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• Executive Order for Review of National Monuments: Background and Data [October 18, 2017]

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  "The Antiquities Act of 1906 (54 U.S.C. §§320301-320303) authorizes the President to proclaim national monuments on federal lands that contain 'historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest.' Monument proclamations typically seek to provide protections to federal lands and resources. The President is to reserve 'the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected.' [...] In 2017, the Trump Administration reviewed certain national monuments proclaimed by previous Presidents. [...] On August 24, 2017, the Secretary submitted to the President a final report on all 27 monuments reviewed. The report, marked 'draft,' was made public by the news media. It contained recommendations for 10 of the 27 monuments, with between one and six recommendations per monument. The types of recommendations varied. They included amending monument proclamations for specified purposes, changing monument boundaries, agency revision of monument management plans, and seeking authority from Congress for tribal comanagement of cultural areas. The report also contained broader recommendations, including changing the monument designation process, establishing new monuments, and seeking congressional clarification of the limits on executive authority under the Antiquities Act and the intent of Congress regarding land uses of monument areas with other protective designations. Congress continues to face a variety of national monument issues. Congress has broad authority to establish, amend, or abolish national monuments and has done so on numerous occasions, including amending and redesignating monuments proclaimed by Presidents. Congress also oversees presidential exercise of authority to proclaim monuments and has considered measures to alter this authority."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Hanson, Laura A.

  2017-10-18
• Federal Lands and Related Resources: Overview and Selected Issues for the 116th Congress [Updated March 18, 2019]

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  From the Document: "The Property Clause in the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, §3, clause 2) grants Congress the authority to acquire, dispose of, and manage federal property. The 116th Congress faces multiple policy issues related to federal lands and natural resources. These issues include how much and which land the government should own and how lands and resources should be used and managed. These issues affect local communities, industries, ecosystems, and the nation. [...] This report introduces some of the broad themes and issues Congress has considered when addressing federal land policy and resource management. These include questions about the extent and location of the federal estate. For example, typically Congress considers both measures to authorize and fund the acquisition of additional lands and measures to convey some land out of federal ownership or management. Other issues for Congress include whether certain lands or resources should have additional protections, for example, through resignation as wilderness or national monuments, or protection of endangered species and their habitat."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hoover, Katie; Comay, Laura B.; Crafton, R. Eliot . . .

  2019-03-18
• Federal Land Ownership: Acquisition and Disposal Authorities [Updated March 26, 2019]

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  From the Document: "The federal government owns roughly 640 million acres, heavily concentrated in 12 western states. Four agencies--the National Park Service (NPS), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Forest Service (FS) in the Department of Agriculture--administer about 95% of those lands."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Comay, Laura B.; Crafton, R. Eliot . . .

  2019-03-26
• Deferred Maintenance of Federal Land Management Agencies: FY2009-FY2018 Estimates and Issues [Updated April 30, 2019]

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  From the Document: "Each of the four major federal land management agencies maintains tens of thousands of diverse assets, including roads, bridges, buildings, and water management structures. These agencies are the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), National Park Service (NPS), and Forest Service (FS). Congress and the Administration continue to focus on the agencies' deferred maintenance and repair of these assets--in essence, the cost of any maintenance or repair that was not done when it should have been or was scheduled to be done. Deferred maintenance and repair is often called the 'maintenance backlog'."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol

  2019-04-30
• National Monuments and the Antiquities Act [October 2, 2014]

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  "The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes the President to proclaim national monuments on federal lands that contain historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, or other objects of historic or scientific interest. The President is to reserve 'the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected.' The act was designed to protect federal lands and resources quickly, and Presidents have proclaimed a total of 138 monuments. Congress has modified many of these proclamations and has abolished some monuments. Congress also has created monuments under its own authority. Presidential establishment of monuments sometimes has been contentious--for example, President Franklin Roosevelt's creation of the Jackson Hole National Monument in Wyoming (1943) and President Clinton's establishment of 19 monuments and expansion of 3 others (1996-2001). President Obama's designation of 10 new monuments and enlargement of 2 others have renewed controversy over the Antiquities Act. However, the President cited support for his designations, many of which had been proposed for protective designations by legislation. Issues have included the size of the areas and types of resources protected; the effects of monument designation on land uses; the level and types of threats to the areas; the inclusion of nonfederal lands within monument boundaries; the lack of public participation and environmental review requirements in the act; and selection of the managing agency."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Alexander, Kristina

  2014-10-02
• National Monuments and the Antiquities Act [March 21, 2014]

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  "The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes the President to proclaim national monuments on federal lands that contain historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, or other objects of historic or scientific interest. The President is to reserve 'the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected.' The act was designed to protect federal lands and resources quickly, and Presidents have proclaimed a total of 137 monuments. Congress has modified many of these proclamations and has abolished some monuments. Congress also has created monuments under its own authority. Presidential establishment of monuments sometimes has been contentious--for example, President Franklin Roosevelt's creation of the Jackson Hole National Monument in Wyoming (1943); President Carter's massive Alaskan withdrawals (1978); and President Clinton's establishment of 19 monuments and enlargement of three others (1996-2001). President Obama's designation of nine new national monuments and enlargement of another have renewed controversy over the Antiquities Act. However, the President cited support for his monument designations, most of which had been proposed for protective designations by legislation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Alexander, Kristina

  2014-03-21
• National Monuments and the Antiquities Act [November 30, 2018]

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  "The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes the President to proclaim national monuments on federal lands that contain 'historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest.' The President is to reserve 'the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected.' Congress subsequently limited the President's authority by requiring congressional authorization for extensions or establishment of monuments in Wyoming, and by making withdrawals in Alaska exceeding 5,000 acres subject to congressional approval. The Antiquities Act was a response to concerns over theft from and destruction of archaeological sites and was designed to provide an expeditious means to protect federal lands and resources. President Theodore Roosevelt used the authority in 1906 to establish Devils Tower in Wyoming as the first national monument. Seventeen of the 20 Presidents since 1906 created 158 monuments, including the Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Zion, Olympic, Statue of Liberty, and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. President Franklin D. Roosevelt used his authority the most often (36 times), and President Obama proclaimed the most monument acreage (about 554 million, primarily in two expanded marine monuments)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol

  2018-11-30
• National Monuments and the Antiquities Act [October 12, 2012]

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  "The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes the President to proclaim national monuments on federal lands that contain historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, or other objects of historic or scientific interest. The President is to reserve 'the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected.' The act was designed to protect federal lands and resources quickly, and Presidents have proclaimed a total of 132 monuments. Congress has modified many of these proclamations and has abolished some monuments. Congress also has created monuments under its own authority. […] Issues have included the size of the areas and types of resources protected; the effects of monument designation on land uses; the level and types of threats to the areas; the inclusion of nonfederal lands within monument boundaries; the act's limited process compared with the public participation and environmental review aspects of other laws; and the agency managing the monument. […] Monument supporters favor the Antiquities Act in its present form, asserting that the public and the courts have upheld monument designations and that many past designations that initially were controversial have come to be supported. They contend that the President needs continued authority to act promptly to protect valuable resources on federal lands from potential threats."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Alexander, Kristina

  2012-10-12
• Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies: FY2016 Appropriations [January 20, 2016]

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  "The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill includes funding for most of the Department of the Interior (DOI) and for agencies within other departments--including the Forest Service within the Department of Agriculture and the Indian Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services. It also provides funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), arts and cultural agencies, and numerous other entities. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L. 114-113), provided $32.23 billion for FY2016 for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. The total included $452.0 million for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, which compensates counties and local governments for nontaxable lands within their jurisdictions. It also included additional funding for Wildland Fire Management, but it did not provide for either a new adjustment to the discretionary spending limits in law or emergency funding for this purpose, both of which had been proposed. The FY2016 enacted total was a $1.75 billion increase (5.7%) over the FY2015 total of $30.48 billion. Compared to FY2015, FY2016 funding for all DOI agencies increased by $925.5 million (8.3%), for EPA remained the same, and for Related Agencies increased by $822.3 million (7.3%). Agencies received varying amounts of the $32.23 billion for FY2016. The appropriations were $12.02 billion (37.3% of total) for DOI agencies, $8.14 billion (25.3% of total) for EPA, and $12.07 billion (37.5% of total) for other agencies and entities in Title III of the bill."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol

  2016-01-20
• State Management of Federal Lands: Frequently Asked Questions [December 16. 2016]

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  "The federal government owns roughly 640 million acres of land, about 28% of the 2.27 billion acres in the United States. This land is managed by numerous agencies, but four agencies administer about 95% of federal land, with somewhat differing management emphases. These agencies are the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and National Park Service (NPS) in the Department of the Interior (DOI), and the Forest Service (FS) in the Department of Agriculture. Most federal land is in the West, including Alaska. The total amount of money the federal government spends managing land is not readily available. However, the appropriations for the four major land management agencies totaled $15.47 billion for FY2016. Federal land ownership began when the original 13 states ceded title to more than 40% of their 'western' lands to the central government. Subsequently, the federal government acquired lands from foreign countries through purchases and treaties. The Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2, gives Congress authority over the lands, territories, or other property of the United States. This provision provides Congress broad authority over lands owned by the federal government. The U.S. Supreme Court has described this power as 'without limitations.' When Congress exercises its authority over federal land, federal law overrides conflicting state laws under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article VI, Clause 2."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Wyatt, Alexandra M.

  2016-12-16
• Heritage Areas: Background, Proposals, and Current Issues [June 4, 2013]

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  "Over nearly 30 years, Congress has established 49 national heritage areas (NHAs) to commemorate, conserve, and promote areas that include important natural, scenic, historic, cultural, and recreational resources. NHAs are partnerships among the National Park Service (NPS), states, and local communities, where the NPS supports state and local conservation through federal recognition, seed money, and technical assistance. NHAs are not part of the National Park System, where lands are federally owned and managed. Rather, lands within heritage areas typically remain in state, local, or private ownership or a combination thereof. Heritage areas have been supported as protecting lands and traditions and promoting tourism and community revitalization, but opposed as potentially burdensome, costly, or leading to federal control over nonfederal lands. This report focuses on heritage areas designated by Congress (not other entities) and related issues and legislation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Comay, Laura B.

  2013-06-04
• Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies: FY2013 and FY2014 Appropriations [May 1, 2014]

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  "The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill includes funding for most of the Department of the Interior (DOI) and for agencies within other departments--including the Forest Service within the Department of Agriculture and the Indian Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services. It also provides funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), arts and cultural agencies, and numerous other entities. […] This report focuses on FY2014 enacted appropriations for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. It first compares FY2014 enacted appropriations with FY2013 enacted appropriations. It next compares the FY2014 enacted appropriations with those requested by the President; recommended by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; and proposed by the leaders of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. Finally, the report compares FY2014 appropriations with FY2012 appropriations. Comparisons generally are at the agency level."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol

  2014-05-01
• Heritage Areas: Background, Proposals, and Current Issues [September 8, 2014]

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  "Over 30 years, Congress has established 49 national heritage areas (NHAs) to commemorate, conserve, and promote areas that include important natural, scenic, historic, cultural, and recreational resources. NHAs are partnerships among the National Park Service (NPS), states, and local communities, where the NPS supports state and local conservation through federal recognition, seed money, and technical assistance. NHAs are not part of the National Park System, where lands are federally owned and managed. Rather, lands within heritage areas typically remain in state, local, or private ownership or a combination thereof. Heritage areas have been supported as protecting lands and traditions and promoting tourism and community revitalization, but opposed as potentially burdensome, costly, or leading to federal control over nonfederal lands. This report focuses on heritage areas designated by Congress (not other entities) and related issues and legislation. There is no comprehensive statute that establishes criteria for designating NHAs or provides standards for their funding and management. Rather, particulars for each area are provided in its enabling legislation. Congress designates a management entity, usually nonfederal, to coordinate the work of the partners. This entity typically develops and implements a plan for managing the NHA, in collaboration with other parties. Once approved by the Secretary of the Interior, the management plan becomes the blueprint for managing the area."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Comay, Laura B.; Hardy Vincent, Carol

  2014-09-08
• Heritage Areas: Background, Proposals, and Current Issues [October 30, 2014]

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  "Over 30 years, Congress has established 49 national heritage areas (NHAs) to commemorate, conserve, and promote areas that include important natural, scenic, historic, cultural, and recreational resources. NHAs are partnerships among the National Park Service (NPS), states, and local communities, where the NPS supports state and local conservation through federal recognition, seed money, and technical assistance. NHAs are not part of the National Park System, where lands are federally owned and managed. Rather, lands within heritage areas typically remain in state, local, or private ownership or a combination thereof. Heritage areas have been supported as protecting lands and traditions and promoting tourism and community revitalization, but opposed as potentially burdensome, costly, or leading to federal control over nonfederal lands. This report focuses on heritage areas designated by Congress (not other entities) and related issues and legislation. There is no comprehensive statute that establishes criteria for designating NHAs or provides standards for their funding and management. Rather, particulars for each area are provided in its enabling legislation. Congress designates a management entity, usually nonfederal, to coordinate the work of the partners. This entity typically develops and implements a plan for managing the NHA, in collaboration with other parties. Once approved by the Secretary of the Interior, the management plan becomes the blueprint for managing the area."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Comay, Laura B.

  2014-10-30
• Land and Water Conservation Fund: Overview, Funding History, and Issues [July 29, 2014]

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  From the Document: "The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act of 1965 was enacted to help preserve, develop, and ensure access to outdoor recreation facilities to strengthen the health of U.S. citizens. The law created the Land and Water Conservation Fund in the U.S. Treasury as a funding source to implement its outdoor recreation goals. [...] There is a difference of opinion as to the appropriate level of funds for LWCF and how those funds should be used. Current congressional issues include deciding the amount to appropriate for land acquisition, the state grant program, and other purposes, if any. Pending legislative proposals address a variety of issues. They include proposals to permanently authorize the LWCF, provide mandatory appropriations for the fund, provide for a minimum percentage and/or amount of funding for acquisitions that increase access to federal lands for recreational purposes, direct revenues from additional sources to the LWCF, specify or change the allocation for the state grant program, and expand the purposes for which LWCF funds could be used."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol

  2014-07-29
• Federal Land Ownership: Acquisition and Disposal Authorities [March 5, 2014]

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  "The federal government owns roughly 640 million acres, heavily concentrated in 12 western states. Four agencies--the National Park Service (NPS), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), in the Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Forest Service (FS) in the Department of Agriculture--administer about 95% of those lands. The extent to which these four federal agencies have authority to acquire and dispose of land varies considerably. The BLM has relatively broad authority for both acquisitions and disposals under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. The agency has other authorities for disposing of land, including a law that allows transfers to governmental units and other entities for public purposes. By contrast, the NPS has no general authority to acquire land to create new park units or to dispose of park lands. The FS authority to acquire lands is mostly limited to lands within or contiguous to the boundaries of a national forest. The agency has various authorities to dispose of land, but they are relatively constrained and infrequently used. The FWS has various authorities to acquire lands, but no general authority to dispose of its lands. The agency frequently uses acquisition authority under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1929, because of the availability of funding through the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Corn, M. Lynne (Mary Lynne), 1946-; Comay, Laura B. . . .

  2014-03-05
• Federal Land Ownership: Acquisition and Disposal Authorities [May 19, 2015]

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  "The federal government owns roughly 640 million acres, heavily concentrated in 12 western states. Four agencies--the National Park Service (NPS), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Forest Service (FS) in the Department of Agriculture--administer about 95% of those lands. The extent to which these four federal agencies have authority to acquire and dispose of land varies considerably. The BLM has relatively broad authority for both acquisitions and disposals under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA). The agency also has other authorities for disposing of land, including a law that allows transfers to governmental units and other entities for public purposes. By contrast, the NPS has no general authority to acquire land to create new park units or to dispose of park lands. The FS authority to acquire lands is mostly limited to lands within or contiguous to the boundaries of a national forest. The agency has various authorities to dispose of land, but they are relatively constrained and infrequently used. The FWS has various authorities to acquire lands but no general authority to dispose of its lands. The agency frequently uses acquisition authority under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1929 because of the availability of funding through the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. Congress also enacts legislation authorizing and governing the acquisition or disposal of particular lands. In some cases this is to provide authority where no standing authority exists, and in other cases it is to direct or facilitate land transactions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Corn, M. Lynne (Mary Lynne), 1946-; Comay, Laura B. . . .

