basic operational budgets have seriously
eroded over time. This is one of the reasons that the Committee
has supported the development of business plans. The Committee
encourages the Administration to consider the parks'
operational shortfalls along with the backlog maintenance needs
in the 2004 budget submission.
The Committee expects that the $20,000,000 increase be
spent exclusively on park base increases and the nationally
designated trails with only one exception. The Service may
spend up to $750,000 to expand the Business Plan program. The
Committee continues to be pleased by the improvements and
refinements that the Service is making on this initiative. The
Committee expects that some of this new funding will be used
for salaries and training costs to initiate a formal intake
program to attract more of these exceptional students to
permanent employment within the Park Service. These students
possess the training and skills in disciplines that are too
rare in the Service. The Committee encourages the Service to
continue working with the National Parks Conservation
Association to attain additional private funding to further
advance this program.
Resource Stewardship.--The Committee recommends
$346,320,000 for resource stewardship, an increase of
$11,397,000 above the request and $28,008,000 above the enacted
level. Included in this amount are increases above the enacted
level of $6,658,000 for base operations, $6,900,000 for
inventory and monitoring, $4,250,000 to accelerate natural
resource inventories, $3,100,000 to assess watershed
conditions, $500,000 to monitor water quality in parks,
$200,000 for water resource protection and restoration,
$400,000 for additional cooperative ecosystem study units,
$2,150,000 for native and exotic species management, $500,000
to complete resource projects in Alaska, and $4,450,000 for
uncontrollable increases. Programmatic decreases include a
reduction of $100,000 for greenspace for living, and a general
travel reduction of $1,000,000.
The $4,000,000 to continue the critical ecosystems studies
initiative in the Everglades has been retained. In addition,
the Committee does not accept the proposed language requiring
$9,000,000 to be provided as reimbursement to USGS for Natural
Resource Challenge related programs and activities. The
Committee understands that USGS has been a partner in the
Challenge and that many Challenge activities are appropriately
carried out using USGS. However, the Committee believes that
USGS should continue to be used as the vendor or partner of
choice where it is the best source for completing the work as
determined by the Park Service natural resource managers. The
Committee directs that funding for the Challenge only be
reimbursed for the same types of activities previously carried
out by USGS and not be used where other sources can provide and
have provided similar services and products efficiently in the
past.
Visitor Services.--The Committee recommends $322,664,000
for visitor services, an increase of $12,983,000 above the
budget request and $25,573,000 above the enacted level.
Included in this amount are increases above the enacted level
of $13,505,000 for base increases, $5,617,000 for counter
terrorism, $1,500,000 for concessions management, and
$7,528,000 for uncontrollable expenses. Programmatic decreases
include $880,000 for one time 2002 Winter Olympics funding and
a general travel reduction of $1,697,000.
Maintenance.--The Committee recommends $539,660,000 for
maintenance, an increase of $8,232,000 above the request and
$58,459,000 above the enacted level. Included in this amount
are increases above the enacted level of $7,509,000 for base
increases, $481,000 for counter terrorism, $500,000 for project
management information systems, $1,000,000 for a strategic
business advisor, $8,400,000 for repair and rehabilitation,
$7,640,000 for condition assessments, $1,600,000 for facility
maintenance software system, $25,000,000 for cyclic maintenance
and $8,171,000 for uncontrollable expenses. There is a
programmatic decrease of $1,842,000 for travel.
Within funds available for the repair/rehabilitation and
cyclic maintenance accounts, the Service should provide
$233,000 for the Bachlott House and $45,000 for the St. Mary's
Museum at Cumberland Island NS, $400,000 to repair historic
structures at Great Smokey Mountains NP and $200,000 for
repairs at Belle Haven Marina within the George Washington
Memorial Parkway.
Park Support.--The Committee recommends $288,713,000 for
park support, a decrease of $11,584,000 below the request and
$13,688,000 above the enacted level. Included in this amount
are increases above the enacted level of $1,659,000 for base
increases, $7,000,000 for the existing challenge cost share
program, $700,000 for servicewide IT planning and management,
$100,000 for Glen Canyon Dam adaptive management, and
$5,457,000 for uncontrollable expenses. There is a programmatic
decrease of $1,228,000 for travel. The $7,000,000 challenge
cost share increase is funded under the conservation spending
category.
The Committee expects the Service to continue to allocate
one third of the funds provided for the challenge cost share
program to the National Trails System. The Committee also
directs the Service to provide $1,000,000 to support work on
the creation of an integrated ``Geographic Information System''
(GIS) for the National Trail System.
External Administrative Costs.--The Committee recommends
$108,236,000 for external administrative costs, the same as the
budget request and $2,888,000 above the enacted level. Included
in this amount is an increase above the enacted level of
$2,888,000 for fixed costs.
South Florida Initiative.--The Committee is concerned about
recent efforts to alter significantly the Interim Operational
Plan (IOP) for the protection of the Cape Sable Seaside
Sparrow. The proposed new plan appears to pose significant
threats to the park, in the form of water pollution and
disruption of natural water flows, and may compromise the
ability to move forward with true restoration. The Committee is
concerned that the proposed IOP may not be operated in a way
that is consistent with the authorized purposes of the modified
water deliveries and C-111 projects.
The Committee directs the Everglades National Park to
prepare a comprehensive report concerning possible impacts of
the proposed IOP on water quality in the park, and the
preservation and restoration of natural hydrologic regimes. The
report must be submitted to the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations by September 30, 2003. The Service is also
directed to list the IOP project components and their funding
sources. This report should be submitted by December 1, 2002.
The Committee has included bill language under the
Service's land acquisition account directing the expeditious
completion of the flood protection system for the 8.5 square
mile area and clarifying that Congress intended the Army Corps
of Engineers to implement a flood protection system known as
``alternative 6D'' which combines both land acquisition within
the 8.5 square mile area and construction of an interior levee
and seepage canal to provide the necessary flood protection to
the 8.5 square mile area.
In addition, consistent with the Committee's longheld
position that, to ensure true restoration of the natural
system, it is imperative that the Secretary of the Interior
have a co-equal role with the Army Corps of Engineers and the
State of Florida, bill language is included under General
Provisions, Department of the Interior mandating that the
Secretary of the Interior be a full partner on the interagency
RECOVER team. This is done to ensure that the Interior
Department's technical expertise is fully incorporated and that
the primary Federal interest in the Comprehensive Plan, the
restoration of the Everglades, is achieved.
Park Construction.--The Committee continues to be concerned
about the scope and cost of visitor facilities proposed by the
Service. Given the magnitude of the deferred maintenance
backlog, it is crucial that all levels of Park Service
leadership take responsibility for assuring that projects are
conceptualized with the needs of the rest of the system taken
into consideration. Currently, the Service appears to condone
the practice of superintendents and planners seeking funding
for construction projects outside of the Service's own
construction priority setting process. While these attempts,
may in some cases be successful, they are accomplished at the
expense of their colleagues' projects which are included in the
budget request and removed to accommodate lower priority
projects.
While OMB and the Service often mistakenly view these
substitutions as Congressional add-ons or earmarks, it is
important to recognize that the entire line item construction
program is earmarked by the Administration in the annual budget
submission and that, as mentioned above, many ``earmarks'' are
initiated at the park level. If the Service is truly interested
in seeing its priorities followed, it must become more
proactive in admonishing and disciplining the internal
proponents of projects that are presented to Congress outside
of the budget process.
Partnerships.--The Committee continues to support the use
of partnerships to achieve park goals. However, given the
backlog maintenance needs and operational shortfalls of the
parks, the Committee encourages the Service to be cautious
about increasing funding and new staffing to achieve this
purpose. The Service has many existing employees who are
accomplished at developing strong partnerships and the
Committee encourages the Service to use this internal
expertise.
The Committee has had a great deal of experience with the
larger, expensive partnership projects, which include some
successes and failures. Based on this experience, the Committee
makes the following observations and suggestions. Ideas for
good partnerships don't always have to originate with the park
but they should further a park priority. The Service should
consult and communicate with partners and Service leadership
but also with the Committee before large-scale project
commitments are made. When sharing expenses for a building, the
Service should be cautious about starting a project before all
funds are in hand--both the Federal and non-Federal
contributions. Finally the Service should make sure that the
partnership agreement is in writing. There have been many
instances where the project scope changes and the partners and
the Committee have a different recollection of the original
commitment.
Other.--The Committee supports the decision by Ozark
National Scenic Riverways to retain the carpentry and
maintenance positions at the park. The Committee recognizes the
urgent needs at ONSR for key carpentry and maintenance
personnel who have specialized skills in properly maintaining
park facilities. The Committee expects that these carpentry and
maintenance positions will be retained.
The Committee urges the Service to give priority
consideration to provide sufficient funds for necessary
repairs, maintenance, facility improvements and staffing at the
Wright Brothers National Memorial and Cape Hatteras National
Seashore in preparation for the First Flight Centennial
celebration.
The Service should continue to support the Carhart Center
at the same level as provided in fiscal year 2002.
The Committee recognizes the extraordinary cost savings and
positive environmental benefits achieved by the military
through the implementation of pulse technology as a major
component of its battery management programs. The Committee
believes that the National Park Service would also benefit
significantly and directly from the use of this technology to
extend the life of vehicle batteries. These benefits include
savings in battery replacement costs, reduction in overall
maintenance costs for vehicles and ancillary equipment, and a
resultant increase in safety for personnel. The Committee urges
the Service to incorporate this technology in its ongoing
purchase and maintenance programs for vehicles. The Service
should report to the Committee by December 31, 2002, on its
plans to comply with this direction. Beginning with the fiscal
year 2004 budget request, the budget submission should include
an accounting of the extent to which battery pulse technology
is being employed and the savings expected and realized as a
result of the use of this technology.
The Committee is aware of recent developments relating to
the identification of the site of the first official residence
of the President of the United States at the current location
of Independence National Historic Park in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. It has been discovered that George Washington and
his household, including eight African American slaves, were
quartered at the first Executive Mansion for six and one half
years. Therefore, given the historical significance of this
issue, the Committee urges the National Park Service to
appropriately commemorate the concerns raised regarding the
recognition of the existence of the Mansion and the slaves who
worked in it during the first years of our democracy.
Furthermore the Committee directs the Director of the National
Park Service to submit a report to the Committee no later than
March 31, 2003, detailing the actions taken at Independence
National Historic Park to properly address and resolve this
issue.
The Committee urges the National Park Service to continue
making the War for Freedom Project a priority. The War for
Freedom Project, a collaboration between the National Park
Foundation, the University of Maryland and the National Park
Service is a national, internet based curriculum to help
students at all levels better understand the Civil War Period
using letters written by African Americans and National Park
Service War sites as resources.
Bill language is included which prohibits the creation of a
new Associate Director for Law Enforcement, Protective and
Emergency Service.
UNITED STATES PARK POLICE
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $90,555,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 78,431,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 78,431,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -12,124,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $78,431,000 for the United States
Park Police, the same as the budget request and a decrease of
$12,124,000 below the enacted level. The decrease below 2002
reflects one time security enhancement costs.
NATIONAL RECREATION AND PRESERVATION
The National recreation and preservation appropriation
provides for the outdoor recreation planning, preservation of
cultural and National heritage resources, technical assistance
to Federal, State and local agencies, administration of
Historic Preservation Fund grants and statutory and contractual
aid.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $66,159,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 46,824,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 56,330,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -9,829,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +9,506,000
The Committee recommends $56,330,000 for national
recreation and preservation, an increase of $9,506,000 above
the request and $9,829,000 below the enacted level.
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimate by activity are shown in the following table:
Recreation programs.--The Committee recommends $552,000 for
recreation programs, the same as the budget request and $3,000
above the enacted level.
Natural programs.--The Committee recommends $10,948,000 for
natural programs, the same as the budget request and $18,000
above the enacted level.
Cultural programs.--The Committee recommends $21,298,000
for cultural programs, an increase of $1,550,000 above the
request and $529,000 above the enacted level. The Committee has
retained the $300,000 for Heritage Preservation Inc, and the
$250,000 to continue the Louisiana Heritage Education Model at
the National Center for Preservation Technology Training
located in Natchitoches, Louisiana. In addition, the Committee
has provided $1,000,000 for National Register programs.
International park affairs.--The Committee recommends
$1,719,000 for international park affairs, the same as the
budget request and $1,000 above the enacted level.
Environmental and compliance review.--The Committee
recommends $400,000 for environmental and compliance review,
the same as the budget request and $3,000 above the enacted
level.
Grant Administration.--The Committee recommends $1,585,000
for grant administration, the same as the budget request and
$3,000 above the enacted level.
Heritage Partnership Programs.--The Committee recommends
$14,889,000 for heritage partnership programs, $7,154,000 above
the request and $1,680,000 above the enacted level. This total
includes $14,770,000 for individual heritage areas and $119,000
for administration. The Committee recommends the following
distribution of funds for each heritage area:
Project Amount
America's Agricultural Heritage Partnership (Silos and
Smokestacks)........................................ $700,000
Augusta Canal National Heritage Area.................... 600,000
Automobile National Heritage Area....................... 700,000
Cache La Poudre River Corridor.......................... 50,000
Cane River National Heritage Area....................... 800,000
Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.......... 900,000
Erie Canalway National Corridor......................... 600,000
Essex National Heritage Area............................ 1,000,000
Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.............. 1,000,000
Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor.. 600,000
John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage
Center.............................................. 800,000
Lackawanna Valley National Heritage Area................ 600,000
National Coal Heritage.................................. 210,000
Ohio and Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor.......... 1,000,000
Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage
Center.............................................. 800,000
Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area.................. 1,000,000
Schuykill River Valley National Heritage Area........... 500,000
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic
District............................................ 500,000
South Carolina National Heritage Corridor............... 1,000,000
Tennessee Civil War Heritage Area....................... 210,000
Wheeling National Heritage Area......................... 800,000
Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.................... 400,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Project total..................................... $14,770,000
Statutory or contractual aid.--The Committee recommends
$4,939,000 for statutory or contractual aid, an increase of
$802,000 above the budget request and a reduction of
$12,066,000 below the enacted level.
URBAN PARK AND RECREATION FUND
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $30,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 300,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 30,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 29,700,000
The Committee has included $30,000,000 for the Urban Park
and Recreation Fund, an increase of $29,700,000 above the
request and the same as the enacted level. This program is
funded under the conservation spending category.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND
The Historic Preservation Fund supports the State historic
preservation offices to perform a variety of functions,
including: 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 within States to
develop data for planning use.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $74,500,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 67,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 76,500,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +2,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +9,500,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $76,500,000 for historic
preservation, an increase of $9,500,000 above the budget
request and $2,000,000 above the enacted level.
The total amount provides $40,000,000 for the State
historic preservation offices, $4,000,000 for tribal grants,
$30,000,000 for the Save America's Treasures program and
$2,500,000 for a grant to the National Trust for Historic
Preservation to assist in the perpetual care and maintenance of
historic sites of the National Trust. The Committee intends
that the grant funds will be made available under the following
terms and conditions.
1. The full amount granted to the National Trust is to be
deposited into a permanently restricted Historic Sites Fund
account in the same manner as other National Trust endowment
funds. Any income attributable to the grant will be added to
the Historic Sites Fund endowment account, and will be made
available for authorized grant purposes.
2. The National Trust will make distributions from the
amounts deposited in the endowment fund account for the care
and maintenance of National Trust Historic Sites, in amounts
consistent with its regularly established spending rate.
3. In accordance with established National Trust policy,
distributions from the National Trust Historic Sites Fund
account will be matched as expended, dollar for dollar, with
non-Federal funds raised for the care and maintenance of
National Trust Historic Sites. Consequently, no further match
requirement will be required for the grant. Work carried out by
the National Trust under the grant will be in conformance with
the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of
Historic Places.
4. The National Trust will maintain adequate records and
accounts relating to all financial transactions of, and
distributions from, the National Historic Sites endowment
account, and will make such records available for audit and
inspection by the National Park Service and the Comptroller
General for a period of five years following the date of the
grant.
The Committee has accepted the Administration's bill
language change regarding eligibility of projects under the
Save America's Treasures program.
The Historic Preservation Fund is funded under the
conservation spending category.
CONSTRUCTION
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $387,668,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 322,384,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 325,186,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -62,482,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +2,802,000
The Committee recommends $335,186,000 for construction, an
increase of $12,802,000 above the budget request and
$52,482,000 below the enacted level.
The Committee recommends the following distribution of
funds:
Project Amount
Acadia NP, ME (rehabilitation).......................... $3,351,000
Acadia NP, ME (utilities upgrade)....................... 5,171,000
Alice Ferguson Foundation, MD (rehabilitation).......... 400,000
Apostle Islands NL, WI (lighthouse)..................... 1,600,000
Apostle Islands NL, WI (utility system)................. 1,030,000
Badlands NP, SD......................................... 3,842,000
Bent's Old Fort NHS, CO................................. 1,325,000
Big Bend NP, TX (Chisos Basin Campground)............... 464,000
Big Bend NP, TX (rehabilitation)........................ 246,000
Big Bend NP, TX (sprinkler system)...................... 673,000
Big Cypress National Preserve, FL....................... 2,000,000
Big South Fork National River & Rec Area, KY/TN (upgrade
exhibits)........................................... 400,000
Blue Ridge Parkway, NC.................................. 1,624,000
Canaveral NS, FL........................................ 1,600,000
Cape Cod NS, MA (Highland's Center)..................... 1,725,000
Cane & Karst, NM........................................ 2,000,000
Colonial NHP, VA........................................ 4,221,000
Craters of the Moon NM, ID.............................. 1,283,000
Cumberland Gap NHP, KY.................................. 5,583,000
Cumberland Island NS, GA (St. Mary's)................... 2,720,000
Cumberland Island NS, GA (Plum Orchard)................. 442,000
Cuyahoga NP, OH......................................... 3,000,000
Death Valley NP, CA (rehabilitation).................... 2,007,000
Death Valley NP, CA (Scotty's Castle)................... 547,000
Denali NP, AK........................................... 3,171,000
Eleanor Roosevelt NHS, NY............................... 300,000
Everglades NP, FL (waste treatment)..................... 4,594,000
Everglades NP, FL (water system)........................ 13,295,000
Fort Stanwix NM, NY..................................... 3,239,000
Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania NMP, VA................... 2,250,000
Gateway NRA, NY......................................... 3,299,000
General Grant NM, NY.................................... 1,840,000
George Washington Carver NM, MO......................... 300,000
George Washington Memorial Parkway, VA (Arlington
Boathouse, EA)...................................... 600,000
George Washington Memorial Parkway, VA (Arlington House) 616,000
George Washington Memorial Parkway, VA (complete EA, Mt.
Vernon Trail)....................................... 250,000
George Washington Memorial Parkway/Mt. Vernon Trail, VA. 200,000
Gettysburg NMP, PA (conservation work).................. 2,500,000
Glacier NP, MT.......................................... 1,500,000
Golden Gate NRA, CA (Alcatraz barracks)................. 1,210,000
Golden Gate NRA, CA (building 640)...................... 600,000
Golden Gate NRA, CA (Cliff House)....................... 1,914,000
Great Sand Dunes, CO.................................... 4,424,000
Homestead NHS, NE....................................... 300,000
Independence NHP, PA.................................... 4,923,000
Indiana Dunes NHP, IN................................... 2,389,000
Jean Lafitte NHP, LA (Chalmette failing drainage &
Barataria exhibits)................................. 500,000
John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley NHA.............. 1,000,000
Lincoln Library, IL..................................... 10,000,000
Mammoth Cave NP, KY..................................... 555,000
Manassas NBP, VA........................................ 1,493,000
Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, MN (St.
Anthony Center exhibits)............................ 1,000,000
Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, MN (Twin
Cities)............................................. 750,000
Morristown NHS, NJ...................................... 3,200,000
Mt. Rainier NP, WA...................................... 4,400,000
Mt. Rainier NP, WA (Guide House)........................ 244,000
Mt. Rainier NP, WA (rehabilitate electrical system)..... 2,701,000
National Capital Parks-Central, DC (Lincoln Memorial
preservation)....................................... 5,192,000
National Capital Parks-Central, DC (Lincoln Memorial
security)........................................... 6,183,000
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, OH........ 6,100,000
Olympic NP, WA.......................................... 21,781,000
Oregon Caves NM, OR..................................... 1,044,000
Rocky Mountain NP, CO................................... 2,335,000
Saratoga NHP, NY (exhibits)............................. 300,000
Stones River NB, TN (trails)............................ 500,000
SW Pennsylvania Heritage Commission, PA................. 3,000,000
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, KS................. 2,891,000
Tuskegee Airmen NHS, AL (oral histories)................ 500,000
Ulysses S. Grant NHS, MO................................ 1,994,000
USS Arizona Memorial, HI................................ 1,157,000
Washita NB, OK.......................................... 3,500,000
White House, DC......................................... 9,582,000
Wind Cave NP, SD........................................ 2,172,000
Yellowstone NP, WY (Old Faithful Inn)................... 5,743,000
Yellowstone NP, WY (rehabilitation)..................... 6,396,000
Yellowstone NP, WY (upgrade fire protection)............ 757,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Project total..................................... 207,938,000
Emergency/unscheduled................................... 3,500,000
Housing replacement..................................... 12,500,000
Dam safety.............................................. 2,700,000
Equipment replacement................................... 31,960,000
Construction planning................................... 25,400,000
Construction Program Management......................... 27,292,000
General Management Plans................................ 13,896,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total Construction................................ 325,186,000
The Committee has included an additional $10,000,000, as
proposed in the budget request, to enhance the capacity of the
Service to execute the capital infrastructure programs that
contribute to reducing the deferred maintenance backlog.
Significant funding increases have been provided by this
Committee over the last six years, in line item construction,
repair and rehabilitation, and the fee demonstration program.
The Committee realizes that additional capacity is needed in
the Service to keep these projects moving towards completion,
including project specifications, compliance, and contract
award and modification.
The Service should note that the Committee approved a
$3,500,000 reprogramming request in fiscal year 1999 and
provided additional funds and flexibility in the construction
account over the past several years to respond to the
additional workload. Given that support provided and
considering the budget constraints facing this bill, the
Service is expected to resolve its problems with unobligated
balances. The Service should not ask for additional funds in
the near future for this purpose.
In addition, the Committee directs that the regions not use
these funds exclusively to hire permanent staff. As much as
possible, the funds are to be used to hire contractual
assistance. The Committee expects to be informed before any new
staff is hired using these funds. None of the funds provided
are to be used for planners, as the Committee is concerned that
additional planners tend to result in more new projects, rather
than progress towards reducing the backlog of maintenance.
None of the funds are to be used to conduct construction
supervision in-house, consistent with the program guidelines
used for the Denver Service Center. In-house design is also
subject to the same program guidelines as the Denver Service
Center. Staff, whether federal or contract, funded with these
monies are to be used exclusively in the park construction
program.
None of these funds are to be allocated until the Service
presents the Committee with a plan detailing how the funds will
be used and allocated. The plan must address how the Service
will address fluctuating workloads associated with project
work. The Committee does not intend that any of these funds be
used to pay expenses associated with existing staff--all of
these dollars are intended to enhance and expand capacity
beyond existing levels. The Committee expects a plan each
fiscal year on how these funds are to be allocated. Any change
to these annual plans must be approved by the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriation.
The Service is directed to itemize by park and project how
construction planning dollars will be allocated in the annual
budget justifications. The Committee expects a report by
December 1, 2002, providing this information for fiscal year
2003. While the Committee will consider a modest contingency
allocation for unexpected planning needs, the majority of the
funds are to be associated with specific projects. The
Committee should be notified about any major change in the
scope of a project.
Bill language has been included under this account which
limits the Denver Service Center staff, funded by the
Construction Program Management and Operations Activity, to 160
full time equivalent employees including all full time and part
time personnel and employees detailed to the Center or working
on Center related projects. This is consistent with the
National Academy of Public Administration report. The Committee
understands that the Service Center is under that capacity at
this time.
Bill language is also included, which permits the transfer
of $2,000,000 to the City of Carlsbad, New Mexico for the
construction of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute
to be operated and constructed in accordance with the
provisions in Public Law 105-325. The Committee understands
that the Service enthusiastically supports the construction of
this cost shared center, which will fulfill an important
scientific research need.
Bill language is also included, which requires Committee
approval of spending for any new large facility including
visitor centers, educational or interpretive centers,
curatorial or administrative facilities with a total cost in
excess of $5,000,000. This provision also applies to
partnership and fee demonstration projects.
The Committee has provided $400,000 to be matched with non-
federal funds for the Alice Ferguson Foundation for backlog
maintenance needs; $1,600,000 to complete lighthouse repairs at
Apostle Islands NL and $464,000 in planning funds to
rehabilitate the Chisos Basin Campgrounds at Big Bend NP. In
addition, $400,000 in planning funds is provided to upgrade
exhibits at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
in Kentucky.
Also provided is $1,600,000 to complete the rehabilitation
of two historic structures at Canaveral NS; $2,000,000 for the
construction of the Cave and Karst Center; $1,725,000 which
completes the federal share of the Highlands Center at Cape Cod
NS; $2,270,000 to complete the St. Mary's Center at Cumberland
Island NS and $442,000 for continuing restoration at the
historic Plum Orchard.
The Committee has included $3,000,000 for rehabilitation
work at Cuyahoga National Park; $547,000 in planning funds for
Scotty's Castle at Death Valley NP; $300,000 in planning funds
for improvements to the historic structural and cultural
landscapes at Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site. None of
these funds are to be used to plan for, construct, or improve
facilities used by park partners. Such improvements should be
funded by non-federal sources.
Planning funds in the amount of $300,000 each are provided
to both the George Washington Carver NM and Homestead NHS.
These funds may not be expended until the Service presents a
more detailed plan to the Committee on how these funds will be
spent. The following funds are provided to the George
Washington Memorial Parkway--$600,000 to complete the
environmental assessment associated with the Arlington
boathouse proposal, $250,000 to complete assessments for the Mt
Vernon Trail, and $200,000 for improvements to the parkway.
Also included is $2,500,000 to complete conservation work
at Gettysburg NMP. In addition, $600,000 is to complete
construction planning, including design documents and
construction drawings, for the proposed museum of Japanese-
American history at Presidio Building 640. In accordance with
this public/private partnership, this completes the Federal
contribution. All funding for actual construction of this
facility is to be raised through non-federal sources.
The Committee has included $500,000 for failing drainage
problems at Chalmette Battlefield and for exhibits at the
Barataria unit, both located within the Jean Lafitte NHP in
Louisiana; $1,000,000 for the John H. Chafee Blackstone River
Valley NHA and $10,000,000 for the Lincoln Library. Also
included is $1,000,000 for exhibits at St. Anthony's Center,
which is part of the Mississippi National River & Recreation
Area in Minnesota.
The Committee has included $750,000 in the planning portion
of the Service's construction budget for the National Park
Service to lead a public planning process associated with
disposition of the former Twin Cities Bureau of Mines Research
Center. After lengthy discussions with the Department of the
Interior, the Metropolitan Airports' Commission decided against
acquiring the Center. The Committee is informed that the
Department of the Interior has concluded that reuse of the
Center as an office complex for its bureaus and offices is not
economically viable. The Committee agrees with this conclusion
and with the decision of the Department to examine other
options, including returning the site to natural conditions.
