7
Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act of 2025
12/12/2025, 11:58 AM
Summary of Bill S 719
One key aspect of the bill is to provide tribes with greater flexibility in managing their forests. This includes allowing tribes to enter into agreements with federal agencies for the management of their forests, as well as providing tribes with the authority to carry out forest management activities on their own.
Additionally, the bill aims to improve coordination between tribes and federal agencies in managing forests. This includes requiring federal agencies to consult with tribes when developing forest management plans that may impact tribal lands. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to enhance the capacity of tribes to manage their forests effectively. This includes providing technical assistance and training to tribes, as well as establishing a grant program to support tribal forest management activities. Overall, Bill 119 s 719 seeks to strengthen the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 and improve the management of tribal forests. By providing tribes with greater flexibility, enhancing coordination with federal agencies, and increasing capacity-building efforts, the bill aims to promote sustainable forest management on tribal lands.
Congressional Summary of S 719
Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act of 2025
This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 the Tribal Forest Protection Act (TFPA) and expands the lands and activities eligible for inclusion in the TFPA.
Currently under the TFPA, the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) may enter into contracts and agreements with Indian tribes for tribes to carry out land management projects on federal lands. These projects are designed to protect Indian forest lands and rangelands from wildfire, disease, and other threats coming from federal lands. However, the TFPA is currently limited to projects on federal lands that border or are adjacent to Indian forest lands and rangelands under the jurisdiction of the tribe.
This bill removes certain limitations of the TFPA, first by expanding the definition of Indian forest land or rangeland to include land in Alaska that is held by Alaska Native corporations, thereby allowing these corporations to participate in TFPA projects.
Additionally, the bill removes the requirement that TFPA projects must occur on federal lands that border or are adjacent to Indian forest lands or rangelands. The bill instead requires the federal land involved to have a special geographic, historical, or cultural significance to the tribe.
The bill allows TFPA projects to be carried out directly on Indian forest lands and rangelands. (Currently, the TFPA only applies to work conducted on federal lands and not on tribal lands.)
The bill also updates a requirement for Interior and USDA to report to Congress on TFPA activities.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill S 719
Bipartisan Support of Bill S 719
Total Number of Sponsors
1Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
1Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
1Democrat Cosponsors
1Republican Cosponsors
0Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 719
Primary Policy Focus
Native AmericansPotential Impact Areas
Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 719
Comments
Marcelo Schwarz
6 months ago
I fully support this bill as it aims to protect tribal forests and promote sustainable management practices. This bill will benefit not only the environment but also the tribal communities who rely on these forests for their livelihoods. It is crucial that we take action to preserve our natural resources for future generations. Who wouldn't benefit from such a positive and necessary legislation?