  2015-05-19
• State Management of Federal Lands: Frequently Asked Questions [November 12, 2015]

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  "The federal government owns roughly 640 million acres of land, about 28% of the 2.27 billion acres in the United States. This land is managed by numerous agencies, but four agencies administer about 95% of federal land, with somewhat differing management emphases. These agencies are the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and National Park Service (NPS) in the Department of the Interior (DOI), and the Forest Service (FS) in the Department of Agriculture. Most federal land is in the West, including Alaska. The total amount of money the federal government spends managing land is not readily available. [...] Opinions differ about the extent to which the federal government should own and manage land. The extent to which Congress should transfer ownership and management of land to states is a policy choice for Congress. The 114th Congress and recent Congresses have considered, and in some cases enacted, measures related to disposal, acquisition, and management of federal lands. A variety of bills sought to provide for ownership and management of particular parcels by states, individuals, and other entities. At the same time, diverse proposals sought to provide for acquisition of lands for federal ownership and management. Still other proposals focused on establishing or amending agency authorities to dispose of or acquire land."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Wyatt, Alexandra M.

  2015-11-12
• Land and Water Conservation Fund: Overview, Funding History, and Issues [October 21, 2014]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act of 1965 was enacted to help preserve, develop, and ensure access to outdoor recreation facilities to strengthen the health of U.S. citizens. The law created the Land and Water Conservation Fund in the U.S. Treasury as a funding source to implement its outdoor recreation goals. […] There is a difference of opinion as to the appropriate level of funds for LWCF and how those funds should be used. Current congressional issues include deciding the amount to appropriate for land acquisition, the state grant program, and other purposes, if any. Pending legislative proposals address a variety of issues. They include proposals to permanently authorize the LWCF, provide mandatory appropriations for the fund, provide for a minimum percentage and/or amount of funding for acquisitions that increase access to federal lands for recreational purposes, direct revenues from additional sources to the LWCF, specify or change the allocation for the state grant program, and expand or otherwise alter the purposes for which LWCF funds could be used."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol

  2014-10-21
• Executive Order for Review of National Monuments [May 1, 2017]

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  "The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes the President to proclaim national monuments on federal lands that contain 'historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest.' The President is to reserve 'the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected.' From 1906 to date, Presidents have established 157 monuments and have enlarged, diminished, or otherwise modified previously proclaimed monuments. On April 26, 2017, President Trump issued an executive order requiring the Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI) to review national monuments established or expanded by Presidents since 1996. (See Table 1.) The order requires review of national monuments where the size at establishment or after expansion exceeded 100,000 acres or where the Secretary determines that the action was taken 'without adequate public outreach and coordination.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Hanson, Laura A.

  2017-05-01
• Federal Land Ownership: Overview and Data [March 3, 2017]

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  "Today the federal government owns and manages roughly 640 million acres of land in the United States. Four major federal land management agencies manage 610.1 million acres of this land, or about 95% of all federal land in the United States. These agencies are as follows: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 248.3 million acres; Forest Service (FS), 192.9 million acres; Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), 89.1 million acres; and National Park Service (NPS), 79.8 million acres. Most of these lands are in the West, including Alaska. In addition, the Department of Defense (DOD) administers 11.4 million acres in the United States, about 2% of all federal land. The remaining acreage, approximately 3% of all federal land, is managed by a variety of government agencies. Ownership and use of federal lands have stirred controversy for decades. Conflicting public values concerning federal lands raise many questions and issues, including the extent to which the federal government should own land; whether to focus resources on maintenance of existing infrastructure and lands or acquisition of new areas; how to balance use and protection; and how to ensure the security of international borders along the federal lands of multiple agencies. Congress continues to examine these questions through legislative proposals, program oversight, and annual appropriations for the federal land management agencies."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Hanson, Laura A.; Argueta, Carla N.