The Committee understands that while the responsibility for
the site rests with the Secretary of the Interior, the National
Park Service participated extensively and effectively in prior
public efforts to determine the potential future uses of the
site. The funds provided will allow the Park Service to oversee
the necessary studies and reviews associated with the potential
disposal of Federal property. The Service should use the funds
provided to obtain the necessary assistance for the studies and
reviews, including contracting for services as appropriate.
Other Department of the Interior bureaus, including the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, should provide such assistance
as is necessary to facilitate the Service's accomplishment of
this work. The Committee does not intend for the Service's
oversight of this process to disrupt or interfere with the
ongoing operations at the Mississippi National River and
Recreation Area (MNRRA), and thus provides the resources
necessary to accomplish this workload.
While the Park Service is being asked to coordinate the
process, it is imperative that other public interests,
including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local and
state governments participate in the public review and comment
periods. By requesting Park Service to lead this process, it is
not the Committee's intention that the site be transferred to
the MNRRA. The Committee understands that this option is
inconsistent with MNRRA's comprehensive management plan.
The Committee has provided $3,200,000 to complete the
federal share of rehabilitation work at Morristown NHS. Also
included is $6,100,000 for the National Underground Railroad
Freedom Center in Ohio. This completes the federal share of
this project.
The Committee also recommends $300,000 for exhibits at
Saratoga NHP in New York; $500,000 for Stones River NB to plan
for a tour route and pedestrian trail; $3,000,000 to continue
work at the SW Pennsylvania Heritage Commission in
Pennsylvania; and $500,000 to continue oral histories of the
Tuskegee Airmen.
The Committee has included $3,500,000 for the Washita
National Battlefield. This completes the federal share of this
project. This facility will also house the Black Kettle
National Grassland office, a unit of the Forest Service. An
additional $750,000 for the Forest Service portion of this
project is included in the Forest Service capital improvement
and maintenance account. The Committee expects the Park Service
to make appropriate and suitable space available to the Forest
Service to enable it to provide information, including
historical and current program orientation. The Forest Service
should not be required to pay more than $20,000 per year for
routine maintenance and basic utilities, an amount slightly
higher than its current expenses.
The Committee expects that interagency collaboration on
facilities, as well as cultural and natural resource protection
and use, will result in greater long-term efficiency and better
service to the public. To facilitate this collaboration, all
future personnel placements by either agency at these sites
should be considered for maximum interagency staffing
opportunities.
Within the amount provided for equipment replacement,
$350,000 is earmarked for two replacement vessels at Apostle
Island NL in Wisconsin.
Of the total amount provided for construction, $53,736,000
is funded under the conservation spending category.
LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND
(RESCISSION)
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... -$30,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. -30,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... -30,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends the rescission of $30,000,000 in
the annual contract authority provided by the 16 U.S.C. 4601-
10a. This authority has not been used in years, and there are
no plans to use it in fiscal year 2003.
LAND ACQUISITION AND STATE ASSISTANCE
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $274,117,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 286,057,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 253,099,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -21,018,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. -32,958,000
The Committee recommends $253,099,000 for land acquisition
and State assistance, a decrease of $32,958,000 below the
budget request and $21,018,000 below the enacted level. This
amount includes $79,099,000 for line item projects, $12,000,000
for acquisition management, $4,000,000 for emergencies and
hardships and $4,000,000 for inholdings. Also included is
$154,000,000 for the stateside program including $4,000,000 for
administration. The Committee has retained the current
allocation formula for stateside grants.
The Committee recommends the following distribution of
funds:
Committee
Area and State recommendation
Big Thicket Preserve (TX)............................... $3,000,000
Blue Ridge Parkway (NC/VA).............................. 399,000
Chickamauga/Chattanooga NMP (TN)........................ 1,030,000
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (NJ/PA)..... 5,000,000
Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve (WA)......... 1,100,000
Fredricksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields
Memorial (VA)....................................... 1,100,000
Golden Gate NRA (Picardo Ranch) (CA).................... 2,500,000
Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve (CO).... 7,000,000
Gulf Islands National Seashore (MS)..................... 4,000,000
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (HI).................... 5,000,000
Ice Age Trail (WI)...................................... 3,000,000
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (IN)................... 1,000,000
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NV)................. 3,500,000
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
(AR)................................................ 130,000
Moccasin Bend National Park (TN)........................ 1,300,000
Obed National Wild and Scenic River (TN)................ 1,500,000
Pinnacles National Monument (CA)........................ 1,000,000
Piscataway Park (MD).................................... 500,000
Point Reyes National Seashore (CA)...................... 1,500,000
Prince William Forest Park (VA)......................... 700,000
Richmond National Battlefield Park (VA)................. 2,000,000
Saguaro National Park (AZ).............................. 2,320,000
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (CA).... 2,500,000
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Nat'l Historic District
(VA)................................................ 2,000,000
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (MI)............. 1,000,000
South Florida Restoration (grant to State of Florida)... 19,500,000
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve (FL).......... 1,320,000
Valley Forge National Historical Park (PA).............. 2,000,000
Virgin Islands National Park--Salt River (VI)........... 1,500,000
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve (AK)...... 700,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Subtotal: Federal Acquisition projects............ 79,099,000
Acquisition Management.................................. 12,000,000
Emergencies/Hardships................................... 4,000,000
Inholdings/Exchanges.................................... 4,000,000
Stateside Grants........................................ 150,000,000
Stateside Administration................................ 4,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. 253,099,000
Funds provided for Santa Monica Mountains National
Recreation Area should be matched with non-Federal monies. This
means new land or new dollars dedicated to protection of park
lands within the recreation area's boundaries. By June 30th of
each year, the Service should certify the level of non-Federal
contributions to land acquisition at this site. The Service is
encouraged to review non-Federal appraisals in certifying the
non-Federal contribution.
Bill language is included under this account directing the
expeditious completion of a flood protection system for the 8.5
Square Mile Area component of the Modified Water Deliveries
Project. This project is critical to restoring more natural
water flows to Everglades National Park and future restoration
efforts recently authorized by Congress. The language makes
clear that Congress intends the Army Corps of Engineers, in
cooperation with the Department of the Interior, to implement a
flood protection system known as ``alternative 6D'' which
combines both land acquisition within the 8.5 Square Mile Area
and construction of an interior levee and seepage canal to
provide the necessary flood protection to the 8.5 Square Mile
Area.
The land acquisition program is funded under the
conservation spending category.
Administrative Provisions
Bill language is provided that will allow the Park Service
to collect and accumulate funds collected from concessionaire
and other private entities for utility services to be used to
make repairs to utility systems. Current authority does not
allow the accumulation of funds beyond the fiscal year in which
they are collected.
In addition, bill language is provided that will allow the
Park Service to benefit from partnership projects involving
State, local or tribal governments. The Service is currently
precluded from entering into reimbursable agreements with State
and local governments without receiving the funds in advance of
the work being performed.
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey was established by an
act of Congress on March 3, 1879 to provide a permanent Federal
agency to conduct the systematic and scientific
``classification of the public lands, and examination of the
geological structure, mineral resources, and products of the
National domain''. The USGS is the Federal Government's largest
earth-science research agency, the Nation's largest civilian
mapmaking agency, and the primary source of data on the
Nation's surface and ground water resources. Its activities
include conducting detailed assessments of the energy and
mineral potential of the Nation's land and offshore areas;
investigating and issuing warnings of earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, landslides, and other geologic and hydrologic
hazards; research on the geologic structure of the Nation;
studies of the geologic features, structure, processes, and
history of other planets of our solar system; topographic
surveys of the Nation and preparation of topographic and
thematic maps and related cartographic products; development
and production of digital cartographic data bases and products;
collection on a routine basis of data on the quantity, quality,
and use of surface and ground water; research in hydraulics and
hydrology; the coordination of all Federal water data
acquisition; the scientific understanding and technologies
needed to support the sound management and conservation of our
Nation's biological resources; and the application of remotely
sensed data to the development of new cartographic, geologic,
and hydrologic research techniques for natural resources
planning and management.
SURVEYS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND RESEARCH
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $914,002,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 867,338,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 928,405,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +14,403,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +61,067,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $928,405,000 for surveys,
investigations, and research, an increase of $61,067,000 above
the budget request and $14,403,000 above the fiscal year 2002
enacted level.
For the third year in a row the Committee has restored a
number of high-priority research programs that were proposed
for reduction or elimination by the Office of Management and
Budget during the budget process. Officials at the Office of
Management and Budget seemingly believe that the Department of
the Interior no longer needs science on which to base natural
resource policy decisions. This is not the position of the
Congress as articulated in previous Interior bills, nor is it
the position of the National Academy of Sciences which has
provided recommendations on a program by program basis
detailing the need to expand not eliminate the very programs
that the Office of Management and Budget has targeted as
unnecessary. The Committee strongly urges the Department and
OMB to continue to fund these critical science programs in the
base budget in future years.
National mapping program.--The Committee recommends
$135,077,000 for the national mapping program, $5,783,000 above
the budget request and $1,800,000 above the 2002 enacted level
including increases above the 2002 level of $900,000 for fixed
costs, and $1,000,000 for energy assessments, and a decrease of
$100,000 for travel. The America View program is maintained at
the enacted level of $3,000,000.
The Committee understands that the U.S. Geological Survey
has embarked on a decade-long effort to establish a digital
database known as the National Map, which will update existing
geographical infrastructure information. This project will
replace over 55,000 existing paper topographical maps that are,
on average, 23 years old. These maps, which cover both the
natural and the built environment and the associated digital
data, represent our most extensive geographic data
infrastructure. This critical asset is becoming increasingly
outdated as the demand for this capability is growing. January
2001 marked the beginning of a major USGS effort to transform
the current paper series into a seamless, integrated, and on-
line database known as the National Map. This strategic project
requires extensive partnerships with State and local
governments, other Federal agencies, non-governmental
organizations, universities, and the private sector. The
Committee understands that these alliances are being forged to
construct the National Map. While portions of this digital
infrastructure will be provided through these partnerships
based on common standards and definitions, the vast majority of
these spatial data will need to be provided by the Survey and
other Federal agencies.
Digital spatial data are essential to almost all sectors of
the national economy. The private sector needs current and
accurate digital geographic data, which will be provided by the
National Map Program. Examples include: 1) road and highway
data used for fleet vehicle routing by trucking companies, home
delivery by retailers, and location-based services by
restaurants; 2) digital elevation data for cellular telephone
tower siting, airline and general aviation flight path
planning, brush and forest fire spread modeling for insurance
companies; 3) topographic data for private utility power line
and pipeline maintenance, planning and routing; and 4) detailed
map data for mining and energy exploration and extraction.
The benefits of updated digital geographic data for use in
geographic information systems and the projected cost savings
merit this project being a high priority within the Department.
The United Kingdom realized great savings from investments in
modernized digital mapping infrastructure. The return on
investment from improvements in access to, and use of, digital
geographic data were in the neighborhood of $10 to $15 for
every dollar invested. This capability can also function as a
baseline for homeland security efforts as we seek to protect
our critical infrastructure. The development of these digital
products will improve performance, lower costs, and reduce the
redundancy of geographic development by different agencies and
levels of government. It will vastly improve citizen access to
current geographic information and will finally unleash the
integrating power of digital maps and information systems. The
Committee strongly encourages the Administration to make
completing and maintaining the National Map a high priority.
Geologic hazards, resources and processes.--The Committee
recommends $234,692,000 for geologic hazards, resources, and
processes, $10,036,000 above the budget request and $1,882,000
above the 2002 level, including increases above the 2002 level
of $1,930,000 for fixed costs, $2,000,000 for the coastal
program, $500,000 for a scientific study into the impact of
global dust events impacting the continental U.S., $1,200,000
for energy assessments, and $500,000 for geothermal
assessments, and decreases of $324,000 for travel, $1,000,000
for monitoring equipment at Shemya Alaska, $450,000 for the
Lake Mojave study, $500,000 for the North Carolina coastal
erosion study, $1,500,000 for the Alaska minerals project, and
$474,000 for the Yukon Flats study.
Last year the Committee provided additional funding to
begin the process of expanding the Survey's coastal program
consistent with the National Academy of Sciences
recommendations for a comprehensive national program. The
Committee has provided an additional $2,000,000, which will
focus on moving the work in Tampa Bay from the pilot study
phase to a fully operational project as part of the National
coastal program.
The Committee has maintained funding for light distancing
and ranging (LIDAR) technology at the 2002 level to assist with
the listing of Chinook Salmon and Summer Chum Salmon under the
Endangered Species Act.
The Committee has continued the Survey's current programs
that address water quality, land subsidence, and sea-level rise
in coastal Louisiana.
Water resources investigations.--The Committee recommends
$209,678,000 for water resources investigations, $31,850,000
above the budget request and $3,852,000 above the 2002 enacted
level, including increases above the 2002 level of $1,913,000
for fixed costs, $1,000,000 for the US/Mexican border
initiative, $1,000,000 for the Lake Pontchartrain study,
$500,000 for the Potomac River basin ground water study,
$580,000 for the long-term Estuary Assessment, and $400,000 for
the Water Resources Research Institutes, and decreases of
$348,000 for travel, $200,000 for the Berkley Pit, $299,000 for
the Lake Champlain study, $499,000 for Hawaii ground water, and
$195,000 for Noyes Slough.
The Committee has provided an additional $1,000,000 to
begin the process of developing a baseline water quality
assessment of Lake Pontchartrain's drainage basin. This study
should be a collaborative effort with Southeastern Louisiana
University.
The Committee has provided an additional $580,000 for the
Long-Term Estuary Assessment Group for a total program level of
$1,000,000. These funds were provided so that the Survey can
continue to participate in the university based consortium,
called the Long-Term Estuary Assessment Group, for the purpose
of developing assessment and monitoring systems relating to the
Mississippi River.
The Committee has provided an additional $500,000 to work
with the Interstate Commission for the Potomac River Basin in
developing a basin-wide groundwater assessment.
Biological research.--The Committee recommends $170,414,000
for biological research, $9,933,000 above the budget request
and $4,025,000 above the 2002 enacted level including increases
above the 2002 level of $2,704,000 for fixed costs of which
$1,000,000 is for the cooperative research units to maintain
the current staffing levels, $120,000 for Great Lakes vessel
operations, $180,000 for two additional researchers at the
Great Lakes Science Center, $1,000,000 for amphibian research,
$500,000 for genetic research at the Wellsboro laboratory,
$300,000 for inventorying and monitoring in the Cherokee
National Forest, $500,000 for the NBII Tennessee node, $500,000
for the NBII New York node, and $400,000 to establish a new
fish and wildlife cooperative research unit at the University
of Nebraska, and decreases of $235,000 for travel, $748,000 for
the lead mining study in the Mark Twain National Forest,
$180,000 for the Yukon River salmon study, $416,000 for Great
Lakes vessel equipment, $300,000 for the pallid sturgeon study,
$50,000 for the Tunison laboratory, and $250,000 for the
terrapin study.
The Committee has realigned the Gap Analysis Program by
shifting $3,900,000 from the biological research and monitoring
subactivity into biological information management and delivery
subactivity. This realignment should result in management
efficiencies for this high-priority program.
Within the funds provided for biological research and
monitoring, $2,700,000 is earmarked for chronic wasting disease
research. The Committee directs the Department of the Interior
and the Department of Agriculture, working with the appropriate
Interior Bureaus, to provide a coordinated, detailed, and
comprehensive budget request as part of the 2004 budget.
Science support.--The Committee recommends $87,369,000 for
science support, $1,265,000 above the budget request and
$1,114,000 above the 2002 enacted level, including an increase
above the 2002 level of $1,217,000 for fixed costs and a
decrease of $103,000 for travel.
Facilities.--The Committee recommends $91,175,000 for
facilities $2,200,000 above the budget request and $1,730,000
above the 2002 enacted level including increases above the 2002
level of $3,979,000 for fixed costs, $1,200,000 for the Center
for Coastal and Regional Studies in Florida for the purchase of
scientific equipment, and $1,000,000 for the Tunison
laboratory, and decreases of $1,700,000 for the Leetown
expansion, $2,250,000 for one time construction funds for the
Center for Coastal and Regional Studies in Florida, and
$499,000 for the Wellsboro laboratory.
Bill Language.--Language has been included under the
Survey's administrative provisions to allow the Survey to use
cooperative agreements for research and data collection, and to
allow the Survey to obtain space in cooperator facilities.
The Committee has provided an additional $1,000,000 for the
Tunison laboratory. These funds will be used to modernize this
facility and to move forward with plans to use this facility to
help in the effort to restore Atlantic salmon in Lake Ontario.
The additional $1,200,000 provided to the Center for
Coastal and Regional Studies will be applied to the costs
associated with the Center's expansion including the outfitting
of specialized laboratories needed to support emerging
geochemical, microbiological, and coral reef research.
Minerals Management Service
The Minerals Management Service is responsible for
collecting, distributing, accounting and auditing revenues from
mineral leases on Federal and Indian lands. In fiscal year
2003, MMS expects to collect and distribute about $4.2 billion
from more than 78,000 active Federal and Indian leases.
The MMS also manages the offshore energy and mineral
resources on the Nation's Outer Continental Shelf. To date, the
OCS program has been focused primarily on oil and gas leasing.
Over the past several years, MMS has been exploring the
possible development of other marine mineral resources,
especially sand and gravel.
With the passage of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, MMS
assumed increased responsibility for oil spill research,
including the promotion of increased oil spill response
capabilities, and for oil spill financial responsibility
certifications of offshore platforms and pipelines.
ROYALTY AND OFFSHORE MINERALS MANAGEMENT
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $150,667,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 164,222,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 164,721,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +14,054,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +499,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $164,721,000 for royalty and
offshore minerals management, $499,000 above the budget request
and $14,054,000 above the 2002 enacted level. The increase to
the budget request is for the Offshore Technology Research
Center.
Bill Language.--Language has been included allowing MMS to
retain a portion of the receipts under the royalty-in-kind
program to pay for expenses related to the filling of the
Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The Committee has continued the
offshore oil and gas leasing moratorium under General
Provisions, Department of the Interior.
The Committee recognizes the extraordinary cost savings and
positive environmental benefits achieved by the military
through the implementation of pulse technology as a major
component of its battery management programs. The Committee
believes that the Service would also benefit significantly and
directly from the use of this technology to extend the life of
vehicle batteries. These benefits include savings in battery
replacement costs, reduction in overall maintenance costs for
vehicles and ancillary equipment, and a resultant increase in
safety for personnel. The Committee urges the Service to
incorporate this technology in its ongoing purchase and
maintenance programs for vehicles. The Service should report to
the Committee by December 31, 2002, on its plans to comply with
this direction. Beginning with the fiscal year 2004 budget
request, the budget submission should include an accounting of
the extent to which battery pulse technology is being employed
and the savings expected and realized as a result of the use of
this technology.
OIL SPILL RESEARCH
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $6,105,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 6,105,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 6,105,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $6,105,000 to be derived from the
Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, to conduct oil spill research
and financial responsibility and inspection activities
associated with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, Public Law 101-
380. The Committee recommendation is equal to both the budget
request and the fiscal year 2002 level.
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
(OSM), through its regulation and technology account, regulates
surface coal mining operations to ensure that the environment
is protected during those operations and that the land is
adequately reclaimed once mining is completed. The OSM
accomplishes this mission by providing grants 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 fund
account, the OSM provides environmental restoration at
abandoned coal mines using tonnage-based fees collected from
current coal production operations. In their unreclaimed
condition these abandoned sites may endanger public health and
safety or prevent the beneficial use of land and water
resources.
REGULATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $103,075,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 105,367,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 105,367,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +2,292,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $105,367,000 for Regulation and
technology, including the use of $275,000 in civil penalty
collections, which is equal to the request and $2,292,000 above
the 2002 level. The Committee rejects the proposal to increase
the West Virginia allocation by $2,000,000 by reducing other
primacy States by $1,000,000 and providing the entire
$1,000,000 increase to West Virginia. The Committee notes that
in July, 2000, West Virginia received a special Federal
appropriation of $9,800,000 that is not yet fully expended.
Until that time, it is unfair and inappropriate to penalize
other States for problems in West Virginia. Accordingly, the
Committee directs that the increase for regulatory grants be
distributed to all States in the normal fashion recognizing
that in recent years funding for this program has not kept up
with inflation. The OSM has authority to make regulatory grant
adjustments as needed.
ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $203,455,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 174,035,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 184,745,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -18,710,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +10,710,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $184,745,000 for the Abandoned
mine reclamation fund, a decrease of $18,710,000 below the 2002
funding level and $10,710,000 above the request. The Committee
recognizes the great amount of reclamation work that remains to
be done and has increased funding above the request for this
program. The Committee has continued the authority for the
Appalachian Clean Streams Initiative at $10,000,000 and the
emergency funding and authorities as in fiscal year 2002, and
discontinued the special authority for Maryland. The Committee
rejects proposals to: reduce Federal high priority projects,
cut travel, and not fund fixed cost increases. The Committee
encourages the OSM to work more closely with the Federal land
managing agencies to fund and repair abandoned mine land
problems that are risks to human safety and health, and the
environment. Federal lands administered by the agencies funded
in this bill have a huge backlog in this program area.
Bureau of Indian Affairs
The Bureau of Indian Affairs was created in 1824; its
mission is founded on a government-to-government relationship
and trust responsibility that results from treaties with Native
groups. The Bureau delivers services to over one million Native
Americans through 12 regional offices and 83 agency offices. In
addition, the Bureau provides education programs to Native
Americans through the operation of 117 day schools, 54 boarding
schools, and 14 dormitories. Lastly, the Bureau administers
more than 45 million acres of tribally owned land, and 10
million acres of individually owned land and over 309,000 acres
of Federally owned land, which is held in trust status.
OPERATION OF INDIAN PROGRAMS
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $1,799,809,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 1,837,110,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 1,859,064,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +59,255,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +21,954,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $1,859,064,000 for the operation
of Indian programs, an increase of $21,954,000 above the budget
request and $59,255,000 above the 2002 enacted level. The
Committee agrees to all internal transfers by the BIA in the
budget request. The Committee has provided increases above the
enacted level to continue to fund the Administration's request
to fix the long-standing problems associated with management of
the Indian trust funds.
Tribal priority allocations.--The Committee recommends
$780,654,000 for tribal priority allocations, an increase of
$5,120,000 above the budget request and $28,498,000 above the
fiscal year 2002 enacted level, including increases above the
2002 level of $1,120,000 to provide base funding for six new
tribes, $2,000,000 for the ISD fund, $4,000,000 for tribal
courts, $2,054,000 for IIM account management, $585,000 for
energy development on trust lands, $477,000 for natural
resources related to energy development, $2,000,000 for
agriculture for the development of management plans, $1,500,000
for forestry management, $8,125,000 for trust services for
trust reform efforts, $5,443,000 for fixed costs, and
$1,194,000 for internal transfers.
Other recurring programs.--The Committee recommends
$607,196,000 for other recurring programs, $11,004,000 above
the budget request and $20,228,000 above the fiscal year 2002
enacted level, including increases above the 2002 level of
$2,000,000 for ISEP formula funds, $3,000,000 for early
childhood development, $2,000,000 for student transportation,
$1,900,000 for facilities operations, $6,000,000 for
administrative cost grants, $500,000 for the timber-fish-
wildlife program, $1,000,000 for Chippewa/Ottawa treaty
fisheries, and $6,193,000 for fixed costs, and decreases of
$480,000 for irrigation O&M, $69,000 for the sea otter program,
$803,000 for the Bering Sea Fisherman's Association, $150,000
for the Nez Perce Tribe, $317,000 for the upper Columbia River
tribes, $347,000 for the Chugach Regional Resources Commission,
and $199,000 for internal transfers.
The Committee recommends $524,817,000 for school
operations, $20,802,000 above the 2002 enacted level. The
Committee does not support the school privatization initiative.
The Committee fully supports the President's education reform
efforts and agrees with the Department that tribes that want to
manage their own schools should be given that opportunity.
Limited funding in the past for basic needs such as facilities
operations, student transportation, and administrative cost
grants has served as a disincentive for tribes to take over the
administration of BIA-operated schools. The Committee firmly
believes that strengthening basic education funding and
increasing support for administrative cost grants are the key
incentives to improving local tribal operations of the BIA
schools and enhancing the quality of education. Written
testimony that the Committee received from the tribes and
tribal organizations was overwhelmingly opposed to the proposed
privatization initiative and pressed for a focus on expanding
funding for existing education programs and implementing newly
enacted education legislation. The Committee encourages the
Department and the Bureau to consult with the tribes and to
examine the BIA school system needs and new legislative
requirements thoroughly in developing its 2004 budget request
to ensure that no Indian child is left behind.
Non recurring programs.--The Committee recommends
$70,824,000 for non recurring programs, $3,314,000 above the
budget request and $1,974,000 below the fiscal year 2002
enacted level, including increases above the 2002 level of
$650,000 for minerals and mining, $300,000 for water management
planning and predevelopment for the Seminole tribe to address
water quality programs as part of Everglades restoration
efforts, $1,500,000 for real estate services, and $193,000 for
fixed costs, and decreases of $500,000 for the Cherion
Foundation, $500,000 for the Alaska fire program, $75,000 for
the Washington ferry assessment, $400,000 for the tribal
guiding program, $1,700,000 for the distance learning project,
$25,000 for irrigation drainage, $320,000 for unresolved
hunting and fishing rights, $350,000 for Alaska legal services,
and $747,000 for internal transfers.
Within the $3,000,000 provided for the ``Jobs in the
Woods'' initiative, $400,000 should continue to be used by the
Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission for the Wildstock
Restoration Initiative.
Central office operations.--The Committee recommends
$70,035,000 for central office operation, $2,455,000 below the
budget request and $11,929,000 above the fiscal year 2002
enacted level, including increases above the 2002 level of
$5,700,000 for trust services as part of the bureaus trust
reform efforts, $5,500,000 for information technology issues as
part of trust reform, $500,000 for the branch of
acknowledgment, $156,000 for fixed costs, and $74,000 for
internal transfers, and a decrease of $1,000 for general
administration.
Regional office operations.--The Committee recommends
$64,223,000 for regional office operations, the same as the
budget request and $1,544,000 above the fiscal year 2002
enacted level, including increases above the 2002 enacted level
of $1,000,000 for minerals and mining, $500,000 for the land
title records office, $613,000 for fixed costs, and a decrease
of $569,000 for internal transfers.
Special programs and pooled overhead.--The Committee
recommends $266,132,000 for special programs and pooled
overhead, $4,971,000 above the budget request and $970,000
below the fiscal year 2002 enacted level including increases
above the 2002 level of $3,000,000 for facilities operations,
and $1,485,000 for fixed costs, and decreases of $500,000 for
the Indian Arts and Craft Board, $100,000 for the Ponca tribe
economic development plan, $1,000,000 for the Yuut Elitnauviat
learning center, $1,000,000 for the aviation training program,
$401,000 for intra-governmental transfers, $2,000,000 for
employee displacement costs, and $454,000 for internal
transfers.
Bill Language.--Language is included under administrative
provisions allowing the Bureau to contract for management,
operations, and maintenance services for the San Carlos
Irrigation Project.
The Committee is aware of concerns that the Solicitor may
not be providing the Indian Arts and Crafts Board with adequate
legal representation and urges the Solicitor to provide
appropriate legal representation for the Indian Arts and Crafts
Board in enforcement of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.
