H.R. 3444, the Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act of 2025, requires federal land agencies—including the Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Forest Service—to develop plans allowing federally recognized tribes to participate in managing lands with historical or cultural significance to them. The bill specifically authorizes the Forest Service to establish at least five co-management agreements with tribes over four years for forestry activities such as forest restoration and recreation services, with mechanisms for tribal input on management decisions and dispute resolution if requests are denied. The legislation provides $50 million in funding from fiscal years 2026-2030 and includes provisions for tribal employee training, payments for agreement work, federal tort liability protection for tribal workers, and protections for tribal data and knowledge. Federal agencies must respond to tribal requests within 60 days, publish eligible activities annually, and report progress to Congress every three years while incorporating indigenous knowledge into decision-making. The bill preserves existing tribal rights and does not prevent the Secretary from making separate agreements with other tribes.
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