Appropriations for FY2003: Interior and Related Agencies (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised March 15, 2003 |
| Report Number |
RL31306 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Carol Hardy Vincent, Resources, Science and Industry Division; and Susan Boren, Domestic Social Policy Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
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Summary:
The Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations bill includes funds for the Department of the
Interior (DOI), except for the Bureau of Reclamation, and funds for some agencies or programs
within three other departments--Agriculture, Energy, and Health and Human Services. It also funds
numerous smaller related agencies. On February 4, 2002, President Bush submitted his FY2003
budget for Interior and related agencies, totaling $18.94 billion compared to $19.17 billion enacted
for FY2002 ( P.L.107-63 ). While the House passed an Interior funding bill in the 107th Congress,
the
Senate did not. Thus, a series of resolutions were enacted to continue funding at FY2002 levels.
On January 23rd, 2003, the Senate passed H.J.Res. 2 , the omnibus appropriations
bill for FY2003 that included funding for Interior and related agencies and 10 other regular
appropriations bills not enacted for FY2003. For Interior and related agencies, the Senate bill
contained $18.97 billion for FY2003, plus an $825 million fire supplemental for FY2002, for a bill
total of $19.80 billion. The Senate bill required an across-the board cut of 2.852% that the numbers
in this report do not reflect, as it is unclear how they were to be calculated for the Interior and related
agencies. The House-passed measure ( H.R. 5093 , 107th Congress) contained $19.71
billion for FY2003, plus a $700 million fire supplemental for FY2002, for a bill total of $20.41
billion. The conference report on the measure ( H.Rept. 108-10 ) was signed into law on February
20, 2003 ( P.L. 108-7 ).
The FY2003 law contained $19.08 billion for Interior and related agencies, plus $825.0 million
for fire fighting to repay transferred amounts for fire fighting in FY2002. It provides that an across
the board 0.65% cut be applied on a proportionate basis to each account, and to each program,
project, and activity within an account. Again, the figures in this report do not reflect proportionate
cuts, as it is unclear how they too would be calculated for the Interior and related agencies. The law
does not specifically fund the Conservation Spending Category, although the House bill had
recommended $1.44 billion for FY2003, higher than the Administration ($1.32 billion). It provides
increases over the Administration's request for some agencies, including the U.S. Geological
Survey, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Indian Health Service, and Energy Department
programs, while providing decreases from the request for other agencies.
Controversial issues addressed during Interior bill consideration included: fire management,
stewardship contracting, and wilderness in the Tongass National Forest (see FS); development in the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and renewal of grazing permits and leases (see BLM); Missouri
River flows (see FWS); Everglades restoration; (see NPS and cross-cutting issues); funding for land
acquisition and conservation (see cross-cutting issues); development of oil and gas leases off the
California coast (see MMS); management of the Indian tribes' trust funds and assets (see BIA and
OST); and drought assistance. This report will not be updated.