The Committee once again takes note of two innovative
programs underway by the Tohono O'odham Nation in Arizona. The
Nation has developed a higher education services program to
assist tribal members in identifying available funding sources
for higher education, as well as preparatory course work. The
Nation has also developed an employment assistance program to
assist tribal members to find employment through direct
employment assistance and vocational training. The Committee
strongly encourages the Bureau to review favorably these
programs as it develops the 2004 budget.
The Committee recognizes the extraordinary cost savings and
positive environmental benefits achieved by the military
through the implementation of pulse technology as a major
component of its battery management programs. The Committee
believes that the Bureau would also benefit significantly and
directly from the use of this technology to extend the life of
vehicle batteries. These benefits include savings in battery
replacement costs, reduction in overall maintenance costs for
vehicles and ancillary equipment, and a resultant increase in
safety for personnel. The Committee urges the Bureau to
incorporate this technology in its ongoing purchase and
maintenance programs for vehicles. The Bureau should report to
the Committee by December 31, 2002, on its plans to comply with
this direction. Beginning with the fiscal year 2004 budget
request, the budget submission should include an accounting of
the extent to which battery pulse technology is being employed
and the savings expected and realized as a result of the use of
this technology.
CONSTRUCTION
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $357,132,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 345,252,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 345,252,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -11,800,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $345,252,000 for construction, the
same as the budget request and 11,880,000 below the fiscal year
2002 enacted level.
Education.--The Committee recommends $292,717,000 for
education construction, the same as the budget request and
$214,000 above the fiscal year 2002 enacted level including
increases above the 2002 level of $2,576,000 for facilities
improvement and repair and $214,000 for fixed costs, and a
decrease of $2,576,000 for replacement school construction. The
funding level for replacement school construction is sufficient
to construct the following six schools: Santa Fe Indian School,
NM; Kayenta Boarding School, AZ; Tiospa Zina Tribal School, SD;
Wide Ruins Boarding School, AZ; Low Mountain Boarding school,
AZ; and the St. Francis Indian School, SD.
Within the funds provided for facilities improvement and
repair, $918,000 is for the Ramah Navajo replacement dormitory.
This funding level is sufficient to complete construction of
this project.
Public safety and justice.--The Committee recommends
$5,046,000 for public safety and justice, the same as the
budget request and $495,000 below the fiscal year 2002 enacted
level, including an increase above the 2002 level of $5,000 for
fixed costs and a decrease of $500,000 for fire protection.
Resources management.--The Committee recommends $39,173,000
for resources management, the same as the budget request and
$11,472,000 below the fiscal year 2002 enacted level, including
increases above the 2002 level of $57,000 for fixed costs, and
$701,000 for internal transfers for FERC activities, and a
decrease of $12,230,000 for the Navajo irrigation project.
General administration.--The Committee recommends
$8,316,000 for general administration, the same as the budget
request and $127,000 below the fiscal year 2002 enacted level,
including an increase above the 2002 level of $73,000 for fixed
costs and a decrease of $200,000 for construction program
management.
INDIAN LAND AND WATER CLAIM SETTLEMENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS PAYMENTS TO
INDIANS
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $60,949,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 57,949,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 60,949,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +3,000,000
The Committee recommends $60,949,000 for Indian land and
water claim settlements and miscellaneous payments to Indians
$3,000,000 above the budget request and the same as the 2002
enacted level. Funding includes $625,000 for White Earth,
$250,000 for Hoopa-Yurok, $24,728,000 for the Ute settlement,
$142,000 for Pyramid Lake, $5,068,000 for Rocky Boys,
$19,000,000 for the Schiviwtz Band of which $3,000,000 for land
acquisition is funded under this account rather than the
departmental management as proposed in the budget request,
$3,136,000 for Santo Domingo Pueblo, and $8,000,000 for
Colorado Ute.
INDIAN GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $4,986,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 5,493,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 5,493,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +507,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $5,493,000 for the Indian
guaranteed loan program account the same as the budget request
and $507,000 above the fiscal year 2002 enacted level.
Departmental Offices
Insular Affairs
ASSISTANCE TO TERRITORIES
The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) was established on
August 4, 1995 through Secretarial Order No. 3191, which also
abolished the former Office of Territorial and International
Affairs. The OIA has important responsibilities to help the
United States government fulfill its responsibilities to the
four U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin
Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands
(CNMI) and also the three freely associated States: the
Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the
Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Republic of Palau. The permanent
and trust fund payments to the territories and the compact
nations provide substantial financial resources to these
governments.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $78,950,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 70,217,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 73,217,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002................................... -5,733,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. +3,000,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $73,217,000 for assistance to
territories, $5,733,000 below the fiscal year 2002 level and
$3,000,000 above the budget request.
Territorial Assistance.--The Committee recommends
$22,397,000 for territorial assistance, $5,733,000 below the
fiscal year 2002 level and $3,000,000 above the budget request.
Increases to the budget request include $1,000,000 for court-
mandated improvement projects in the U.S. Virgin Islands,
$1,000,000 for compact impact aid to Guam, and $1,000,000 for
the Prior Service Benefits Administration. Further instructions
on this latter matter are under the Covenant grant heading
below.
The Committee approves the proposed staffing increase to
administer the new Compact financial assistance program which,
hopefully, will soon be established for the Federated States of
Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The
Committee encourages the Administration to consider
establishing an interagency group on Insular affairs in order
to more effectively coordinate the various efforts in
government. The Committee encourages the Department to work
diligently with the Marine Resources Pacific Consortium,
coordinated by the University of Guam, to enhance management
and preservation of coral reefs among the Pacific Islands of
the CNMI, Guam, American Samoa, the Federated States of
Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the
Marshall Islands.
American Samoa.--The Committee recommends $23,100,000 for
American Samoa as requested and enacted for 2002. The Committee
continues to be concerned about fiscal conditions in American
Samoa and encourages the Administration and the American Samoa
government to complete and implement a financial reform package
forthwith.
Northern Mariana Islands/Covenant grants.--The Committee
recommends $27,720,000 for CNMI covenant grants as requested
and enacted in 2002. The Committee approves the proposed
increase to CNMI impact aid and the reduction to the CNMI labor
initiative now that other Federal agencies absorb the cost of
their CNMI operations into their operating budgets. The
Committee notes that the statutory earmark for CNMI
construction for fiscal year 2003 is $5,420,000. The Committee
directs that $10,000,000 be allocated for CNMI construction
grants, a $1,000,000 reduction from the budget request but an
increase of $4,580,000 above the current statutory requirement.
The Committee has included language authorizing $1,000,000 of
Covenant grant funding to be used to continue payment of
benefits under the prior service benefits program. In addition,
the Committee has provided an additional $1,000,000 for the
prior benefits program under the technical assistance program.
The Department is directed to meet with representatives of the
Prior Service Benefits Board of Directors to develop a proposal
for future funding at a reduced level and to arrange for
transfer of program administration to appropriate pension or
social security systems in the freely associated states and the
CNMI.
Guam.--The Committee notes the $4,580,000 payment to Guam
using Covenant grant funds and an additional $1,000,000 in
technical assistance funding are to address the impact
resulting from the implementation of the Compact of Free
Association.
COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $23,245,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 20,745,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 21,045,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -2,200,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +300,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $21,045,000 for the compact of
free association, $300,000 above the request and $2,200,000
below the 2002 level. The Committee notes that this reduction
is mandated in law now that the original 15 years of the
compact financial assistance has lapsed. The Committee is
generally pleased with the progress the governments have made
concerning renegotiating the financial terms of the compacts of
free association. The Committee expects the Department to
continue to be involved in this process and to keep the
Committee regularly apprised. The Committee strongly encourages
all parties to complete the negotiation early this summer and
complete a legislative and budget proposal by early fall, 2002.
Departmental Management
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $69,946,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 78,596,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 72,533,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +2,587,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. -6,063,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $72,533,000 for departmental
management, a decrease of $6,063,000 below the budget request
and $2,587,000 above the enacted level. The Committee has not
provided $2,395,000 for milar window protection because
substantial funds were provided in the emergency supplemental
under the General Services Administration account for this
purpose.
The Committee is concerned about the lack of communications
regarding key policy decisions and public announcements at the
Department. The Committee has reduced the Department's
Congressional Affairs office and the Communications office by
$200,000 each.
The Committee recognizes the extraordinary cost savings and
positive environmental benefits achieved by the military
through the implementation of pulse technology as a major
component of its battery management programs. The Committee
believes that the Department of the Interior would also benefit
significantly and directly from the use of this technology to
extend the life of vehicle batteries. These benefits include
savings in battery replacement costs, reduction in overall
maintenance costs for vehicles and ancillary equipment, and a
resultant increase in safety for personnel. The Committee urges
the Department to incorporate this technology in its ongoing
purchase and maintenance programs for vehicles. The Department
should report to the Committee by December 31, 2002, on its
plans to comply with this direction. Beginning with the fiscal
year 2004 budget request, the budget submission should include
an accounting of the extent to which battery pulse technology
is being employed and the savings expected and realized as a
result of the use of this technology.
Office of the Solicitor
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $45,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 47,773,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 47,473,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +2,473,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. -300,000
The Committee recommends $47,473,000 for the Office of the
Solicitor, a decrease of $300,000 from the budget request and
$2,473,000 above the enacted level.
Office of Inspector General
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $34,302,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 36,659,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 36,239,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +1,937,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. -420,000
The Committee recommends $36,239,000 for the Office of the
Inspector General, a decrease of $420,000 below the budget
request and $1,937,000 above the enacted level.
The reduction provides the same rate of uncontrollable
expenses as provided for other Interior bureaus.
National Indian Gaming Commission
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 2,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 2,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +2,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $2,000,000 for the National Indian
Gaming Commission the same as the budget request and $2,000,000
above the fiscal year 2002 enacted level.
Office of Special Trustee for American Indians
FEDERAL TRUST PROGRAMS
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $99,224,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. $151,027,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 141,277,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +42,053,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. -9,750,000
The Committee recommends $141,277,000 for the office of
special trustee for American Indians, $9,750,000 below the
budget request and $42,053,000 above the fiscal year 2002
enacted level.
Executive direction.--The Committee recommends $2,530,000
for executive direction, an increase above the 2002 level of
$34,000 for fixed costs.
Operations.--The Committee recommends $39,516,000 for
operations, including increases above the 2002 level of
$15,767,000 for fixed costs, $4,848,000 for the office of trust
fund management, and $2,400,000 for field operations.
Litigation support and records.--The Committee recommends
$3,129,000 for litigation support and records, including
increases above the 2002 level of $80,000 for fixed costs,
$200,000 for records operations, and $300,000 for litigation
support.
Program support services.--The Committee recommends
$5,451,000 for program support services, including a program
increase above the 2002 level of $1,226,000 and a decrease of
$503,000 for fixed costs.
Improvement initiatives.--The Committee recommends
$90,651,000 for improvement initiatives, including increases
above the 2002 level of $2,500,000 for OST data cleanup,
$2,000,000 for BIA data cleanup, $4,000,000 for records
management, $4,000,000 for policies and procedures, $1,000,000
for risk management, $5,050,000 for trust improvement
coordination, $1,975,000 for the three trust breaches,
$7,500,000 for historical accounting, and $10,000,000 for trust
net to address high-priority computer security problems, and
decreases of $14,124,000 for fixed costs, $2,000,000 for the
probate cleanup, $2,000,000 for trust asset account management
system, and $2,200,000 for training.
Bill Language.--The Committee remains very concerned about
the escalating costs associated with the Cobell v. Norton
litigation and with the effect this litigation is having on the
Department's trust reform efforts. Therefore, the Committee has
included a number of legislative provisions (under General
Provisions, Department of the Interior) it believes are
important in moving the trust reform process forward.
The Committee has included a general provision to address
the issue of releasing the Ernst and Young study, and has
included legislative language in the Office of Special Trustee
account to address the issue of an historical accounting. In
the Fiscal Year 2002 Joint Explanatory Statement of the
Committee of Conference, the managers reiterated their position
that they will not appropriate hundreds of millions of dollars
for a historical accounting whose outcome is unlikely to be
successful. The Committee now believes that a transaction-by-
transaction accounting for all accounts without regard to when
the funds were deposited could cost as much as $1 billion. The
allocation of these funds would have a devastating effect on
Indian country by siphoning scarce resources away from critical
Indian programs.
The Committee's concern is reinforced by the opposition of
plaintiffs in Cobell v. Norton to disclose the results of the
Ernst and Young report on the historical accounting of the five
named plaintiffs and their predecessors. Accordingly, the
Committee has included a requirement for disclosure to the
Committee of a summary of the Ernst and Young report. Congress
provided nearly $20 million to conduct this accounting and the
Committee believes that the results of this accounting will
provide important information for determining whether this
expenditure was a wise use of appropriated funds, and to serve
as a benchmark to determine the extent to which future
appropriations for this type of activity are warranted.
The Committee has also included a provision limiting the
historical accounting to a more defined period. By limiting the
historical accounting, the Committee will focus its limited
resources on a manageable group of accounts for which results
can be produced within a reasonable period of time and at a
more reasonable cost. By specifying the starting date for the
accounting, it is the Committee's intent that the balance in
each account as of that date shall be accepted as correct for
purposes of the accounting. This provision also includes
language limiting, until further action by the Congress, any
historical accounting beyond that described in the provision.
Further accounting shall not proceed until the Committees
on Appropriations and the relevant Committees of jurisdiction
have had an opportunity to review the comprehensive plan now
under development by the Department, the Ernst and Young
report, and the results of the focused accounting funded in
this bill. Such a review will provide the Congress the
opportunity to consider options for further accounting or other
legislative remedies.
The Committee notes that the Special Master and the Court
Monitor appointed by the Court to review various aspects of
trust reform at the Department are receiving compensation for
their activities that exceed those of the Chief Justice and the
Vice President of the United States. The Committee believes
that, by any measure, the current level of compensation is
excessive. Therefore, given current fiscal and budgetary
constraints, the Committee has included a general provision
that caps the compensation for each of these Court Officers at
no more than 200 percent of the highest Senior Executive
Service rate of pay. For fiscal year 2003, that maximum amount
is $276,400.
With minor exceptions the current Special Trustee Advisory
Board has been in place since the Board was first constituted,
even though the Trust Reform Act established a nine member
Board to be appointed by the Special Trustee for a period of
two years. Recent events, including the EDS report, the
decision to replace the High Level Implementation Plan with a
new Strategic Plan, the Secretary's proposal to create a new
organizational structure to address trust reform, and the
establishment of a new Office of Historical Trust Accounting,
speak to the need for a new board with a new perspective and
fresh ideas. In addition, the Committee remains concerned over
the appearance of a conflict of interest having the named
plaintiff in the Cobell v. Norton litigation on the Advisory
Board. Therefore, the Committee has included a general
provision requiring the appointment of a new advisory board.
The Committee is very concerned that the ongoing Cobell v.
Norton litigation is jeopardizing the ability of the Department
of the Interior to successfully implement trust reform. The
Committee finds it particularly troubling that almost every
individual in a position of leadership has been subject to a
contempt of court motion by the plaintiffs in the case. It is
clear to the Committee that this legal strategy is resulting in
some of the best people having to recuse themselves from
working on trust reform, and it is becoming more difficult for
the Department to hire talented people to take on the difficult
responsibilities. If this situation continues unabated it will
surely result in the inability of the Department to implement
trust reform. To help ameliorate this extraordinary situation,
the Committee has included a general provision that would help
the employees in the Department pay for legal costs arising
from this litigation. It is the Committee's hope that this
language will create sufficient incentives to allow the
Department to continue to seek out the best and the brightest
for this challenging work.
INDIAN LAND CONSOLIDATION
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $10,980,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 7,980,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 7,980,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -3,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $7,980,000 for Indian land
consolidation the same as the budget request and $3,000,000
below the fiscal year 2002 enacted level.
Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration
NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FUND
The purpose of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Fund
is to provide the basis for claims against responsible parties
for the restoration of injured natural resources. Assessments
ultimately will lead to the restoration of injured resources
and reimbursement for reasonable assessment costs from
responsible parties through negotiated settlements or other
legal actions. Operating on a ``polluter pays'' principle, the
program anticipates recovering over $54 million in receipts in
fiscal year 2002, with the vast majority to be used for the
restoration of injured resources. The program works to restore
sites ranging in size from small town landfills to the Exxon
Valdez oil spill of 1989 in Alaska.
Prior to fiscal year 1999, this account was included under
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service appropriation. The
account was moved under the Departmental Offices heading
because its functions relate to several different bureaus
within the Department of the Interior.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $5,497,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 5,538,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 5,538,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +41,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $5,538,000 for the natural
resource damage assessment fund, which is equal to the budget
request and $41,000 above the fiscal year 2002 level. The
Committee encourages the Service to use the National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation for some of its restoration work under this
program. The Foundation has a proven track record in
establishing partnerships and leveraging Federal funds for
habitat restoration.
GENERAL PROVISIONS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
The Committee recommends continuing several provisions
carried in previous bills as follows. Sections 101 and 102
provide for emergency transfer authority with the approval of
the Secretary. Section 103 provides for warehouse and garage
operations and for reimbursement for those services. Section
104 provides for vehicle and other services. Section 105
provides for uniform allowances. Section 106 provides for
twelve-month contracts. Sections 107 through 110 prohibit the
expenditure of funds for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) leasing
activities in certain areas. These OCS provisions are addressed
under the Minerals Management Service in this report. Section
111 limits the investment of Federal funds by tribes and tribal
organizations to obligations of the United States or
obligations insured by the United States. Section 112 prohibits
the National Park Service from reducing recreation fees for
non-local travel through any park unit. Section 113 continues
permitting the transfer of funds between the Bureau of Indian
Affairs and the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians.
Section 114 provides permanent authority to the Secretary
of the Interior to negotiate and enter into agreements and
leases with certain entities associated with Fort Baker. The
language permits funds to be retained from leases and proceeds
from agreements, for the preservation, restoration, operation,
maintenance and interpretation of Fort Baker. The funds are
available until expended.
Section 115 continues a provision allowing the hiring of
administrative law judges to address the Indian probate
backlog.
Section 116 permits the redistribution of tribal priority
allocation and tribal base funds to alleviate funding
inequities.
Section 117 continues a provision requiring the allocation
of Bureau of Indian Affairs postsecondary schools funds
consistent with unmet needs.
Section 118 continues a provision limiting the use of the
Huron Cemetery in Kansas City to religious purposes.
Section 119 continues a provision permitting the conveyance
of the Twin Cities Research Center of the former Bureau of
Mines for the benefit of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Section 120 extends for one year a provision regarding the
use of transportation fees under the National Parks Omnibus
Management Act of 1998.
Section 121 continues a provision authorizing a cooperative
agreement with the Golden Gate National Parks Association.
Section 122 continues a provision permitting the Bureau of
Land Management to retain funds from the sale of seeds and
seedlings.
Section 123 continues a provision permitting the sale of
improvements and equipment at the White River Oil Shale Mine in
Utah and the retention and use of those funds by the Bureau of
Land Management and the General Services Administration.
Section 124 continues a provision authorizing the Secretary
of the Interior to use helicopter or motor vehicles to capture
and transport horses and burros at the Sheldon and Hart
National Wildlife Refuges.
Section 125 authorizes federal funds for Shenandoah Valley
Battlefield NHD and Ice Age NST to be transferred to a State,
local government, or other governmental land management entity
for acquisition of lands.
Section 126 continues a provision prohibiting the closure
of the underground lunchroom at Carlsbad Caverns NP, NM.
Section 127 continues a provision preventing the demolition
of a bridge between New Jersey and Ellis Island.
Section 128 continues a provision prohibiting the posting
of signs at Canaveral National Seashore as clothing optional
areas if it is inconsistent with county ordinance.
Section 129 permits the use of funds for incidental
expenses related to promoting the Centennial of the National
Wildlife Refuge System.
Section 130 authorizes the National Park Service to enter
into a cooperative agreement with Capitol Concerts.
Section 131 requires the Department of the Interior to
provide a summary of the Ernst and Young report on the
historical accounting of the named plaintiffs in Cobell v.
Norton.
Section 132 limits compensation for the Special Master and
Court Monitor appointed by the Court in Cobell v. Norton to 200
percent of the highest Senior Executive Service rate of pay.
Section 133 requires the Special Trustee for American
Indian to appointment new Advisory Board members.
Section 134 allows the Secretary to pay private attorney
fees for employees and former employees incurred in connection
with Cobell v. Norton.
Section 135 allows the Interior firefighting Bureaus to
engage in firefighting activities on non-Federal lands.
Section 136 extends the deadline for submission of reports
and termination of the Commission to create a National Museum
of African American History and Culture Plan for Action to
September 30, 2003.
Section 137 makes funds appropriated in the Labor, Health
and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2002, for the National
Museum of African American History and Culture Plan for Action
Presidential Commission, available until expended.
Section 138 ensures that the Department of the Interior,
with significant technical expertise and stewardship
responsibilities for one-half of the remaining Everglades, is
included as a full partner with the Army Corps and the State of
Florida agencies in the interagency and interdisciplinary team
known as ``RECOVER''. Under the Comprehensive Everglades
Restoration Plan recently authorized by Congress, RECOVER is
responsible for assessing, evaluating and integrating the
numerous projects that comprise the Comprehensive Everglades
Restoration Plan so that the goals and purposes of the Plan,
including the restoration of the Everglades natural system, are
achieved. Including the Department of the Interior as a full
partner will ensure that Interior's significant technical
expertise is fully utilized and that the primary Federal
interest in the Comprehensive Plan, the restoration of the
Everglades, is achieved.
Section 139 requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to mark
hatchery salmon.
Section 140 names the visitor center at the Bitter Lake
National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico the Joseph R. Skeen
Visitor Center.
Section 141 establishes a thirteen member Commission to
study the effect of gaming on Indian country.
TITLE II-- RELATED AGENCIES
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service manages 192 million acres of public
lands for multiple use Nationwide, including lands in 44 States
and Puerto Rico. The Forest Service administers a wide variety
of programs, including forest and rangeland research, State and
private forestry assistance, wildfire suppression and fuels
reduction, cooperative forest health programs, and human
resource programs. The National Forest System (NFS) includes
155 National forests, 20 National grasslands, 20 National
recreation areas, a National tallgrass prairie, 5 National
monuments, and 6 land utilization projects. The NFS is managed
for multiple use, including timber production, recreation,
wilderness, minerals, grazing, fish and wildlife habitat
management, and soil and water conservation.
During the past two years the Congress has funded the
national fire plan submitted by the Secretaries of Agriculture
and the Interior and the governors. The Committee remains
committed to the national fire plan and understands that this
requires the long-term involvement of Federal, State and local
governments and tribes, working with citizens and industries.
The Committee has invested in a broad program which: (1)
provides firefighting resources and personnel; (2) funds
rehabilitation and restoration; (3) invests in active
management to reduce wildfire risk by reducing hazardous fuels;
(4) provides State, volunteer and community assistance and
invests in research and development; and (5) requires continual
and careful accountability to monitor performance. If
appropriated funds are insufficient during emergency
situations, other available funds may be used for fire
suppression but the Administration must take action to
replenish these funds so that the normal program of work of
non-fire activities is not halted. The National Fire Plan is
discussed in more detail under the wildland fire management
account heading.
FOREST AND RANGELAND RESEARCH
Research and development sponsors basic and applied
scientific research. This research provides both credible and
relevant knowledge about forests and rangelands and new
technologies that can be used to sustain the health,
productivity, and diversity of private and public lands to meet
the needs of present and future generations. Research is
conducted across the U.S. through six research stations, the
Forest Products Laboratory, and the International Institute of
Tropical Forestry in Puerto Rico as well as cooperative
research efforts with many of the Nation's universities. The
Committee stresses that this research and development should
support all of the Nation's forests and rangelands and that
technology transfer and practical applications are vital.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $241,304,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 242,798,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 252,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +10,696,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +9,202,000
The Committee recommends $252,000,000 for forest and
rangeland research, $9,202,000 above the budget request and
$10,696,000 above the 2002 funding level. The Committee rejects
the proposed budget and allocations as they are poorly
conceived and were not coordinated at all with key
constituencies. The Committee's recommended allocation does not
make funding available for the program initiatives and
redirections contained in the budget request.
The Committee expects that future budget submissions will
be responsive to recommendations in the recent National
Research Council report, ``National Capacity in Forestry
Research'', and input from the Secretary's Forestry Research
advisory council, the National Association of Professional
Forestry Schools and Colleges, the State foresters, and
industry and public user groups. The Committee also expects
that future budgets will be better coordinated with other USDA
and Department of the Interior research bureaus and be
responsive to the national fire plan and other key agency
efforts such as invasive species and long-term forest
productivity, as well as areas of demonstrated Congressional
support. The Committee also encourages the Forest Service to
reevaluate the current budget structure and determine if the
public might not be better served with explicit line items and
associated outcomes as was the case in the past.
The overall allocation includes $241,304,000, the same
funding level as in 2002, plus an increase of $3,000,000 for
the forest inventory and analysis (FIA) program, a $1,700,000
increase for the advanced housing research consortium which
includes work at Mississippi State University and other
universities, a total of $300,000 for the International Arid
Lands Consortium ($300,000 is also in State and private
forestry for an agency-wide total of $600,000), a $500,000
increase for work on adelgids and other insects in the east,
and a $500,000 increase for research on sudden oak death in the
west. The remaining increase is for fixed costs, and included
in the funds provided is $531,000 for anticipated additional
costs to be incurred by the Pacific Northwest Research Station
as a result of administrative services provided by region six
of the Forest Service. The Committee is providing full funding
at the 2002 level for previously designated Congressional
priorities. These projects include, among others, the CROP
effort on the Colville national forest, WA, National
Agroforestry Center, NE, Bent Creek, NC, Coweeta Lab, NC,
Olympic Natural Resource Center, WA, and urban forestry at
Syracuse, NY and Davis, CA.
The Committee directs that the Forest Service obtain
approval from the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations
before closing any research work unit or locations.
The forest inventory and analysis (FIA) program within
research is funded at the fiscal year 2002 level, $36,498,000,
plus an additional $3,000,000 mentioned above. The Committee
encourages the States to help cost-share the program. The
Committee has also included FIA funding in other accounts.
State and Private forestry includes $9,000,000 for cost-share
efforts within the forest resource information and analysis
activity ($4,004,000 above the request) and $2,810,000 within
the forest health activities. The National forest system
account includes $6,200,000 for FIA activities within the
inventory and monitoring activity. The FIA total recommended
funding is $57,508,000. This is more than double the
appropriated funding provided in fiscal year 1998.
STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY
Through cooperative programs with State and local
governments, forest industry, conservation organizations, and
non-industrial private forest landowners, the Forest Service
supports the protection and management of the nearly 500
million acres of non-Federal forests in the country. Technical
and financial assistance is offered to improve wildland fire
management and protect communities from wildfire; control
insects and disease; improve harvesting and processing of
forest products; conserve environmentally important forests;
and enhance stewardship of urban and rural forests. The Forest
Service provides special expertise and disease suppression for
all Federal and tribal lands, as well as cooperative assistance
with the States for State and private lands.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $291,221,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 277,363,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 279,828,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -11,393,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +2,465,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $279,828,000 for State and private
forestry, $2,465,000 above the budget request and $11,393,000
below the 2002 funding level. This funding includes
$133,133,000 within the conservation spending category.