  2017-03-03
• Climate Change Adaptation: Department of the Interior [February 25, 2021]

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  From the Introduction: "This report does not analyze climate change science, the causes of multidecadal climate change, or the experienced or projected effects of climate change. Rather, this report describes activities related to climate change adaptation within the Department of the Interior (DOI). The information in this report reflects the state of climate change adaptation activities within DOI and its agencies as of the end of 2020 and does not address activities undertaken under the Biden Administration. Climate change adaptation activities described herein have been implemented both through administrative actions (e.g., executive and secretarial orders and actions taken within agencies' discretion under existing statutory authorities) and pursuant to statutory requirements. This report provides an overview of selected DOI departmental and agency policies, programs, and actions (herein collectively referred to as 'activities') aimed at adapting to experienced and projected effects of climate change. This report focuses on activities related to 'adaptation' to climate change rather than activities related to the 'mitigation' of climate change. For the purposes of this report, 'adaptation' includes activities undertaken to adjust to and prepare for, including through research, the experienced or projected effects of climate change; 'mitigation' includes activities directed at reducing the magnitude of climate change."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Crafton, R. Eliot; Comay, Laura B.; DeSantis, Mark K. . . .

  2021-02-25
• Federal Land Ownership: Current Acquisition and Disposal Authorities [December 13, 2012]

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  "The federal government owns roughly 635 million acres, more than a quarter of the land in the United States. These lands are heavily concentrated in 12 western states (including Alaska, but not Hawaii), where the federal government owns more than half of the overall land area. Four federal agencies-the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), all in the Department of the Interior (DOI), and the U.S. Forest Service (FS) in the Department of Agriculture-administer about 95% of those lands. This report describes the primary authorities of these agencies for acquiring and disposing of land. The various acquisition and disposal authorities were provided by Congress through various laws enacted over more than a century. The extent to which the agencies have authority to acquire and dispose of land, and the nature of the authorities, vary considerably. Some of the agencies have relatively broad authority to acquire and/or dispose of land. Most notably, the BLM has relatively broad authority for both acquisitions and disposals. By contrast, the NPS has no general authority to acquire land to create new park units or to dispose of park lands. The extent of the acquisition and disposal authorities for the FS and the FWS are not nearly as broad as the BLM's but not nearly as restrictive as the NPS's. The FS authority to acquire lands is mostly limited to lands within or contiguous to the boundaries of a national forest. The agency has various authorities to dispose of land, but they are relatively constrained and infrequently used. The FWS has various authorities to acquire lands, but no general authority to dispose of its lands."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Comay, Laura B.; Corn, M. Lynne (Mary Lynne), 1946-

  2012-12-13
• National Park System: Establishing New Units [April 25, 2013]

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  "The National Park System (System) includes 401 diverse units administered by the National Park Service (NPS) of the Department of the Interior. Units generally are added to the National Park System by acts of Congress, although the President may proclaim national monuments for inclusion in the System on land that is federally managed. An act of Congress creating a Park System unit may explain the unit's purpose; set its boundaries; provide specific directions for land acquisition, planning, uses, and operations; and authorize appropriations for acquisition and development. Today, there are more than 20 different designations (i.e., titles) for units of the National Park System, reflecting the diversity of the areas. There is no statute that sets out and defines all the designations, and Congress has discretion in choosing the type of designation for a unit being established."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol

  2013-04-25
• Effect of COVID-19 on Federal Land Revenues [July 13, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "Four major federal land management agencies administer 606 million acres (95%) of the federal land in the United States (approximately 640 million acres). These agencies are the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and National Park Service (NPS) in the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Forest Service (FS) in the Department of Agriculture. In addition, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), in DOI, manages access to approximately 1.7 billion offshore acres in federal waters on the U.S. outer continental shelf. The agencies administer their lands for a variety of purposes, primarily related to conservation, recreation, and development of natural resources. This report focuses on the potential impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on certain revenue-generating activities, federal payment and revenue-sharing programs, and federal assistance programs administered by these resource-managing agencies."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Comay, Laura B.; Crafton, R. Eliot . . .

  2020-07-13
• Recreation on Federal Lands [Updated March 8, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "The growing and diverse nature of recreation on federal lands has increased the challenge of balancing recreation with other land uses, and balancing different types of recreation. Motorized recreation has been particularly controversial, with issues centering on access and environmental impacts. The 109th Congress is considering legislation and conducting oversight on issues involving recreation on federal lands, including traditional recreational pursuits and newer forms of motorized recreation. The Administration is addressing these issues through budgetary, regulatory, and other actions. The courts also may continue to intervene. Several prominent issues are covered in this report. […] While designation of trails is often popular, issues remain regarding funding, expansion, and quality of trails. The 109th Congress is considering a variety of trail measures, including adding routes to the National Trail System, authorizing studies of routes for possible additions to the system, authorizing land acquisitions from willing sellers, and creating new categories of trails. Legislation has been introduced to create a new category of trails, called National Discovery Trails. Other federal land recreation issues of interest to the 109th Congress include recreational uses within the National Wildlife Refuge System, recreation at federal water sites (Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation), recreation fees, and Grand Canyon Colorado River management."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Calvert, Kori; Hardy Vincent, Carol

