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Congressional appropriators released final spending bills for fiscal year 2026 for the Interior department, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Energy on Monday. The package cuts funding slightly for most Interior department agencies, but stops well short of President Donald Trump's recommended cuts.
The Bureau of Land Management is set to receive $1.34 billion, down from $1.41 billion in fiscal year 2025, but up from the $936 million recommended by Trump. Similarly, the Park Service is set to receive $3.27 billion, down from $3.34 billion in 2025, but up from Trump's $2.12 billion. Fish and Wildlife is set to receive $1.65 billion, down from $1.68 billion in 2025, but up from Trump's $1.14 billion. Finally, the Forest Service is set to receive $8.61 billion, up from ;$8.55 billion in 2025, and well above the $3.05 billion recommended by Trump.
The National Parks Conservation Association celebrated the package, saying, "These funding levels should keep parks open and staff on the ground as the system has been nearing a breaking point after losing a quarter of its permanent workforce in 2025."
While his funding recommendations weren't followed, President Trump's priorities appear elsewhere in the bills, according to a House Appropriations Committee summary of the funding package. For example, the bills increase funding for onshore oil and gas development by $7.4 million and prevent sage-grouse from being listed under the Endangered Species Act. They also eliminate funding for environmental justice programs, increase funding for law enforcement on public lands, and prevent attempts to delay access to public lands for grazing.
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The impacts of the Trump/Burgum cuts to public land staffing will become even more apparent [in 2026]... They were able to paper over some of the damage [in 2025], but eventually you have to pay the piper when you lose that much experience and personnel.”