Forest health management.--The Committee recommends
$81,412,000 for forest health management, $32,000 above the
request and $13,108,000 above the enacted. The Committee
reiterates its concern with forest health in the broad sense
and has added bill language to clarify that forest health
activities may include treatments for invasive or noxious
plants. The Committee expects the Forest Service to keep insect
and disease risk maps up-to-date and provide the Congress with
updated maps as they become available. The Committee rejects
the administration's proposal for an emerging pest fund that
came with unrealistic restrictions. Instead, the Committee has
added this funding to the base program in order to fund fully
imminent pest problems and the ongoing base program. This
funding should fully fund the Slow-the-spread gypsy moth
program and provide additional resources for work to control
and manage the Asian long-horned beetle in urban settings and
adelgids in the east. Under the wildland fire management
heading the Committee has added additional resources to help
prevent outbreaks and restore forests affected by southern pine
beetles, mountain bark beetles, sudden oak death, and other
pests and pathogens.
Cooperative fire protection.--The Committee recommends
$30,393,000 for cooperative fire protection in the State and
private forestry account, $30,000 above the 2002 funding level
and equal to the budget request for these activities. The
Committee has also provided $11,805,000 above the budget
request for the cooperative fire portion of the national fire
plan within the wildland fire management account, including
$58,000,000 for State fire assistance and $8,500,000 for
volunteer fire assistance.
Cooperative forestry.--The Committee recommends
$162,023,000 for cooperative forestry, $1,469,000 above the
budget request and $25,268,000 below the 2002 funding level.
This funding includes $133,133,000 within the conservation
spending category, $14,425,000 above the request and
$32,133,000 above the enacted level for these activities. The
conservation spending category includes $60,000,000 for forest
legacy, $36,235,000 for urban and community forestry, and
$36,898,000 for forest stewardship. Funding for the forest
legacy program is derived from the land and water conservation
fund (LWCF), as requested. Forest stewardship program funding
does not come from the LWCF although the Administration did
make that request.
Forest stewardship.--The Committee recommends $36,898,000
for forest stewardship, $12,628,000 below the request and
$3,727,000 above the enacted level. The proposed new
initiatives are not funded. The 2002 funding level is
maintained for the Chesapeake Bay program ($750,000), the
National Agroforestry Center ($420,000) and activities in the
New York City watershed ($500,000). The Committee notes the
large infusion of new mandatory funding from the Farm Security
and Rural Investment Act of 2002, which includes up to
$5,000,000 in 2002 and $20,000,000 in 2003 for the Forest Land
Enhancement program and which replaces the stewardship
incentives and forest incentives programs. The Committee
directs the Forest Service to include in its subsequent budget
justifications a clear exposition of plans for this mandatory
funding and how this new program relates to and interacts with
cooperative forestry programs receiving discretionary funding.
Forest legacy program.--The Committee recommends
$60,000,000 for the forest legacy program, $9,797,000 below the
request and $5,000,000 below the enacted level. The Committee
recommends the following distribution of funds:
Committee
State Project Recommendation
AL Coon Gulf, phase 2............. $2,000,000
CO Spruce Mountain Ranch.......... 1,875,000
CT Stone House Brook Project...... 1,100,000
DE Green Horizons, phase 2........ 2,000,000
GA Pine Mountain.................. 5,000,000
GA Sheffield...................... 100,000
HI McCandless Ranch............... 1,300,000
IA Yellow River Forest Project.... 700,000
IL Coon Creek Woods............... 95,000
IL Kite River..................... 305,000
IN Mt. Tea Ridge.................. 1,600,000
MA Karner Brook Ridge............. 525,000
MA Camp Hi-rock................... 500,000
MD Pintail........................ 150,000
MD Deer Creek..................... 150,000
ME Leavitt Plantation............. 600,000
MN North Duluth, phase 1&2........ 410,000
MT Schumann....................... 600,000
NC RPM project.................... 3,000,000
NC Fort Bragg borderlands......... 600,000
NH Connecticut Lakes Headwaters... 4,000,000
NJ Lake Gerard, New Jersey 4,000,000
Highlands.
NM Lagunas Bonitas................ 1,500,000
NY East Branch Fish Creek, phase 2 1,500,000
OR South Eugene Hills............. 1,062,000
OR Coburg Hills................... 1,000,000
PR Rio Abajo North area, phase 2.. 1,000,000
RI Weetamoo Woods, phase 2........ 250,000
RI Duvall Trail Corridor.......... 200,000
SC Great Pee Dee river, Coastal 4,000,000
Forests phase 3.
TN Anderson--Tully................ 3,500,000
TN Jim Creek, Pickett State Forest 838,000
TN McLaughlin tract............... 800,000
UT Castle Rock, phase 2........... 2,000,000
UT Range Creek #3................. 1,550,000
VA Sandy Point.................... 575,000
VA Romine project................. 600,000
VA Buffalo River Crossing......... 200,000
VT Monitor Barns.................. 300,000
WA Skykomish River Landscape, 920,000
phase 2.
WI Bad River Headwaters........... 3,450,000
-----------------
Project subtotal............. 55,855,000
Forest Service program 4,145,000
administration and AON
planning.
-----------------
Total........................ 60,000,000
During the past year the Committee has examined the forest
legacy program in great detail and finds that there are
substantial management problems. This includes problems with
national direction and oversight, coordination, priority
setting, and especially, financial management. The details of
these findings are contained in a report dated June 14, 2002,
which the Committee will publish so all interested parties have
access. The Committee still feels that there is merit to the
forest legacy conservation easement approach with its heavy
State involvement, but substantial changes will be required at
all levels of its operation. The Committee has increased forest
legacy program administration funding by $292,000 above the
request in order to enhance program and financial management
and provide funds for certain priority land or easement
appraisals or appraisal reviews.
The Committee directs the Forest Service to submit a 5-year
forest legacy program strategy that includes planned funding
requirements. The strategy should identify where funds will be
focused to provide the greatest national benefit and contain a
proposed project selection process supportive of the 5-year
strategy. The Committee further directs the Forest Service to
revise and finalize its Forest Legacy Program Implementation
Guidelines by December 31, 2002. The revised guidelines should
include definitive guidance regarding project definition, cost
shares, monitoring, appraisals, and other areas of concern
noted in the Committee's report, dated June 14, 2002,
describing its review of the program.
The Committee directs the Forest Service to develop a
policy regarding the Federal review of appraisals for Forest
Legacy projects that will ensure those appraisals are meeting
Federal standards.
The Committee is concerned with the manner in which cost
share is calculated. The Committee directs that the Forest
Service require that 25% of the total cost of each project be
non-Federal and that grants not be awarded unless this cost
share can be met. The cost share may include donated funds or
donated interests-in-lands or lands, but it may not include the
operating or administrative costs associated with appraisals,
monitoring or other administrative aspects of the program by
States or other partners.
The Committee also expects that each conservation easement
or land transfer contract clearly indicate that the State will
monitor and evaluate the subsequent land use for the length of
the easement and periodically report to the Forest Service.
Contracts should also provide for public access unless it would
clearly be injurious to special natural resource values.
The Committee is concerned that forest legacy program
managers are not using the Forest Service's official financial
accounting system, the Foundation Financial Information System
(FFIS), to manage forest legacy funds. The Committee directs
the Forest Service to ensure FFIS contains accurate and
complete expenditure information for forest legacy grants and
that it supports program management information requirements.
The Committee further directs the Forest Service to improve the
ability of FFIS to track the status of individual projects by:
(1) defining what constitutes a forest legacy'' project,'' and
(2) requiring separate grants for each project. The Committee
directs the Forest Service to use a single grant authorization
and payment system for the forest legacy program. The Committee
expects that forest legacy grants will not be awarded to
``geographical areas'' such as the West Branch and South
Carolina Coastal Restoration projects, rather the grants should
be for specific identified tracts.
The Committee notes that it did not provide funding
allocations requested in the budget of $500,000 each to eight
States which have yet to qualify for the forest legacy program.
According to the Forest Service statements in the hearing
record, these States are still completing their assessments of
need; the States have not even established forest legacy areas,
and they have no project proposals yet. The Committee action
will prevent the funding of questionable projects which has
occurred in the recent past when States received funding with
no project stipulations.
The Committee is concerned that the proposed restructuring
of the West Branch project, ME, may not serve the best
interests of the Nation or the forest legacy program. This
project has gone through major changes. When first proposed to
the Congress it was to provide conservation easements for over
600,000 acres. The project then was advertised by Maine as a
$30,000,000 total project on 333,000 acres, requiring a
$20,000,000 forest legacy investment. Now, the Committee
understands that Maine hopes to utilize about $20,000,000 in
forest legacy program funds to purchase 47,000 acres fee simple
and expects the Forest Society of Maine to complete a separate
$12,000,000 conservation easement on adjoining 282,000 acres.
The Committee directs that the Appropriations Committees of
both Houses of Congress shall be notified at least thirty days
in advance of any proposal to commit or obligate funds for this
project. Further, before any Federal funds are expended on this
project, the Committee directs the Forest Service to
demonstrate that the State and private cost share of
$12,000,000 will be available and applied by January 2004, in
order that the planned leveraging of forest legacy funds for
this project is not diminished.
Urban and community forestry.--The Committee recommends
$36,235,000 for the urban and community forestry activity as
requested, $235,000 above the 2002 funding level. This
recommendation includes $500,000 to support the Northeastern
Pennsylvania community forestry program and $1,000,000 for the
Chicago Greenstreets program. Last year the Committee
encouraged the Forest Service to use urban and community
forestry funds to develop special living memorials, using
trees, to commemorate the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
The Forest Service targeted $1,500,000 of available funds for
this special emphasis program. The results have been tremendous
but the work of creating lasting memorials for individuals and
communities has not been completed. Accordingly, the Committee
directs the Forest Service, working in close harmony with the
involved States and local participants, to focus the same level
of funding in fiscal year 2003 for planning, development, and
implementation of the living memorial projects in New York,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, and critical surrounding areas.
Economic action programs.--The Committee recommends
$19,890,000 for economic action programs, $15,790,000 below the
2002 level and $19,890,000 above the request. Within the
economic action program the Committee recommends the following
distribution of funds:
Committee
Program component recommendation
Economic recovery....................................... $5,000,000
Rural development....................................... 5,000,000
Forest products conservation & recycling................ 1,500,000
========================================================
____________________________________________________
Special projects:
Allegheny NF area regional tourism, PA.............. 200,000
Arid Lands Research Consortium...................... 300,000
Cradle of forestry conservation ed, NC.............. 590,000
Cradle of forestry sustainability study, NC......... 150,000
Four Corners Sustainable Forestry................... 1,000,000
Gonzaga Univ. Inland NW Natural Resources Research
Center, WA........................................ 1,000,000
KY mine waste reforestation......................... 1,000,000
Lake Tahoe erosion control grants, CA NV............ 2,000,000
NY City watershed enhancement....................... 1,000,000
Univ. WA landscape management....................... 250,000
Univ. WA and WA St. U. extension forestry........... 900,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Subtotal, special projects........................ 8,390,000
========================================================
____________________________________________________
Total economic action............................. 19,890,000
The Committee disagrees with the administration's proposal
to eliminate entirely the economic action programs. These cost
share efforts provide vital capacity building for rural
communities which can aid greatly the forest dependent
communities. The Committee has agreed to phase out the Pacific
Northwest Assistance specific funding line item but the funding
for economic recovery and rural development are increased to
partially offset this change. Pacific Northwest area
communities may compete for these funds on an equal footing
with other forest dependent communities. The conservation
education funding for the Cradle of Forestry and the Pisgah
Forest Institute is to the Educational Research Consortium of
Western North Carolina.
Forest resource information and analysis.--The Committee
has provided $9,000,000, $4,004,000 above the request and
$3,985,000 above the 2002 enacted level for the Forest resource
information and analysis activity created in fiscal year 2001.
These funds should be used in partnership with the State
foresters and others to enhance the forest inventory and
analysis program, which is managed within the forest research
and development branch. The funds should be used to accelerate
the inventory cycle time.
International forestry.--International forestry is provided
$6,000,000, $964,000 above the request and $737,000 above the
fiscal year 2002 funding level. The Committee is encouraged by
the successful partnerships in the international program. The
Committee expects these efforts to continue and the
international program should provide forestry and timber
expertise to the Federal government's policy deliberations.
National Forest System
Within the National Forest System, which covers 192 million
acres, there are 51 congressionally designated areas, including
20 National recreation areas, and 7 National scenic areas. The
NFS includes a substantial amount of the Nation's softwood
inventory. In fiscal year 2000 over 2.54 billion board feet of
timber was harvested on NFS lands. More than 9,000 farmers and
ranchers pay for permits to graze cattle, horses, sheep and
goats on 74 million acres of grassland, open forests, and other
forage-producing acres of the National forest system. The NFS
includes over 133,000 miles of trails and 23,000 developed
facilities, including 4,389 campgrounds, 58 major visitor
centers, and about one-half of the Nation's ski-lift capacity.
Wilderness areas cover 35 million acres, nearly two-thirds of
the wilderness in the contiguous 48 States. The Forest Service
also has major habitat management responsibilities for more
than 3,000 species of wildlife and fish, and 10,000 plant
species and provides important habitat and open space for over
400 threatened or endangered species. Half of the Nation's big
game habitat and coldwater fish habitat, including salmon and
steelhead, is located on National forest system lands and
waters. In addition, in the 16 western States, where the water
supply is sometimes critically short, about 55 percent of the
total annual yield of water is from National forest system
lands.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $1,331,439,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 1,366,475,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 1,370,567,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +39,128,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +4,092,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $1,370,567,000 for the National
forest system, $4,092,000 above the budget request and
$39,128,000 above the 2002 funding level.
Land management planning.--The Committee recommends
$77,395,000 for land management planning, $5,200,000 above the
request and $7,037,000 above the 2002 level. The Forest Service
must limit planning activities to these funds and not use other
funds to support the land management planning activity. The
Committee has included within the increase a total of
$2,500,000 to expedite the forest plan revisions for the Black
Hills NF, SD.
Inventory and monitoring.--The Committee recommends
$175,306,000 for inventory and monitoring, $1,000,000 below the
request, and an increase of $1,990,000 above the 2002 level.
The Committee notes that this allocation includes $6,200,000,
as requested, for activities associated with the Forest
Inventory and Analysis program. Within the allocation the
Committee has included increases of $500,000 for the Lake Tahoe
basin and $300,000 for the Waldo Lake basin, OR, for watershed
assessments and adaptive management activities to develop long-
term, scientifically valid management for these ultra-
oligotrophic watersheds and $180,000 for the National Forests
of North Carolina for inventories of plants which may be
harvested or collected.
Last year the Committee required the Secretary of
Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to charter an
interagency group to address rangeland assessment and
monitoring issues at both local and national scales, and
develop a coordinated plan and budget to carry out standardized
soil surveys and ecological classification on all the nation's
rangelands. The Committee expects the Secretaries to provide a
detailed progress report by February 1, 2003 on how they have
responded to that direction and include in the next budget
justifications a display of the projected budget and personnel
needs to initiate coordinated inventory, assessment and
monitoring of the Nation's rangelands on a continuing basis.
The Forest Service effort should include all staffs involved in
inventory. USDA agencies, including the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, should be full partners in this effort.
Recreation, heritage and wilderness.--The Committee
recommends $254,444,000 for recreation heritage and wilderness,
$2,000,000 above the request and $8,944,000 above the 2002
level. Volunteer work and contributions by the recreation
community are impressive and accordingly the Committee has
provided funding increases in support of these efforts. The
Committee recognizes the national significance and
responsibility of the Forest Service to administer the Pacific
Crest, Continental Divide, and Florida National Scenic Trails
and the Nez Perce National Historic Trail and directs that
funding for administration and management for these trails be
increased $1,500,000 above the request. Similarly, funding for
those parts of the Appalachian, North Country and Ice Age
National Scenic Trails and the Lewis & Clark, Santa Fe, Anza,
Iditarod, Oregon, California, Mormon pioneer, Pony Express,
Overmountain Victory and Trail of Tears National Historic
trails managed by the Forest Service should be funded $400,000
above the request. The Committee directs the Forest Service to
include a report in the fiscal year 2004 budget justification
indicating the projects, activities and programs accomplished
along these national scenic and historic trails with these
funds and the work proposed to be done and the funding needed
to support work along these trails in the subsequent three
years.
The Committee is supportive of work done by the Carhart
Wilderness training institute. Its funding should be maintained
at no less than the fiscal year 2002 level. Much of the funding
for this center is derived from contributions and
reimbursements by Department of the Interior user agencies. The
Committee believes that a more stable fiscal planning process
is necessary so the Department of the Interior is encouraged to
meet with the Forest Service to determine fiscal requirements
which should be built into each bureau and agency budget.
Wildlife and fish habitat management.--The Committee
recommends $133,948,000 for wildlife and fish habitat
management, an increase of $442,000 above the request and
$2,101,000 above the 2002 level. Included in the increase above
the request is $300,000 to continue the threatened, endangered
and sensitive species work on the National Forests in North
Carolina; the remainder is for fixed costs.
Grazing management.--The Committee recommends $40,850,000
for grazing management, $5,000,000 above the request and
$6,075,000 above the 2002 funding level. The Committee has
provided this large increase to help the forests get on track
with NEPA work required for updating allotment management
plans. Within Title III--General Provisions, the Committee has
included bill language, which provides continuity for permitees
while these environmental assessments are being completed.
Forest products.--The Committee recommends $265,353,000 for
forest products, $600,000 above the request and $987,000 below
the 2002 funding level. The increase includes $300,000 to
continue the CROP project on the Colville NF, WA and a $300,000
increase to the base program on the National Forests in North
Carolina.
Vegetation and watershed management.--The Committee
recommends $192,244,000 for vegetation and watershed
management, $1,600,000 above the budget request and $2,131,000
above the 2002 funding level. The increase above the request
includes $1,000,000 for mitigation of abandoned mines on the
Wayne NF, OH, and $600,000 for watershed improvement activities
in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The Committee encourages the Forest
Service to continue partnership activities with the Canaan
Valley Institute, WV, that are helping to restore Seneca Creek
and other important aquatic areas.
Minerals and geology management.--The Committee recommends
$51,635,000 for minerals and geology management, $2,000,000
below the request and $2,679,000 above the 2002 funding level.
Land ownership management.--The Committee recommends
$97,016,000 for land ownership management, $6,000,000 above the
request and $8,582,000 above the 2002 funding level. The
Committee provides this increase because of the huge
operational backlog and shortfall in this program area, which
provides vital, basic public service. The Committee directs the
Forest Service to maintain the full time lands team to work on
the Pacific Crest Trail project and other similar projects, and
focus on those trails segments where access and public service
needs are greatest.
Law enforcement operations.--The Committee recommends
$81,392,000 for law enforcement operations, $1,250,000 above
the budget request and $2,392,000 above the 2002 funding level.
This funding includes a total of $750,000 for the special law
enforcement problems associated with marijuana eradication in
the Daniel Boone National Forest and $500,000 for drug control
problems on the Mark Twain NF, MO.
Other.--The Committee has provided $984,000 as requested
for management of the Valles Caldera National Preserve, NM but
notes that if there are specific infrastructure needs, such
funding should be requested under the capital improvement and
maintenance appropriation and compete with other Forest Service
projects.
The Committee directs that overall funding for Land Between
the Lakes NRA (KY and TN) be no less than $8,400,000. The
Forest Service should determine the appropriate funding mix
from all accounts, not just the NFS appropriation.
The Committee recommendation includes the full funding
requested by the Administration for the Quincy Library Group
project in California.
The Committee has not included the new funding requested in
the NFS account for transfer to the Interior and Commerce
departments as reimbursement for endangered species
consultations. The Committee has retained this authority as in
the past two years within the wildland fire management account.
The Committee is pleased that there is an effort underway
through the interagency invasive species council to deal with
the serious national problem of invasive species. The Committee
expects the Agriculture Department, and others, to develop a
fiscal year 2004 budget crosscut with shared interagency goals,
interagency strategies, and interagency performance measures.
The Committee is especially supportive of efforts to develop
shared interagency performance measures for invasive species
programs, and encourages the Forest Service and other agencies
involved in the crosscut to develop these on an expedited
basis, so that at least some of these performance measures may
be applied during fiscal year 2003. The next budget
justification should include a display on this issue.
Challenge Cost Share Program.--The Committee is concerned
at the inability of the Forest Service to provide credible and
accurate information regarding contributions of funds and
services by third parties. Effective use of the Challenge Cost
Share program and other opportunities to leverage federal funds
is essential if the Forest Service is to manage the nation's
natural resources and provide services to the public. The
Committee finds the agency's recordkeeping and accomplishment
reporting in this area to be inadquate and expects prompt
action to rectify the problem. Accordingly, the agency is
directed to provide a comprehensive report to the Committee by
December 31, 2003, reflecting accomplishments through September
30, 2003. The information shall at a minimum include a display
of work activities, funds or services contributed by third
parties, Federal funds leveraged, and accomplishments of the
Challenge Cost Share program. Further, the Committee directs
the Forest Service to incorporate this information into the
development of its field based project work planning system in
order to assure that reporting on activities associated with
leveraged Federal funds is integrated with the recurring work
planning and accomplishment reporting processes of the agency.
Subsequent budget justifications, beginning with 2004, should
contain a display of challenge cost share accomplishments and
plans, by budget line item, as was the case in fiscal year
2000.
WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $1,560,349,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 1,369,138,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 1,513,449,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -46,900,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +144,311,000
The Committee recommends $1,513,449,000 for wildland fire
management, $144,311,000 above the budget request and
$46,900,000 below the 2002 funding level. The Committee
recognizes the serious situation concerning wildland fire
management and the need for a sustained commitment of resources
and talent throughout the Nation. This effort requires an
integrated approach utilizing skills across the entire spectrum
of the agency and from many partners, especially the States.
The national fire plan agreed to by the Administration and
the nation's governors includes four major areas of focus, as
well as the need for accountability and research and
development for all aspects. The Administration's budget
request recognizes only two aspects, fighting fires and
reducing hazardous fuels; the request nearly ignores the other
two critical aspects: restoration and rehabilitation, and
community assistance. The Committee has used the scarce
resources available to support these latter aspects, as well as
insist on adequate accountability and support for research and
development for this multi-billion dollar endeavor.
Bill language.--The Committee has not included the
Administration's request for a number of changes to bill
language, such as contracting authorities for hazardous fuels
or the establishment of what was termed, ``fire plain
easements''. The Committee has continued bill language from
fiscal year 2002, which provides expanded contracting and
cooperative agreement authorities that facilitate wildfire
management and hazardous fuels reduction activities, especially
in the wildland-urban interface. The Committee has also
included bill language as requested allowing the transfer of
certain funds to the Department of the Interior and the
Department of Commerce to reimburse Endangered Species Act
mandated consultation costs incurred during the implementation
of the wildfire program. The Committee expects that the
respective Departments will pursue sufficient funds for these
activities in subsequent years. The Committee remains very
concerned that the Knutson-Vandenberg (KV) reforestation fund
has been used to fund emergency fire suppression operations and
that these funds have not been repaid. The Committee expects
the Administration to make a good faith effort to repay the KV-
fund so that vital reforestation and land improvement
activities are not put at jeopardy.
Wildfire preparedness.--The Committee recommends
$640,000,000 for wildfire management preparedness, an increase
of $39,297,000 above the request and $17,382,000 above the
enacted level.
The Committee is aware that the Forest Service and the four
Interior bureaus participating in Wildland Fire Management
activities use different systems and procedures for determining
their readiness for control of wildfires. The Committee has
been informed that the Departments have been engaged in efforts
to design and develop tools for fire program managers that
would be used by the Forest Service and all of the Interior
bureaus. The Committee is encouraged that the Departments have
been working together to develop common systems to plan their
activities, however, the Committee is concerned that a complex
system may require significant funding and take many years to
develop.
The Committee therefore directs the Departments to design
and develop a focused automated system for preparedness
resource planning to replace the systems currently in use by
the fire management agencies. The Committee believes a limited
system can be designed and implemented by the end of fiscal
year 2004. The development and design of the information
technology system for fire preparedness will be conducted
according to standard Federal regulations for planning,
budgeting, acquisition and management of capital assets. The
Committee further directs that the agencies deliver quarterly
progress reports that describe the project status and provide
updated cost information.
Wildfire suppression operations.--The Committee recommends
$420,669,000 for wildfire suppression operations as requested
in the budget, an increase of $99,378,000 above the total
funding available for this activity in fiscal year 2002.
The Committee is concerned about rising suppression costs
and the lack of incentives to consider costs during a large-
fire incident. The Committee believes that cost containment
should become more prominent among the priorities for
suppressing wildland fires. Therefore, the Committee directs
the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to take
the following steps designed to increase cost consciousness
during such incidents: 1) directly monitor, evaluate, and
report publicly on the costs of each large-fire incident
following its conclusion; 2) evaluate and report on the cost-
effectiveness of all Type I and Type II incident management
teams at the end of each fire season; 3) at the end of each
year, evaluate and report on the fire costs of each Forest
Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Fish and Wildlife land unit
experiencing large wildfires that year; and 4) establish a
uniform, automated cost-reporting system to support these
requirements efficiently and effectively.
The Committee is well aware that making progress in
containing suppression costs will require a dedicated effort by
many Federal and non-Federal cooperators pursuing a wide range
of coordinated and vital activities on their own lands to
manage hazardous fuels appropriately, mitigate wildland-urban
interface hazards, and improve the effectiveness and efficiency
of wildland fire suppression. Clearly, the resources required
to meet these cross-boundary needs will be more than the
Federal government alone can supply. Therefore, the Committee
directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior
to develop jointly equitable and effective collaborative
mechanisms for prioritizing needed activities and sharing their
costs among the various Federal, State, local, tribal, and
private landowners involved, including those in wildland-urban
interface communities.
To support development of such collaborative mechanisms,
the Committee directs the Forest Service and the Department of
the Interior to contract for a thorough, independent study of
how potential mechanisms, such as a matching grant program,
could work. This study shall consider how best to take
advantage of relevant existing Federal programs for disaster
mitigation, biomass utilization, and community and private fire
protection programs. The Departments should equally share the
cost of this study; a preliminary report should be available to
the Committee by May 31, 2003, and the final report should be
completed by September 30, 2003.
The Forest Service shall conduct flight trials under
appropriate atmospheric conditions to determine the
applicability of passive millimeter-wave imaging in aiding
Federal fire fighting missions.
The Committee has been repeatedly disappointed with the
inability of the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture to
produce accurate and timely cost information regarding specific
fire suppression projects. Agency officials have said that this
is the result of the use of different accounting and finance
systems by the wildland fire management agencies. The Committee
urges the Departments to consider the potential for unified
accounting for the wildland fire management appropriation
accounts in the future. We recognize that this would be a long-
term effort. In the meantime, we direct the agencies to
establish standard coding practices and procedures for fire
suppression activities beginning in fiscal year 2003. We expect
the agencies to develop a protocol that would work in each
financial system and be followed by each agency. The protocol
should provide clear, standard instructions for assigning cost
codes to be used for each fire event. The protocol should be
well-understood and uniformly used by fire management and
finance officers in each agency. The agencies will be expected
to produce reports promptly when requested by the Committee. If
there are any technical impediments to complying with this
directive, agency finance officials must brief the Committee on
those impediments and be prepared to offer alternative
solutions to the project cost reporting problem.
Other wildfire operations.--The Committee recommends
$452,750,000 for other wildfire operations, an increase of
$105,014,000 above the request and an increase of $36,340,000
above the funding in fiscal year 2002. The Committee recommends
the following distribution of funds within the Forest Service
for these vital portions of the national fire plan:
OTHER WILDFIRE OPERATIONS
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
FY 2002 enacted Request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hazardous Fuels.............................................. $209,010 $228,109 $228,109
Rehabilitation and restoration............................... 62,668 3,624 63,000
Fire Facilities Backlog...................................... 20,376 0 20,376
Research and Development..................................... 27,265 21,427 27,265
Joint Fire Science........................................... 8,000 8,000 8,000
State Fire Assistance........................................ 56,383 46,455 58,000
Volunteer Fire Assistance.................................... 8,262 8,240 8,500
Forest Health--Federal Lands................................. 6,982 6,955 12,000
Forest Health--Cooperative Lands............................. 4,992 4,979 15,000
Economic Action Programs..................................... 12,472 0 12,500
Fire Plain Easements......................................... 0 19,947 0
--------------------------------------------------
Subtotal--Other Wildfire Operations.................... 416,410 347,736 452,750
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee has provided the budget request, an increase
of $19,099,000 above the fiscal year 2002 level, for hazardous
fuels reduction work. Within this total, the Committee has also
continued the previous funding of $5,000,000 for the Community
Forest Restoration Act and up to $15,000,000 for use on
adjacent non-Federal lands when hazard reduction activities are
planned on national forest system lands. The Committee strongly
encourages the Forest Service to work with the University of
Arizona, or allow the University, to reduce hazardous fuels
around the telescopes on Mt. Graham, AZ.
The Committee has provided $20,376,000, which was not
requested by the Administration but is equal to the 2002
enacted level, to continue the effort to reduce the wildfire
facilities maintenance and reconstruction backlog. Adequate
facilities are essential as increased staffing and resources
are brought to bear in this program. Within this funding, the
Committee designates $1,200,000 to rehabilitate the Medford,
OR, airtanker base. The Committee expects that the State of
Oregon and the local counties will be full partners in
maintaining and staffing this base in the future. The Committee
also includes $650,000 for the interagency wildfire station at
Pinhook, FL.
The Committee has also restored $63,000,000 for the burned
area rehabilitation and restoration program first proposed in
fiscal year 2001. The Committee expects the Forest Service, in
close partnership with the Department of the Interior, to
continue the native plant program with at least $4,000,000 and
work under the aegis of the Plant Conservation Initiative which
unites the Federal land managing agencies with many partners;
this funding should be used to develop a cooperative native
plant program and not be used merely to support existing
federal nurseries. This expanded program is designed to go
beyond emergency stabilization to include the reintroduction of
native plants into these burned over areas before exotic
species can gain a foothold and to encourage rural industries
to produce plant materials.
The Committee has provided $8,000,000 for the joint fire
science program, the same as the enacted level. This program is
producing important scientific and technical information, often
in collaboration with the nation's forestry schools, that is
needed to support the large effort concerning hazardous fuels
and other fire management issues. The Committee has also
provided funding for research and development activities within
the national fire plan. The research activities should have
national scope including the east and the south.
The Committee has provided $58,000,000 for State fire
assistance, $11,545,000 above the request and $1,617,000 above
the enacted level. This funding is in addition to the
$25,353,000 provided under the State and private forestry
heading. The Committee feels that the Firewise education effort
is vitally important and that this effort should be coordinated
closely with all partners, including especially the Agriculture
Department's cooperative extension foresters. The Committee has
also included $8,500,000 for volunteer fire assistance; this
brings the volunteer fire funding to a total of $13,540,000.
Other community assistance funding provided in support of the
national fire plan is $12,500,000 for economic action programs;
this funding was not requested by the Administration.
The Committee has provided $27,000,000 for the forest
health portion of the national fire plan, including $12,000,000
for Federal lands and $15,000,000 for cooperative efforts with
the States and others. This funding level is $15,066,000 above
the request and $15,026,000 above the enacted. This large
increase is to establish a more integrated approach to forest
health including prevention, and restoration and rehabilitation
of forests and rangelands. The Committee expects the Forest
Service to focus on major problems, such as southern pine
beetles, western mountain bark beetles, adelgids, and other
pests and pathogens which harm forests and subsequently
increase wildfire hazards. The Committee directs the Forest
Service to increase its operational effort for southern pine
beetles at its Asheville, NC office, including scientific and
technical personnel, as well as specialists in treatment,
prevention, and restoration.
The Committee has recommended an additional appropriation
of $500 million to cover unanticipated fiscal year 2002
wildland fire costs for the Forest Service. The 2002 fire
system is shaping up to be one of the most catastrophic in
recent memory. At the beginning of July the amount of forest
area burned exceeded 3.1 million acres, a figure nearly triple
the 10 year average for this time of year and a figure almost
50 percent higher than the disastrous 2000 fire season.
Officials at the National Interagency Fire Center have
indicated publicly that they believe the peak of the western
fire season has yet to come and in late June the U.S. Forest
Service informed the Committee that its fire suppression budget
model estimated that $787 million would be required for the
direct cost of fighting fires during 2002, $466 million above
the appropriations currently available to the agency. The
Committee believes that it is essential to provide these
amounts in order to avoid undue disruptions either in the
firefighting program or in other Forest Service programs from
which funds might have to be diverted if appropriations are
inadequate.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $546,188,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 552,088,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 572,731,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +26,543,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +20,643,000
The Committee recommends $572,731,000 for capital
improvement and maintenance, $26,543,000 above the enacted and
$20,643,000 above the request. This recommendation includes
$64,866,000 from the conservation spending category for
deferred maintenance needs, infrastructure improvement, and
conservation activities. This conservation category allocation
is $14,000,000 above the request and $3,866,000 above the
enacted funding level. The conservation spending category
funding includes the $50,866,000 requested for priority
deferred maintenance and an additional $14,000,000 for priority
fish passage barrier work described below.
The Committee agrees to the following distribution of
funds:
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2002 2003 budget Committee Change from
Activity or project enacted request recomm. request
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Facilities:
Maintenance............................................. $93,926 $104,786 $104,786 0
Capital improvement..................................... 70,678 95,714 89,514 -$6,200
Congressional priorities................................ ........... ........... ........... 0
Allegheny NF Buckaloons, PA......................... ........... ........... 436 436
Allegheny NF Webbs Ferry, PA........................ ........... ........... 100 100
Angeles NF, Rubio Canyon rehab, CA.................. ........... ........... 1,000 1,000
Big Bear center, CA................................. ........... ........... 550 550
Black Kettle NG collocation, OK..................... ........... ........... 750 750
Cherokee NF, Prince Gap, TN......................... ........... ........... 300 300
Cheoah RD office reconst., NC....................... ........... ........... 1,250 1,250
Cradle Forestry exhibits, NC........................ ........... ........... 150 150
D. Boone NF, Cave Run lake planning, KY............. ........... ........... 400 400
Gladie Creek center, KY............................. ........... ........... 250 250
Grey Towers NHS, PA................................. ........... ........... 500 500
Midewin Prairie NTP rehab, IL....................... ........... ........... 1,000 1,000
Nantahala NF Cheoah Point cmpgrd, NC................ ........... ........... 855 855
Pisgah NF, Lake Powhatan cmpgrd rehab, NC........... ........... ........... 250 250
San Bernardino NF dogwood cmpgrd rehab, CA.......... ........... ........... 1,500 1,500
Stanislaus NF Emigrant impoundments rehab, CA....... ........... ........... 80 80
Subtotal Congressional priorities....................... 20,843 0 9,371 9,371
---------------------------------------------------
Subtotal Facilities................................... 185,447 200,500 203,671 3,171
===================================================
Roads
Maintenance............................................. 159,291 153,358 153,358 0
Capital improvement..................................... 67,600 78,535 77,557 -978
Umatilla NF, N. Fk. Touchet road rehab, WA.......... ........... ........... 2,500 2,500
Subtotal Congressional priorities....................... 2,775 ........... 2,500 2,500
---------------------------------------------------
Subtotal Roads........................................ 229,666 231,893 233,415 1,522
===================================================
Trails
maintenance............................................. 40,434 36,664 36,664 0
capital improvement..................................... 26,955 32,165 32,165 0
Congressional priorities................................ ........... ........... ........... 0
Continental Divide Trail............................ ........... ........... 1000 1,000
FL National scenic trail............................ ........... ........... 500 500
Ocoee River-Thunder Rock trail, TN.................. ........... ........... 200 200
Pike-S.I. NF, Corely Mtn tunnel #3, CO.............. ........... ........... 250 250
Subtotal Congressional priorities....................... 2,686 ........... 1,950 1,950
---------------------------------------------------
Subtotal Trails....................................... 70,075 68,829 70,779 1,950
===================================================
Total,................................................ 485,188 501,222 507,865 6,643
===================================================
Conservation category:
Fish passage barriers................................... ........... ........... 14,000 14,000
Deferred Maintenance.................................... 61,000 50,866 50,866 0
---------------------------------------------------
Subtotal conservation category........................ 61,000 50,866 64,866 14,000
===================================================
Total with conservation category...................... 546,188 552,088 572,731 20,643
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Facilities.--The Committee recommends $203,671,000 for
facilities maintenance and capital improvement, $18,224,000
above the fiscal year 2002 level and $3,171,000 above the
request. The Committee has fully funded the requested funds for
facility maintenance. The Committee is aware of a new Forest
Service initiative to charge units for a facilities maintenance
working capital fund. The Committee is willing to let this
process go forward but we are concerned that the assessments
should not grow too large and that the fund should be used for
cyclical maintenance and not as a substitute for Congressional
review of major capital construction or reconstruction
projects. The Committee has funded the capital improvement
request fully but the following projects are not funded: Rapid
City FSL, SD; Purdue University's Agriculture Hall; Juneau/ANM
building and associated roads. With the huge backlog of
dilapidated Federal buildings and labs, it is inappropriate to
fund a university building. The Committee remains committed to
the research unit at Rapid City, SD, but understands that the
current proposals for office expansion and lab collocation are
too costly; once more appropriate designs are made, the
Committee will reconsider this project. The Stanislaus NF
funding is to conduct NEPA analysis on rehabilitation of the 12
dams mentioned in H.R. 434 which passed the House during the
107th Congress. The Committee directs that the funds for the
Grey Towers National Historic Site rehabilitation be contingent
upon receiving at least equal matching funds from the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or other sources.
The Committee has provided funds for the Black Kettle NG,
OK collocation with the Washita Battlefield National Historic
Site. The Committee directs the Park Service to make some
suitable space available at the visitor center to provide basic
Forest Service information, including historical and current
program orientation, and also directs that the Forest Service
not pay more than $20,000 per year for routine maintenance and
basic utilities provided for all collocated facilities, an
amount slightly higher than its current expenses. The Committee
expects that interagency collaboration on facilities, as well
as cultural and natural resource protection and use, will
result in greater long-term efficiency and better service to
the public. To facilitate this collaboration all future
personnel placements by either agency at these sites should be
considered for maximum interagency staffing opportunities.
Roads.--The Committee recommends $233,415,000 for road
maintenance and capital improvement, $3,749,000 above the
fiscal year 2002 level and $1,522,000 above the request. The
Committee has maintained the road decommissioning authority at
$15,000,000. The Committee expects to continue to receive
regular updates, and a continued display in the budget
justification, on progress in addressing the huge backlog of
deferred maintenance and repair, especially as it relates to
the activities funded through the road and trails fund and the
infrastructure improvement funds provided in the conservation
spending category.
Recreation on public lands continues to increase rapidly
with approximately 220 million visitors to National Forests and
Grasslands and 65 million visitors to lands managed by the
Bureau of Land Management. The Committee is concerned that the
public have adequate access to these lands. Over a decade ago,
a General Accounting Office (GAO) report found that over 50.4
million acres of public lands administered by the Forest
Service and Bureau of Land Management had inadequate access.
The Committee is unaware of whether access to Federal public
lands has improved or declined since the 1992 GAO report.
Therefore, the Committee directs that by January 31, 2003, the
Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management submit a report(s)
that includes the number of acres under their jurisdiction that
currently have inadequate public access by State, what steps
have been taken or are currently underway to improve access,
what actions are needed to improve access, and the extent to
which a central repository of information exists for those
lands with access problems.
Trails.--The Committee recommends $70,779,000 for trails
maintenance and capital improvement, $704,000 above the fiscal
year 2002 level and $1,950,000 above the request. This fully
funds the Administration's request for trails capital
improvement and maintenance. The Committee expects that the
National scenic and historic trails will have priority in
funding allocations. Under the National forest system account
specific directions are included for National scenic and
historic trails operations.
Conservation spending category.--The Committee has included
$64,866,000 for the conservation spending category within the
capital improvement and maintenance appropriation. This
includes $50,866,000 for deferred maintenance as requested, a
decrease of $10,134,000 from the enacted level.
The Committee also has established a significant source of
new funding to help remediate salmonid fish passage problems.
This includes $14,000,000 under this heading for the Forest
Service, and an additional $4,000,000 for the Bureau of Land
Management and $2,000,000 for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. The Committee conducted a hearing on this topic and
remains concerned that older culverts are preventing fish
passage to thousands of miles of upstream habitat that could be
used by salmonid fish, including listed species. Culvert
replacement is a very cost-effective way to increase habitat
available to salmonid fish. The Committee directs the Forest
Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Fish and
Wildlife Service to coordinate jointly a course of action and
provide a report to the Committee within 90 days of enactment
of this Act, describing how activities will be coordinated for
the accelerated replacement of culverts blocking fish passage.
This approach must at a minimum address the need for
designation of a single lead agency for consultation on these
fish passage projects, a process that ensures rapid completion
of consultation on fish passage projects, and other methods to
implement prompt accomplishments. The Federal agencies should
consult and coordinate with States, watershed councils and
others to help determine priority projects. The Committee
expects that all projects will have appropriate and continual
monitoring and subsequent evaluation so improvements can be
implemented and the effectiveness of this effort and specific
techniques determined. The Committee notes that this new
funding is an addition to the base allocations for the
agencies; at the hearing the Forest Service indicated that
$65,000,000 of the budget request for roads, which the
Committee has fully funded, would be to fund critical deferred
maintenance. The base program, including funds from other
sources such as the State payments bill, was estimated at
$12,500,000 for Region 6 alone; the Forest Service should
continue this effort and build on it with the new conservation
spending category allocation.
LAND ACQUISITION
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $149,742,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 130,510,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 146,336,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -3,406,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +15,826,000
The Committee recommends $146,336,000 for land acquisition,
an increase of $15,826,000 above the request and $3,406,000
below the enacted level. This amount includes $121,336,000 for
line item projects, $15,000,000 for acquisition management,
$1,500,000 for cash equalization, $2,000,000 for inholdings and
$1,000,000 for wilderness.
The land acquisition is funded under the conservation
spending program.
The Committee agrees to the following distribution of
funds:
Committee
Area and State recommendation
Apache--Sitgreaves NF (AZ).............................. $1,500,000
Arapaho NF: Beaver Brook Watershed (CO)................. 4,000,000
Beaverhead & Deerlodge NF's: Watershed, RY Timber (MT).. 5,000,000
Chattahoochee NF: Georgia Mountains (GA)................ 3,200,000
Chequamegon & Nicolet NF's: Wisc. Wild Waterways (WI)... 3,000,000
Cherokee NF: Tennessee Mountains (TN)................... 4,400,000
Chippewa & S.NF: Minnesota Wilderness/Water/W'life (MN). 1,950,000
Cibola NF: La Madera (NM)............................... 3,800,000
Coconino NF: Sedona/Red Rocks (AZ)...................... 2,500,000
Columbia River Gorge NSA (OR/WA)........................ 10,000,000
Daniel Boone NF: Assorted Inholdings (KY)............... 3,500,000
Delta NF: Lower Yazoo (MS).............................. 2,000,000
DeSoto NF: Glen's Pond (MS)............................. 150,000
Flathead NF: Swan Valley (MT)........................... 1,500,000
Florida National Scenic Trail (FL)...................... 5,000,000
Francis Marion NF (SC).................................. 2,000,000
Green Mountain NF: Recreation & Water Enhancement (VT).. 1,750,000
Hoosier NF: Unique Areas (IN)........................... 1,500,000
Huron & Ottawa NF's: Great Lakes/Great Lands (MI)....... 2,000,000
Los Padres NF: Big Sur Ecosystem (CA)................... 3,000,000
Mark Twain NF: Ozark Mtns. Stream and lake frontages
(MO)................................................ 1,000,000
Midewin Tallgrass Prairie (IL).......................... 500,000
Monongahela NF (WV)..................................... 4,000,000
Multiple NF's: Chattooga W&SR/Chattooga River (SC/GA/NC) 2,000,000
Multiple NF's: Greater Yellowstone Area (MT)............ 9,630,000
Multiple NF's: I-90 Corridor/Plum Creek and Cascade
Conservation Partnership (WA)....................... 4,500,000
Multiple NF's: Idaho Wilderness/W&S Rivers (ID/MT)...... 1,700,000
Multiple NF's: Lewis & Clark Nat'l Historic Trail (ID/
MT)................................................. 1,000,000
Multiple NF's: Northwest Wild Scenic Rivers (OR/WA)..... 2,500,000
Multiple NF's: Pacific Crest Trail (CA/OR/WA)........... 3,000,000
Multiple NF's: Pacific Northwest Streams (OR/WA)........ 4,000,000
Osceola NF: Suwannee Wildlife Corridor--Pinhook (FL).... 2,000,000
Ozark--St. Francis: Arkansas Rivers and Streams (AR).... 3,000,000
San Bernardino NF (CA).................................. 3,500,000
Santa Fe NF: Gascon Point--Sawyer (NM).................. 5,500,000
Sawtooth NF: NRA Easement Program (ID).................. 3,000,000
Shoshone NF: Felts Parcel (WY).......................... 450,000
Tahoe NF: North Fork American River, (CA)............... 3,250,000
Uinta & Wasatch-Cache NF's: Bonneville Shoreline Trail
(UT)................................................ 2,265,000
Uncompahgre & San Juan NF's: Red Mountain (CO).......... 5,000,000
Wasatch-Cache NF: High Uintas (UT)...................... 2,540,000
Wayne NF: Select Lands (OH)............................. 751,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Subtotal: Federal Acquisition projects............ 126,836,000
Acquisition Management.................................. 15,000,000
Inholdings/Exchanges.................................... 2,000,000
Land Exchange Equalization Payment...................... 1,500,000
Wilderness Protection................................... 1,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. $146,336,000
ACQUISITION OF LANDS FOR NATIONAL FORESTS SPECIAL ACTS
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $1,069,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 1,069,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 1,069,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $1,069,000 for acquisition of
lands for National forests, special acts, as requested. These
funds are used pursuant to several special acts, which
authorize appropriations from the receipts of specified
National forests for the purchase of lands to minimize erosion
and flood damage to critical watersheds needing soil
stabilization and vegetative cover.
ACQUISITION OF LANDS TO COMPLETE LANDS EXCHANGES
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $234,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 234,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 234,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $234,000 as requested for
acquisition of lands to complete land exchanges under the Act
of December 4, 1967 (16 U.S.C. 484a). Under the Act, deposits
made by public school districts or public school authorities to
provide for cash equalization of certain land exchanges can be
appropriated to acquire similar lands suitable for National
forest system purposes in the same State as the National
forests lands conveyed in the exchanges.
RANGE BETTERMENT FUND
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $3,290,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 3,402,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 3,402,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +112,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $3,402,000, as requested, for the
range betterment fund, to be derived from grazing receipts from
the National forests (Public Law 94-579, as amended) 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, 2002........................... $92,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 92,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 92,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $92,000, the budget estimate, for
gifts, donations and bequests for forest and rangeland
research. Authority for the program is contained in Public Law
95-307 (16 U.S.C. 1643, section 4(b)). Amounts appropriated and
not needed for current operations may be invested in public
debt securities. Both the principal and earnings from the
receipts are available to the Forest Service.
MANAGEMENT OF NATIONAL FOREST LANDS FOR SUBSISTENCE USES
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $5,488,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 5,542,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 5,542,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +54,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $5,542,000, as requested, for the
management of national forest lands for subsistence uses in
Alaska.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS, FOREST SERVICE
The Committee has retained administrative provisions
contained in previous years. The Committee has provided for a
program of $2,000,000 for the Youth Conservation Corps, funded
through the conservation spending category. The Committee has
also continued the authority for transfers to the National
Forest Foundation (NFF) and the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation. The Committee is encouraged by these partnership
efforts. The Committee is allowing $300,000 in administrative
funds to be used by the National Forest Foundation for one more
year despite the Administration's request to end this support.
The Committee has also continued the wildland fire transfer
authority, which allows use of funds from other accounts
available to the Forest Service during wildfire emergencies
when other wildfire emergency funds are not available. The
Committee expects the Administration to promptly prepare
supplemental budget requests when they transfer funds from
other appropriations during wildfire emergencies. The Committee
has not continued the special conveyance authority for the
Green Mountain NF, VT but the authority for the Pinchot
Institute for Conservation is extended for four years.
The Committee notes the expected increases in indirect
costs for the Forest Service despite the Administration's
emphasis on streamlining agency operations and reducing such
costs. While the Committee is skeptical that such costs can be
reduced by 50 percent, as proposed by the Administration, it is
imperative that substantial reductions occur in order to
increase the availability of funds for on-the-ground work.
Although the Committee has eliminated prescriptive bill
language regarding management of indirect costs, the Committee
directs the Forest Service to continue to display agency
indirect costs in future budget justifications, continue its
use of standard definitions for such costs, and report to the
Committee any changes in such definitions. Further, the
Committee directs that indirect expenses charged to the
Knutson-Vandenberg, Brush Disposal, Cooperative Work-Other, and
Salvage Sale funds shall be limited to no more than 20% of
total obligations.
The Committee notes the shortfalls in the Field Leadership
Decisions Initiative (FLDI) on page 181 of the appendix to the
Budget of the U.S. Government. Whereas the Committee supports
some of the intent of this initiative, such as more funding to
field units and additional outsourcing, as discussed in a
hearing with the Chief of the Forest Service. The Committee
recognizes that much of the specific details on page 181 are
impractical. The Committee also disagrees with the large
reductions in staffing promoted in this initiative for the next
three years, reductions of 2500 persons per year. The Forest
Service even proposed in its budget justification to take all
1245 of its FTE reductions from the wildfire program; this is
clearly unacceptable. The Committee directs the Forest Service
to rework its approach and restructure the FLDI and come up
with a meaningful proposal regarding staffing and indirect
costs.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY
(DEFERRAL)
The Committee recommends the deferral of $50,000,000 in
clean coal technology funding until fiscal year 2004. These
funds are needed for the successful conclusion of existing
clean coal projects but will not be required for obligation in
fiscal year 2003.
The Committee agrees that up to $14,000,000 in prior year
funds may be used for administration of the clean coal
technology program in fiscal year 2002. The Committee
encourages the Department to budget for the administrative
costs of the remaining clean coal projects together with the
new clean coal power initiative in the fossil energy research
and development account beginning in fiscal year 2004, and to
keep these funds in the fossil energy base budget for future
years.
The Committee continues to support the U.S./China Energy
and Environmental Center, which supports and assists the
efforts of U.S. companies to promote the use of American clean
energy technology in China. This technology will greatly reduce
emissions and improve energy efficiency.
FOSSIL ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Fossil energy research and development programs make
prudent investments in long-range research and development that
help protect the environment through higher efficiency power
generation, advanced technologies and improved compliance and
stewardship operations. These activities safeguard our domestic
energy security. This country will continue to rely on
traditional fuels for the majority of its energy requirements
for the foreseeable future, and the activities funded through
this account ensure that energy technologies continue to
improve with respect to emissions reductions and control and
energy efficiency.
Fossil fuels, especially coal, are this country's most
abundant and lowest cost fuels for electric power generation.
They are why this country enjoys the lowest cost electricity of
any industrialized economy. The prospects for technology
advances for coal and other fossil fuels are just as bright as
those for alternative energy sources such as solar, wind and
geothermal. The power generation technology research funded
under this account has the goal of developing virtually
pollution-free power plants within the next 15 or 20 years and
doubling the amount of electricity produced from the same
amount of fuel.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $582,790,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 489,305,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 664,205,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +81,415,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +174,900,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $664,205,000 for fossil energy
research and development, an increase of $174,900,000 above the
budget request and $82,415,000 above the fiscal year 2002
level. The large increases are due, in part, to the fact that
in fiscal year 2002 a portion of the funds for this program
were derived by transfer of excess funds from the Clean Coal
Technology account. In addition, prior year unobligated
balances were used to offset partially 2002 requirements. The
Administration proposed using clean coal funding and prior year
funds again this year; however, excess funds are not available
for transfer at this time. The Committee has recommended
deferring $50,000,000 in Clean Coal Technology funding under
that account.
Changes to the budget request include an increase of
$40,000,000 associated with the Committee's rejection of the
proposal to transfer funds from the clean coal technology
program and an increase of $14,000,000 associated with the
Committee's rejection of the use of prior year balance, which
also would have come from the clean coal technology program.
Other changes to the budget request are as follows.
Fuels and Power Systems.--The Committee recommends
$281,700,000 for fuels and power systems including increases of
$18,500,000 for central systems, $21,500,000 for distributed
generation systems, $26,600,000 for fuels programs, and
$2,000,000 for advanced research. There is also a decrease of
$12,000,000 for sequestration research and development.
Increases for central systems include $4,000,000 for
innovations for existing plants and $14,500,000 for advanced
systems of which $2,500,000 is to continue the ion transport
membrane (ITM) oxygen project under the integrated gasification
combined cycle activity and $6,000,000 is for other IGCC
programs including Vision 21; $3,000,000 is for pressurized
fluidized bed systems, which assumes a broadening and renaming
of that program as described in the report language below; and
$3,000,000 is for a direct fuel cell/turbine hybrid cost-shared
project under the turbines/Vision 21 program.
In distributed generation systems, increases include
$2,000,000 for tubular solid oxide fuel cells under the fuel
cells/Vision 21 hybrids program, $18,000,000 for the solid
state energy conversion alliance under the fuel cells/
innovative concepts program, and $1,500,000 for ramjet
technology under the novel generation program.
In fuels programs, increases include $17,100,000 for
transportation fuels and chemicals of which $2,100,000 is to
continue the ITM syngas project and $15,000,000 to restore
partially other programs; $6,000,000 for solid fuels and
feedstocks of which $3,000,000 is for advanced separations
technology and $3,000,000 is for cost-shared testing of
byproducts from coal derived jet fuel; and $3,500,000 for
advanced fuels research of which $1,500,000 is to continue the
C-1 chemistry program and $2,000,000 is for sulfur tolerant
catalysts and cleanup technology for coal use in fuel cells
under the advanced concepts program.
The increase in advanced research is to restore funding for
the focus area on computational science under the technology
crosscut program.
