Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act of 2025

The Tribal Self-Determination and Co-Management in Forestry Act of 2025 would require federal land management agencies within the Department of the Interior to create Tribal Co-Management Plans within a year, in collaboration with tribes and the DOI’s Tribal Advisory Committee. It also authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into agreements with Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations to carry out certain Forest Service activities on National Forest System lands, with a goal of advancing tribal participation and indigenous knowledge in forest management. The bill provides training for federal employees, a process for requesting and evaluating tribal agreements, measures to protect tribal data sovereignty, funding (up to $50 million over 2026-2030), and ongoing reporting and oversight. Overall, it aims to broaden tribal self-determination and co-management of forest lands while preserving existing rights and environmental and legal safeguards.