  2006-03-08
• Recreation on Federal Lands [Updated June 8, 2006]

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  From the Summary: "The growing and diverse nature of recreation on federal lands has increased the challenge of balancing recreation with other land uses, and balancing different types of recreation. Motorized recreation has been particularly controversial, with issues centering on access and environmental impacts. The 109th Congress is considering legislation and conducting oversight on issues involving recreation on federal lands, including traditional recreational pursuits and newer forms of motorized recreation. The Administration is addressing these issues through budgetary, regulatory, and other actions. Several prominent issues are covered in this report. […] While designation of trails is often popular, issues remain regarding funding, expansion, and quality of trails. The 109th Congress is considering a variety of trail measures, including adding routes to the National Trail System, authorizing studies of routes for possible additions to the system, and authorizing land acquisitions from willing sellers. Legislation has been introduced to create a new category of trails, called National Discovery Trails. Other federal land recreation issues of interest to the 109th Congress include recreational uses within the National Wildlife Refuge System, recreation at federal water sites (Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation), recreation fees, and Grand Canyon Colorado River management."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Calvert, Kori; Hardy Vincent, Carol

  2006-06-08
• Heritage Areas: Background, Proposals, and Current Issues [October 31, 2012]

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  "Over more than 25 years, Congress has established 49 national heritage areas (NHAs) to commemorate, conserve, and promote areas that include important natural, scenic, historic, cultural, and recreational resources. NHAs are partnerships among the National Park Service (NPS), states, and local communities, where the NPS supports state and local conservation through federal recognition, seed money, and technical assistance. NHAs are not part of the National Park System, where lands are federally owned and managed. Rather, lands within heritage areas typically remain in state, local, or private ownership or a combination thereof. Heritage areas have been supported as protecting lands and traditions and promoting tourism and community revitalization, but opposed as potentially burdensome, costly, or leading to federal control over nonfederal lands. This report focuses on heritage areas designated by Congress (not other entities) and related issues and legislation. There is no comprehensive statute that establishes criteria for designating NHAs or provides standards for their funding and management. Rather, particulars for each area are provided in its enabling legislation. Congress designates a management entity, usually nonfederal, to coordinate the work of the partners. This entity typically develops and implements a plan for managing the NHA, in collaboration with other parties. Once approved by the Secretary of the Interior, the management plan becomes the blueprint for managing the area. NHAs might receive funding from a wide variety of sources. Congress typically determines federal funding for NHAs in annual appropriations laws for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. NHAs can use federal funds for many purposes, including staffing, planning, and projects. The FY2012 appropriation for the NPS for assistance to heritage areas was $17.4 million. Full-year funding for FY2013 has not been determined, and FY2013 funds are being provided under the terms of the Continuing Appropriations Resolution for FY2013 (P.L. 112- 175). The Obama Administration has expressed interest in having NHAs become financially selfsufficient, and some appropriators and other Members have emphasized self-sufficiency for these areas as well. One role of the NPS is to evaluate heritage areas at least three years before the expiration of the authorization for federal funds. The NPS has completed evaluations of nine NHAs designated in 1996, and anticipates submitting reports to Congress on these evaluations in the near future."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Hardy Vincent, Carol; Comay, Laura B.

  2012-10-31
• National Park Service: Government Shutdown Issues [Updated October 18, 2019]

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  From the Document: "Like other federal agencies, the National Park Service (NPS) has halted most operations during occasional government shutdowns resulting from lapses in appropriations. Over the past 25 years, such shutdowns occurred in late 1995/early 1996, October 2013, early 2018, and, most recently, from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019. Although government shutdowns have affected many agencies and programs, public and congressional attention has focused particularly on certain impacts, one of which is the effect of a shutdown on the National Park System."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Comay, Laura B.; Hardy Vincent, Carol

  2019-10-18