Natural Gas Technologies.--The Committee recommends
$48,190,000 for natural gas technologies, including increases
of $6,700,000 for exploration and production, of which
$3,700,000 is for advanced drilling, completion, and
stimulation (including $1,500,000 for Deep Trek) and $3,000,000
is to restore funding for the National Laboratory/industry
partnership; $6,300,000 for gas hydrates, $10,000,000 for
infrastructure (including $2,000,000 for storage technology),
and $2,600,000 to complete the coal mine methane projects under
the emerging processing technology program.
Oil Technology.--The Committee recommends $54,900,000 for
oil technology, including increases of $14,000,000 for
exploration and production, $4,500,000 for reservoir life
extension, and $1,000,000 for effective environmental
protection.
The increase for exploration includes $3,000,000 to restore
funding for the National Laboratory/industry partnership,
$2,000,000 for fundamental research/PRIME, and $9,000,000 to
restore partially funding for other exploration and production
research.
In reservoir life extension there are increases of
$5,000,000 for reservoir practices and technology transfer and
$2,000,000 is for preferred upstream management practices.
There is also a decrease of $2,500,000 for a minority education
initiative.
The increase for effective environmental protection
partially restores funding for that program.
Other.--The Committee recommends increases of $2,000,000
for cooperative research and development and $500,000 for fixed
costs in the import/export authorization program. The Committee
also recommends an increase of $3,000,000 for contract services
at the National Energy Technology Laboratory under the program
direction budget activity. In general plant projects, increases
include $1,000,000 for the Albany Research Center and
$11,000,000 for funding the second year of a seven year
renovation effort at the National Energy Technology Laboratory.
An increase of $700,000 for fixed costs is recommended for the
advanced metallurgical processes program at the Albany Research
Center. There is also an increase of $1,000,000 to initiate an
ongoing annual review of programs by the National Academy of
Sciences. Finally, the Committee has not agreed to the use of
$14,000,000 in prior year balances as explained above.
The Committee agrees to the following:
1. The $4,000,000 increase for central systems/innovations
for existing plants should be focused in 3 areas: (1)
developing data on mercury emissions from different types of
coal power plants (as a function of different coal types and
emissions control systems); (2) expanding mercury control
research and development with emphasis on controlling mercury
in plants burning lignite; and (3) evaluating the effect of
increased mercury levels in coal power plant byproducts as a
result of emissions control.
2. The $6,000,000 increase for other IGCC (including Vision
21) programs should be focused in 3 areas: (1) initiating
research and development on IGCC gas separation for mercury
removal; (2) conducting test runs on multiple coal types with
air and with oxygen at the Wilsonville power systems
development facility; and (3) pursuing research and development
on IGCC sensors and controls.
3. The pressurized fluidized bed program should be renamed
and broadened to include atmospheric fluidized bed and other
advanced systems.
4. The carbon sequestration program should be more focused
on carbon capture.
5. The $9,000,000 increase for other exploration and
production activities under the oil technology program should
be directed toward technology improvements to address the 200
billion barrels of oil that is not recoverable by conventional
methods. Within this category pressure pulse technology for
enhanced oil recovery should be considered.
6. With respect to certain programs funded under the energy
conservation account, the NETL should continue to be actively
involved in the management of the industrial gasification
program and in the mining industries of the future program.
Also, the petroleum industries of the future program should be
closely coordinated with the oil research and development
programs funded under the fossil energy account.
7. The cooperative programs with States and the energy
efficiency science initiative--are continued in fiscal year
2003 under the energy conservation appropriation. Half of the
funding for the energy efficiency science initiative is managed
by fossil energy, as legislated in the fiscal year 2002
Interior and Related Appropriations Act. Projects under the
cooperative programs with the States should also be coordinated
closely with the fossil energy programs so that the highest
priority energy research projects are funded. This same
direction applies to the reciprocating engines programs.
8. The Assistant Secretaries for Fossil Energy and Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy are directed to modify their
current procurement practice to allow full and open competition
to occur, when appropriate. This more flexible, pragmatic, and
fully responsible approach will achieve technical integrity and
improve funding efficiencies while maintaining realistic small
and minority business goals.
9. The Department should not withhold program funds
appropriated by the Congress without justifying such
withholdings in advance and in writing to the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriations.
10. The $1,000,000 for the National Academy of Sciences
review of programs should remain in the base for a continuing
annual review by the Academy of programs, using the Academy's
matrix, to measure the relative benefits expected to be
achieved and to inform decision making on what programs should
be continued, expanded, scaled-back, or eliminated.
NAVAL PETROLEUM AND OIL SHALE RESERVES
The Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves are managed by
the Department of Energy to achieve the greatest value and
benefit to the Government. In fiscal year 1998, NPR-1 (Elk
Hills) was sold as mandated by the National Defense
Authorization Act for fiscal year 1996. That Act also directed
the Department to conduct a study of the remaining properties--
3 Naval Oil Shale Reserves and NPR-2 and NPR-3. The National
Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 1998 directed the
transfer of two of the oil shale reserves (NOSR-1 and NOSR-3)
to the Department of the Interior. On January 14, 2000, the
Department announced it would return a portion of the NOSR-2
property in Utah to the Ute Indian Tribe. Two properties remain
under the jurisdiction of the Department of Energy. They are
NPR-2 in Kern County, CA and NPR-3 in Natrona County, WY. The
DOE continues to be responsible for routine operation and
maintenance of NPR-3, management of the Rocky Mountain Oilfield
Testing Center at NPR-3, lease management at NPR-2, and
continuing environmental and remediation work at Elk Hills. For
several years after the sale of Elk Hills, these programs were
operated largely with prior year unobligated balances. Those
balances were mostly exhausted by fiscal year 2002 and
appropriations to the account were restored in that year.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $17,371,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 20,831,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 20,831,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +3,460,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $20,831,000 for the operation of
the naval petroleum and oil shale reserves, which is equal to
the budget request.
ELK HILLS SCHOOL LANDS FUND
Payment to the Elk Hills school lands fund was part of the
settlement associated with the sale of Naval Petroleum Reserve
Numbered 1. Under the settlement, payments to the fund are to
be made over a period of seven years.
The Committee recommends $36,000,000 for the Elk Hills
school lands fund, which is equal to amount available for
fiscal year 2002. The Committee recommends that these funds be
made available on October 1, 2003, rather than on October 1,
2002 as proposed in the budget. The Committee's recommendation
is consistent with the payment of these funds in each of the
past few years. This represents the fifth of seven payments to
the fund, which was established as a part of the sale of the
Elk Hills Naval Petroleum Reserve in California (to settle
school lands claims by the State).
Energy Conservation
The energy conservation program of the Department of Energy
conducts cooperative research and development projects aimed at
sustaining economic growth through more efficient energy use.
Activities financed through this program focus on improving
existing technologies and developing new technologies related
to residential, commercial, industrial and transportation
energy use. In fiscal year 2001, funds and programs were
transferred from the building sector and industry sector
research activities to establish a new distributed generation
activity that addresses critical energy needs for next
generation clean, efficient, fuel flexible technologies for
industrial, commercial and institutional applications. These
technologies use the waste heat energy rejected during
electricity generation from microturbines, reciprocating
engines, and fuel cells in the form of cooling, heating and
power. This waste heat utilization is referred to as ``combined
heat and power''. Also funded under the energy conservation
heading are the Federal energy management program, which
focuses on improving energy efficiency in Federal buildings,
the low-income weatherization assistance program, and State
energy program grants.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $912,805,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 901,651,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 984,653,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +71,848,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +83,002,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $984,653,000 for energy
conservation, an increase of $83,002,000 above the budget
request and $71,848,000 above the fiscal year 2002 level.
Changes to the budget request are detailed below.
Building Technology, State and Community Sector.--The
Committee recommends $402,293,000 for building technology,
State and community sector research, including increases of
$6,700,000 for building research and standards, $2,000,000 for
cooperative programs with the States, $4,000,000 for the energy
efficiency science initiative, and $700,000 for management and
planning. There is also a decrease of $19,898,000 for building
technology assistance.
In building research and standards/equipment materials and
tools, there are increases of $2,700,000 for space conditioning
and refrigeration and $4,700,000 for building envelope programs
of which $1,700,000 is for thermal insulation and building
materials, $2,500,000 is for electrochromics in the windows
technologies program, and $500,000 is for the National
Fenestration Rating Council database, also in the windows
program. There is also a decrease of $700,000 for technical/
program management support.
In building technology assistance, there is a decrease of
$27,100,000 for the weatherization assistance program, which
leaves an increase of $20,000,000 above the fiscal year 2002
level. The Committee also recommends an increase of $11,202,000
for State energy programs ($5,000,000 above the 2002 level)
and, in community energy programs, decreases of $1,000,000 for
Rebuild America and $3,000,000 for Energy Star.
The increases for cooperative programs with the States and
for the energy efficiency science initiative restore funding
for those programs to the 2002 level.
The increase for management and planning partially restores
funding for program direction.
The increase of $1,000,000 to initiate an ongoing annual
review of programs by the National Academy of Sciences is a
follow-up to the Academy's report on measuring the success of
energy research.
Federal Energy Management Program.--The Committee
recommends $24,880,000 for the Federal energy management
program, which is a decrease of $3,000,000 below the budget
request for program activities.
Industry Sector.--The Committee recommends $159,859,000 for
industry sector research, including increases of $6,000,000 for
industries of the future (specific), $10,000,000 for industries
of the future (crosscutting), $4,000,000 for the energy
efficiency science initiative, and $1,500,000 for management
and planning.
In industries of the future (specific), increases include
$3,000,000 for petroleum refining to continue existing projects
and to start small refiner projects (as directed last year),
$2,000,000 for regional bio-based consortia under the
agriculture program, and, $1,000,000 for mining.
In industries of the future (crosscutting), increases
include $1,000,000 for materials research, $4,000,000 for
combustion systems to continue two of the three contracts under
the industrial gasification program, $2,000,000 for sensors and
controls for robotics/repetitive systems technology, $2,000,000
for inventions and innovations to restore the 2002 level, and
$1,000,000 for technical assistance/best practices.
The increase for the energy efficiency science initiative
restores that program to the 2002 level. The Committee commends
the Office of Industrial Technologies for continuing the
cooperative program with the States in the budget request.
The increase for management and planning is to restore
partially program direction funding.
Power Technologies/Distributed Generation Technologies.--
The Committee recommends $79,704,000 for distributed generation
technologies including increases of $15,500,000 for distributed
energy resources and $300,000 for management and planning.
In distributed energy resources, increases include
$4,000,000 for microturbines, $3,000,000 for reciprocating
engines, $2,000,000 for advanced materials and sensors for
power electronics to enhance the cost effectiveness of
distributed generation, $500,000 for oil heat research in the
fuel flexibility program, $3,000,000 for thermally activated
technologies, and $3,000,000 for applications integration.
In management and planning, increases include $200,000 to
restore partially the evaluation and planning program and
$100,000 to restore partially program direction funding.
Transportation Sector.--The Committee recommends
$273,864,000 for transportation sector research, including
increases of $30,500,000 for vehicle technology research and
development, $3,700,000 for fuels utilization, $9,100,000 for
materials technology, $1,600,000 for technology deployment,
$2,000,000 for cooperative programs with States, $4,000,000 for
the energy efficiency science initiative, and $300,000 for
management and planning.
In vehicle technology, increases include $4,000,000 for
heavy vehicle propulsion in the hybrid program, $2,000,000 in
fuel cell research/stack subsystem components for research on a
substitute for platinum in catalysts, $2,000,000 for advanced
battery development in the electric vehicles program,
$3,000,000 for heavy vehicle systems optimization, and
$19,500,000 for advanced combustion systems as follows. The
advanced combustion systems increase includes $6,000,000 for
combustion and emissions control, $3,000,000 for light truck
engines, $6,000,000 for heavy truck engines, and $4,500,000 for
off highway engines of which $1,000,000 is for railroad/
locomotives research, $1,500,000 is for fuel cell applications
for off road vehicles, and $2,000,000 is for emissions
reductions research.
In fuels utilization, increases include $1,000,000 for
medium trucks, $1,000,000 for heavy trucks, and $1,700,000 for
fueling infrastructure, all in the alternative fuels program.
In materials technology, increases include $500,000 for
automotive propulsion materials, $7,000,000 for lightweight
materials technologies, and $1,600,000 for the high temperature
materials laboratory.
In technology deployment, there is an increase of
$3,000,000 for the clean cities program and decreases of
$500,000 for testing and evaluation, $800,000 for EPACT
replacement fuels, and $100,000 for advanced vehicle
competitions.
The increases for the cooperative programs with the States
and the energy efficiency science initiative restore those
programs to the 2002 level.
The increase for management and planning is to restore
partially program direction funding.
Other.--The Committee recommends an increase of $3,000,000
in policy and management to restore partially funding for the
regional support offices. There is also an increase of
$1,000,000 to initiate an ongoing annual review of programs by
the National Academy of Sciences, which follows up on the
Academy's report on measuring success of energy research.
The Committee agrees to the following:
1. The Department should notify the Committee in the fiscal
year 2004 budget submission on economies and efficiencies
realized through the recent reorganization of the Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy organization. For example, the
Committee expects that several positions can be eliminated as a
result of the consolidation of budget and administration
functions.
2. The cooperative programs with the States and the energy
efficiency science initiative should be closely coordinated
with the Fossil Energy Research and Development program to
ensure the highest priority research needs across both the
Fossil Energy and Energy Conservation accounts are addressed.
Half of the funding for the energy efficiency science
initiative is to be managed by fossil energy as legislated in
the Interior Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2002. The
mining industry of the future program, the petroleum industry
of the future program, the industrial gasification program, and
the reciprocating engines program should also be coordinated
closely with fossil energy.
3. The Department should report to the Committee by
December 1, 2002, on what it is doing to implement the next
generation lighting initiative using funds appropriated for
fiscal year 2003. Funding for this initiative should be
identified in the fiscal year 2004 and subsequent budget
submissions.
4. The Rebuild America program should be restructured to a
small number of manageable consortia rather than hundreds of
directly reporting individual programs. The regional support
offices should assist with the restructuring and help manage
the program.
5. The Committee recognizes the extraordinary cost savings
and positive environmental benefits achieved by the military
through the implementation of pulse technology as a major
component of its battery management programs. The Committee
believes that the Department of Energy would also benefit
significantly and directly from the use of this technology to
extend the life of vehicle batteries. These benefits include
savings in battery replacement costs, reduction in overall
maintenance costs for vehicles and ancillary equipment, and a
resultant increase in safety for personnel. The Committee urges
the Department to incorporate this technology in its ongoing
purchase and maintenance programs for vehicles. The Department
should report to the Committee by December 31, 2002, on its
plans to comply with this direction. Beginning with the fiscal
year 2004 budget request, the budget submission should include
an accounting of the extent to which battery pulse technology
is being employed and the savings expected and realized as a
result of the use of this technology. The Department should
also, through the Federal Energy Management Program, encourage
the use of this technology throughout the Federal government.
6. The funding for regional biobased products consortia in
the agriculture industry of the future program is to accelerate
the development of the bioproducts industry. The goal of this
new, competitive, cost-shared program is for each consortium to
become self-supporting.
7. The Department should promote the development of metrics
that are helpful in tracking improvements in energy and
material usage, pollutant and greenhouse gas generation, and
water use for energy intensive industries, and for
disseminating the resulting lessons learned.
8. The $3,000,000 increase in distributed energy systems
for applications integration should focus on projects in 2
areas: (1) high technology industries like telecommunications
and (2) development and deployment of distributed energy
resources architecture, engineering, and design to reduce the
risks and costs associated with on site generation.
9. The Northwest Alliance for Transportation Technologies
should be expanded to support the continued development of
essential power systems and advanced emissions technologies for
light duty and heavy duty vehicles.
10. In the fiscal year 2004 budget, the Department should
consider increasing the engine boosting technology activity
funding in the vehicle technology program in order to explore
engine downsizing opportunities and resulting efficiencies
through the use of turbo chargers.
11. The $3,000,000 increase in vehicle technologies for
heavy vehicle systems optimization should focus on technologies
in two areas: (1) anti idling and (2) aerodynamic drag.
12. The Assistant Secretaries for Fossil Energy and Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy are directed to modify their
current procurement practice to allow full and open competition
to occur, when appropriate. This more flexible, pragmatic, and
fully responsible approach will achieve technical integrity and
improve funding efficiencies while maintaining realistic small
and minority business goals.
13. The Department should not withhold program funds
appropriated by the Congress without justifying such
withholdings in advance and in writing to the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriations.
14. The $1,000,000 for the National Academy of Sciences
review of programs should remain in the base for a continuing
annual review by the Academy of programs, using the Academy's
matrix, to measure the relative benefits expected to be
achieved and to inform decision making on what programs should
be continued, expanded, scaled-back, or eliminated.
ECONOMIC REGULATION
The economic regulation account funds the independent
Office of Hearings and Appeals, which is responsible for all of
the Department's adjudication processes except those that are
the responsibility of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The amount funded by this Committee is for those activities
specific to this bill: mainly those related to petroleum
overcharge cases. All other activities are funded on a
reimbursable basis from the other elements of the Department of
Energy. Prior to fiscal year 1997, this account also funded the
Economic Regulatory Administration.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $1,996,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 1,487,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 1,487,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -509,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $1,487,000 for economic
regulation, equal to the budget request and $509,000 below the
2002 level. The Committee expects the Department to phase out
direct funding for the Office of Hearings and Appeals from the
Interior bill over the next two years. The Committee continues
to be concerned about the high cost of employees in this office
and concerned that the casework, funded by the Interior and
related agencies appropriation, has not been brought to a
timely completion.
STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve was created by the Energy
Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 to provide the United
States with adequate strategic and economic protection against
disruptions in oil supplies. The SPR program was established as
a 750 million-barrel capacity crude oil reserve with storage in
large underground salt caverns at five sites in the Gulf Coast
area. It is connected to major private sector distribution
systems and maintained to achieve full drawdown rate capability
within fifteen days of notice to proceed with drawdown. Storage
capacity development was completed in September 1991, providing
the capability to store 750 million barrels of crude oil in
underground caverns and to be ready to deploy at the
President's direction in the event of an emergency. As a result
of the decommissioning of the Weeks Island site in 1999, the
Reserve lost 70 million barrels of capacity. However, the
Department has reassessed the capacities of the remaining
storage sites and estimates those sites are currently capable
of storing a total of 700 million barrels. During 1998, an
inventory of 561 million barrels provided 60 days of net import
protection. In 2002, 600 million barrels provide 54 days of net
import protection. The decline in days of net import protection
is the result of the growth of U.S. requirements for imported
crude oil and the reduction in U.S. domestic oil production.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $179,009,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 168,856,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 175,856,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -3,153,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +7,000,000
The Committee recommends $175,856,000 for operation of the
Strategic Petroleum Reserve, an increase of $7,000,000 above
the budget request and $3,153,000 below the fiscal year 2002
level. Changes to the budget request include increases of
$4,000,000 in storage development and operations, which has
been transferred from the SPR petroleum account budget to pay
for electricity costs associated with oil injection, and
$3,000,000 in management to restore funding to the 2002 level.
SPR PETROLEUM ACCOUNT
The SPR Petroleum Account was established to fund petroleum
inventory acquisitions, associated transportation costs, U.S.
Customs duties, terminal throughput charges, incremental
drawdown costs and other related costs associated with filling
the SPR.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $0
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 11,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 7,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +7,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. -4,000,000
The Committee recommends $7,000,000 for the SPR petroleum
account, a decrease of $4,000,000 below the budget request and
an increase of $7,000,000 above the 2002 level. The decrease to
the budget request reflects the transfer of $4,000,000 to the
Strategic Petroleum Reserve account to cover the electricity
costs associated with oil injection. The funding provided in
this account for fiscal year 2003 will complete the existing
royalty in kind program and support the filling of the SPR to
its 700 million barrel capacity.
NORTHEAST HOME HEATING OIL RESERVE
The acquisition and storage of heating oil for the
Northeast began in August 2000 when the Department of Energy,
through the Strategic Petroleum Reserve account, awarded
contracts for the lease of commercial storage facilities and
acquisition of heating oil. The purpose of the reserve is to
assure home heating oil supplies for the Northeast States
during times of very low inventories and significant threats to
immediate supply of heating oil. The Northeast Home Heating Oil
Reserve was established as a separate entity from the Strategic
Petroleum Reserve on March 6, 2001. The 2,000,000 barrel
reserve is stored in commercial facilities in New York Harbor,
Rhode Island, and New Haven, Connecticut.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $0
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 8,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 8,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +8,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $8,000,000 for the Northeast home
heating oil reserve, equal to the budget request and $8,000,000
above the fiscal year 2002 level. The program formerly was
funded as part of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve account.
ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
The Energy Information Administration is a quasi-
independent agency within the Department of Energy established
to provide timely, objective, and accurate energy-related
information to the Congress, executive branch, State
governments, industry, and the public. The information and
analysis prepared by the EIA is widely disseminated and the
agency is recognized as an unbiased source of energy
information by government organizations, industry, professional
statistical organizations and the public.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $78,499,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 80,111,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 80,611,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +2,112,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +500,000
The Committee recommends $80,611,000 for the Energy
Information Administration, an increase of $500,000 above the
budget request and $2,112,000 above the fiscal year 2002 level.
The increase above the request is for essential coal data
system improvements.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES
The provision of Federal health services to Indians is
based on a special 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 law have reconfirmed this relationship. Principal
among these is the Snyder Act of 1921, which provides the basic
authority for most Indian health services provided by the
Federal Government to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The
Indian Health Service (IHS) provides direct health care
services in 36 hospitals, 58 health centers, 4 school health
centers, and 44 health stations. Tribes and tribal groups,
through contracts with the IHS, operate 13 hospitals, 161
health centers, 3 school health centers, and 249 health
stations (including 170 Alaska Native village clinics). The
IHS, tribes and tribal groups also operate 11 regional youth
substance abuse treatment centers and 2,252 units of staff
quarters.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $2,389,614,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 2,453,835,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 2,508,756,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +119,142,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +54,921,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $2,508,756,000 for Indian health
services, an increase of $54,921,000 above the budget request
and $119,142,000 above the fiscal year 2002 level. Changes to
the budget request are discussed below.
Hospital and clinic programs are increased by $36,000,000,
including $33,000,000 for the Indian health care improvement
fund and $3,000,000 for the Lawton, OK hospital. Dental health
programs are increased by $200,000 to fund the increased use of
volunteer dentists. Contract health services are increased by
$15,000,000 to address the large unmet need for contract
services. Direct operations are increased by $822,000 to
address administrative shortfalls at Headquarters and Area
Offices. Self-governance is decreased by $9,000,000, which
leaves sufficient funds for the staffing and operational
expenses of the 8 FTEs in that office. An increase of
$11,899,000 is provided to cover the cost of health care for
Public Health Service annuitants. These costs were previously
paid by the Department of Defense.
The Committee agrees to the following:
1. The Lawton, OK hospital was constructed in the 1960s
with Federal funds but never received any additional funds for
staffing of new facilities. The situation has reached a crisis
level with IHS needing to reprogram funds to keep the hospital
operating in each of the last few years. This situation is
unique to the Lawton hospital. These funds should remain in the
base to cover ongoing operational needs at the hospital. If
additional funds are required, they should be justified in the
2004 budget submission.
2. Funding for the Indian health care improvement fund is
limited to the 55 most underfunded units. According to the IHS,
this is the amount needed to bring those units up to 40 percent
of needed funding.
3. There have been no new self-governance compacts recently
and therefore funds can be shifted from the self-governance
account to other underfunded programs. This should not impact
existing compacts because the funds in this account were
intended for shortfall costs associated with new compacts.
After compacts are operational, costs should be funded from
health program funds.
4. Funds for the pharmacy residency program remain in the
base for fiscal year 2003.
5. The fiscal year 2001 direction on the use of loan
repayment program funding should continue to be followed in
fiscal year 2003.
6. The budget increase of $4,000,000 for recruiting health
professionals should not be limited to former military and
Department of Veteran Affairs health professionals. The IHS
should pursue those recruitment possibilities as part of its
overall recruitment program but, given the great need for
health professionals, it should not set aside a specific amount
of money for any particular population segment of the
recruitment pool.
7. IHS needs to reexamine its estimates of administrative
costs for operation of Federally-run health programs and its
estimates of residual costs for operation of inherently Federal
functions at Headquarters and Area Offices and request
increases for direct operations as needed in the fiscal year
2004 budget.
Bill language is recommended, under Title III--General
Provisions, providing for a demonstration program for the
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. The tribe has
reported that, by offering bonus payments to health
professionals, it will be able to hire full time personnel at
less cost than paying for part time contract health services.
The Committee expects the Service to implement this
demonstration program within 30 days of enactment of this Act;
to monitor the program closely; and report to the Committee by
April 1, 2003, with an evaluation of the program and
recommendations on whether or not it should be extended in
fiscal year 2004.
INDIAN HEALTH FACILITIES
The need for new Indian health care facilities has not been
fully quantified but it is safe to say that many billions of
dollars would be required to renovate existing facilities and
construct all the needed new hospitals and clinics. Safe and
sanitary water and sewer systems for existing homes and solid
waste disposal needs currently are estimated to amount to over
$876 million for those projects that are considered to be
economically feasible.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $369,487,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 362,571,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 391,865,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +22,378,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +29,294,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $391,865,000 for Indian health
facilities, an increase of $29,294,000 above the budget request
and $22,378,000 above the fiscal year 2002 level. Changes to
the budget request include $5,000,000 for maintenance and
improvement, $2,000,000 for equipment and $22,294,000 for
hospital and clinic construction, including $1,994,000 to
complete the Pawnee, OK clinic, $3,000,000 for the Sisseton, SD
clinic infrastructure, $1,300,000 for design of the Clinton, OK
clinic; $5,000,000 for phase III of the Bethel, AK clinic staff
quarters, $1,000,000 to restore funding for dental units, and
$10,000,000 for small ambulatory care facilities.
The Committee agrees to the following distribution of
hospital and clinic construction funds:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Project 2003 request recommendation Difference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fort Defiance, AZ hospital...................................... $20,400,000 $20,400,000 ..............
Winnebago, NE hospital.......................................... 8,241,000 8,241,000 ..............
Pinon, AZ clinic................................................ 13,900,000 13,900,000 ..............
Red Mesa, AZ clinic............................................. 7,653,000 7,653,000 ..............
Pawnee, OK clinic............................................... 10,639,000 12,633,000 1,994,000
St. Paul, AK clinic............................................. 11,167,000 11,167,000 ..............
Sisseton, SD clinic............................................. .............. 3,000,000 3,000,000
Clinton, OK clinic.............................................. .............. 1,300,000 1,300,000
Bethel, AK staff quarters....................................... .............. 5,000,000 5,000,000
Small ambulatory facilities..................................... .............. 10,000,000 10,000,000
Dental units.................................................... .............. 1,000,000 1,000,000
-----------------------------------------------
Total..................................................... 72,000,000 94,294,000 22,294,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee agrees to the following:
1. The maintenance program funding increase needs to remain
in the base budget for 2004 and beyond. Further increases will
be necessary as existing facilities get older and as more
hospitals and clinics are built and expanded.
2. The increase for equipment should be focused on
replacing outdated analog medical devices with digital medical
devices and telemedicine equipment and should remain in the
base budget. Further increases will be necessary as existing
equipment becomes outdated and as more hospitals and clinics
are built and expanded.
3. The Service should continue to work on needed
improvements to the facilities priority system so that the full
range of need for facilities in Indian country is given
appropriate consideration.
4. The methodology used to distribute facilities funding
should address the fluctuating annual workload and maintain
parity among IHS areas and tribes as the workload shifts.
5. Funds for sanitation facilities for new and renovated
housing should be used to serve housing provided by the Bureau
of Indian Affairs Housing Improvement Program, new homes and
homes renovated to like-new condition. Onsite sanitation
facilities may also be provided for homes occupied by the
disabled or sick who have physician referrals indicating an
immediate medical need for adequate sanitation facilities at
home.
6. Sanitation funds should not be used to provide
sanitation facilities for new homes funded by the housing
programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The HUD should provide any needed funds to the IHS for that
purpose.
7. The IHS may use up to $5,000,000 in sanitation funding
for projects to clean up and replace open dumps on Indian lands
pursuant to the Indian Lands Open Dump Cleanup Act of 1994.
Bill language is included to continue the Bethel, AK staff
quarters project. Fiscal year 2003 is the third year of a four
year commitment to this construction project.
OTHER RELATED AGENCIES
Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The dispute between the Hopi and Navajo tribes is
centuries-old. The Hopi trace their origin on the the land back
to the Anasazi race whose presence is recorded back to 1150
A.D. Later in the 16th century Navajo settlement led to the
isolation of the Hopi Reservation as an island within the area
occupied by the Navajo reservation. In 1882, President Arthur
issued an Executive Order which granted the Hopi a 2.5 million
acre reservation to be occupied by the Hopi and such other
Indians as the Secretary of the Interior saw fit to resettle
there. Intertribal problems arose between the Navajo tribe and
the Hopi tribe revolving around the question of the ownership
of the land as well as cultural differences between the two
tribes. Efforts to resolve these conflicts were not successful
and led Congress to pass legislation in 1958 which authorized a
lawsuit to determine ownership of the land. When attempts at
mediation of the dispute as specified in an Act passed in 1974
failed, the district court in Arizona partitioned the Joint Use
Area equally between the Navajo and Hopi tribes under a decree
that has required the relocation of members of both tribes.
Most of those to be relocated are Navajo living on the Hopi
Partitioned Land.
At this time approximately 233 households remain be
relocated, of which 24 are full-time residents on the Hopi
Partitioned Land. A total of 3,269 families have been relocated
from the Hopi Partitioned Land.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $15,148,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 14,491,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 14,491,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -657
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $14,491,000 for salaries and
expenses of the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation,
the same as the budget request and $657,000 below the 2002
enacted level.
Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts
Development
PAYMENT TO THE INSTITUTE
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $4,490,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 5,130,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 5,130,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +640
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $5,130,000 for the Institute of
American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development,
the same as the budget request and $640,000 above the 2002
enacted level.
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is unique in the Federal
establishment. Established by the Congress in 1846 to carry out
the trust included in James Smithson's will, it has been
engaged for over 150 years in the ``increase and diffusion of
knowledge among men'' in accordance with the donor's
instructions. For some years, it used only the funds made
available by the trust. Then, before the turn of the century,
it began to receive Federal appropriations to conduct some of
its activities. With the expenditure of both private and
Federal funds over the years, it has grown into one of the
world's great scientific, cultural, and intellectual
organizations. It operates magnificent museums, outstanding art
galleries, and important research centers. Its collections are
among the best in the world. Its traveling exhibits bring
beauty and information throughout the country.
The Smithsonian attracted approximately 33,650,000 visitors
in 2001 to its museums, galleries, and zoological park.
Additional millions also view Smithsonian traveling
exhibitions, which appear across the United States and abroad,
and the annual Folklife Festival. As custodian of the National
Collections, the Smithsonian is responsible for more than 140
million art objects, natural history specimens, and artifacts.
These collections are displayed for the enjoyment and education
of visitors and are available for research by the staff of the
Institution and by hundreds of visiting students, scientists,
and historians each year. Other significant study efforts draw
their data and results directly from terrestrial, marine, and
astrophysical observations at various Smithsonian
installations.
The Smithsonian complex presently consists of 15 exhibition
buildings in Washington, DC and New York City in the fields of
science, history, technology and art; a zoological park in
Washington, DC and an animal conservation and research center
in Front Royal, Virginia; the Anacostia Museum, which performs
research and exhibit activities in the District of Columbia; a
preservation, storage and air and spacecraft display facility
in Suitland, Maryland; a natural preserve in Panama and one on
the Chesapeake Bay; an oceanographic research facility in Fort
Pierce, Florida; astrophysical stations in Cambridge,
Massachusetts and Mt. Hopkins, Arizona and elsewhere; and
supporting administrative, laboratory, and storage areas.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $420,960,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 434,660,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 436,660,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +15,700,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +2,000,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $436,660,000 for salaries and
expenses, $2,000,000 above the budget request and $15,700,000
above the enacted level. The fiscal year 2003 request contains
$11,000,000 in salaries and expenses and $2,000,000 in the
construction account for security needs. The Committee has
provided the $11,000,000 and moved the $2,000,000 from the
construction request into the salaries and expenses account to
be allocated in the following manner: $400,000 for the farm
exhibit at the National Zoological Park, $750,000 to expand the
current research at STRI on microorganisms in tropical forests
and soils, and $11,850,000 to relieve operational shortfalls.
The Committee recommends that the Smithsonian Institution
continue to assist other professional organizations in their
efforts to create museum exhibits commemorating and celebrating
the various aspects and impacts of the Louisiana Purchase and
its bicentennial on April 30, 2003.
The Committee is concerned by recent controversial
agreements between the Smithsonian Institution and certain
benefactors which appear to cede undue control over Smithsonian
exhibits to both corporate and individual donors. While it
lauds the philanthropic intentions of these donors, it is
concerned that a dominantly publicly funded organization must
not compromise its duty to its core missions of education and
research when seeking private sponsorships. While the Committee
does not have enough information to render judgment on each of
these public controversies, it considers the recent agreement
to remove the name of Samuel P. Langley from the main theater
complex of the National Air and Space Museum and replace it
with that of a corporate sponsor to be particularly
incomprehensible. Samuel Langley was a noted aviation pioneer
and the Smithsonian's third Secretary. No amount of money would
seem adequate to justify denying him the recognition which he
has enjoyed since the early 1980's when the much visited
theater was named in his honor. Unfortunately, while this case
seems particularly difficult to understand, it is by no means
the only such controversy and confidence in the Smithsonian by
many Members of Congress and by the general public has been
shaken by what some see as the selling of the institution to
the highest bidder. In response to these concerns the Committee
requests that the Regents undertake the following actions:
1. Institute a procedure so that all benefactor or gift
agreements which include stipulations or specific requirements
with respect to the design of exhibits or naming of facilities
or parts of facilities are approved by formal vote of the
Regents in open sessions rather than through the current
process of preliminary approval by the Secretary and the
Executive Committee with ratification by the full Regents.
2. Direct the Secretary to reopen negotiations with the
donor corporation regarding the naming of the IMAX theatre at
the National Air and Space Museum with the goal of returning
the name of Samuel P. Langley to this complex. The Committee
notes that this would not preclude recognition of the
corporation for its generosity in some other way at the theater
complex. The Committee notes that in making this request, it
does not mean to imply opposition to appropriate recognition of
donors through naming opportunities as a general principal, but
believes this particular action should be reconsidered.
3. Carry out a review of the Smithsonian's policies
regarding benefactor agreements and their applications in major
gifts during the last 2 years and submit to the Committee not
later than February 1, 2003 a report of the Regents of their
findings.
The Committee is very concerned by the information on
executive compensation at the Smithsonian provided to the
Committee as part of the fiscal year 2003 hearings process.
This data indicated that last year, a year in which the
Smithsonian leadership was aggressively complaining about
shortages of funds for critical maintenance problems, that it
approved an increase in compensation for the Secretary of the
Smithsonian of almost 50 percent to a level this year of more
than $588,000 including a contractual bonus of $85,000. The
Committee was further disturbed to learn that the Smithsonian,
a taxpayer financed philanthropic and educational organization,
pays 29 employees salaries in excess of those paid to cabinet
officers of the U.S. Government. While the Committee recognizes
the right under its charter for the Smithsonian to pay
employees at any level with trust funds donated to it by the
public, it is concerned that increases in executive
compensation of this magnitude can weaken the public's belief
that the organization has justified its need for increased
taxpayer support for its priority investments. The Regents are
requested to carry-out a review of the Institution's executive
compensation policies and report to the Committee prior to
February 1, 2003 the results of this review.
REPAIR, RESTORATION AND ALTERATION OF FACILITIES
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $67,900,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 81,300,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 81,300,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +13,400,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $81,300,000 for repair,
restoration and alterations of facilities, the same as the
budget request and $13,400,000 above the enacted level.
The Committee urges the Secretary of the Smithsonian
Institution to repair and restore the Jacksonville Bandstand,
which is currently located next to the National Museum of
American History.
CONSTRUCTION
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $30,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 12,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 10,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -20,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. -2,000,000
The Committee recommends $10,000,000 for construction of
the National Museum of the American Indian, $2,000,000 below
the budget request (as explained in the previous account) and
$20,000,000 below the enacted level.
National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is one of the world's great
galleries. Its magnificent works of art are displayed for the
benefit of millions of visitors from across this Nation and
from other nations. The National Gallery of Art serves as an
example of a successful cooperative endeavor between private
individuals and institutions and the Federal Government. The
many special exhibitions shown in the Gallery and then
throughout the country bring great art treasures to Washington
and the Nation. In 1999, the Gallery opened a sculpture garden,
which provides a wonderful opportunity for the public to have
an outdoor artistic experience in a lovely, contemplative
setting.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $71,115,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 78,219,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 78,219,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +7,104,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $78,219,000 for salaries and
expenses of the National Gallery of Art, the same as the budget
request and an increase of $7,104,000 above the 2002 level.
Within the amount recommended there is a decrease of $2,119,000
for repair and maintenance and an increase of $2,119,000 to
restore the special exhibits budget. The Committee notes that,
even after the recommended decrease for repair and maintenance,
there is an increase of 163 percent in funding for that
activity compared with fiscal year 2002.
The Committee stresses that level funding for special
exhibits is critical for both 2003 exhibits and for multi-year
exhibition planning. The Committee strongly believes that this
special exhibitions funding should remain in the base budget in
future years.
REPAIR, RESTORATION AND RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $14,220,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 16,230,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 16,230,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +2,010,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $16,230,000 for repair,
restoration and renovation of buildings at the National Gallery
of Art, the same as the budget request and an increase of
$2,010,000 above the fiscal year 2002 level. The increase above
the 2002 level is to continue implementation of the Gallery's
long-term facilities improvement 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 consists of
over 1.5 million square feet of usable floor space with
visitation averaging 10,000 on a daily basis.
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $19,310,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 16,310,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 16,310,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -3,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $16,310,000 for operations and
maintenance, the same as the budget request and $3,000,000
below the enacted level.
CONSTRUCTION
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $19,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 17,600,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 17,600,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -1,400,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $17,600,000 for construction, the
same as the budget request and $1,400,000 below the enacted
level.
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is a
unique institution with a special mission to serve as a living
memorial to President Woodrow Wilson. The Center performs this
mandate through its role as an international institute for
advanced study as well as a facilitator for discussions among
scholars, public officials, journalists and business leaders
from across the country on major long-term issues facing
America and the world.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $7,796,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 8,488,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 8,488,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +692,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $8,488,000 for salaries and
expenses, the same as the budget request and $692,000 above the
enacted level.
National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities
National Endowment for the Arts
GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $98,234,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 99,489,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 99,489,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +1,255,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with
estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $99,489,000 for grants and
administration, an increase of $1,255,000 above the 2002
enacted level and equal to the budget request. The funding
increase is to offset partially fixed cost increases. The
Committee expects the NEA to use these grants to enhance
outreach efforts to more of the Nation, especially for
underserved rural and urban areas which have not had
substantial NEA granting activity in the recent past. The
Committee notes that the Challenge America Arts Fund is
included under a separate heading and is recommended for
$17,000,000 for fiscal year 2003. The Committee has not
provided funding for an office move, so the Committee expects
to see a supplemental budget request if the General Services
Administration proceeds with such an action and additional
funds are required.
Bill language is recommended under Title III--General
Provisions, retaining provisions in last year's bill regarding
restrictions on individual grants, subgranting, and seasonal
support (Sec. 309); and authority to solicit and invest funds
(Sec. 310); priority for rural and underserved communities,
priority for grants that encourage public knowledge, education,
understanding, and appreciation of the arts, designation of a
category for grants of national significance, and a 15-percent
cap on the total amount of grant funds directed to any one
State (Sec. 311).
National Endowment for the Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) was created
in 1965 to encourage and support National progress in the
humanities. The NEH provides, through a merit-based review
process, grants in support of education, research, document and
artifact preservation, and public service in the humanities.
GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $108,832,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 109,632,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 109,932,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +1,550,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +300,000
The amounts recommended by the Committee compared with the
budget estimates by activity are shown in the following table:
The Committee recommends $109,932,000 for grants and
administration, $1,550,000 above the 2002 level and $300,000
above the budget request. The Committee has included an
increase above the request in order to enhance public service,
education and communications through computer web-site design
and implementation. The Committee has not provided funding for
an office move, so the Committee expects to see a supplemental
budget request if the General Services Administration proceeds
with such an action and additional funds are required.
MATCHING GRANTS
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $16,122,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 16,122,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 16,122,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $16,122,000 for matching grants as
requested and enacted in fiscal year 2002. The Committee notes
that regional humanities centers are encouraged to participate
in the endowment's regular order granting processes rather than
earmarking funds as was done in fiscal year 2002.
Institute of Museum and Library Services
OFFICE OF MUSEUM SERVICES
GRANTS AND ADMINISTRATION
The Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) was
created in the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996 (Public
Law 104-208) which merged library services functions of the
Department of Education into the Institute of Museum Services.
These functions now come under the Office of Museum Services
(OMS) portion of the IMLS. For fiscal year 2003 and thereafter,
the Committee, as requested by the administration, recommends
that funding for the OMS appropriation will be consolidated
with the library functions of the IMLS and funding will be
provided in the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
appropriations bill. This simplification will enhance
administrative efficiency and achieve synergy by uniting
library and museum communities in common public service and
educational efforts.
Challenge America Arts Fund
CHALLENGE AMERICA GRANTS
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $17,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 17,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 17,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $17,000,000 for the Challenge
America Arts Fund, as requested and enacted in fiscal year
2002. The fund, created in fiscal year 2001, provides grants
for outreach activities of the National Endowment for the Arts.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
The Committee has modified bill language, requested by the
Administration in Title III--General Provisions, concerning
small grants and included the modified language under this
heading.
Commission of Fine Arts
The Commission of Fine Arts was established in 1910 to meet
the need for a permanent body to advise the government on
matters pertaining to the arts, and particularly, to guide the
architectural development of Washington, DC. Over the years the
Commission's scope has been expanded to include advice on areas
such as plans for parks, public buildings, location of National
monuments and development of public squares. As a result, the
Commission annually reviews approximately 500 projects. In
fiscal year 1988 the Commission was given responsibility for
the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs program.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $1,254,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 1,224,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 1,255,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +31,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +31,000
The Committee recommends $1,255,000 for the Commission of
Fine Arts, $31,000 above both the enacted and requested funding
levels. This increase partially offsets fixed cost increases.
The Committee encourages the Commission to work with Federal
agencies and the District of Columbia government when those
entities are designing new facilities, especially anti-
terrorism related structures. The Commission should not wait
for the final review to provide input. Recent experience
demonstrates that early involvement not only leads to better
final products, but also more timely implementation of
important projects.
NATIONAL CAPITAL ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $7,000,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 7,000,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 7,000,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... 0
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs program was
established in Public Law 99-190 to support artistic and
cultural programs in the Nation's Capital. The Committee
recommends $7,000,000, the same as the budget request and the
2002 level.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION
The Committee rejects the administration's proposal to
repeal the authorization for this program and place this
funding under the aegis of the District of Columbia Commission
on Arts and Humanities. The Committee has examined this
proposal closely and finds that it lacks merit. Accordingly, to
prevent the further waste of agency staff time and resources on
such poorly conceived notions, the Committee has included bill
language which prevents any funds to be expended to examine
proposals to alter the National Capital Arts and Cultural
Affairs program. The sole exception is the Office of Management
and Budget, which may spend its own funds on this matter if the
office continues to feel such changes are worth pursuing
despite clear Congressional disapproval.
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 established
the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The Advisory
Council was reauthorized as part of the Omnibus Parks and
Public Lands Management Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-333). The
Council's mandate is to further the National policy of
preserving historic and cultural resources for the benefit of
present and future generations. The Council advises the
President and Congress on preservation matters and provides
consultation on historic properties threatened by Federal
action.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $3,400,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 3,667,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 3,667,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +267,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $3,667,000 for the Advisory
Council on Historic Preservation, $267,000 above the 2002 level
and equal to the budget request. The funding increase is to
partially offset fixed cost increases. The Committee has not
provided funding for an office move, so the Committee expects
to see a supplemental budget request if the General Services
Administration proceeds with such an action and additional
funds are required.
National Capital Planning Commission
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The National Capital Planning Act of 1952 designated the
National Capital Planning Commission as the central planning
agency for the Federal government in the National Capital
Region. The three major functions of the Commission are to
prepare and adopt the Federal elements of the National Capital
Comprehensive Plan, prepare an annual report on a five-year
projection of the Federal Capital Improvement Program, and
review plans and proposals submitted to the Commission.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $8,011,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 7,253,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 7,553,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002,.............................. -458,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. +300,000
The Committee recommends $7,553,000, $300,000 above the
budget request. The increase above the request is to offset
partially fixed cost increases. The Committee notes that the
2002 enacted funding included a one-time emergency
appropriation of $758,000 to work on anti-terrorism planning.
The Committee encourages the Commission to continue their close
collaboration with Federal agencies and the District of
Columbia government when they are designing new facilities,
especially anti-terrorism related structures, and not wait for
final review to provide input. Recent experience demonstrates
that early involvement not only leads to better final products,
but also more timely implementation of important projects. The
Committee appreciates continued regular updates from the
Commission concerning anti-terrorism structural improvement
projects in the national capital region.
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 holocausts. 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.
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $36,028,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 38,663,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 38,663,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... +2,635,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $38,663,000 for the Holocaust
Memorial Museum, the same as the budget request and $2,635,000
above the enacted level.
Presidio Trust
PRESIDIO TRUST FUND
Appropriation enacted, 2002........................... $23,125,000
Budget estimate, 2003................................. 21,327,000
Recommended, 2003..................................... 21,327,000
Comparison:
Appropriation, 2002............................... -1,798,000
Budget estimate, 2003............................. 0
The Committee recommends $21,327,000 for the Presidio
Trust, the same as the budget request and $1,798,000 below the
enacted level.
In the four years that it has managed the Presidio, the
Trust has made significant progress in achieving the key goals
outlined in the Trust's authorizing legislation: preserving
natural resources, restoring historic buildings, improving
recreational facilities, upgrading park infrastructure, and
making the park financially self-sustaining by 2013. At this
juncture in the Trust's organizational evolution, the Committee
directs the Trust to contract with the National Academy of
Public Administration. The scope of work should focus on
finance and business management practices, including financial
assumptions and projections; a review of major capital
construction projects; and the management and use of government
loan authorities.
TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 301 provides for public availability of information
on consulting services contracts.
Section 302 prohibits activities to promote public support
or opposition to legislative proposals.
Section 303 provides for annual appropriations unless
expressly provided otherwise in this Act.
Section 304 limits the use of personal cooks, chauffeurs or
servants.
Section 305 limits assessments against programs without
Committee approval.
Section 306 limits the sale of giant sequoia.
Section 307 continues a limitation on accepting and
processing applications for patents and on the patenting of
Federal lands; permits processing of grandfathered
applications; and permits third-party contractors to process
grandfathered applications.
Section 308 limits payments for contract support costs in
past years to the funds available in law and accompanying
report language in those years for the Bureau of Indian Affairs
and the Indian Health Service.
Section 309 continues provision specifying reforms and
limitations dealing with the National Endowment for the Arts.
Section 310 continues a provision permitting the collection
and use of private funds by the National Endowment for the Arts
and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Section 311 continues direction to the National Endowment
for the Arts on funding distribution.
Section 312 continues a limitation on completing and
issuing the five-year program under the Forest and Rangeland
Renewable Resources Planning Act.
Section 313 continues a provision prohibiting the use of
funds to support government-wide administrative functions
unless they are justified in the budget process and approved by
the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.
Section 314 continues a provision which permits the Forest
Service to use the roads and trails fund for backlog
maintenance and priority forest health treatments.
Section 315 continues a provision limiting the use of
answering machines during core business hours except in case of
emergency and requires an option of talking to a person. The
American taxpayer deserves to receive personal attention from
public servants.
Section 316 continues a provision carried last year
regulating the export of Western redcedar from National forest
system lands in Alaska.
Section 317 prohibits the Forest Service from using
projects under the recreation fee demonstration program to
supplant existing concessions.
Section 318 clarifies the Forest Service land management
planning revision requirements.
Section 319 clarifies the requirement for mutually
significant benefits when the Forest Service conducts
cooperative agreements.
Section 320 continues a provision limiting preleasing,
leasing and related activities within the boundaries of
National monuments.
Section 321 amends legislation to extend for one additional
year the Forest Service's authority for stewardship end result
contracts.
Section 322 makes a technical correction to the Cabin User
Fee Fairness Act of 2000.
Section 323 extends the Forest Service Conveyances Pilot
Program.
Section 324 deals with processing expired grazing permits
by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service. This
provision was carried in previous years for the Bureau of Land
Management. This year it has been extended to the Forest
Service.
Section 325 provides authority for the staff of
Congressionally established foundations to use GSA contract
airfare rates and Federal government hotel accommodation rates
when on official business.
Section 326 authorizes a demonstration program for the
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe; which permits the Eagle Butte
service unit to pay higher salaries and bonuses to attract
health professionals, if they can do so at no additional cost.
The tribe has reported that part-time contract employees
currently are costing more than it would cost the tribe to hire
full-time permanent employees under this demonstration program.
Section 327 prohibits the transfer of funds to other
agencies other than provided in this Act.
Section 328 provides the Secretary of the Interior and the
Secretary of Agriculture the authority to enter into reciprocal
agreements with foreign nations concerning the personal
liability of firefighters.
Section 329 continues a legislative provision which was in
the fiscal year 2002 Energy and Water Development
Appropriations Act. This provision limits funds for oil or gas
leasing or permitting on the Finger Lakes National Forest, NY.
Rescissions
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2), rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following table is submitted
describing the rescissions recommended in the accompanying
bill:
Amounts
recommended for
Department and activity rescission
Department of the Interior: Land and Water Conservation
Fund (contract authority)........................... $30,000,000
Smithsonian Institution: Salaries and Expenses.......... 14,100,000
Transfer of Funds
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2), rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following table is submitted
describing the transfer of funds provided in the accompanying
bill.
APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account to
Account from which transfer Amount which transfer Amount
is to be made is to be made
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are no specific appropriation transfers recommended
in this bill.
Changes in Application of Existing Law
Pursuant to clause 3, 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 provides that certain appropriations items remain
available until expended or extends the availability of funds
beyond the fiscal year where programs or projects are
continuing in nature under the provisions of authorizing
legislation but for which that legislation does not
specifically authorize such extended availability. This
authority tends to result in savings by preventing the practice
of committing funds at the end of the fiscal year.
The bill includes, in certain instances, limitations on 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.
The Committee has included limitations for official
entertainment or reception and representation expenses for
selected agencies in the bill.
Language is included in the various parts of the bill to
continue ongoing activities of those Federal agencies, which
require annual authorization or additional legislation which to
date, has not been enacted.
Language is included under Bureau of Land Management,
Management of lands and resources, permitting the use of
receipts from the Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965;
providing funds to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
under certain conditions; permitting the use of fees from
communication site rentals; limiting the use of funds for
destroying wild horses and burros; and permitting the
collection of fees for processing mining applications and for
certain public land uses and permitting the use of these fees
for program operations.
Language is included under Bureau of Land Management,
Wildland fire management, permitting the use of funds from
other accounts for firefighting; permitting the use of funds
for lodging and subsistence of firefighters; permitting the
acceptance and use of funds for firefighting; permitting the
use of grants contracts and cooperative agreements for
hazardous fuels reduction, including cost-sharing and local
assistance; permitting reimbursement to the Fish and Wildlife
Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service for
consultation activities under the Endangered Species Act; and
permitting the use of firefighting funds for the leasing of
properties of the construction of facilities.
Language is included under Bureau of Land Management,
Central hazardous materials fund, providing that sums received
from a party for remedial actions shall be credited to the
account, and defining non-monetary payments.
Language is included under Bureau of Land Management,
Payments in lieu of taxes, to exclude any payment that is less
than $100.
Language is included under Bureau of Land Management,
Oregon and California grant lands, authorizing the transfer of
receipts to the Treasury.
Language is included under Bureau of Land Management,
Forest ecosystems health and recovery fund, permitting the use
of salvage timber receipts.
Language is included under Bureau of Land Management,
Service charges, deposits, and forfeitures, allowing the use of
funds on any damaged public lands.
Language is included under Bureau of Land Management,
Administrative provisions, permitting the payment of rewards
for information on violations of law on Bureau lands and
providing for cost-sharing arrangements for printing services.
Language is included under United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, Resource management, allowing for the maintenance of
the herd of long-horned cattle on the Wichita Mountains
Wildlife Refuge. Without this language, the long-horned cattle
would have to be removed from the refuge. Language also is
included providing for the Natural Communities Conservation
Planning program and for a Youth Conservation Corps; limiting
funding for certain Endangered Species Act listing programs;
permitting payment for information or rewards in the law
enforcement program; and earmarking funds for contaminant
analysis.
Language is included under United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, Construction, permitting a single procurement for the
expansion of the forensics laboratory in Oregon.
Language is included under United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, Land acquisition, prohibiting the use of project funds
for overhead expenses.
Language is included under United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, Landowner incentive program, providing matching grants
to States and territories.
Language is included under United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, Stewardship grants, providing for grants for private
conservation efforts.
Language is included under United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, North American wetlands conservation fund, limiting
the use of funds above the 2001 funding level to U.S. projects.
Language is included under United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, State wildlife grants, specifying the distribution
formula and planning and cost-sharing requirements and
requiring that funds unobligated after two years be
reapportioned.
Language is included under United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, Administrative provisions, providing for repair of
damage to public roads; providing options for the purchase of
land not to exceed $1; providing for installation of certain
recreation facilities; and permitting the maintenance and
improvement of aquaria and other facilities, the acceptance of
donated aircraft, and cost-shared arrangements for printing
services. Language also is included limiting the use of funds
for establishing new refuges.
Language is included under National Park Service, Operation
of the National park system, to allow road maintenance service
to trucking permittees on a reimbursable basis. This provision
has been included in annual appropriations Acts since 1954.
Language also is included providing for a Youth Conservation
Corps program; providing for the use of funds in support of
Everglades land acquisition; permitting reimbursement to the
Park Police for special events under limited circumstances; and
limiting the use of funds for a new associate director position
for law enforcement.
Language is included under National Park Service, Historic
preservation fund, providing a grant to the National Trust for
Historic Preservation.
Language is included under National Park Service, Land and
water conservation fund, rescinding $30 million in contract
authority.
Language is included under National Park Service, Land
acquisition and State assistance, permitting the use of funds
to assist the State of Florida with Everglades restoration;
making the use of funds for Everglades contingent on certain
conditions; limiting the use of funds to establish a
contingency fund for State grants; and clarifying Congressional
intent with respect to land acquisition and flood protection in
the ``8.5 Square Mile Area''.
Language is included under National Park Service,
Administrative provisions, requiring the inclusion of 18 U.S.C.
1913 in the text of grant and contract documents; preventing
the implementation of an agreement for the redevelopment of the
southern end of Ellis Island; limiting the use of funds for the
United Nation's Biodiversity Convention; permitting the use of
funds for workplace safety needs; permitting the collection and
use of funds for repair of utilities; and authorizing
reimbursable agreements in advance of receipt of funds.
Language is included under U.S. Geological Survey, Surveys,
investigations and research, providing for two-year
availability of funds for biological research and for the
operations of cooperative research units; prohibiting the
conduct of new surveys on private property without permission;
and requiring cost sharing for cooperative topographic mapping
and water resource data collection activities.
Language is included under U.S. Geological Survey,
Administrative provisions, permitting contracting for certain
mapping and surveys; permitting construction of facilities;
permitting acquisition of land for certain uses; allowing
payment of expenses for the National Committee on Geology;
permitting payments to interstate compact negotiators; and
permitting the use of certain contracts, grants, and
cooperative agreements.
Language is included under Minerals Management Service,
Royalty and offshore minerals management, permitting the use of
excess receipts from Outer Continental Shelf leasing
activities; providing for reasonable expenses related to
volunteer beach and marine clean-up activities; providing for
refunds for overpayments on Indian allottee leases; providing
for collecting royalties and late payment interest on amounts
received in settlements associated with Federal and Indian
leases; and permitting the use of revenues from a royalty-in-
kind program.
Language is included under Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement, Regulation and Technology,
permitting the use of moneys collected pursuant to assessment
of civil penalties to reclaim lands affected by coal mining
after August 3, 1977 and permitting payment to State and tribal
personnel for travel and per diem expenses for training.
Language is included under Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement, Abandoned mine reclamation fund,
limiting the amounts available for emergency reclamation
projects; allowing the use of debt recovery to pay for debt
collection; and earmarking funds for acid mine drainage.
Language is included under Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Operation of Indian programs, limiting funds for contract
support costs and for administrative cost grants for schools;
permitting the use of tribal priority allocations for general
assistance payments to individuals, for contract support costs,
and for repair and replacement of schools; allowing changes to
certain eligibility criteria by tribal governments, allowing
the transfer of certain forestry funds; and providing for an
Indian self-determination fund.
Language is included under Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Construction, providing that 6 percent of Federal Highway Trust
Fund contract authority may be used for management costs;
providing for the transfer of Navajo irrigation project funds
to the Bureau of Reclamation; providing Safety of Dams funds on
a non-reimbursable basis; requiring the use of administrative
and cost accounting principles for certain school construction
projects and exempting such projects from certain requirements;
requiring conformance with building codes and health and safety
standards; and specifying the procedure for dispute resolution.
Language is included under Bureau of Indian Affairs,
Administrative provisions, prohibiting funding of Alaska
schools; limiting the number of schools and the expansion of
grade levels in individual schools; limiting the use of funds
for contracts, grants and cooperative agreements; and requiring
an evaluation of certain Bureau schools.
Language is included under Departmental Offices, Insular
Affairs, Assistance to Territories, requiring audits of the
financial transactions of the Territorial governments by the
General Accounting Office; 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 a grant to the Close-Up foundation;
allowing appropriations for disaster assistance to be used as
non-Federal matching funds for hazard mitigation grants;
providing for payments to the Prior Service Benefits Trust Fund
and limiting administrative expenses; and providing for capital
infrastructure in various Territories.
Language is included under Departmental Offices,
Departmental management, salaries and expenses, permitting
payments to former Bureau of Mines workers.
Language is included under Departmental Offices, Office of
Special Trustee for American Indians, specifying that the
statute of limitations shall not commence on any claim
resulting from trust funds losses; exempting quarterly
statements for accounts less than $1; requiring annual
statements and records maintenance; and permitting the use of
recoveries from erroneous payments.
Language is included under Departmental Offices, Indian
land consolidation, permitting transfers of funds for
administration and permitting cooperative agreements with
tribes to acquire fractional interests.
Language is included under Departmental Offices,
Administrative provisions, prohibiting the use of working
capital or consolidated working funds to augment certain
offices and allowing the acquisition of aircraft through
various means and the sale of existing aircraft with proceeds
used to offset the purchase price of replacement aircraft.
Language is included under General Provisions, Department
of the Interior, to allow transfer of funds in certain
emergency situations and requiring replacement with a
supplemental appropriation request and designating certain
transferred funds as ``emergency requirements'' under the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Language is included under General provisions, Department
of the Interior, to permit the Department to consolidate
services and receive reimbursement for said services. Language
also is included providing for uniform allowances.
Language is included under General provisions, Department
of the Interior, to allow for obligations in connection with
contracts issued for services or rentals for periods not in
excess of 12 months beginning at any time during the fiscal
year.
Language is included under General provisions, Department
of the Interior, restricting various oil and gas preleasing,
leasing, exploration and drilling activities within the Outer
Continental Shelf in the Georges Bank-North Atlantic planning
area, Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic planning area, Eastern
Gulf of Mexico planning area, North Aleutian Basin planning
area, Northern, Southern and Central California planning areas,
and Washington/Oregon planning area.
Language is included under General provisions, Department
of the Interior, limiting the investment of Federal funds by
Indian tribes; limiting the use of funds for contract support
costs; and prohibiting fee exemptions for non-local traffic
through National Parks.
Language is included under General provisions, Department
of the Interior, permitting the transfer of funds between the
Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Office of Special Trustee for
American Indians; providing permanent authority for negotiating
agreements and leases at Fort Baker at the Golden Gate NRA and
permitting the retention of receipts; providing for
administrative law judges to handle Indian issues; permitting
the redistribution of certain Indian funds with limitations;
directing allocation of funds for Bureau of Indian Affairs
funded post-secondary schools; limiting the use of the Huron
Cemetery to religious and cultural activities; permitting the
conveyance of the Twin Cities Research Center; extending for
one year the transportation fee retention provision of the
National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1988; authorizing a
cooperative agreement with the Golden Gate National Parks
Association; permitting the Bureau of Land Management to retain
funds from the sale of seeds and seedlings; permitting the sale
of equipment and interests at the White River Oil Shale Mine in
Utah and the retention of receipts; authorizing funding
transfers for Shenandoah Valley Battlefield NHD and Ice Age
NST; and prohibiting the closure of the underground lunchroom
at Carlsbad Caverns NP.
Language is included under General Provision, Department of
the Interior, prohibiting demolition of the bridge between New
Jersey and Ellis Island; prohibiting posting of clothing
optional signs at Canaveral NS; permitting the use of funds for
incidental expenses related to the Centennial of the National
Wildlife Refuge System; authorizing a cooperative agreement
between the National Park Service and Capital Concerts;
requiring delivery of a report to certain committees of
Congress on an historical accounting of Indian trust funds for
plaintiffs in the Cobell v. Norton litigation; limiting
compensation for the Special Master and Court Monitor for the
Cobell v. Norton litigation; requiring new Special Trustee
Advisory Board appointees; allowing payment of attorney fees
for Federal employees related to the Cobell v. Norton
litigation; allowing Federal firefighting activities on non-
Federal lands; extending the deadline for creation of a
commission on a possible Museum of African American History and
extending the availability of funds for this purpose; requiring
that the Secretary of the Interior be a co-equal partner on the
Everglades RECOVER team; requiring the Fish and Wildlife
Service to mark hatchery salmon; naming the Bitter Lake NWR, NM
Vistor Center for Joseph R. Skeen; and establishing a
commission to review Indian gaming.
Language is included under Forest Service, State and
private forestry, requiring House and Senate Appropriations
Committee approval before releasing forest legacy project
funds.
Language is included under Forest Service, National forest
system, allowing 50 percent of the fees collected under the
Land and Water Conservation Fund Act to remain available until
expended; requiring the fiscal year 2004 budget justification
to display unobligated balances available at the start of
fiscal year 2003; and permitting the transfer of funds to the
Bureau of Land Management for wild horse and burro management.
Language is included under Forest Service, Wildland fire
management, allowing the use of funds to repay advances from
other accounts and requiring 50 percent of any unobligated
balances remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002, excepting
hazardous fuels funding, to be transferred to the Knutson-
Vandenberg Fund as repayment for past advances; permitting the
use of funds for the Joint Fire Science program; providing for
grants and cooperative agreements with local communities;
providing for use of funds on adjacent, non-Federal lands for
hazard reduction; providing contract authority for fuel
reduction projects; and allowing transfer of funds for
Endangered Species Act consultation.
Language is included under Forest Service, Capital
improvement and maintenance, allowing funds to be used for road
decommissioning and requiring that no road decommissioning be
funded until notice and an opportunity for public comment has
been provided.
Language is included under Forest Service, Range betterment
fund, providing that 6 percent of the funds may be used for
administrative expenses.
Language is included under Forest Service, Administrative
provisions, providing that proceeds from the sale of aircraft
may be used to purchase replacement aircraft; permitting the
transfer of funds for firefighting from other USDA account;
allowing funds to be used through the Agency for International
Development and the Foreign Agricultural Service for work in
foreign countries and to support other forestry activities
outside of the United States.
Language is included under Forest Service, Administrative
provisions, prohibiting the following without advance approval:
(1) the transfer of funds under the Department of Agriculture
transfer authority; (2) reprogramming of funds; and (3)
transfer of funds in excess of the level transferred during
fiscal year 2000 to the working capital fund of the Department
of Agriculture.
Language is included under Forest Service, Administrative
provisions, providing for a Youth Conservation Corps program;
providing for matching funds and administrative expenses for
the National Forest Foundation and also matching funds for the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; providing funds for
sustainable rural development; permitting the transfer of
certain funds to the State of Washington fish and wildlife
department for planned projects; providing payments to counties
within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area; providing
authority to the Pinchot Institute for activities at Grey
Towers National Historic Landmark; allowing payments to Del
Norte County, CA; permitting limited reimbursements to the
Office of General Counsel in USDA; and allowing the limited use
of funds for law enforcement emergencies.
Language is included under Department of Energy, Clean coal
technology deferring certain funding for one year.
Language is included under Department of Energy, Fossil
energy, specifying certain conditions for the Clean Coal Power
Initiative; limiting the field testing of nuclear explosives
for the recovery of oil and gas; and permitting the use of
funds from other programs accounts for the National Energy
Technology Laboratory.
Language is included under Department of Energy, Naval
Petroleum and oil shale reserves, permitting the use of
unobligated balances.
Language is included under the Department of Energy, Energy
conservation, providing allocations of grants for
weatherization and State energy conservation.
Language is included under Administrative provisions,
Department of Energy, providing for vehicle and guard services
and uniform allowances; limiting programs of price supports and
loan guarantees to what is provided in appropriations Acts;
providing for the transfer of funds to other agencies of the
Government; providing for retention of revenues by the
Secretary of Energy on certain projects; requiring certain
contracts be submitted to Congress prior to implementation;
prohibiting issuance of procurement documents without
appropriations; and permitting the use of contributions and
fees for cooperative projects.
Language is included under Indian Health Service, Indian
health services, providing that certain contracts and grants
may be performed in two fiscal years; exempting certain tribal
funding from fiscal year constraints; limiting funds for
catastrophic care, loan repayment and certain contracts;
capping contract support cost spending; providing for use of
collections under Title IV of the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act; and permitting the use of Indian Health Care
Improvement Fund monies for facilities improvement.
Language is included under Indian Health Service, Indian
health facilities, providing that funds may be used to purchase
land, modular buildings and trailers; providing for certain
staff quarters construction in Alaska; providing for certain
purchases and for a demolition fund; providing authority for
contracts for small ambulatory facilities; and providing for
the transfer of land to IHS on St. Paul Island, AK.
Language is included under Indian Health Service,
Administrative provisions, providing for payments for telephone
service in private residences in the field, purchase of
reprints, and purchase and erection of portable buildings and
allowing deobligation and reobligation of funds applied to
self-governance funding agreements.
Language is included under Indian Health Service,
Administrative provisions, providing that health care may be
extended to non-Indians at Indian Health Service facilities and
providing for expenditure of funds transferred to IHS from the
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Language is included under Indian Health Service,
Administrative provisions, preventing the Indian Health Service
from billing Indians in order to collect from third-party
payers until Congress has agreed to implement a specific
policy.
Language is included under Indian Health Service,
Administrative provisions, allowing payment of expenses for
meeting attendance; specifying that certain funds shall not be
subject to certain travel limitations; prohibiting the
expenditure of funds to implement new eligibility regulations;
providing that funds be apportioned only in the appropriation
structure in this Act; prohibiting changing the appropriations
structure without approval of the Appropriations Committees;
and permitting the sale of goods and services for fees and for
the use of those fees.
Language is included under Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian
Relocation, Salaries and expenses, defining eligible
relocatees; prohibiting movement of any single Navajo or Navajo
family unless a new or replacement home is available; limiting
relocatees to one new or replacement home; and establishing a
priority for relocation of Navajos to those certified eligible
who have selected and received homesites on the Navajo
reservation or selected a replacement residence off the Navajo
reservation.
Language is included under Institute of American Indian and
Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development, Payment to the
Institute, earmarking funds for the Library Technology Center.
Language is included under Smithsonian Institution,
Salaries and expenses, allowing for advance payments to
independent contractors performing research services or
participating in official Smithsonian presentations; providing
that funds may be used to support American overseas research
centers; permitting the use of certain funds for the Victor
Building; and rescinding prior year funds.
Language is included under Smithsonian Institution, repair,
restoration and alteration of facilities, permitting the
Smithsonian Institution to select contractors for certain
purposes on the basis of contractor qualifications as well as
price and earmarking funds for the National Zoo.
Language is included under Smithsonian Institution,
Administrative provisions, precluding any changes to the
Smithsonian science program without prior approval of the Board
of Regents; limiting the design or expansion of current space
or facilities without prior approval of the Committee; and
limiting reprogramming of funds and the use of funds for the
Holt House.
Language is included under National Gallery of Art,
Salaries and expenses, allowing payment in advance for
membership in library, museum, and art associations or
societies; providing uniform allowances and for restoration and
repair of works of art by contract without advertising; and
providing no-year availability of funds for special
exhibitions.
Language is included under National Gallery of Art, Repair,
restoration and renovation of buildings, permitting the Gallery
to perform work by contract or otherwise and to select
contractors for certain purposes on the basis of contractor
qualifications as well as price.
Language is included under National Foundation for the
Humanities, Matching grants, allowing obligation of current and
prior year funds of gifts, bequests, and devises of money for
which equal amounts have not previously been appropriated.
Language is included under National Foundation on the Arts
and the Humanities, Administrative provisions, requiring
certain language in contracts and grants permitting the use of
non-appropriated funds for reception expenses, and allowing the
chairperson of the NEA to approve small grants under limited
circumstances.
Language is included under Commission of Fine Arts,
Salaries and expenses, permitting the charging and use of fees
for its publications.
Language is included under Commission of Fine Arts,
National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs limiting the use of
funds to study the alteration or transfer of this program.
Language is included under Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation, Salaries and expenses, restricting hiring anyone
at Executive Level V or higher.
Language is included under National Capital Planning
Commission, Salaries and expenses, providing a pay level at the
rate of Executive Level IV for all appointed members.
Language is included under Holocaust Memorial Council,
providing no year funding availability for repair and
rehabilitation and museums exhibitions.
Language is included under Title III--General provisions,
providing for availability of information on consulting
services contracts; prohibiting the use of funds to distribute
literature either to promote or oppose legislative proposals on
which Congressional action is incomplete; prohibiting the use
of funds to provide personal cooks, chauffeurs or other
personal servants to any office or employee; specifying that
funds are for one year unless provided otherwise; prohibiting
assessments against programs funded in this bill; and
prohibiting the sale of giant sequoia trees in a manner
different from 2002.
Language is included under Title III--General provisions,
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.
Language is included under Title III--General provisions,
limiting the use of funds for contract support costs on Indian
contracts.
Language is included under Title III--General provisions,
making reforms in the National Endowment for the Arts,
including funding distribution reforms; permitting the National
Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities to collect, invest
and use private donations; limiting funds for completing or
issuing the five-year program under the Forest and Rangeland
Renewable Resources Planning Act; limiting the use of funds for
any government-wide administrative functions; permitting the
use of Forest Service road and trail funds for maintenance and
forest health; limiting the use of telephone answering
machines; and limiting the sale for export of western red cedar
in Alaska.
Language is included under Title III--General Provisions,
prohibiting the Forest Service from using projects under the
recreation fee demonstration program to supplant existing
concessions and permitting the use of Forest land management
plans pending completion of required revisions.
Language is included under Title III--General Provisions,
clarifying the requirement for mutually significant benefits
when the Forest Service conducts cooperative agreements;
limiting leasing and preleasing activities within National
Monuments; extending the authority for Forest Service
stewardship and results contracts; making a technical
correction to the Cabin User Fee Fairness Act of 2000;
extending and expanding the pilot program allowing the Forest
Service to dispose of certain excess structures and reinvest
the proceeds for maintenance and rehabilitation; providing for
processing expired grazing permits by the Bureau of Land
Management and the Forest Service; providing authority for the
staff of Congressionally established foundations to use GSA
contract airfare rates and Federal government hotel
accommodation rates when on official business; authorizing a
demonstration program for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, which
permits the Eagle Butte service unit to pay higher salaries and
bonuses to attract health professionals; prohibiting the
transfer of funds to other agencies other than provided in this
Act; providing the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary
of Agriculture the authority to enter into reciprocal
agreements with foreign nations concerning the personal
liability of firefighters; and limiting the use of funds to
prepare or issue a permit or lease for oil or gas drilling in
the Finger Lakes National Forest, NY.
Appropriations Not Authorized by Law
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1) 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National Endowment for the Arts...... 1993 ``Such sums as may be $174,460 $116,489
necessary''.
National Endowment for the Humanities 1993 ``Such sums as may be 177,413 126,054
necessary''.
Office of Navajo & Hopi Indian 2000 $30,000.................. 8,000 14,491
Relocation.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Resources Management:
Endangered Species Act Amendments 1992 $41,500.................. 35,721 130,244
of 1988.
Marine Mammal Protection Act 1999 $10,296.................. 2,008 2,453
Amendments of 1994.
Department of Energy
Energy Information Administration.... 1992 NA....................... 76,300 80,611
Office of Fossil Energy:
Coal............................. 1997 ``Such sums as may be 149,629 207,700
necessary''.
Enhanced Oil Recovery............ 1997 NA....................... 45,937 44,400
Natural Gas...................... 1997 NA....................... 23,614 48,190
Fuel Cells....................... 1997 NA....................... 50,117 71,000
Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy:
Transportation R&D............... 1994 $160,000................. 176,000 273,864
Buildings, Industry.............. 1994 $275,000................. 255,700 562,152
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee notes that authorizing legislation for many
of these programs is in various stages of the legislative
process and these authorizations are expected to be enacted
into law later this year.
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.
Full Committee Votes
Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(b) of rule XIII 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: there were no recorded votes.
Compliance With Rule XIII, CL. 3(e) (Ramseyer Rule)
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
SECTION 412(b) OF THE NATIONAL PARKS OMNIBUS ACT OF 1988
(16 U.S.C. 5961(b)) is amended as follows:
(b) Obligation of Funds.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, with respect to a service contract for the
provision solely of transportation services at Zion National
Park, the Secretary may obligate the expenditure of fees
received in fiscal year [2002] 2003 under section 501 before
the fees are received.
SECTION 124(a) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES
ACT, 1997
(16 U.S.C. 1011(a)) is amended as follows:
(a) In General.--For fiscal year 1997 and thereafter,
appropriations made for the Bureau of Land Management,
including appropriations for the Wildland Fire Management
account allocated to the National Park Service, Fish and
Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, may be used
by the Secretary of the Interior for the purpose of entering
into cooperative agreements with the heads of other Federal
agencies, tribal, State, and local governments, private and
nonprofit entities, and landowners for the protection,
restoration, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and
other resources on public and private lands and the reduction
of risk from natural disaster where public safety threatened
that benefit these resources on public lands within the
watershed.
SECTION 347 OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999
STEWARDSHIP END RESULT CONTRACTING DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
Sec. 374 (a) In General.-- Until September 30, [2004] 2005,
the Forest Service may enter into, via agreement or contract as
appropriate, no more than twenty-eight (28) stewardship
contracting demonstration pilot projects with private persons
or other public or private entities, of which Region One of the
Forest Service shall have the authority to enter into nine (9)
such contracts, to perform services to achieve land management
goals for the national forests that meet local and rural
community needs.
SECTION 329 OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2002
Sec. 329. (a) * * *
(b) Limitation.-- Conveyances on not more than [10] 20
sites may be made under the authority of this section, and the
Secretary of Agriculture shall obtain the concurrence of the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate in advance of
each conveyance.
(d) Duration of Authority.-- The authority provided by this
section expires on September 30, [2005] 2006.
SECTION 608 OF THE CABIN USER FEE FAIRNESS ACT OF 2000
SEC. 608. ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT OF CABIN USER FEE.
(a) * * *
(b) Initial Index.--
(1) * * *
(2) Statewide changes.-- In determining the annual
adjustment to the cabin user fee for an authorization
located in a county in which agricultural land prices
are influenced by the [value influences] criteria
described in [section 606(b)(3)] section 606(b)(2), the
Secretary shall use average statewide changes in the
State in which the lot is located.
Five-Year Projection of Outlays
In compliance with section 308(a)(1)(B) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), as
amended, the following table contains five-year projections
associated with the budget authority provided in the
accompanying bill:
(In millions)
Budget authority (discretionary)........................ 19,730
Outlays:
Fiscal year 2003.................................... 12,461
Fiscal year 2004.................................... 4,400
Fiscal year 2005.................................... 1,700
Fiscal year 2006.................................... 756
Fiscal year 2007 and future years................... 402
Assistance to State and Local Governments
In accordance with section 308(a)(1)(C) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), as
amended, the financial assistance to State and local
governments is as follows:
(In millions)
New budget authority.................................... 2,744
Fiscal year 2003 outlays resulting therefrom............ 1,513
MINORITY VIEWS OF THE HONORABLE NORMAN DICKS AND DAVID OBEY
In submitting these views, the Minority wishes to express
its appreciation for the cooperative and bi-partisan manner in
which the Interior Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2003 has
been handled by the Chairman and the Majority. The Minority has
been consulted throughout the process and believes that its
views are reflected in many aspects of the bill. While we do
not agree with every recommendation and continue to work for
improvements in certain areas, in its entirety we believe that
the Interior bill is one which Members from both parties can
support.
In expressing our support for a fair bill which addresses
the highest priorities within a constrained budget allocation,
the Minority does not mean to leave the impression that we
believe this bill fully addresses the natural resource and
human needs which are addressed by agencies within the Interior
Subcommittee's jurisdiction. In fact, the $19,730 million
allocation for 2003, while almost $900 million above the
president's request, is only 2.8 percent above the 2002
spending levels--an increase barely able to keep up with
inflation. Nonetheless, the allocation has allowed the
Committee to restore most of the cuts proposed in the Bush
budget, especially those poorly justified reductions for energy
research, forest fire prevention and preparedness, natural
resource science at the U.S. Geological Survey and programs for
urban parks.
There are also important increases. These include $20
million for the weatherization program, which is funded at $250
million. This program has been increased by $98 million over
the last two years and the increased funding will lead to
significant savings in energy as additional homes, schools and
hospitals are insulated. It is critical to lower income
families who often live in poorly insulated houses and who have
seen the cost of heating double in the last year. There are
also important increases for the land management agencies,
especially the Fish and Wildlife Service which celebrates its
100th anniversary and the Minority was particularly pleased to
see the $99 million increase over the request for Indian
schools and Indian health programs. While far less than they
need, it is a good recommendation given the allocation.
The Minority is pleased to join with the Majority in
support of the sections of this bill which fully fund the new
Conservation Trust Fund created two years ago by the Congress
(title VIII of the Fiscal Year 2001 Interior Appropriations
Act.). This new funding structure was created as our commitment
to significant increases for preservation of this country's
natural and cultural resources. It expands programs which
support critical land acquisition where lands are threatened by
development, accelerates efforts to deal with maintenance needs
of our parks, refuges and forests, enhances efforts to protect
wildlife, and expands federal support for other conservation
and preservation needs. By providing the full $1,440 million
authorized this year for conservation programs in the Interior
bill, the Congress maintains its commitment to the $12 billion
in funding anticipated over the first six years of this
initiative. This is roughly twice the amount which would likely
have been provided under previous financing structures.
The Minority was especially pleased that the Committee
adopted on a bi-partisan basis an amendment adding $700 million
in critically needed fiscal year 2002 supplemental funding to
fight the catastrophic fires burning in many of the Western
States. The 2002 fire season is shaping up to be one of the
worst in recent memory. At the beginning of July more than 3
million acres have burned, almost triple the average for this
time of year. We believe the failure of the executive branch to
request adequate funding for this emergency is irresponsible
and we are pleased that the Committee has responded by adding
to the bill the supplemental funding which will clearly be
needed.
While we have in these views attempted to indicate the many
areas in which we are supportive of the bill, we must, however,
express our consternation regarding the decision by the
Committee to hold down funding for America's cultural
agencies--the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). These agencies,
which finance the country's small but critical efforts in
support of cultural education and preservation, were cut by
more than 40 percent in 1995 and, despite some progress in the
last two years, for the most part have yet to recover. The NEA
is funded in this bill at a level of $116.5 million, $46
million below the 1995 level and in real dollars a reduction of
almost one-third. The funding for the National Endowment for
the Humanities is similarly inadequate in this bill.
Last year, when the House considered the FY 2002 Interior
bill, it approved a bi-partisan amendment to begin restoring
federal support for these cultural agencies. The House at that
time voted 221 to 193 in favor of adding $10 million to the NEA
and $5 million to the NEH, the first increase to win final
approval on a roll call vote since 1994. The Minority believes
that this vote was a turning point in which the full House
declared an end to the fight over federal funding for the arts
and humanities begun in the early 1990's. It did so first
because of the quality and the public support for these
programs. But, it also did so because it accepted that the
reforms instituted by the Congress had successfully dealt with
the concerns of many in the public about federal support for
controversial projects. These reforms include a significant
broadening of grant support to more States and communities, an
expanded and more publicly responsive advisory council, and
controls to limit funding for controversial programs. The
Minority will continue to look for sources of additional
funding for our cultural agencies as the bill moves to the
House floor.
There are other areas beyond the cultural agencies where
the Minority would support additional funds. In particular
Indian health and education are high priority areas which need
increased resources. But, as stated at the beginning of these
views, we believe this legislation in balance is a good bill
produced through an open and bi-partisan process. We believe it
deserves an ``aye'' vote at final passage.
Norm Dicks.
David Obey.