Senate Appropriations Committee Passes Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act

Strategic Insights -

As Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force, Senator Gary Peters (MI) championed the bill to strengthen water infrastructure, protect wildlife and the environment, and improve access to clean drinking water for Michiganders. The bipartisan legislation, which now advances to the full Senate, includes numerous measures led and supported by Peters, including funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, combatting invasive carp, and addressing PFAS contamination.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill provides $4 billion for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which has funded over 8,000 projects since its inception in 2010.
  • $2.85 billion is allocated for the Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund to support federal firefighting efforts.
  • $12 billion is allocated for Tribal programs across the Department of the Interior and the Indian Health Service.
  • The bill includes funding to address PFAS contamination, including $3 million to deliver clean drinking water to Grayling Township residents and $1 million to modernize Grand Blanc's water infrastructure.
  • $550,000 is allocated to repair and replace damaged parts of the historic Charles Lang Freer House at Wayne State University.
  • The bill provides a total of $1 billion for the Forest Service, including funding to improve forest restoration and fire risk reduction efforts.
  • $3 billion is allocated for National Park Service operations, supporting 433 national parks, monuments, and recreational areas across the United States.

Statistics:

  • $4 billion: Total funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative since its inception in 2010.
  • 8,000: Number of projects funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
  • $2.85 billion: Funding allocated for the Wildfire Suppression Operations Reserve Fund.
  • $12 billion: Total funding allocated for Tribal programs across the Department of the Interior and the Indian Health Service.
  • $3 million: Funding allocated to deliver clean drinking water to Grayling Township residents.
  • $1 million: Funding allocated to modernize Grand Blanc's water infrastructure.
  • $550,000: Funding allocated to repair and replace damaged parts of the historic Charles Lang Freer House.
  • $1 billion: Total funding allocated for the Forest Service.
  • $3 billion: Funding allocated for National Park Service operations.

Sources:

  • "Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act" - United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
  • Great Lakes Task Force - United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
  • Great Lakes Restoration Initiative - United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
  • Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act - United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
  • Lead Testing in Schools Program - United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
  • Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Program - United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
  • Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds - United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
  • National Park Service - United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
  • National Heritage Areas Program - United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
  • Tribal Programs - United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
  • Indian Health Service - United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters