Committee Democrats Introduce Bill to Elevate Tribal Leadership in Land Management

Washington, D.C. – Today, top Democrats on the House Natural Resources Committee introduced the Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act, a landmark bill that ensures Tribal Nations are full and equal partners in the management of federal lands. The legislation would direct the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service to incorporate Tribal co-management into decision-making processes—affirming Tribal sovereignty and fulfilling the U.S. federal government’s longstanding trust and treaty obligations.

ONE-PAGER | SECTION BY SECTION | BILL TEXT

"As wildfires grow more devastating and climate change accelerates, we simply cannot afford to ignore the expertise of those who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial," said Ranking Member Huffman. "For too long, the federal government has left Tribal Nations out of decision-making processes when it comes to managing public lands, but these lands often hold deep cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance for Tribal communities. This bill changes that by creating a clear framework for real, equal partnership—where Tribes help shape decisions, lead restoration efforts, and bring their knowledge to the table in a way that is respected, protected, and empowered. This bill would help build a foundation for shared stewardship that respects Tribal sovereignty, improves forest health, and strengthens our communities against climate-driven disasters. It's long overdue."

“Federal recognition and respect for the deeply rooted relationship between Indigenous peoples and the land is overdue,” said Vice Ranking Member Sarah Elfreth. “As the original stewards of this land for centuries, their wisdom and lived experiences in preserving ecosystems, waterways, and natural resources like our forests offer generational knowledge we cannot afford to overlook. The Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act takes an important step in ensuring Indigenous communities have their rightful seat at the table."

“Tribal Nations have been stewards of our forests and lands since time immemorial, guided by deep cultural knowledge and respect for the natural world,” said Representative Teresa Leger Fernández, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. “When we recognize Tribes authority to lead and co-manage our public lands, we not only honor their sovereignty—we also protect our forests, our water, and our future. The Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act recognizes that Tribal leadership is not just a matter of justice, it is essential for a healthy planet and resilient communities.”

“I’m proud to join Ranking Member Huffman in introducing this bill to elevate Tribal voices in land management decisions. In Colorado, where many Tribes, including the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute, have deep ties to the land, this landmark bill will improve Tribal co-management of our public lands.” said Representative Joe Neguse, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Federal Lands. “I’m excited to join my colleagues in an effort to recognize Tribal Nations as equal partners in land stewardship, and uplift their longstanding ecological knowledge.”

"Tribal Nations have managed these lands for thousands of years—they know what they’re doing,” said Representative Val Hoyle, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries. “If we’re serious about preserving our federal lands and preventing wildfires, we need to work with the people who’ve been protecting these forests long before the federal government existed. This bill gives Tribes the seat at the table they deserve and brings their deep knowledge into decisions that make our communities safer and our forests stronger."

“Tribal Nations were stewards of their own lands for centuries before the U.S. government stepped in–they deserve an equal role in managing them now. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing legislation that affirms Tribal sovereignty and strengthens Indigenous partnerships in the management of federal lands. Our state is home to 22 federally recognized tribes; this bill ensures Tribal voices are central in shaping the future of our forests and public lands, especially as we work together to address the climate crisis,” said Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Ranking Member of the Energy and Minerals Subcommittee.

“Tribal Nations have been caretakers of these lands since time immemorial. To protect our forests and build a more resilient future, Congress must embrace Tribal co-management and honor Tribal sovereignty. This legislation ensures we harness traditional ecological knowledge alongside the best available science to manage our forests and natural resources together,” said Representative Maxine Dexter, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

BACKGROUND

Tribal Nations have stewarded these lands since time immemorial, using traditional ecological knowledge to reduce wildfire risk, restore ecosystems, and protect sacred cultural resources. Yet despite this expertise, many Tribes continue to face bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of statutory authority that limit their participation in land management decisions.

This bill seeks to change that.

The Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act:

Requires the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs to develop Tribal Co-Management Plans in coordination with the Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee.
Mandates culturally appropriate training for Department of the Interior employees engaged in Tribal Co-Management work.
Extends statutory authority to the U.S. Forest Service to enter into co-management agreements with Tribes for activities including forest planning, ecological restoration, recreation, and research.
Ensures regular review of Tribal Co-Management Plans and allows Tribes to request reviews following natural disasters.
Directs agencies to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge into planning, with safeguards to protect data sovereignty and cultural integrity.
Reduces administrative burdens on Tribes by streamlining reporting and compliance processes.

The bill has been endorsed by Karuk Tribe, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, National Congress of American Indians, InterTribal Timber Council, Rural Voices for Conservation Alliance, Sustainable Northwest, Alliance for Wildfire Resilience, Cultural Fire Management Council, The Stewardship Project, the Indigenous Futures Society, FireGeneration Collaborative, and Climate and Wildfire Institute.

STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT

“We are excited to endorse Rep. Huffman's tribal self-determination and co-management in forestry bill. Karuk people have been managing our homelands since time immemorial and partnering with the US Forest Service for decades. We appreciate that this bill recognizes the importance of sovereign-to-sovereign co-management frameworks that enable us to do the important work of proactively managing our forests and making our landscapes more resilient to wildfire in a manner consistent with our indigenous knowledge practice and belief systems. We look forward to progressing these efforts in a bipartisan manner to enable more proactive management across multi-jurisdictional landscapes” Karuk Chairman Russell "Buster" Attebery

“The Stewardship Project supports the Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act as a vital step toward reorienting federal land management around active stewardship and Indigenous leadership. This bill directly reflects recommendations from the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission by ensuring Tribes are not just consulted, but empowered as equal partners in forest management.” The Stewardship Project Co-Chairs Scott Stephens, Don Hankins, and Sara Clark

"This legislation builds upon the shared stewardship authorities authorized by past Congresses to create a permanent co-management role in improving the health and resilience of federal lands. It would give tribes the ability to expand the successful models and practices used in Indian Country for the benefit of all federal land within their traditional territories. We fully support Congressman Huffman’s legislation and urge its passage by Congress." Cody Desautel, President, InterTribal Timber Council

"Sustainable Northwest supports the Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act and Representative Huffman's recognition of Tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. Legislation designed to protect and manage federal lands must respect, uphold, and implement the legally binding obligations the federal government has to Tribal nations. This legislation paves the way for a new approach to manage and enhance federal lands, add workforce capacity, and uphold Tribal and treaty rights in land management by formally including Tribal Nations in planning and decision-making." Dylan Kruse, President, Sustainable Northwest

"The Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition is strongly in support of the Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act which advances opportunities for Tribal co-management and co-stewardship of federal public lands. This bill is an important step in bolstering Tribal sovereignty, honoring protected Tribal rights, and bringing Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge into federal forest and grassland management. We thank Congressman Huffman for his leadership on this issue critical to the stewardship and resilience of rural communities and landscapes of the West." Laurel Harkness, Coalition Director, Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition

"The Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission recognized co-management of federal lands with Tribes as a critical tool to achieve wildfire risk reduction. This bill expands the ability of the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to partner with Tribes to plan and accomplish much-needed restoration and risk reduction work and is an important step forward in expansion of federal co-management authority." Tyson Bertone-Riggs, Managing Director, Alliance for Wildfire Resilience

“Tribal Co-Management Plans are an important vehicle for fulfilling our nation’s treaty and trust responsibilities to Tribal Nations and improving the overall stewardship of fire-dependent public lands. The Climate and Wildfire Institute supports The Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act as a vital pathway for addressing the wildfire crisis by upholding and advancing Tribal rights and access consistent with recommendations from the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Report.” Marissa Christiansen, Executive Director at the Climate and Wildfire Institute

"Our forests are unhealthy, and Tribal communities are held back from applying time-tested and locally driven practices in our own homelands. This bill on co-management is a fundamental step forward to restore forests and our communities who have managed them for thousands of years." Ryan Reed, (Karuk, Hupa, Yurok), Director of FireGeneration Collaborative (FireGen)

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